Jonathan Suazo & Friends
RICANO, Volume 2 Preview
Saturday, March 28
Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center
Jean Appolon Expressions
Ansanm Ansanm, Together Together
Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center
Fast Facts
- Support The Rox Box, Roxbury Community College's on-campus resource for students in need of food and other essentials! Drop off non-perishable food items, personal care products, baby formula, and diapers in the lobby before the performance, or donate in advance online.
- Currently recommended for ages 8 and up.
Boston’s own Jean Appolon Expressions blends Haitian folkloric dance with contemporary movement, creating powerful, visually stunning works that are grounded in cultural specificity and ritual while offering an emotionally resonant experience for audiences of all backgrounds.
Through a compelling blend of the time-honored and the contemporary, artistic director and choreographer Jean Appolon creates works that speak to Haiti’s rich cultural heritage and the Afro-Haitian roots of modern dance. Through movement, he tells deeply human stories about his homeland and its people.
“What does register is the dancers’ insistent energy, authenticity, and individuality. “Traka” reminds us that regardless of what language colonialism and slavery speak, dance is the language of liberation.”
The Boston Globe
About the Program
Ansanm Ansanm, Together Together
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) presents "Ansanm Ansanm, Together Together," a vibrant medley celebrating reflection, resilience, Haitian culture, and unity through dance. This dynamic performance features selections from JAE’s repertoire, including Traka, a profound exploration of healing through community in response to trauma, and Pouvwa, which uplifts the transformative power of Haitian-folkloric dance while addressing themes of global power and liberation. Under the visionary leadership of Jean Appolon, JAE's compelling choreography preserves and elevates Haitian culture while inspiring reflection, healing, and celebration.
Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) presents "Ansanm Ansanm, Together Together," a vibrant medley celebrating reflection, resilience, Haitian culture, and unity through dance. This dynamic performance features selections from JAE’s repertoire, including Traka, a profound exploration of healing through community in response to trauma, and Pouvwa, which uplifts the transformative power of Haitian-folkloric dance while addressing themes of global power and liberation. Under the visionary leadership of Jean Appolon, JAE's compelling choreography preserves and elevates Haitian culture while inspiring reflection, healing, and celebration.
Traka, meaning “Troubles” in Haitian Creole, will be an exploration into how dance, culture, and community are pathways to healing for victims of traumatic events. Traka highlights ways that dance and culture can support healing on both individual and community levels.
Preserving Haiti’s cultural legacy through dance and celebrating Haitian dance and culture as a pathway to healing has defined Appolon’s artistic mission. Through Traka, Appolon will explore these values and the use of dance and community as a coping resource for trauma survivors. JAE is committed to elevating immigrants’ voices and stories.
Traka, meaning “Troubles” in Haitian Creole, will be an exploration into how dance, culture, and community are pathways to healing for victims of traumatic events. Traka highlights ways that dance and culture can support healing on both individual and community levels.
Preserving Haiti’s cultural legacy through dance and celebrating Haitian dance and culture as a pathway to healing has defined Appolon’s artistic mission. Through Traka, Appolon will explore these values and the use of dance and community as a coping resource for trauma survivors. JAE is committed to elevating immigrants’ voices and stories.
Pouvwa (Power), utilizes Haitian-folkloric dance, Afro-electronica, live drumming, visual installations, and workshops, to invite us all to galvanize our power to create a new world. Pouvwa invites us all to identify ways in which we can utilize our personal power to create a new world while also naming the realities of structural, political, and cultural misuse of power across the globe.
JAE hopes Pouvwa fosters interconnectedness and illuminates shared connections of oppression and liberation around the globe. Through Haitian-folkloric choreography and free community workshops, Pouvwa engages a wide-ranging audience to share definitions of power, reflect on how colonialism has systematically disenfranchised shared culture, and identify action steps towards creating a world that is beneficial to all.
Pouvwa (Power), utilizes Haitian-folkloric dance, Afro-electronica, live drumming, visual installations, and workshops, to invite us all to galvanize our power to create a new world. Pouvwa invites us all to identify ways in which we can utilize our personal power to create a new world while also naming the realities of structural, political, and cultural misuse of power across the globe.
JAE hopes Pouvwa fosters interconnectedness and illuminates shared connections of oppression and liberation around the globe. Through Haitian-folkloric choreography and free community workshops, Pouvwa engages a wide-ranging audience to share definitions of power, reflect on how colonialism has systematically disenfranchised shared culture, and identify action steps towards creating a world that is beneficial to all.
Videos
Excerpt from Traka
Excerpt from Traka
Everyone is welcome at all of our performances, especially our free performances in the community through our Neighborhood Arts series. Seating is first come first serve, and all of our venues have the ability to provide Accessible seating. You can also learn more about Accessibility at this venue by visiting the venue page linked in the "Related Links" section.
Please fill out the form below to notify our team of any accommodations you'd like to request in advance.
Roxbury Community College Information
This performance is generously supported by
Amy & Ethan d'Ablemont Burnes.
This performance is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.
This performance is made possible in part by support from Celebrity Series' Amy & Joshua Boger Innovation Fund.
Related Events
I Dream A World Youth Choral Showcase
Saturday, April 11
Roxbury Community College Media Arts Center
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