The Yard

Val Jeanty and Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) feature a live DJ paired with Haitian-inspired contemporary dance. Val Jeanty is a Haitian electronic music composer, turntablist, and professor at Berklee College of Music who evokes the musical esoteric realms of the creative subconscious self-defined as “Afro-Electronica.” Artistic Director and founder Jean Appolon is a successful choreographer and master teacher based in Boston and Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In addition to a public movement workshop, a community conversation, and a public drumming workshop, the company will present three pieces: Black is Black, a ritualistic piece based on work by Aldo Tambellini; Traka, “Troubles” in Haitian Kreyòl, exploring dance, culture, and community as pathways to healing for victims of traumatic events; and a new piece in development, Pouvwa, which means “empowered” in Haitian Kreyòl.