On Saturday, August 6, the Jamal Jackson Dance Company (JJDC) will present a program of dance entitled Footprints from My Head’s Rhythm, at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. The dance troupe was founded in 2004 with the purpose of fusing various traditional African dance styles with contemporary movement and music. If you have ever seen JJDC then you know what you will be doing on August 6 at 8 p.m. And if you haven’t, well, now is the time to mend your dance deficient ways.

Tickets for the dance concert are $15, available at the door, by calling 646-808-5507 or emailing asha@jamaljacksondancecompany.org.

Sadly, for those of us of a certain age, watching the dancers perform is as close as we will get to understanding both the hard work and the joy that goes into creating this work. The youth, however (always the lucky ones), have the opportunity to get their feet dirty, as it were; the company is offering a five-day dance residency in partnership with the Cottagers, Inc. The residency begins on Monday, August 1, and will be taught by Jamal Jackson himself. It will include workshops in African American, modern, and hip-hop dance, and, as part of the residency, the young dancers-in-training will perform with JJDC at the August 6 concert.

In an era of never ending high-priced Island camps for kids, it is with great pleasure to note the following: The residency cost is only $35 for the entire week. Scholarships are also available for Island youth.

For more information about the residency, including times, e-mail niajoy@aol.com.