Val Jeanty and Jean Appolon Expressions

Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) is a Boston-based Haitian contemporary dance company, directed by dancer, choreographer, and educator Jean Appolon. Combining Modern technique and Haitian folkloric dance, JAE educates audiences about Haitian culture, traditions, history and current issues.

JAE will partner with Haitian electronic music composer, drummer, and turntablist Val Jeanty, also known as Val-Inc. A professor at Berklee College of Music and 2024 United States Artist Fellow, Jeanty is a pioneer of the electronic music sub-genre called Afro-Electronica (also called "Vodou-Electro"), incorporating Haitian Folkloric Culture with digital instrumentations, creating a dream-like expressionism of Afro-Electronica Soundscapes.

Jeanty & JAE will present a medley of three stirring pieces from their repertoire:

- Black is Black, an improvisational performance featuring Haitian folkloric rhythms and dance.

- Traka, meaning “Troubles” in Haitian Kreyòl, explores how dance, culture, and community are pathways to healing for victims of traumatic events.

- A new piece in development called Pouvwa, meaning empowered.