Jazzy Caribbean Christmas Dance Party at The Chance Theater – Poughkeepsie, NY

Experience an evening of dynamic Caribbean rhythm and seasonal celebration as Empire Training Center for the Arts and TRANSART/Jazz in the Valley co-host the Jazzy Caribbean Christmas Dance Party on Friday, December 12th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30 and all are invited to come share in this festive evening of live music and dance.

The event features Chief Baba Neil Clarke, master percussionist whose five-decade career has made him one of the most respected figures in African, Caribbean, and jazz percussion. Brooklyn-born and internationally recognized, Clarke has performed with a remarkable roster of artists including Harry Belafonte, Randy Weston, Miriam Makeba, and Dianne Reeves. He is also a dedicated educator, having led residencies and workshops at institutions such as Harvard, Duke, Rutgers, and Long Island University, and served as an adjunct professor with the City University of New York for 2 decades, teaching his own course in traditional African percussion.

The evening will offer Clarke’s signature blend of rhythmic complexity, depth, and improvisational energy, inviting audiences to join the celebration on the dance floor and share in the spirit of the season.