Saturday Night Fever

This picture shows a classy restaurant in Harlem on any given Saturday night. Music is playing, everyone is enjoying themselves, and some are moved to start dancing. The restaurant is predominantly filled with blacks, although there are a few whites present. It is a perfect example of what most bars, restaurants, or jazz clubs in Harlem looked like at night.

Negro heritage and history is clearly reflected here-the picture captures the pinnacle of negro history, the time when blacks flourished most. They are seen celebrated, happy, and as the very source of the Harlem Renaissance. Pride is also seen in the way the picture almost only shows blacks in the bar, and that the only woman dancing in the center is black.

I chose this picture because it so accurately depicts the heart of what was going on during the Harlem Renaissance. It captures the mood, the reality, and what the HR is remembered by perfectly. Even the way it's painted-the movement, the colors-emphasizes black culture in the 20's.

I like the picture mainly because of how alive it is. I get the feeling of dancing, music, singing, happy chattering, warmth, and joy. The colors and positions of everyone in the room tell me exactly what's going on, leaving no questions. It's lovely to look at, and lovely to think about.