Dunbar Blues Away

WELCOME TO THE BIGGEST RENT PARTY IN HISTORY

The challenges, upsets, and victories of the voices of Harlem create an interesting storyline in this historical play that celebrates the achievements that occurred during the Harlem Renaissance. Little-known artists, politicians, businessmen, musicians, and community leaders who had the courage to follow their dreams are joined together in a play that celebrates their contributions to Harlem’s African American history. Rent parties became a necessary staple for residents who fell behind in their rent.
Dunbar Blues Away, an original historical comical play was set up as a musical. This comical historical play focuses on the Harlem Renaissance and is primarily staged in two buildings that housed many of the prominent and rising Negroes voices of this era. Board Members of the NAACP and female number runner, Madam St. Claire resided at 409 Edgecombe Avenue, a historical landmark building where many pioneers lived. 2588 Seventh Avenue known as The Dunbar was once home to Matthew Henson, an explorer, W.E. B. DuBois, A Phillip Randolph, a union activist, and poet Countee Cullen. Then we’ll tap dance with Richmond, Virginia’s native son, Bill Bojangles, and groove to the beats of Count Basie at the Cotton Club. John Nail will lead us on a guided tour of the architectural wonders by this famed realtor and investor whose sister was married to James Weldon Johnson, a scholar, and NAACP activist. We’ll mingle with Harlem Renaissance painters and sculptors at Augusta Savage's art show at the Studio Museum of Harlem.