{"id":132471,"date":"2015-01-13T08:34:44","date_gmt":"2015-01-13T13:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/harlemcondolife.com\/?p=132471"},"modified":"2015-01-13T08:34:58","modified_gmt":"2015-01-13T13:34:58","slug":"help-save-harlems-historic-renaissance-ballroom-demolition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/harlemcondolife.com\/?p=132471","title":{"rendered":"Help Save Harlem’s Historic Renaissance Ballroom from Demolition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Protesters Aim to Save Harlems Historic Renaissance Ballroom from Demolition – Video:\u00a0via Protesters Aim to Save Harlems Historic Renaissance Ballroom from Demolition – NY1<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“The Ballroom was completed in 1924 as part of a larger entertainment hub that included a bustling casino and 900-seat theatre. \u00a0Built and operated by black businessmen, the \u201cRennie\u201d was the only upscale reception hall available to African Americans at the time. \u00a0Prize fights, concerts, dance marathons, film screenings, and stage acts were held at the Renaissance, along with elegant parties and meetings of the most influential social clubs and political organizations in Harlem. \u00a0The community\u2019s elite gathered to dance the Charleston and the Black Bottom to live entertainment by the most renowned jazz musicians of the age.<\/p>\n

“The nightspot even played host to the nation\u2019s first all-black professional basketball team, also called the Harlem Renaissance, considered by some to be the best in the world in their day. \u00a0On game nights, portable hoops were erected on the dance floor, converting the ballroom into a stadium. \u00a0Following each game, almost invariably a victory for the Rens, a dance was held where players would mingle and jive with the choicest ladies of Harlem. \u00a0The team barnstormed in towns across the country, playing exhibition games in which coveted matches with white teams drew the largest crowds. \u00a0In their best season, the Renns set a record with 88 consecutive wins that has yet to be broken.”<\/p>\n

-AbandonedNYC.com<\/p>\n

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