This past September, Charlotteans had the opportunity to be transported back to Harlem, New York, during the days of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston when Jermaine Nakia Lee’s musical ‘For the Love of Harlem’ was performed over a weekend.
Now, the musical will be making a return in a different way: a 12-hour-long immersive experience filled with musical performances, a comedy show, food tastings, a Harlem-themed mini-ball and more. The event, which is called “FOR THE LOVE OF HARLEM — An Immersive Experience Celebrating the Harlem Renaissance,” will take place from noon to midnight on Saturday, February 24 at 300 Camp Rd. in Charlotte.
‘For the Love of Harlem’ is set at the peak of the Harlem Renaissance and follows a weekend in the lives of several of the most famous artists of the time: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Countee Cullen and Wallace Thurman. The presentation and surrounding events give the audience the chance to learn a different side of these artists. Lee said he wanted to portray the reality these individuals experienced, one where they were outcasts in their own communities.
“W. E. B. Dubois, who was a prominent thinker and African American leader during that time … and others were a part of a sect that was more interested in homogenizing into white society, and Langston, Zora, Countee, Wallace and the young, ‘negro’ artists of that time were not interested in that,” Lee offered in a previous interview with Qnotes. “They didn’t want to blend in — they wanted to define black culture and for it to stand out on its own and be recognized as its own culture.”
Saturday’s event will feature performances of musical numbers from Lee’s musical, as well as Jazz fusion tunes by DJ Nikki Kee, Interactive Digital Stations and Installations, a 125th St. Harlem-inspired Vendor Marketplace, 1920’s-inspired Fashion Show, Cuttin’ Up Comedy Hour and a Harlem Nights Mini-Ball with $1000 in cash prizes.
“FOR THE LOVE OF HARLEM is a celebration of African American heritage
and self expression,” Lee said in a release to Qnotes. “Be transported back to a time of artistic and cultural awakening with digital, visual arts, culinary arts, dance and musical stations aimed to engage audiences of all ages.”
Lee has said “For the Love of Harlem” is meant to educate others on Black History and culture, as well as show how those within the Black community weren’t always accepting because of the Harlem Renaissance’s ties to queer identities.
“A lot of our heroes and our icons have been glorified, which they should be because they were amazing, but they also were human beings who had struggles and challenges and insecurities,” Lee explains. “Their artistic genius most audiences know about, but how they loved, who they loved, how they struggled to be recognized and appreciated and relevant, most people don’t know about that side of their lives, and so it’s just been a joy to watch audiences experience that.”
Admission to Saturday’s event is free, according to the event’s press release.