(New York) – Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is thrilled to announce the culminating event of Danny Simmons’ year-long residency. On June 16th, 7pm at Jamaica Performing Arts Center, Simmons will bring the original cast of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam together for a must-see reunion concert. Def Poetry Jam Reunion is a part of JCAL’s 50th Anniversary celebration, and will precede their Golden Anniversary Gala on June 17th.
Legendary Queens Artist Danny Simmons kicked off his residency at JCAL with October 2021’s “Homecoming”, a Poetry and Jazz Concert featuring legendary Bassist Ron Carter and a lineup of acclaimed Spoken Word artists. His major retrospective “Early Days & Latter Days” will follow beginning February 5th with a Visual Arts Exhibition spanning both of JCAL’s galleries. With the Def Poetry Jam Reunion, Simmons brings the talent of his beloved show back to the community that raised him.
Def Poetry Jam originally aired on HBO between 2002 and 2007. The series featured performances by established and up-and-coming spoken word poets as well as famous actors and musicians. Through the efforts of Bruce George, Deborah Pointer, and Danny Simmons, Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam concept was key in advancing the cultural importance of spoken word poetry. The show has won a Peabody Award and a Tony Award.
The event’s lineup is complete with a number of accomplished poets including Jessica Care Moore, Ursula Rucker, Abiodun Oyewole, Derrick Cross and Vanessa Hidary. As the co-creator of the original Def Poetry series, Danny Simmons has a special connection to each poet who has agreed to come back and honor the memory of the groundbreaking television show.
On the night following the reunion performance, Danny Simmons will be honored by JCAL at its Golden Anniversary Gala on June 17th. His exhibition will close shortly after on June 18th, ending a homecoming celebration of one of Queens’ native sons.
“I’m pleased to present a reunion of poets who graced the stage of the Smash groundbreaking TV show HBO’s Def Poetry Jam,” Simmons says. “A brain child of mine and poet Bruce George, Def Poetry changed the consciousness of America with Spoken Word Poetry. Along with Deborah Pointer, Stan Lathan and Russell we brought together some of the greatest talents on the scene for the show. For JCAL’s 50th anniversary I intend to bring back the same level of excitement to my hometown Jamaica Queens. I’m proud to present Jessica Care Moore, Black Ice, Ursula Rucker, Kayo Charles and Elizabet Velasquez who will be joining us to kick off the evening. Get ready because this showcase is gonna be FIRE!”
About JCAL
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual, performing, and literary arts, and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts.
Operating hours: Monday through Saturday, 10am to 6pm; closed Sundays and major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit JCAL.org.
For tickets click HERE
Contact:
Niesha Kennedy-Robinson
Email: hello@kennedyrobinsonpr.com
SOURCE: JCAL/ NIESHA KENNEDY-ROBINSON
