The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-04-03
In
New York
BY PAUL HARRISON

III LAOL AAxAAeAbA0OAN
New York-To the infrequent
visitor, Harlem doesn't seem quite
the nocturnal playground that 1t
used to be. Expeditions into dark
est Gotham once were part of the
smart-set routine, and along about
closing time in the Broadway gay
spots the more hardy celebrants
usually were willing to organize
a taxicab, safarI to search for Doc
tor Livingston.
The trouble was, though, that
these quests always led to ringside
tables at the Cotton club, Smalls
paradise, Comics inn, or two or
three smaller clubs in the neigh
borhood. An by and by it became
evident that there was a certain
sameness about watching a lot of
cafe-au-lait chronies Gathering
through a routine to the tune Of
Minnie the Moocher." Contribut-
ing to the discomfort was the fact
that certain white racketeers were
beginning to quarrel about control
Of the hot-foot joints at Comics,
and one night a man with q big
revolver walked into the Pleasure
club and played the fastest, step
ping tune ever heard in these parts.
NIGHT LIFE OASIS
The net result was that o'fay
spenders began to turn their backs
on Harlem. Comics closed, and
there was a lull in the frivolity at
Small's. Only the Cotton club con-
tinued to draw crowds, and to stage
more and more elaborate rcvues.
The current spring show there Is
the equivalent of two acts of a
negro musical on Broadway. AIDE
laide Hall is the star, singing a
potential hit called I'LL Wind" by
the composers of-you guessed tt
stormy Weather" Besides the
chorus this season, there are ten
showgirls, selected in the Ziegfeld
manner for their ability to parade
in trifiing costumes. Only one OF the
latter was picked from Harlem;
the others came from as far away
as Los Angeles and Caracas,
Venezuela.
The Cotton club was started
by Jack johnson, who lost u
fortune In It. johnson, incl
dcntally, always has been high
~ unpopular I'm Harlem MS an
arrogant, dickty fellow who
married outside his race.
BREAKFAST DANCING
Smalls Paradise is a big garish
basement ablishment full of last
weeks air and considerable high
jinks. a fast chorus a loud band,
and walters who spin trays III
miraculous fashion on their finger
tips. At o'clock OH Sunday morn
ings the white folks go home,
prices go down, and in stream
scores of dusky theatrical folk, and
entertainers from other clubs, for
the breakfast dance"
Throngs of amusement seekers
from downtown have resumed
their forays into the black belt, but
now they're seeking out the lesser
known clubs and especially the ma
tive spots In unspoiled foreign
quarters. Many who are tired of
scat singers and tap dancers find
fun at the Cubanacan, where real
Cuban food, music and dances are
provided by native Cubans.
A few curious visitors look on
at the "drags" held at Rockland
palace, but only conscientious
collector of erotica would want to
go there twice. A drag" Is q cos
tune extravaganza attended mostly
by men wearing women's clothes.
One of the most elaborate ones Is
sponsored annually by large fra
ternal organization.
HOT-FOoT PALACES
Other dance halls--the Renais-
sance, Alhambra and especially
the Savoy-are colorful, crowded
and cosmopolitan. Many races
dance there-Filipinos Puerto Ri
cans. Japanese, Cubans, negroes
and a very few whites. At least,
they look like whites, but it's hard
to be sure since some OF the least
tawny lasses have gone In for
bleached hair, and q few silky
platinum wigs.
One Of the worlds largest hot
foot places, the Savoy can ana
often does hold 5000. steppers UNI
ueI LIE Speii OL tWO OrCHSetAap
pounding rhythms. In one dimly-
lighted corner sit a score Of even-
jng-g0wned sepia hostesses. ready,
for. nickel, to follow the most |
agile partner through the jittery
of the double Lindy or |
the m-sham-sl1immy The huge |
floor ID whirlinG Kaleidoscope Of |
legs and coiors, white teeth and
hair. Maltese, the artist,
came here one night and declared
Il the n1c1t epfctzcultr thing ne |