Classical Theatre of Harlem Hosts a Spirited Night of Poker and Philanthropy

 

Photo credit is Joshua Pyram for The Classical Theatre of Harlem.

High Stakes, Higher Purpose: Classical Theatre of Harlem Hosts a Spirited Night of Poker and Philanthropy

 

Folks did what folks do.  Make moves. Not make excuses. Make. That. Money.

In Harlem, they took over the Renaissance Hotel with one goal: to gamble.  The cards were dealt, chips stacked high, and stakes raised—not just for poker bragging rights, but for the future of one of Harlem’s most vital cultural institutions.

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH), led by Producing Artistic Director Ty Jones, hosted its seventh annual Hold ’Em in Harlem fundraiser this month, drawing a vibrant cross-section of artists, philanthropists, and poker enthusiasts to an evening of community, culture, and spirited competition. The fundraiser, a cornerstone of CTH’s development calendar, supports the company’s 2025 season and its flagship Uptown Shakespeare in the Park program—one of the few free classical theatre offerings in New York City.

In a time when many arts organizations are tightening belts, the evening served as both a celebration and a call to action.

The guest list featured a who’s who of stage and screen, including Brenda Braxton, Russell Hornsby, David Zayas, Grantham Coleman, Jamie Hector, Kevin “Dotcom” Brown, Laila Robins, Felix Solis, and Billy Crudup, all lending their star power in support of the company’s mission to bring accessible, high-quality theatre to Harlem.

The festivities included a high-energy Texas Hold ’Em tournament, curated cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and a robust live auction offering a suite of luxury experiences—from private yacht cruises to bespoke tailoring and fine art portraiture. 

Over $100,000 was raised by night’s end—an essential boost as CTH readies its ambitious summer production of MEMNON, a reimagining of the ancient Ethiopian epic by playwright Will Power and director Carl Cofield. The show will run from July 5 to 27 at Marcus Garvey Park.

The event was also shaded by a sobering reality: CTH’s recent loss of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts due to shifting federal priorities. Jones and the CTH team made no secret of the challenges ahead, using the occasion to underscore the growing importance of local and private support in sustaining Harlem’s cultural legacy.

“In moments like this,” Jones said during the evening’s remarks, “we’re reminded that the arts have always depended on the community—especially when the institutions that are supposed to support us fall short.”

If the laughter, applause, and spirited bidding were any indication, the community remains firmly at CTH’s side. And in Harlem, a good hand means little without a good cause behind it.