The Wedding ... Community Theater With Redemptive Theme

Can One Marry A Billionaire And Still Keep Their Sense of Self?

December 12, 2011 / Jamaica / Theater in Queens / Queens Buzz. Saturday afternoon I made my way to the York Performing Arts Center in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens to see a new play entitled The Wedding.

The play was written by Beverly Morrison Caesar for Arts in Christian Theatre [ACT] which is associated with the Pentecostal Church on Guy Brewer Blvd. Beverly’s plays contain a redemptive message and are performed by volunteers from the church and surrounding community.

I spoke to Beverly about how the play originated and how she combined theater, pantomime and a fashion show all in one grand performance. Click here to read more about The Wedding at the York Performing Arts Center in Jamaica Queens.

Jamaica JAMS

Good Music, Food, Variety & A Good Time

August 6, 2011 / Jamaica Neighborhood / Live Music / Queens Buzz. The folks in Jamaica sure know how to throw a party. I enjoyed Jamaica JAMS this year far more than last year, because the weather was much more comfortable and the streets weren’t quite so crowded. This year I went in the late afternoon of the second day of the two-day event.

Jamaica JAMS is a big Street Musical Festival and Shopping Fair. There were somewhere between a half dozen and dozen musical acts performing Saturday afternoon / evening and hundreds of vendors.

Click here to view a slide show and read more about the Jamaica JAMS Street Music Festival in Jamaica.

Jamaican Jerk Festival Fiery Hot

Festival Provides Spicy Mix Of Food, Fashion, Music & Dance

July 24, 2011 / Jamaican Neighborhood / Fashion & Music / Food & Wine / Queens Buzz. I traveled down to the first annual Jamaican Jerk Festival having only an approximate idea of what to expect. I'd read about other Jamaican Jerk festivals and decided that the first one in Queens would be a good opportunity to check it out.

Roy Wilkins Park is on the southern edge of the Jamaica neighborhood, accessible via the LIE or via the subway to Jamaica Station and then the number 5 or 85 bus down along Merrick Blvd. They had situated the festival around the southern edge of the park, where there are trees which provided much needed shade.

My first stop was the cultural stage, where there music was played, models walked and wore new designs, and I saw Afro-Carribean dances performed. Jamaican jerk is a spicy hot culinary treat, generally added while the chicken or pork is simmering on the grill. Later this week you can click here to read more about the Jamaican Jerk Festival, including a slide show of photos.

Safe Space In Jamaica Queens

 Program Attracts Many Celebs

September 13, 2010 / Jamaica / Queens Buzz. Story done in collaboration with Rob MacKay of Safe Space and photos compliments of Clyde Hamilton.

Safe Space is an institution dedicated to the simple premise that all children should be able to grow up in a healthy and safe environment. Unfortunately many children do not start life with those basics.

This is a brief story about a musical / theatrical benefit event sponsored by Safe Space to celebrate the organization's move to Queens [from Manhattan] this year. Click here to view the Safe Space In Jamaica Queens benefit event in September 2010.

JFK Airport - Public Transit To / From

Air Train / Buses Connect To Subway Lines

Jamaica / Queens Buzz. The Jamaica Train station is the LIRR hub and the busiest transportation complex in Queens. The Jamaica Train station serves as the nexus for LIRR trains heading to / from New York City, to / from JFK airport via the new air train, and to / from all destinations on Long Island, save the Port Washington line. This brief provides some info, photos and a map showing the location of the complex.

Afrikan Poetry Theater

Cultural Center In Jamaica Queens

Jamaica Queens / January 20, 2009 / Queens Buzz.  I had the opportunity to visit the Afrikan Poetry Theater on Inauguration Day 2009. I had long been curious to visit the theater, having heard so much about its community cultural programs which include jazz, poetry readings, lectures, discussions and authentic African cuisine.

John Watusi [left] is the Executive Director of the theater and the following story is an introduction to the theater as told by John who is one of its founders.

The theater started in the seventies, in the aftermath of the social unrest, as African Americans sought to re-establish themselves as members of the American community of immigrants. Part of that movement included delving into their ethnic past in an effort to better understand cultural heritage. The mission of the theater is to educate and entertain the Jamaica and Queens community about African Americans' roots. Click here to read more about the Afrikan Poetry Society in Jamaica NY

Belmont Race Track

Horse Races In Queens NY

This is a brief story reporting on an afternoon spent at the Belmont Race Track in Elmont Queens NY. Horse races are run about five days per week during the season which runs about half the year, but beware because there are down periods where no races are run.

Jamaica Center For Arts & Learning

Jamaica NY / Queens Buzz. The Jamaica Center For Arts & Learning, also known as JCAL, is a community cultural center that has been serving the Jamaica community for nearly forty years. The center offers classes and performances to help educate children and foster appreciation for the arts and learning.

King Manor Museum - Jamaica

Located In King Park

Jamaica / Queens Buzz. This is a brief article about King Manor Museum which is located in King Park in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens NY. King Manor is the former home of Rufus King who was, among other things, a signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Jamaica Savings Banks Landmarked

Jamaica / Queens Buzz. The Jamaica Savings Bank Joined Kings Manor as a landmark. The landmark commission has been busy in the borough of Queens NY.

Jamaica Attractions

Things To Do In Jamaica Queens

Jamaica  / Queens Buzz.  This section provides information about the things to do / cultural attractions located in the Jamaica section of Queens NY.  Jamaica has an interesting African American heritage, including being the home to a number of the Jazz greats, as well as a colonial past, including the still standing home of Rufus King, a signer of the Constitution.

Today Jamaica continues a grand cultural tradition, including hosting well known reggae concerts, one of the largest street fairs in the borough, and is home to numerous cultural and educational institutions such as York College, JCAL and JPAC, the Afrikan Poetry Society and many more.

Click here to view prior reports about the many Things To Do in Jamaica.