By Walter Rutledge
Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet will commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary with a three-day New York City season Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15 at BAM Fisher Fishman Space. The season will offer Remembering, a program that reflects Gaines continued commitment to educate and enlighten the next generation through the dance theatre genre.
Remembering is a multimedia history lesson with dance as the primary medium. The work explores the struggles, triumphs and continued fight for social justice by Americans of African descent. A journey over four hundred years in the making; and a story that is still evolving and redefining American history.
Inspired by The MAAFA Suite and the teaching of Bishop Rev. Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, the work is a diasporic sojourn. An effective amalgam of contemporary western and traditional West African dance styles, Remembering introduces spoken word, music, West African drumming and stunning video and photographic imagery to complete this sensory historical experience.
This experience is an ideal Black History Month event for young people. What better way to share the richness of American history than through the visual and kinetic power of the arts. It will spark conversations and open curiosities important for this new visual learning environment.
Last week O&A NYC had an opportunity to attend a Creative Outlet rehearsal and get a sneak preview of Homage a new work by choreographer Kevin Iega Jeff. Jeff and Gaines were childhood friends and fellow alumni of Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center located in Queens, New York. Gaines also performed in Jeff’s widely popular dance company Jubilations! Dance Company. Presently Jeff is the Artistic Director of the Chicago based contemporary dance company Deeply Rooted Dance Theater.
Homage – Kevin Iega Jeff Choreographer- Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
For more information about Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet school and company visit https://www.creativeoutlet.org for tickets Remembering at BAM Fisher performances of February 13,14, 15 https://www.bam.org/rentals/2025/remembering
