Miami Seaside commemorates 156th Juniteenth Day: South Florida Caribbean Information

[Miami Beach] – The city of Miami Beach will celebrate June 156th Independence Day with immersive activities that share the history and impact of the holiday on the Miami Beach community.

The city has developed a full day of artistic and educational programs. Starting with a meeting in Pride Park on Saturday 19th June at 9 a.m.. – To put up a permanent plaque to commemorate the emancipation of those enslaved in the United States while paying tribute to the contributions of black Americans.

Last year the city planted a rainbow eucalyptus tree to forever remember the day in 1865 when enslaved blacks in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom from Major General Gordon Granger of the Union Army. It heralded the end of the Civil War two months after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered in Appomattox, Virginia.

The holiday was named by combining the month of June with the number 19. It is believed to be the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.

Contemplative events on education, food, art and a new plaque in Pride Park

The following juneteenth events take place in the Miami Beach area:

• “Zen and the Art of Juneteenth”

Monday, June 14th, 7pm The Betsy Hotel, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. The virtual program features community leaders discussing the history and importance of Juneteenth. The speakers include Dr. Valerie Patterson, DeAnne Connolly Graham, Attorney André L. Williams, Heather Shaw and Kunya Rowley. Click here for event details.

• “Junieenth: Discussion of History, Significance and Celebrations””

A virtual talk starting Tuesday, June 15 at 6 p.m., hosted by Kunya Rowley, founder and artistic director of Hued Songs, and Janey Tate, editor and editor-in-chief of HyLo News Miami. You will be accompanied by Professor Robert Morris from Broward College. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofmiamibeach.

• Juneteenth Day of Freedom, the second annual event on the Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 19 at Pride Park, 1809 Meridian Avenue. Performances by Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns, Jim Gaisor with students from the New World School of the Arts and the Peter London Global Dance Company. The ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofmiamibeach.

• Juneteenth Food Festival with the Hungry Black Man and Miami Beach Parks & Recreation

2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday June 19 at the Sandbowl next to the North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave. Bring your appetite as you sample a variety of black and vegan soul food along with Afro-Caribbean favorites. In the afternoon, dance to the sounds of a dynamic music set while the kids enjoy an interactive play village. Admission is free. Food and drinks are extra.

• The Juneteenth experience in the bandshell

Get ready for an evening of song, dance, and spoken word starting at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19 at the historic North Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave. Directed by Michelle Grant-Murray with the musical direction by Wilkie Ferguson, III, performance feature a cast of 10 artists who use their talents to tell the Juneteenth story. Dance, spoken words and singing form the basis for a solemn, multidisciplinary performance that unites new and existing works. For more information and the RSVP, Click here.

• Jazz in the lobby at Betsy

Saturday, June 19th from 6-11pm at the Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr. With pianist Allen Paul, singers Carole Ann Taylor, Leesa Richards, Brenda Alford and Nicole Yarling. Click here for details.

• Poetry & Music at the Betsy

Saturday, June 19, 9:00 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. at the Betsy Hotel, 1440 Ocean Dr. Poetry and Spoken Word with Rebecca “Butterfly Vaughs, Geoffrey Philip and saxophonist Gregory LeDon. Click here for details.