By Walter Rutledge
For over 31 years Jamel Gaines, and his Brooklyn based company, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Company, has understood the power of education through the arts. His much-anticipated annual arts in education production Remembering, reflects Gaines continued commitment to educate and enlighten the next generation through the dance theatre genre. Gaines and his company will offer six young audience daytime performances on February 11,12 and 13 at 10am and 12 noon in the BAM Fisher (Fishman Space) 321 Ashland Pl, Downtown Brooklyn,. There will also be one evening performance open to the public on February 13th at 7:30pm. His staunch commitment to protected, preserving and perpetuate the legacy of Americans of African descent has earned Gaines the moniker of the “Godfather of Black History Month”.
Remembering is a multimedia history lesson with dance as the primary medium. The work is an effective amalgam of contemporary western and traditional West African dance styles, spoken word, music, West African drumming and stunning video and photographic imagery. This diasporic sojourn chronicles the journey from the blissful land nourished by the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers to the struggles and triumphs on this other side of the Atlantic.
Gaines credits his commitment to the philosophy of empowerment and self-determination offered by Bishop Reverend Dr. Johnny Ray Youngblood, the spiritual leader of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Gaines’ recent participation in the church’s Black History Month declaration, The MAAFA Suite is an example the power of storytelling as communication and education. In other words: Unity through community.
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 21st century visual learning environment. This sensory historical experience explores the struggles, triumphs and continued fight for a place at America’s banquet table.
For more information about Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet school and company visit https://www.creativeoutlet.org for tickets for Remembering at BAM Fisher performances of February 13 visit https://www.bam.org/dance/2026/remembering
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