Fusing African Dance with Modern and Hip Hop Techniques

CHATHAM — Performance Spaces for the 21st Century welcomes the Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC) to their new state-of-the-art theater Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. This evening-length production of “Rob Day” explores gun culture and our connections to it. PS21 is located at 2980 Route 66 in the town of Chatham.

“Rob Day takes us on a journey,” explained choreographer Jamal Jackson. “In this performance, Rob is a 9mm pistol. The relationships formed on his travels reveal charisma and influence that is undeniable.” JJDC premiered this piece at the DanceNow Joe’s Pub Festival and Triskelion Arts in 2017.

Jamal Jackson Dance Company was founded with the purpose of fusing diverse contemporary dance and music styles to create something that is relevant and new. Jackson’s choreographic style merges contemporary dance forms with traditional West African dance. His work focuses on redefining ideas of community and blurring divisive lines, while celebrating the beauty of individual cultures.

Choreographer Jamal Jackson has a strong desire to entertain and educate. He uses dance workshops to pass on his passion for dance, including a popular African Dance and Drumming Workshop at PS21 each summer.

Tickets for the Jamal Jackson Dance Company are $35 general admission and $30 for PS21 members. They can be purchased at ps21chatham.org, by calling 1-800-838-3006, or at the door until the show sells out. For more information about this event or any other, please visit ps21chatham.org or call (518) 392-6121.

PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century is a not-for-profit organization in Chatham, NY, dedicated to the performing arts. PS21 seeks to serve a diverse community with concerts, programs and residencies by professional artists and ensembles, youth and children’s programming and cultural education opportunities for all ages.

The new black box theater is a flexible 40’x60’ performance space that is closed in the winter and seats up to 99. In warmer months, the east wall slides open and the black box theater transforms into the stage for the 300-seat open-air pavilion theater.

This Jamal Jackson Dance Company performance is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and by PS21’s generous members.