Downtown Jamaica is one of the most vibrant, accessible, diverse, and entrepreneurial centers of urban activity and culture in the New York City region. Once home to many legendary jazz greats, the community once again has a growing reputation as a venue for African-American and Caribbean-American musical performances and music production (reggae, hip-hop, rap, R&B, and pop). It is also home to an increasing number of fashion designers and craft artisans.
Cultural Events
There are always lots of music, dance, poetry/spoken word, and visual art events and exhibitions happening in Downtown Jamaica. Some of the best places to find out what is going on in Jamaica are the “Events” pages below for:
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL)
Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
York College Performing Arts Center
York College Jazz Workshop
Afrikan Poetry Theater
Queens Library, Jamaica Central Branch
Cultural Builds Jamaica
Union Hall Street Thursdays
Union Hall Street was transformed into a block party, complete with tables and chairs, festive lighting, food and beverages available for purchase from Applebee’s and music. Sponsors of “Union Hall Street Thursdays” were Applebee’s, Council Member Comrie, the Jamaica Center BID and Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.
Caribbean Music Festival
This summer the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation partnered with VP Records, a local reggae and caribbean music record label, to sponsor a free Caribbean Music Festival on 5 Thursday evenings in Downtown Jamaica.The series was made possible with support from the New York Community Trust, Health Plus and Jamaica First Parking. Click the photo for more concert images.
Court Plaza Jazz Sessions
During the summer of 2010, York College’s Jazz Bands (under the direction of Tom Zlabinger), took over the plaza at the Queens County Supreme Court on three Thursday evenings from 5-7 PM. Click the photo for more concert images.
Jamaica Funk Concert Series
With support from the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation, and the New York Community Trust, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation hosted a free lunchtime concert series during the summers of 2008 and 2009 in locations throughout Downtown Jamaica featuring live Jazz, Funk, R&B and World music.
Chashama Artists Studios
Greater Jamaica Development Corporation has partnered with the non-profit arts organization Chashama to transform vacant buildings in Downtown Jamaica into temporary art galleries and workshop spaces. The first space is located at 161st Street off of Jamaica Avenue and has studio space for seven working artists. This space is open to the public on daily basis. Each month, the artists in residence have a gallery reception to highlight their work and open their doors to a public viewing. Chashama will be expanding into additional locations throughout the Downtown this summer. Local artists interested in studio space or exhibiting their work should contact Chashama.
Jazz at the Chapel
The Jazz at the Chapel series is organized jointly by the Prospect Cemetery Association, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, and York College / CUNY. The historic chapel of the Sisters/Illinois Jacquet Performance Space provides an intimate setting for this free series that aims to showcase and share the talents of jazz musicians in the greater Queens community. For more information on the Jazz at the Chapel concert series click here.
York College Performing Arts Center
94-20 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard
The York College Performing Arts Center is one of the finest state-of-the-art facilities in New York City, with a main stage theater that seats 1,437, and a Little Theater that seats 152. Recent performances have ranged from traditional flamenco music to groups like the Ritz Chamber Players, the nation’s first chamber music ensemble comprised solely of accomplished musicians spanning the African-American Diaspora. More information and a calendar of events can be found at http://www.york.cuny.edu/pac/.
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
161-04 Jamaica Avenue
In 1972, Greater Jamaica Development Corporation established the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning, an educational and visual arts center. Now independent, JCAL has grown into one of the most important cultural institutions in Queens. This vibrant space includes a 1,650 square-foot visual arts gallery, a 99-seat proscenium theater, painting and dance studios, a ceramics studio, a computer lab, and a music studio. For more information, visit http://www.jcal.org.
Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC)
153-10 Jamaica Avenue
The landmark former First Reformed Church has been transformed into a performing arts center, managed by Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL). Greater Jamaica Development Corporation assisted in the preservation, protection, and restoration of the building. The church’s facade was carefully restored, and the interior transformed to house a 400-seat theater suitable for films, dance, music, rehearsals, performances, and meetings. Other features of this $18 million undertaking include a third-floor community conference room, and additional performance space on the grounds. The renovation was completed in 2007. For more information, visit http://www.jcal.org.