Juneteenth Special Events

June 16-17

'Racial Equity'

Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd.

Thurs Noon-6:30 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The offices of Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd district), Bill Lowry (3rd), Stanley Moore (4th), State Rep. Lakesia Collins (9th), Cook County Juneteenth Joint Planning Committee, the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago sponsor second annual event aimed at education, health, justice and wealth-building, particularly through home ownership. www.juneteenthillinois.com

June 16

Voices for Justice: Clint Smith

Chicago Public Library YouTube and Facebook channels

The Library hosts Smith, author of The New York Times bestseller, “How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery,” 6-7 p.m., as part of its Voices for Justice speaker series. Some of the nation’s most essential stories are hidden in plain view: from Juneteenth celebrations to places we drive by on the way to work. Smith discusses monuments that are honest about the past and those that are not, from Monticello Plantation in Virginia, where Thomas Jefferson wrote letters espousing liberty while enslaving 400 people; to Whitney Plantation, which has preserved the work experience of the enslaved people who sustained it. Smith will converse with Candace Moore, City of Chicago chief equity officer, and Dr. Obari Cartman, president of the Chicago Association of Black Psychologists. WBEZ reporter Natalie Moore will moderate. The program will be archived for future viewing.

Clint Smith

Carletta Girma photo

June 17 & 18

Live the Spirit Residency & Drums for Peace

Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Ave. 5 p.m. Fri

Englewood Village Market, 5822 S. Halsted St., 6 p.m. Sat.

Ernest Dawkins directs the Young Masters, the most promising and creative high school and collegeaged musicians developed through the Residency's free jazz education programs on the West Side and around Englewood. Friday event is part of Night Out in the Parks. There will also be a participatory Drum Circle for Peace. FREE. www.Livethespiritresidency.org Saturday, the Live the Spirit Residency joins with Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities in a Summer Soulstice celebration, a Drum Circle for Peace designed to build community through music.

June 18

Juneteenth Village Festival

Douglass Park, on California, 12th Place to Ogden Noon-6 p.m.

It Takes A Village family of schools celebrates its part in renaming this park after Anna and Frederick Douglass. Inaugural Fest will provide space for ITAV students and families, partner organizations & businesses - and the broader community -- to commemorate the liberation of African ancestors from slavery. There will be a main stage for adults, a youth stage, games, carnival rides, horseback riding, petting zoo, rock climbing wall, inflatables, community vendor booths, face painting, giveaways, and more. FREE.

June 18

Emancipation Ball

Willlis Tower Skydeck, 233 S. Wacker Drive

Style yourself “Liberated Chic” and soar to the 99th floor for this inaugural ball. Enjoy a scenic sunset toast, open bar, passed appetizers, stunning views, works by Black artists, Chicago-based, Black-owned beer and alcohol brands, and more. 7-11 p.m., $150 at Eventbrite. com

June 18

Juneteenth Trade Day

Douglass Park Fieldhouse, 1401 S. Sacramento Noon -3 p.m.

The Brown House Experience will provide interactive fun for those age 5-11 and an opportunity for those age 12-21 to participate in handson exploration of three trades of their choice. Local businesses, entrepreneurs and trade colleges will provide participants info on furthering their education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and in alternative colleges or programs where they can work with their hands. There will also be fitness stations, art, community organizations, a performance by the Original Sixty Fourth Street Beach Drummers at 1:30 p.m. and by Final Explosion Entertainment at 2:30 p.m. Register at TheBrownHouse- Experience.com

June 18

Juneteenth #ClearTheShelves

Semicolon Bookstore, 1714 W. Division St. Noon-6 p.m.

Black woman-owned bookstore invites Chicago Public School students to visit and take home whatever books they like -- FREE of charge. Investing in community and youth, one book at a time. semicolon.com

June 18

Black Panther in Concert

Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St. 7:30 p.m.

The Chicago Philharmonic Society will synchronize its live performance of Ludwig Goransson’s Oscar- and Grammy-winning score to a screening of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. Watch T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) become king and battle Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). Both main characters have “leitmotifs,” a classical music tradition, notes Chicago Philharmonic Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Scott Speck. T’Challa’s leitmotif is a talking drum rhythm, which world-renowned Senegalese tama drum player Massamba Diop created and recorded for the original score; Diop will reprise that role with the Philharmonic. Killmonger’s theme employs the Fula flute, which will be played here by Steve Kujala, a Chicago native and expert in ethnic flutes. Tickets $49+ at chicagotheatre.com

Massamba Diop at "Black Panther in Concert"

Chicago Philharmonic photo

June 18-19

1865 Fest

Music Court Circle (Central Park/ Hamlin/Madison/Jackson) and Athletic Field, Garfield Park

The 1865 Coalition provides space for cultural activities, live music, arts and entertainment and more at the Circle, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat & Sun. Free food for the public 2-4 p.m. both days, and food for sale afterwards. Enjoy Friday Night Light Football 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Athletic Field. Father’s Day Grill-Off will be at Noon Sunday at the Circle. FREE.

June 19

Juneteenth Block Party

1200 E. 79th St.

Annual event at The Woodlawn will feature activities for kids and adults, with local vendors, a 360-degree photo booth, karaoke, games, prizes, food and live music. 1-5 p.m. or 6-10 p.m. General Admission $50/ rooftop $75 at woodlawn1200.com

June 19

Thank You Chicago Juneteenth Market

The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West

Pop-up market celebrates Black business with 30 vendors, from beauty to fashion; 2 DJs, and food for sale. 2-7 p.m. FREE. tycjuneteenth.eventbrite.com

June 19

Lawndale Juneteenth/ Father’s Day

Douglas Blvd. between Kedzie & Albany

Join a “back-in-the-day, old-skool kickback” from 4-9 p.m. with Light Up Lawndale: hula hoop, hopscotch, double-dutch contests, potato sack races, live DJs, free food, re-heading and unveiling of “One Family, One World” statue, mini car show, tribute to seniors and long-time residents, and more. FREE, but RSVP to lawndalejuneteenth2022.eventbrite.com.

June 19

Festival on the Square & Vision Benefit

Zhou B. Art Center, 1029 W. 35th St.

Congo Square Theatre achieves its long-term goal of celebrating Juneteenth with two “Homecoming” programs. From 1-4 p.m., Festival on the Square, which takes its name from Congo Square in New Orleans, will feature family-friendly entertainment aimed at healing and Black joy. Ayodele Drum & Dance will perform and teach a dance class for all ages and skill levels. Congo Square ensemble member Aaron Todd Douglas will read August Wilson’s “How I Learned W.hat I Learned” followed by Chicago blues star Melody Angel. FREE congosquaretheatre.org Starting at 6 p.m., the 2022 Vision Benefit will help support the theatre’s mission and its return to live shows. Entertainment will include a “Hit ‘em on the Blackside Watch Party” with talkback; performances from Hawkins House of Horton, Ayodele Drum & Dance, Melody Angel, and Alexis Roston & Friends. Jeffery Beckham Jr. will do a live painting to be auctioned off. A dance party hosted by DJ Retro will conclude the evening. Vax proof and photo ID required. Tickets $250 at congosquaretheatre.org/visionbenefit.

Ayodele Drum and Dance at Festival on the Square

courtesy photo

June 19

Let’s Party for the Culture Juneteenth Edition

The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Five DJs to keep you dancing, plus food vendors. Tickets $15+ at tycfortheculture.eventbrite.com

June 20

Juneteenth Pop-Up Shop at Momentum Coffee

Momentum Coffee, 2119 S. State St.

Momentum Coffee is hosting its second annual Juneteenth Pop-Up Event on June 20 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. A variety of small businesses will be at the 2119 S State St location all day. Support small business by choosing to #siplocal and #shopsmall. There will $6.19 special menu items and deals to honor the day to #celebratefreedom!

Momentum Coffee

courtesy photo

June 21

Juneteenth at Buttercup Park

4901 N. Sheridan Road

Crossing Borders Music commissioned new music to tell stories of the ongoing journey from slavery to justice. Performers will include the Honorable Elizabeth A. Baker, Jordyn Davis, and Jessica T. Carter. 11:30 a.m.-1245 a.m. FREE.