On Thursday February 8, warm up your winter at the Arbor gallery, when Jab Djab returns to bring the flavour, warmth and music of the Caribbean to the gallery, as part of its celebration of Black History month. Last year’s concert sold out to a group that pushed aside some of the seats to dance.
Jab Djab is made up of three core musicians: Andre Sebastien Whiteman, who plays bass and does background vocals; his brother Ross Whiteman, who is the lead singer and plays guitar; and Wayne Stoute, on drums and background vocals. Stoute describes their music as “Pan-Caribbean. It’s a combination of everything we heard when we were growing up and everyone we have played with in North America.”
The three musicians have played with a wide range of artists from Jamaica, Trinidad, Panama, New York, Haiti, West Africa, South Africa and Québec. ”We’ve even played for a stripping Elvis,” Stoute laughs. The Montréal Gazette has described Jab Djab as “A bright and brassy party animal. Turn ‘em up and put on your dancing shoes.”
The band’s name, Jab Djab refers to the mischievous devil figures popular at Caribbean carnivals. Tickets are $20 for gallery members, $25 for non-members. As seating (and dancing space) are limited, reservations are required. Visit the gallery or go to [email protected] to book your place. The concert starts at 7 pm and Jab Djab’s two CDs will be available for sale at the concert.
A ‘playful’ reminder
A few spots are still available for the Saturday, February 3 bilingual Ubuntu workshop (playshop) at the gallery, run by Suzan Richards. Richards will talk about her Afro-Caribbean cultural heritage while guiding participants through an artistic journey using flow medium acrylic paint. It is an introduction to the principles of Ubuntu – identity and intersectionality.
The playshop runs this Saturday from 1 to 4pm and costs $30 per person ($25 for gallery members). Because space is limited, reservations are required. Visit the gallery or go to [email protected] to register.
Arbor Gallery – Galerie Arbor is located at 36 Home Avenue, in the heart of Vankleek Hill. The gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 4pm. More information about programming and events is available on Arbor Gallery’s Facebook page, website or Twitter, by subscribing to the gallery’s newsletter at www.arborgallery.org or by email at [email protected].
