Upcoming JCAL Spring Events
Riddim Section Presents: Chembo Corniel
April 29, 8pm
153-10 Jamaica Avenue
Join us for an exciting Riddim Section concert! On April 29, at 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, we're presenting the renowned percussionist Wilson “Chembo” Corniel.
Chembo is considered one of the best hard-hitting, versatile percussionists around. He taught percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and at The Drummers Collective. He also leads numerous clinics throughout the United States and around the world, where he brings awareness to others of the rich Afro-Caribbean traditions.
Press Fast Forward
Exhibition Opening Reception
April 24, 6pm
161-04 Jamaica Avenue
Meet the artists, and view spectacular artwork on display! Curated by William Bentley, Press Fast Forward explores the artists' imagination and recollection of their past alongside their vision of the future in an age of technological acceleration. Through framed, two dimensional works, the exhibit reflects on how technology moves at lightning speed, shifting from analog to digital, from dream to reality, inviting artist to consider it's profound impact on communication, creativity and culture.
Calling All Dancers and Choreographers!
Making Moves Dance Festival
Now Open For Submissions
We're pleased to open our application portal for the 17th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival (MMDF2026).
MMDF2026 will present commissions by and performances from up to nine choreographers. MMDF2026 runs from Friday to Sunday, September 18 to 20, 2026. All choreographers, dance artists, and companies working in any genre are encouraged to apply. The submission deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026, at 6 pm.
Queens International Children's Festival
May 16, 12pm
Rufus King Park 150-29 Jamaica Avenue
JCAL's Queens International Children's Festival has returned with free entertainment and activities for the entire family to enjoy. The fun-filled family event brings high-quality arts performances and craft activities to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts.
Interested in vending? Tap here.
Activities will include live music, dance performances, games, Arts and Crafts, and more!
Queens International Children's Festival is sponsored by Raising Cane's.
Under a Plaintain Tree
Exhibition Opening Reception
June 19 6pm
161-04 Jamaica Avenue
Join us for the Juneteenth opening of the "Under a Plaintain Tree" exhibit, curated by Dr. Margarita Lila Rosa!
Beneath the broad, sheltering leaves of the plantain tree—a diasporic archive rooted across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Black Atlantic—liberation is neither singular nor complete. It is iterative, fugitive, and unfinished. Juneteenth marks not a moment of arrival, but a delayed recognition: freedom announced after its supposed decree, conditions that remain beyond emancipation.
In this space, the works of Ronald “EFE” Ramirez, Jeffrey Merris, Zion Estrada, Laurena Finéus, and Luis Gutierrez gather as notes—partial, resonant, and ongoing. Under the plantain tree, we to sit with the incompleteness of emancipation—to understand freedom as something lived in the shadow of its delay, and still, insisted upon.
Juneteenth at JCAL Presents:
A Screening of The Inkwell
June 19, 7 pm
153-10 Jamaica Avenue
Join us for a celebration of black joy with a free screening of the underrated film, The Inkwell! The film will be followed by an interactive Q&A. The Inkwell is a romantic comedy, coming-of-age film starring Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith, Morris Chestnut, Glynn Turman, and much more!
About the film: A shy, troubled young man is sent to an iconic black enclave in Martha's Vineyard, where he finds himself in the middle of his political-arguing, party-loving family and his love torn between two girls.
From Our Friends at York College
Southeast Queens Film Festival
April 15-17
Photos of the week: Thursday Night Jazz and
The Art Of DJing Workshop
In case you missed it, here are a few images from last week's Thursday Night Jazz concert headlined by Alfredo Colon, and our interactive DJ workshop led by Chiquita Brujita!