 |
| Relaxing underneath the canopy of a shade tree, revelers listen as music reverberates from the stage at last year's Juneteenth Urban Music Festival in historic Robert R. Church Park. (Photos by Lakendrex McNeil) |
When history and culture converge at the historic Robert R.
Church Park in downtown Memphis June 14-16, revelers on the ground will
experience the best that the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival has to offer.
“We’re working hard to bring Memphis the best in music, food
and entertainment,” said Telisa Franklin, the festival’s president/CEO. “We’re
expecting somewhere around 40,000 people to attend the three-day festival.”
Memphis is ripe for such a festival as Juneteenth, where
children, adults and entire families come together to support one of Memphis’
longest running African American festivals – now celebrating 27 consecutive
years of fun and excitement.
 |
| An estimated 40,000 people are expected to revel in the park during the three-day festival. |
“The festival is a staple in Memphis,” said Franklin.
“Festivalgoers can look forward to another year of eclectic music, choirs, entertainment,
arts and crafts, food vendors, majorettes, dancers, steppers, cheerleaders, a
car and bike show, activities for seniors and kids and more.”
The artists line-up for the weekend include the Tennessee Mass
Choir, Pam Armour and The Memphis Shop, Courtney Little, Wendell Weathers &
Greater Purpose, the Disciples of Mime, Tabitha Adams, Brandon Lewis, Sherry
Self, Diamond Praise Dance Company, Donte Everhart & End Time Movement,
Hope Church, and many more.
The festival is open to the public.
Prior to the three-day festival, festivalgoers can look
forward to the Juneteenth Career and Health Fair Expo on Tuesday, June 11, from
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at J.I.F.F., 254 S. Lauderdale St. Job seekers will get an
opportunity to talk to dozens of potential employers.
“We advise job seekers to bring their resumes and dress for
success,” said Franklin. “This year the Shelby County Reentry Program will
provide assistance to help felons. We just want to provide a service for those
who are having a hard time.”
In addition to the Juneteenth Career and Health Fair Expo,
attendees can look forward to the Memphis Juneteenth Lifetime Achievement
Awards on Thursday, June 13, at the Holiday Inn University of Memphis, 3700
Central Ave.
The awards program will begin at 7 p.m. and include dinner and an
original play, “I Know Who I Am,” written by local playwright Dr. Sharli Kay
Adair, Juneteenth’s director of operations.
The honorees include The Rev. Ricky
Floyd, pastor of Pursuit of God Transformation Center; Sheila Whalum, first
lady of New Olivet Baptist Church; Gina Y. Sweat, director of Memphis Fire
Services; Bishop Wesley J. Arije, Presiding
Bishop and Chief Apostle of the March of Faith International Fellowship, Inc.; Vincent
Tharpe & Kenosis; Shania Brown, a young filmmaker, producer and actress; Stanley
Smith of Erole’s Expose Modeling Agency; Felecia Bean Barnes of Felicia Bean
Catering & Food Service; choir director Adrian Maclin; Gwendolyn Turner,
co-founder, Billy Rivers and the Angelic Voices of Faith, Inc.; Memphis Police
Director Michael Rallings; and Timothy Mason, Grammy nominated and Stellar
Award-winning musician, producer and writer.
On Friday, June 14, from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., the Juneteenth
Urban Music Festival officially begins with live stage performances, activities
for seniors, a number of vendors, and Kids Zone, with rides, games and
inflatables.
There will be a mobile outdoor educational museum on the
grounds each day depicting the history of Juneteenth, including the abolition
of slavery and the facts surrounding President Lincoln’s Emancipation
Proclamation.
The next day – Saturday, June 15,
from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. – live stage performances will continue in addition
to the “Juneteenth Ultimate Dance Showdown,” featuring the “best of the best”
majorettes, dancers, steppers and cheerleaders. Other activities are scheduled
for the youth and the entire family as well.
Sunday, June 16, is “Food Truck
Sunday” and “Praise Fest at Juneteenth,” featuring gospel music, inspirational
and encouraging words spoken by ministers, preachers and gospel artists and
more from 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. Some of Memphis’ most talented choirs, singers and
musicians will take center stage.
“Juneteenth is here to
stay. We celebrate our freedom from slavery because it is important that we
don’t forget where we came from,” said Franklin. “This is an opportunity for
all of us, including other ethnicities, to eat, dance, worship and be merry.”
Juneteenth is
a national holiday in the United States commemorating the abolition of slavery and the freeing of the last African-American slaves in
Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. The commemoration began in
Memphis 27 years ago.
(For more information about the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival,
contact Telisa Franklin at 901-281-6337 or log on to www.memphisjuneteenth.com.)
No comments:
Post a Comment