Wednesday, June 26th Public Workshop 11 am - 12:30 pm at the Vineyard Arts Project Edgartown
JAE works with students of all movement backgrounds, exploring dance as a form of communication and connection, focused on the universal benefit of moving together and expressing oneself from the inside out. This class blends Haitian folkloric and Afro-contemporary techniques and is accompanied by live drummers. Participants experience several different rhythms from Haitian Folklore, including Yanvalou, Ibo, Mayi, Kongo, and Nago.
Performance on Friday, June 28th at the MV Performing Arts Center
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is a Boston-based Haitian contemporary dance company, directed by dancer, choreographer, and educator Jean Appolon. Combining Modern technique and Haitian folkloric dance, JAE educates audiences about Haitian culture, traditions, history, and current issues. JAE will partner with Haitian electronic music composer, drummer, and turntablist Val Jeanty, also known as Val-Inc. A professor at Berklee College of Music and 2024 United States Artist Fellow, Jeanty is a pioneer of the electronic music sub-genre called Afro-Electronica (also called “Vodou-Electro”), incorporating Haitian Folkloric Culture with digital instrumentations, creating a dream-like expressionism of Afro-Electronica Soundscapes.
Jeanty & JAE will present a medley of three stirring pieces from their repertoire: Black is Black, an improvisational performance featuring Haitian folkloric rhythms and dance; Traka, meaning “troubles” in Haitian Kreyòl, explores how dance, culture, and community are pathways to healing for victims of traumatic events; and a new piece in development called Pouvwa, meaning empowered.