The 16th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival (MMDF2025), hosted by the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), promises a dynamic celebration of cultural expression, healing, and community. Over three days, this unique festival will feature performances by Baila Society and Navatman, blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with Indian classical dance to explore themes of identity, safety, and collective care. The festival, set against the backdrop of Jamaica, New York, will take place from [start date] to [end date], offering an immersive experience for locals and visitors alike.
The Making Moves Dance Festival has long been a key event in the community, highlighting the importance of dance as a tool for social change and self-reflection. MMDF2025 continues this tradition, using the power of movement to encourage healing, dialogue, and a deeper connection to culture. Attendees can expect a series of performances that transcend artistic boundaries, blending diverse dance forms to create a narrative of empowerment and resilience.
The Making Moves Dance Festival is an annual event that showcases a wide variety of dance performances, all aimed at fostering cultural exchange, healing, and community engagement. Founded and presented by JCAL, the festival has become a landmark in New York’s dance scene, offering both established and emerging artists a platform to share their work with the public.
Each year, the festival brings together dancers, choreographers, and community members to explore the intersection of cultural identity and personal healing. This year, the 16th edition of the festival promises to be particularly special, featuring a collaboration between two incredible dance groups: Baila Society and Navatman.
The performance is being presented as a central part of the festival, following Baila Society’s recent success with Roots of Resilience, which sold out at the Rose Nagelburg Theatre. This collaboration seeks to take the conversation further by using the dance floor as a site for collective introspection.
Principal dancers Jessica Ho and Edwin Tolentino, who perform at the heart of this collaboration, bring their respective expertise and passion to the stage, breathing life into the themes of the performance. Ho’s graceful portrayal of Indian classical dance is complemented by Tolentino’s energetic Afro-Caribbean rhythms, creating a visual dialogue between the two cultures.
Baila Society, a celebrated dance company, has long been a pioneer in bringing Afro-Caribbean stories to life on stage. Their performances are characterized by vibrant, intricate choreography that reflects the rich cultural history and traditions of the Afro-Caribbean community.
Baila Society’s work is about more than just entertainment; it is about connection. Through their performances, they invite the audience into a shared experience of culture, identity, and healing. Their approach is grounded in the belief that dance can be a powerful medium for dialogue and change. In their performances, they focus on themes of resilience, community strength, and cultural safety, which resonate deeply with audiences from all backgrounds.
This year, Baila Society’s contributions to the festival promise to showcase the strength of Afro-Caribbean culture through a blend of rhythm, movement, and storytelling that emphasizes connection to one’s roots and the importance of community care.
Navatman brings its deep knowledge of Indian classical dance to the stage at MMDF2025. The company is renowned for its ability to blend traditional forms with contemporary expressions, making Indian classical dance accessible to diverse audiences. Navatman’s performances are rich in symbolism, connecting generations through the themes of resilience, empowerment, and introspection.
The piece also highlights the role of Indian classical dance in fostering individual and collective empowerment. Through this collaboration with Baila Society, Navatman invites audiences to reflect on the shared experiences of strength and survival, regardless of cultural background.
The Making Moves Dance Festival 2025 will take place at the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, located in Jamaica, Queens. The festival runs for three days, with performances starting at 7 PM daily. Receptions will begin at 6:30 PM, providing a chance for attendees to mingle and discuss the themes of the performances before the shows begin.
Tickets for the event are priced at just $10 per night, making it an affordable opportunity for the community to experience these groundbreaking performances. The festival is expected to sell out, so early booking is encouraged. Tickets can be purchased online through JCAL’s Eventbrite page, where festival-goers can also find additional information about the performances and artists.
JCAL has long been a central hub for artistic and cultural events in Queens, and the Making Moves Dance Festival is one of its flagship events. The festival serves as a platform for artists to explore the intersection of cultural identity, healing, and social change, while also fostering a deeper sense of connection within the community.
Beyond the performances themselves, MMDF2025 is about creating a space for dialogue and reflection. It encourages attendees to think critically about the power of dance and the role it can play in bridging divides and creating safer, more inclusive communities. By bringing together different cultural traditions, the festival highlights the importance of diversity and the value of shared experiences.
For the Jamaica, NY community, the Making Moves Dance Festival is not only an artistic event but also an important reminder of the transformative power of the arts in shaping public consciousness and driving social change.
The 16th Annual Making Moves Dance Festival at JCAL is more than just a celebration of dance; it is a testament to the power of culture, healing, and community. Through performances by Baila Society and Navatman, the festival invites attendees to reflect on the importance of collective care, resilience, and cultural safety. Whether you’re a seasoned dance enthusiast or someone experiencing these art forms for the first time, MMDF2025 promises to offer an unforgettable experience that celebrates the diverse traditions that make up our global community.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of an extraordinary cultural event that highlights the power of dance to heal, unite, and inspire.
