Dance Jamaica! (October 18 2008)

 

Four dance companies that operate in the Queens area have been selected to create outdoor performances for the lawn in front of the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in its inaugural season. JPAC is located on one of Jamaica’s busiest thoroughfares, and these public performances will delight the public as they go about their Saturday activities.

 

On October 18th, dance company Ballet International Africans will present "Africa Meets African America". This production is a reflection of the African American dream to one day, be able to return to Africa and feel a sense of belonging, while also accepting their history here in the U.S. The piece incorporates spoken word and contemporary dance with Traditional West African dance, drum, song, and folklore.

 

Queenz Finest is a hip-hop dance company founded by David "Sincere Aiken" while attending Benjamin N. Cardozo high school. The purpose of the company is to give young aspiring dancers a forum in which they can explore and develop their skills and prepare for a professional career in the video and dance industry. David's repertoire is created with the intent to bridge the gap between the youth and their elders as well as various cultures. He believes that although music is intended to be a universal language, a great barrier was created with the inception of hip-hop music. He strongly believes that hip-hop music is attracting a multi-cultural audience and that dance can not only help the elders understand the music of the hip-hop generation, but build a more mature understanding on hip-hop music in the youth.