A variety of activities were already in place to celebrate Juneteenth this year. Yesterday, President Biden signed into law a bill making Juneteenth — the day legalized slavery was finally abolished in the United States — a federal holiday.
The African-American Cultural Garden is one of many locales around Greater Cleveland hosting Juneteenth events this weekend.
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL GARDENS
June 19 - Events take place from noon-3PM and include a re-enactment of the 1865 Juneteenth event, a student essay contest sponsored by the Cleveland Cavaliers, spoken word performances, drill teams, drumming and the Grand March. Various multicultural music, dance, spoken word and theatrical happenings will take place at the Gardens’ new Centennial Peace Plaza at 1051 Martin Luther King Blvd. Parking available on the west side of Martin Luther King Boulevard and on East Boulevard. Look for signs for ADA accommodations. The African American Cultural Gardens are located at 890 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Call 216-220-3075 for more information.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
June 18 – Virtual screening of the documentary “Monumental Crossroads”, which explores Confederate monuments, the legacy of Southern Heritage, and its ties to slavery and white supremacy. The screening will be followed by a discussion with director Tim van den Hoff. 10AM. Free! Please register.
June 19: “What is Free?” On Saturday, June 19 from noon-1:30PM, join in on a free panel discussion of the origins of Juneteenth, organized by The Soul of Philanthropy Cleveland (TSOPCLE) and featuring experts whose goal it is to help bridge the gap between corporate investors and community members to bring awareness about issues that impact the black people living in Cleveland.
Please register. The first 50 people who register for this event will receive a copy of Giving Black: A Tribute to Generations of African American Philanthropists by Valaida Fullwood, founder/creator of The Soul of Philanthropy.
Other festivities include a choir performance of “Life Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” and a traditional African dance and drum by the Djapo Cultural Arts Institute.
COVENTRY VILLAGE
June 19: Noon – 9PM. The day’s Juneteenth events include free family activities such as face painting, field day, crafts, creative workshops; more than 20 Black-owned vendors; free snacks/food; discounted shopping; performances by Mourning [A] BLKstar and MuAmin Co. & Smith Taylor; a free screening of “Black Panther” and much more! Sponsored by Coventry Village and Safer Heights.
METRO HEALTH JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FEST – MALL C IN DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND
June 19: Hosted by WZAK 93.1 FM’s DJ Hazmatt, highlights include a community conversation featuring longtime Cleveland news personality Leon Bibb; family-friendly activities including Djapo Cultural Arts Institute; food trucks; COVID-19 vaccines; an excerpt from Karamu’s production “Freedom of Juneteenth”; a performance by Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science, with special guests Ms. Lisa Fischer & Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef. The day’s events will culminate with a fireworks display sponsored by #CL3Alliance. Noon-10PM.
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM – 1 Rock Hall Plaza
June 19: The Rock Hall’s Juneteenth celebration will run from Noon-8PM on the grounds of the outdoor plaza and feature performances by guitarist/vocalist Afi Scruggs, an interactive Bucket Drum presentation by Rainey Institute; a performance by the Cleveland Museum of Art’s CowPastor, and much more. Free. Juneteenth events do not include Museum admission, but admission for members and City of Cleveland residents is always free.
UNIVERSITY CIRCLE BICYCLE RIDE
June 19: Celebrate Juneteenth 2021 with Juneteenth Freedom Rides for a casual family-friendly bicycle ride through the University Circle area Saturday, June 19 from 10:30AM-1:30PM, highlighting the presence of African American contributions and achievements throughout the neighborhood. Bikes and helmets not provided. Register through Eventbrite.
REMINDER: For those using public transportation to any of this weekend’s events, The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is offering free rides through June 19 .
OTHER HAPPENINGS:
Collinwood Cobras Dinner Sale Fundraiser – June 19
The Collinwood Cobras, a part of the Cleveland Muny Football League (Termite Division), will hold their annual Dinner Sale Fundraiser Saturday, June 19 from 10AM-6PM at Diamond Cut Barbershop, 5139 Superior Ave [44103]. Rib dinners, chicken dinners, polish boys and more on the menu. Music provided by 5 DJs throughout the day: DJ Ellery, DJ Geezy, DJ K.D., DJ Shorty and DJ Stroke. Co-sponsored by Families First Health Services and What’s Next Youth & Teen Services. The Collinwood Cobras offer football and cheerleading in the Termite, Midget PeeWee and Bantam divisions. For more information, call 216-323-9971.
Grammy-winning performer Anthony Hamilton will perform a livestream concert from Charlotte, NC Saturday, June 19.
Anthony Hamilton livestream concert – June 19
Grammy-winning R&B powerhouse Anthony Hamilton will perform a livestream concert from Charlotte, North Carolina Saturday, June 19 at 9PM ET. Presented by Sessions Live. Tickets start at $9.99. Hamilton’s latest single, “You Made A Fool of Me,” was produced by Jermaine Dupri. An upcoming album is scheduled for an August release.
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