Juneteenth Celebration to Feature Street Concert Highlighting History of Black Music

Karen Somerville (Old School Gospel)

The Academy Art Museum in Easton, MD, will present the annual Juneteenth Celebration in partnership with the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, Building African-American Minds (BAAM), the Talbot County Free Library, and Christ Church Easton on Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free community celebration will feature a full range of family activities, street vendors and artwork by African-American artists in the Museum’s permanent collection.

This year’s Juneteenth program will pay special tribute to “A Timeline of Black Music Throughout History” in honor of Black Music Month. South Street will be closed in front of the Museum between Talbot Lane and Harrison Street creating a stage for the afternoon street concert featuring performances by gospel artist Karen Somerville (12 p.m.), African percussionist Daande Lenol (12:40 p.m.), Delta Blues singer Brooks Long (1:20 p.m.), the Capital Jazz Experience (2 p.m.), funk and rock songwriter Kentavius Jones (2:40 p.m.), and culminating in hip-hop artist Javier Starks (3:25 p.m.) who creates 100 percent curse-free music, while being a role model for youth through artistic expression.

The program includes a Family Craft Project making rain sticks, hosted by Constance Del Nero, Director of Children’s Education & Community Programs, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., there will be a Photo Booth and Jolie’s Faces will be doing face painting and temporary tattoos for participants. There will also be food offerings and resource booths available. This festive, free celebration of African American culture, art, and history promises fun for all ages.

This year’s sponsors of Juneteenth include Jack Construction, Beverly and Richard Tilghman, Bette Kenzie, and Catherine C. McCoy. For further information, visit academyartmuseum.org or call 410-822-2787.