Jamaica Jams holds 11th Festival

Surrounded by music and poetry, Cultural Collaborative Jamaica (CCJ) launched their 11th Annual Jamaica Arts and Music Summer (JAMS) Festival on Friday, July 18, at the Lebanon Lounge on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica.
CCJ board president Anna Thompson and executive director Tyra Emerson spoke at the event, joined by board members, Lebanon Lodge owner Donald Boncour and two performers.
“The reason we held the event [at the Lebanon Lounge] is because we’re going to start having a cultural caf/ there. Poetry slams, different artists [and] local musicians can come and exhibit,” said Dawn Kelly, vice president of the CCJ board. “It’s a community jewel.”
One of the goals of the CCJ is to promote local artists and businesses.
“We used a lot of emerging artists, and therefore, local talent. I’ve been so impressed and I’m sure the community will be as well, when they hear [them],” said Emerson.
Performing at Friday’s event were spoken word artist The Verbal Artisan and R&B group L4L.
The Verbal Artisan, otherwise known as Cassell Lee, did a slam of her own composing entitled “You’re King, You’re Queen.” The message of the poem is to not believe everything you hear. “That’s what makes you the king, that’s what makes you the queen,” added Emerson.
L4L sang a cappella at the event.
“They sound like Boys II Men, they look good, they smell good, they sing good - the girls are gonna go crazy!” Emerson joked.
“We have a very eclectic group of artists. Plus, we have our old school professional stars, which would be D-Train and The Persuaders,” she explained. Professional singer Kaitlin Amaro will also sing Broadway show tunes at the festival, which starts August 1 and ends August 2.
The first day of the festival includes the free JAMS Under the Stars concert, featuring the CCC Boots Ministries and Don Adolfo, accompanied by his 17-piece Jazz Orchestra of Latin music. The concert starts at 6 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. in King Park, located at Jamaica Avenue and 89th Street.
The JAMS Festival will begin the next day at 11 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. and will cover Jamaica Avenue from 169th to 170th Street.
“[This year’s festival] is going to be different in a lot of ways. For the kid’s section, we’re going to have the Russian American Circus.” Whereas in past years, the street hosted rides and exhibitions, “There’s now an actual circus on the kid’s block.”
There will also be two stages instead of one. Belitte’s Bikes has set up a stage near their store to celebrate the 90th anniversary of their location in southeast Queens. The CCJ will raffle off a bike every hour from the main stage.
“That’s exciting, especially with the gas prices,” Emerson quipped. “Proceeds will go towards the festival, so we are very thankful.”
In addition to the art exhibitions and concerts, Health Plus representatives will demonstrate sports and stress-reducing activities.
“I think that the Jamaica Arts and Music Summer Festival has been tremendous for the community,” said Kelly. “It showcases the community, it puts it on a stage and lets the world at large know what kind of talent, energy, commerce, is in the community. It’s vibrant and growing and the festival helps to promote that.”
“[The neighborhood is] changing,” she said. “You see all the new development … I think that the CCJ has been an engine behind helping that economic development. We add the cultural element, the part for the people to enjoy.”