Activities for Harlem Rent Parties

Poetry Readings from the Harlem Renaissance
Harlem has a long history of being the where many black American poets resided. The writers were also book authors and can be used as a source for Harlem rent party activities. Collect two dozen poems from a variety of famous black American poets from Harlem. Assign one poem to each guest who is willing to read these written words aloud at your rent party. Guests may be more entertained if the poems vary in style and theme.

Mix comedic and serious poetry to keep the poetry readings from creating one solid mood for your entire crowd. Paul Laurence Dunbar, Gwendolyn Bennett, Langston Hughes and James Weldon Johnson were among many famous Harlem poets with material that can be used as reading activities for rent parties. The entertainment can be taken one step further by adding a theme where guests dress up in Harlem style fashion from the 19th and early 20th century. Vintage furniture and decorations can also help to enhance your activities for Harlem rent parties.

Urban Style Dance competition
Offer prizes as an incentive for guests to attend your rent party. Use the prizes for a dance competition where guests have to compete for a certain amount of time or receive evaluations on their performance. While Jazz music is a popular genre for Harlem rent parties, you can use R&B or Hip-Hop music to operate these activities. Men and women who plan to host a fundraiser for their expenses will need to offer non-monetary prizes. Give out toiletries, home decorating products or even used books, DVDs and music CDs to keep expenses low and profits high.

The "Will Work for Food" Philosophy
Party hosts who do not have enough money to pay rent may likely need food as well. The need for food can be turned into one of the most lucrative activities for rent parties using a Pay-to-Play method that is combined with habits of unemployed adults and children. Choose a small fee that guests can pay to request your performance of songs or dances. Make a "Will work for Rent" or "Cash for Food" sign using large posters to coincide with announcements on these Harlem rent party activities throughout the evening. Most or all of the rent can be received if this activity if combined with an admission fee at the door.

Financial Themed Board Games
Harlem style rent parties are one of the best opportunities to learn and teach guests about managing personal finances. Buy or borrow board games that relate to real world economics and use them as main activities at your rent party. There are dozens of games available that can be played with a group of guests including Monopoly, Payday, Life and Careers. Lifestyle themed board game activities can help you learn how to prevent the need for hosting Harlem style rent parties in the future.