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Southeastern Queens
Briarwood, Brookville, Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica,
Jamaica Hills, Laurelton, Queens Village, Rochdale, Rosedale,
South Jamaica, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans
Featuring large swaths of middle class, suburban-style
houses, Southeastern Queens is centered in Jamaica. The
area encompasses everything from JFK International Airport
to restaurants to theaters. The A, E, F, and J trains provide
transportation to many spots.
Black Spectrum Theatre Company
The Black Spectrum Theatre Company produces and presents
works relating to the African Diaspora with an emphasis on
the African-American and Caribbean-American experiences.
Roughly 20,000 people attend events at the 325-seat theater
every year.
Founded in 1970, the company strives to involve local residents
in its projects. It has a youth company that has produced such
stars as Lisa Nicole Carson from the TV show Ally McBeal and
Desiree Coleman from Mama I Want to Sing.
Inside scoop: The venue is within Roy Wilkins Recreation
Center, a 54-acre spread of playgrounds, baseball fields,
basketball courts, handball courts, tennis courts, picnic areas, and
a jogging track.
Address: 177th Street and Baisley Boulevard, Jamaica,
www.blackspectrum.com.
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning
Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning promotes local artists
through workshops, visual-art displays, music and theater.
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Jamaica Performing Arts Center