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JUNETEENTH 2021 EVENT GUIDE
JUNETEENTH IN CHARLOTTE 2021 GUIDE
Where to celebrate freedom and the future
BY STAFF
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to ensure that all enslaved peoples were freed. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was announced and put into effect two-and-a-half years prior, many states that were not in the Confederacy but still held enslaved peoples had not freed them yet, as the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to those within the Confederacy.
Texas was one of those states, and many enslavers had moved there, viewing it as a haven for slavery. However, in spring 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger’s arrival in Texas marked the end of slavery for the 250,000 enslaved peoples still in Texas. By December of that year, slavery was formally abolished by the passing of the 13th Amendment.
Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. and is marked by music, BBQs, prayer, and other community celebrations. Over the decades, its popularity has risen and fallen, and is currently on the rise again in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and more awareness around racial issues.
Charlotte communities are celebrating this momentous occasion with a ton of enriching and celebratory events through the week of Juneteenth all around the city. Here are just a few.
CHARLOTTE BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Celebrating African-American voices in film as well as independent filmmakers, the Charlotte Black Film Festival is going on its 11th year of uplifting those voices. Remaining virtual in 2021, the film festival boasts student films, feature-length films, short films and documentaries. More: Sold out; June 16-20, times vary; online; charlotteblackfilmfestival.com The Juneteenth of the Carolinas celebration was launched to celebrate the ending of slavery in the U.S. and share the history of that time while providing a connection to contemporary culture and the future. Juneteenth of the Carolinas is entering its 24th year of celebration, including a peaceful march for Black lives that will start at Grady Cole Center and end at House of Africa in Plaza Midwood, which has served as the center for the celebration for many years. The march begins at 10 a.m. on June 19. More: Free; June 17-20; Plaza Midwood neighborhood; juneteenthofthecarolinas.com
BELMONT JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
The neighborhood of Belmont is celebrating Juneteenth with a parade, vendors, and a virtual 2K walk. With a mission to cultivate cultural awareness, acceptance, and preservation through artistic and cultural events, the Belmont Juneteenth Celebration is celebrating its fifth year of serving the community. More: Free; June 19; Belmont neighborhood; tinyurl.com/BelmontJuneteenth
JUNETEENTH JAM
Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, freedom finally came. Conceived by Emmy Awardwinning poet Boris “Bluz” Rogers, The Juneteenth Jam celebration takes place at multiple Uptown locations including Victoria Yards, The Square on the Plaza and the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. The festival features live music, interactive dance sessions by Reba Bowens, demonstrations by Ginga Capoeira, hip-hop performances curated by We Are Hip Hop’s AJ Glasco, and the return of Dammit Wesley and BLKMRKTCLT’s Durag Fest (below). More: Free; June 18 - 19; The Square, Victoria Yards, NASCAR Hall of Fame; blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/juneteenth-jam
DURAG FEST
Deconstructing misconceptions and biases about the iconic item that is the durag, Durag Fest will bring together the community with live music from Tia Corine, DJ Fannie Mae and other artists, plus food trucks, screen printing, and more. More: Free; June 19; The Square, Victoria Yards, NASCAR Hall of Fame; duragfestival.com
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM DAY CELEBRATION
Celebrating the holiday with live performances, food trucks, music, and more. More: Free-$75; June 19; Kingdom Covenant Church, 2731 N. Graham St.; tinyurl.com/KingdomCovenant
DRIVE THROUGH JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Decorate your vehicle and join the Juneteenth Drive Through Celebration on the Beatties Ford Road corridor. Afterwards, enjoy African performances, Juneteenth coloring sheets, and children’s activities. More: Free; June 19, 12:30 p.m.; line up at McCrorey YMCA, 3801 Beatties Ford Road; afterparty begins at 3 p.m.; 1412 Beatties Ford Road facebook.com/ForTheStruggleInc
JUNETEENTH AFRICAN DANCE EXPERIENCE
Elsie Mufuka, owner and founder of Mufuka Works Dance Company, takes the workshop on a journey through the history of African dance, and examines the numerous dance styles of sub-Saharan Africa. The class will focus on the role dance has traditionally played in celebrations, and how body movement has affected healing. Mufuka, who traces her bloodline back to Zimbabwe, guides participants through simple but expressive dance choreography, after which all can perform as a collective. More: Free; June 19, 1 p.m.; Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, 551 S.Tryon St.; ganttcenter.org
SOULFLO JUNETEENTH DAY EDITION
Last year, Davidson College apologized for supporting slavery in the 19th century and for embracing racism in the time that followed. Now the surrounding town that bears the college’s name is hosting a Juneteenth celebration. Soulflo, sponsored by Culture Blocks, is a blend of storytelling, and spoken-word and live music by Emaejai, DayVon and Sajoya Jasper, and 1WAYNORTH. The S.O.U.L.F.L.O. Band, Dr. T and John Harris III host the empowering festivities. As the event’s press release puts it, “Prepare for dulcified delights dipped in the Soulflo!” More: Free; June 19, 7 p.m.; Davidson Village Green, 119 S. Main St., Davidson; tinyurl.com/DavidsonJuneteenth
