Juneteenth returns to Robert R. Church Park June 14-16

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.)

A “whole lotta shakin' goin'” on at Juneteenth

   

More than 30,000 celebrants near and far attend the three-day Juneteenth
Urban Music Festival each year. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

     There will be a “whole lotta shakin' goin' on” when the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival commences June 17-19 in the historic Robert R. Church Park on “world famous” Beale Street in Downtown Memphis.

Well, not the kind of “shakin’” the legendary fireball rock and roller Jerry Lee Lewis sang about, but a kind of foot-tapping, handclapping and finger-popping that cannot be overlooked when people spring to their feet to respond to a plethora of music that will reverberate throughout the park during the three-day event.

The event is free, of course, much like the celebration that took place 150 years ago when the slaves in America celebrated with a feast and the sounds of revelry when they were apprised that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1963, to free them.

In fact, it was two and a half years later on June 19, 1865, when Major General Gordon Granger and his Union Soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, to break the news that the Civil War had ended and that slaves were henceforth free.

Last year, a mime performed, silently giving praise to God
and his glory. (Photo by Wiley Henry)

Juneteenth is the oldest-known celebration in the United States marking the end of slavery. Celebrants all across the U.S. commemorate the freedom of slaves from inhumane treatment and the yoke of bondage with food, drink, games and merriment.

This is the 24^th year that Juneteenth is being celebrated in Memphis. The long-running festival is a mainstay and a cultural delight for celebrants seeking historic information about Juneteenth and an opportunity to revel in the park. Many of them attend the festival year after year.

The Juneteenth Urban Music Festival is devoted to Memphis’ rich musical history, which is an undisputed brand known worldwide and celebrated for its uniqueness and mass appeal. It has attracted celebrants near and far.

Vendors also will be in the park selling their products, including a tent with a historian on duty educating the crowd via pamphlets, placards and banners denoting the origin and history of Juneteenth and the reason for the ongoing festival.

 “If this is your first time celebrating with us, you’re going to enjoy the festivities,” said Telisa Franklin, Juneteenth’s CEO and president. “Memphis has a rich musical history and a plethora of talented artists and musicians.”

If that’s not enough to get you stirred up, Franklin and her staff will host the first-ever Memphis Juneteenth Job and Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, at Golden Gate Cathedral, 3240 James Rd. Check out the details at www.memphisjuneteenth.com.

“Bring your resume and dress for success,” said Franklin.

As a complement to the three-day festival, some of Memphis’ premiere and upcoming musicians and entertainers will be recognized and honored for their contribution to music and the community at the Juneteenth Urban Music Awards Thursday, June 16, at Crowne Plaza Memphis East Hotel, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

The awards show starts at 7:30 p.m. and features international recording artist Melvia “Chick” Rodgers and live performances by “Big Baby” Tameka Goodman, JROQSOL, Cortney Richardson, Delvin Crutcher, J. Lake, Ashton London, and Shenéa the Songstress. Channel 24 on-air personality Yvette Whiteside and life coach Dr. Sid will host the show.

General tickets are $10; premiere, $25. Tickets can be purchased at That’s Love Banquet Hall, 2988 Old Austin Peay; Uncle Lou’s Chicken, 3633 Millbranch Rd.; and McClain Motors, 1505 Elvis Presley Blvd. Tickets also can be purchased on Juneteenth’s website at www.memphisjuneteenth.com.

Gospel music is an integral part of Juneteenth. On Sunday, June 19, the last day of the festival, “Praise in the Park” will commence at noon. It is an all-day worship experience that crosses color lines and embodies “One God, One Love, One City.”

Churches and faith-based groups throughout Memphis are invited to worship in the park and bring with them a message of hope, faith, reconciliation, unity and praise. Innovation Church, pastored by the Rev. Marron D. Thomas Sr., will headline this year’s “Praise in the Park.”

Franklin noted that music – gospel, R & B, country, rock and roll, hip-hop, blues and jazz –  is an integral part of Juneteenth, which spun the revelry that celebrants everywhere enjoy during the month of June.

“We are here to stay,” said Franklin. “Memphis is a haven for good food, camaraderie and eclectic music. We won’t forget from whence we came. That’s why we celebrate Juneteenth – to call attention to the history of African Americans in this country.”