By Walter Rutledge
The applause has subsided, curtain fallen and the house lights are at half during a brief pause between dances. Instinctively we peruse the program to find the bio of that one standout performer. In many cases that dancer’s initial training and nurturing did not happen in one of metropolis’ elite dance academies. Instead, that first fire was probably kindled in a storefront, church basement, or school gymnasium.
Whether nestled in a strip mall or cloistered on the second floor of a five-floor walkup these schools are still the heart and soul of dance. They are the places where the fundamentals and foundations are established. Where the initial and essential qualities like work ethics, and deportment are developed and codified. It is these “frontline” mentors who are the real unsung heroes.
Like all small businesspersons the directors wear a multitude of hats; they are multitaskers who perform incredible fetes of artistic and administrative prestidigitations. Many times, their commitment extends far beyond the art to include being the chauffeur, short order cook, therapist, tutor, loan shark, investment banker, landlord, cheering section, standard bearer, role model and surrogate parent.
Jamel Gaines and his Brooklyn based company and school Creative Outlet, are one of these special frontline organizations. Gaines is a kind of dance Pied Piper; he has the distinct ability to make dance relatable to a diverse group of young people. This gift translates into his ability to attract them from every hamlet. From the now reclaimed Fort Greene/Clinton Hill to the wild wild west of East New York Gaines’ Creative Outlet has been making dances, imbuing young people, and reshaping and saving lives since 1995.
To mark this milestone the company will present a special 30th anniversary concert entitled Remembering. The performance will take place on February 13th, 14th and 15th at BAM Fisher, 321 Ashland Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11217. The concert will present a Black History Month multimedia tribute entitled Remembering by Gaines and Homage by guest choreographer Kevin Iega Jeff. It will also feature an impressive intergenerational cast of company members, alumni and guest artists including Shirley Black Brown Coward, Bahiyah Sayyed and Thera Ward.
Creative Outlet Executive Artistic Director Jamel Gaines sit down with O&A NYC Editor-in Chief Walter Rutledge on the eve of his organizations 30th anniversary. In their conversation Gaines shared his journey, the organizations commitment to the community and Remembering, the featured work in the upcoming New York City/BAM season.
Jamel Gaines Frontline Mentor
For more information about Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet school and company and outreach programs visit https://www.creativeoutlet.org for tickets for performances of Remembering https://www.bam.org/rentals/2025/remembering
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