STUDENTS THROWBACK TO THE HARLEM RENNAISSANCE

By Mercia Williams-Murray
The Hilltop

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Walking down the steps into the main ballroom of the Galleria in downtown Washington, D.C., students time-traveled to an era where black people thrived in art, literature, music, culture and grandeur for the John H. Johnson School of Communications’ third annual Cotton Club.

Once guests hit the bottom landing, they left the present day for Harlem’s Cotton Club. The atmosphere was mellow and relaxed with a high ceiling and dimly lit ballroom.

Most people dressed in 1920s attire. Women wore flapper dresses and small hats with feathers while their hair was styled in bobs and finger waves. Some women topped off their hairdos with flowers in Billie Holiday’s signature style while others used hanging veils to accentuate the 1920s look.

Strands of pearls hung low around the necks of many and fishnet stockings were common on the dance floor. Long cigarettes, extended satin gloves and layers of tulle and lace were also popular fashion choices. Mock and authentic fur wraps and boas provided protection from the near freezing weather and uncharacteristic spring snow outside.

All of the elegance and grace was not limited to the ladies. Many male partygoers came in tuxedos and three-piece suits.

Other men went for the less formal look of the time, sporting slacks, long sleeve button down shirts, suspenders and ties. Finishing touches for this look included wing-tipped oxfords and newsboy caps. Others made statements by wearing fedoras and top hats.

Some attendees did not wear attire to match the era. Also inconsistent with the era was the hip-hop music provided by senior broadcast journalism major Cubie "DJ Premonition" Coleman.

A photographer from III Eye Digital LLC Photography provided an additional source of entertainment as partygoers lined up with friends and dates to take pictures. Some used feathers, a toy Tommy gun and other items of the era as props.

As an interlude to the hip-hop and R&B music, former Miss Howard University Shayna Rudd sang and recited a poem in a tribute to distinguished jazz musician Miles Davis. Howard alumnus John Williams performed a scat rendition of Lauryn Hill’s "The Sweetest Thing."

Backing up both performers was a band consisting of music major Jessica Chambliss and members of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity.

Sophomore business management major Alexis Flakes said the event was put together well.

"It was a nice, grown and sexy atmosphere," Flakes said.

Jabari Smith, a senior broadcast journalism major, said, "I had a lot of expectations about this being my first Cotton Club and my last Cotton Club, being that this is my senior year." Smith said his expectations were met, seeing everybody decked out in their 1920s and 1930s inspired gear. To him, it showed everyone’s commitment to sticking to the theme.

"When we called for volunteers, we asked for their opinion,” senior broadcast journalism major Whitney Boggs said. Boggs and LeAnn Atteloney coordinated the event.

Boggs said volunteers were asked what could be done differently and what changes would make the event even better.

"Regardless if it’s a party, it still has a theme," Boggs said.

Everyone involved in molding the event wanted the scenery to reflect the Harlem Renaissance theme. Boggs believes the event went well, and she was happy with the amount of tickets sold.

# # #
Access the original article by clicking here.