This Saturday, June 22, Tuesday Verses, The Black History Museum and the City of Richmond Parks Recreation & Community Facilities Department will recognize one of the most important events in African-American history by presenting the Juneteenth Freedom Concert at The Speakeasy.
This Saturday, June 22, Tuesday Verses, The Black History Museum and the City of Richmond Parks Recreation & Community Facilities Department will recognize one of the most important events in African-American history by presenting the Juneteenth Freedom Concert at The Speakeasy.
According to Juneteenth.com, “Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States”. Even though President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation went into effect January 1, 1863, many southern Confederate states continued to practice slavery. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the proclamation was signed, Major General Gordon Granger and his Union soldiers “landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.”
Descendants of former slaves began to observe June 19 as “Juneteenth” by “reassuring each other…praying…and gathering remaining family members.” Since 1865, Juneteenth celebrations have spread to various states with thousands of participants. Texas recognized Juneteenth as an official state holiday on January 1, 1980 due to the work of African American state legislator Al Edwards.
“Things completely changed from that moment on for African Americans in this country as a whole,” said Lorna Pinckney, member of Everything Verses. Richmonders can observe Juneteenth by walking along the historic slave trail, or picking an aspect of African American history to explore. “Get a book, read a play and find a celebratory situation,” said Pinckney.
Pinckney says the Juneteenth Freedom Concert will “pay homage to our ancestors… with drums, music and poetry.” The concert features several different acts who between them will represent the wide variety of modern African-American music and culture. Pinckney’s group, Everything Verses, will be represented by The Tuesday Verses Crew, a group of poets, singers, and lyricists who initially came together to produce a series of open mic events, also called Tuesday Verses. Since then, the group has expanded to include the live music series Well Versed, a youth initiative called Youth Verses, and the Everything Verses online version of the group.
Everything Verses have frequently collaborated with Ezibu Muntu African Dance And Cultural Foundation, who will also be performing at the Juneteenth Freedom Concert. Formed as a student organization by VCU Dance students, Ezibu Muntu has been together since the early 70s, Now an independent nonprofit group, Ezibu Muntu includes dancers, drummers, and other entertainers brought together to keep African culture and artistic traditions alive in the Richmond area. They also put on a killer live show that’s sure to get you dancing.
Photo by Zenzile Skylark
Also on the bill will be The Fuzz Band, a funk/soul band that started out at Hampton University and have gone on to perform with Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, and Outkast, among others. New Orleans poet, singer, and entertainer Sunni Patterson, who has been featured on Def Poetry Jam and BET’s Lyric Cafe, will also perform, as will Virginia native Anhayla, a local singer and guitarist who mixes R&B and rock to create her own unique sound.
The Juneteenth Freedom Concert takes place on Saturday, June 22, at The Speakeasy, located at 526 N. Fifth St (attached to the Hippodrome). Doors open at 8 PM. Admission is $10, and advance tickets can be ordered at http://versesjuneteenthconcert.eventbrite.com/
