By Patrick Donachie
The Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning is celebrating Black History Month with a variety of exhibitions, performances and screenings at two venues in downtown Jamaica.
The center, located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave., will host “The Genius of Geoffrey Holder,” an exhibition celebrating the work of the Trinidadian-born choreographer, designer, director and actor. Holder is well-regarded for his work on the 1974 Broadway musical “The Wiz” as director and costume designer, for which he won a Tony Award. The exhibition will celebrate his many contributions to the world of theater and dance. The exhibition will run from Feb. 1 to May 30.
“The Wiz” will also be featured in a one-time performance Feb. 11 at 4 p.m., put on by the New York Black Arts Festival. The event will be at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center at 153-10 Jamaica Ave., and tickets can be purchased online at www.jcal.org or at JCAL’s box office at (718) 618-6170.
Additional events include “Drama from the Diaspora,” a reading by writer and playwright Amba Chevannes Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, and Taaqiy Grant will debut his documentary film “HAPI – The Role of Economics in the Development of Civilization,” also at JPAC. The film examines the dissolution of trade along the Nile River, as well as exploring ways in which it could rebound.
The United African Dance Troupe will also come to JPAC Feb. 25, with a performance directed by Patricia Ghizamboule Robinson.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
