Harlem Parks Celebrates 5th Annual Juneteenth Festival
In celebration of the federal Holiday, Juneteenth, Harlem Parks held their 5th annual historic Juneteenth festival on June 19th. This free event was an outdoor extravaganza commemorating the black community through musical sounds from the black diaspora. This black music and dance celebration was the perfect opportunity for exuding positivity and stepping into the motion of the dance floor!
The event lasted from 4p.m to 7p.m at Richard Rogers Amphitheater at Marcus Garvey Park. Everyone was welcomed to embrace the sultry jazz tunes and relax on a hot summer day. The Juneteenth festival also welcomed featured artist, Calvin Sexton: Big Band Plays House. This performance embodied a combination of flowy jazz and hip hop, intertwining Afrofuturistic undertones. Sexton and his group also implemented call and response into the performance, a popular gem originating from African cultures.
As well as that, Jazu Harlem presented two more acts. The first act, The J-Music Ensemble, is an instrumental band that aims to shed light on Japanese music. The J-Music Ensemble, led by saxophonist Patric Bartley, utilizes instruments such as the drums, electric guitar and much more to produce a jazz-infused sound. This spin on music is a fresh new perspective for people to widen their musical horizons and support the US-Japan Foundation.
Secondly, Jazu Harlem presented Tammy McCann, performing a gospel piece as a tribute to Mahalia Jackson, an influential vocal powerhouse. Titled, “YES, MAHALIA”, McCann performed her soulful rendition of Jackson’s signature songs and allured the audience with her spiritual tone.
The Juneteenth festival was a crucial event to recognize the importance of Juneteenth, the marking of freedom for slaves in Texas, and embrace togetherness. While this freedom was ordained in 1865, Juneteenth was not recognized as a federal Holiday until 2021. The celebration of Juneteenth acknowledges the strife against the black community and our unwavering strength in the process. It defies the odds placed against us and conquers them. Therefore, it is clear that events such as the Juneteenth festival are needed to keep us enriched in our own culture and to uplift our ancestors.
Featured Image from Pexels by Thomas Wilson