Entertainment

Jamaican Culture On Show In Jamaica, New York

Braata Folk Singers to “Wheel An’ Come Again” at Jamaica Performing Arts Center on Saturday

NEW YORK – West Indians are expected to assemble this weekend in Jamaica, Queens, to laugh and sway to the highly successful Jamaican musical and comedic production “Wheel An’ Come Again”.

Directed by Jamaican singer and producer Andrew Clarke, the New York-based Braata Folk Singers will showcase their 2011 hit production at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) this Saturday, March 10 at 8 p.m at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue in Queens.

Following rave reviews in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Toronto, the show makes its Queens debut this weekend. “We are truly excited to present Wheel an’ Come Again in Queens for the first time,” said Clarke.

The singer-producer was himself impressed and “bigged up” JPAC’s state-of-the-art facilities. “It’s a wonderful space, with terrific seating for the audience, an expansive stage and first-world technical facilities. It gives us the opportunity to present the show at its very best, and also to introduce patrons to an exciting performance space that has been remarkably under the radar until now.”

Set predominantly on a vibrant and colorful Jamaican market day, Wheel An’ Come Again traces, through song and movement, the activities of a group of vendors and shoppers as they gossip, haggle, socialize and occasionally argue their way through the busy day.

The dramatic market backdrop provides a perfect performance platform for many memorable Jamaican and Caribbean folk songs, including Coconut Woman, Ruckumbine, I’m a Better Woman Than You, Don’t Touch Mi Tomato, Domino, Under The Coconut Tree, and Lionheart.


Braata Folk Singers to perform in Jamaica, New York on Saturday.

Photo credit: Wide Vision Photography

The show continues Braata’s commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence year which began with their recent appearance in Toronto, and includes the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio from July 4 to 14 where they will represent Jamaica.

“Having Jamaican culture on show in Jamaica, Queens is part of our plans to connect the culture of the Caribbean with the strong Caribbean communities who live in the borough,” said Phillip Willis, executive director of the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) which manages the JPAC facility. “Saturday’s show promises to be exciting and we can’t wait for Braata to take the Caribbean community down memory lane.”

The show will rock JPAC’s 400-seat auditorium, located at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue in Queens, where the unique architectural elements of a 19th century church have been incorporated into the construction of a 21st century performing arts theater.

The JPAC facility is easily accessible by public transportation, including bus and subway (E, F, J and Z lines) as well as the LIRR.

To purchase tickets ($25 – adults; $20 – children and seniors), call 718-618-6170 or visit www.jamaica-performingartscenter.org.

The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and the Jamaica Performing Arts Center are housed landmark buildings owned by the City of New York.

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