By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
HOLLYWOOD — In the heart of entertainment capital, a celebration of Black entertainment legends is underway.
The Hollywood Museum’s ninth annual exhibit, “This Joint is Jumpin’: A Celebration of Black Entertainers in Film, TV and Song,” showcases more than 50 icons, including Queen Latifah, Michael Jackson, and Denzel Washington.
Donelle Dadigan, Hollywood Museum founder and president, says the exhibit is a labor of love, inspired by her favorite Hollywood movies.
“It’s seeing all these fabulous movies, whether the period was from the 30s, or the 40s, that’s my favorite era,” Dadigan said.
“‘This Joint is Jumpin’ is a fantastic name,” she said. “Anyone can read into it whatever they want. When you think about how there are so many Black entertainers who can do more than just act, they can dance and sing, and how everyone around them is just having a good time, you think about the joint jumpin’. That’s what it’s all about.”
Dadigan added: “Each year the museum celebrates Black History Month in a different way.
“We don’t just run the exhibit for one month, it’s usually several months, sometimes four, five, and even six months,” she said. “This exhibit could be extended. We’re about really giving everyone an opportunity to come. I want to open people’s minds up and expose them to new experiences. I want them to know about the importance of Black history.”
The exhibit, a testament to the impact of Black artists on Hollywood’s history, features costumes and memorabilia including Michael Jackson’s costumes from the Bad Tour, Eartha Kitt’s Catwoman bodysuit, and a Miss Universe crown and gown worn by Nikki Johnson-Alfano (2021-2022).
“It’s amazing to see generations of families experience the exhibit together,” Dadigan said. “Part of the family will recognize Don Cheadle, Denzel Washington or Viola Davis or Idris Elba, or Will Smith. And the other part of the family will recognize Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, or Marla Gibbs.
“It’s interesting to listen to visitors speak to each other and try to explain to each other why this costume reminds them of a scene in a TV show or from a film. I get to listen to the dialogue from father to son. There is something in the exhibit for everyone.”
In an Instagram post about the event, Johnson-Alfano said, “Speaking about resilience, representation, and the long arc of healing in a space that honors cultural legacy was deeply meaningful.”
Jennifer Jones, who, in 1987, became the first Black Radio City Music Hall Rockette, added her shoes to the collection.
“It was an amazing process to become the first Black woman to open the doors for Black women who can now call themselves Radio City Music Hall Rockettes,” Jones said. “I’m so honored to have some of my artifacts alongside so many influential and talented icons. It is such an honor to be here during Black History Month.
“It is so surreal to me, to be honored along with the life of Lena Horne, Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg and Denzel Washington,” Jones added. “It’s just really a magical moment in my career right now. Even now, the recognition feels suspended in time. I don’t even think it has sunk in yet.
The exhibit is a who’s who of Black entertainment royalty.
“I giggle to myself when I think about the costume I have of Lena Horne’s,” Dadigan said. “I also have the dress that she wore when she met President Eisenhower. I gotta tell you, if I could fit into it, I would wear it myself.”
More than 50 entertainers are represented.
The museum features Hollywood’s Golden Era of film noir, television, and its pioneer years, through the rebellious 1960s, special effects 1970s, evolving 1980s, involved 90s, 19technological 2000s, and beyond.
The Hollywood Museum is located in the historic Max Factor Building, 660 Highland Ave. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the door, with prices starting at $5 for children under 5, $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, students and those in the armed forces with identification.
For information, call 323-464-7776.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
