Harlem Renaissance Event Coming To Phoenxiville

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- The Phoenixville Public Library will host a unique event celebrating the Harlem Renaissance on March 31.

The Harlem Renaissance: The Black American Impact on Popular Song event will take place at 7 p.m. until 8:15 p.m. in the Community Education Room.

The event is presented by Fred Miller, a pianist, singer, and lecturer.

For black slaves, singing was not a refined amusement but survival and life itself, however limited and painful that life might be. Not surprisingly, after slavery’s demise, the musical expression of the experience -- Spirituals, Blues, Jazz -- would become Black Americans´ most compelling weapon in their hard-fought battle for full assimilation into the mainstream. While many of the more “respectable” professions remained out of reach in those days, entertainment was immediately open to anyone with talent, and musical genius lay waiting in vast storehouses among the Black American community.

This program will spotlight glamorous singer/actress Lena Horne, troubled jazz pioneer Billie Holiday, crooning phenomenon and multimedia star Nat King Cole, and composer/piano personality Fats Waller.

This event is open to the public. Reservations are required on the Adult Events Calendar atwww.phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013, Ext. 132.