The City of Austin, in Texas, has outlined a weeklong of events to mark the annual Juneteenth. This year’s celebration will be hosted by George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center for the fourth annual Stay Black and Live (SB&L) Juneteenth Festival fromJune 12 through 19 2023.
This year’s theme is Austin Family Reunion and will center local collaborations and partnerships with organizations and individuals making an impact.
SB&L was launched in 2020 following the ongoing global health crisis and heightened awareness of the endemic violence experienced by BIPOC communities. It first started as a live stream but has now become a point of Austin’s citywide Juneteenth celebrations.
“We are incredibly proud to continue Austin’s Juneteenth celebration and tradition at our historic museum,” said Carre Adams, Museum Director at the Carver Museum, “With a robust week of programming, we aim to honor the significance of Juneteenth as we foster a deeper understanding of our shared history. We invite the Austin community to join us as we commemorate this momentous occasion and bring Black history past, present and future to the forefront.”
Austin’s Juneteenth celebration will start on Monday, June 12, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.with a conversation with Grammy-Award-winning Desoto, Texas, high school music teacher Pamela Dawson.
Dawson will deliver an interactive lecture using negro spirituals and a sing-along that will educate attendees on African-American contributions to the sonic art form.
OnThursday, June 15,from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., culinary food historian James Beard, Book Award recipient and author ofThe Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-American History in the Old South, Michael T. Twitty, will present a lecture on African-American foodways and contemporary abolitionist movements.
A multi-generational community kickback and dance party will hold on Friday, June 16, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It will feature a sensory station powered by Creative Action, that will give away glow sticks, kites, bubble guns and sparklers to attendees under a neon tent. High-energy sets by DJ Cysum and DJ Dontizl will keep the vibes high before closing out with a special edition of BodyRockATX.
OnSaturday, June 17, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., a community cookout and music festival will take place in the historic Rosewood Neighborhood behind the Carver Museum. This will start at 3 p.m. Lady Joy will host mid-day festivities while KAZI DJs will play the vibes. Attendees will enjoy smoked BBQ prepared by veteran pitmasters. Festival attendees can also check out the vendor market, carnival games, educational workshops, film screenings, and self-guided tours.
A music festival which will be hosted by Saul Paul will kick off on On Saturday, June 17 at 6 p.m. There will be opening performances by Austin Samba, Sonya Javette, Stretch Musik, and DJ Kay Kali.At 8 p.m., the funky, rocking, dancing, soulful mega band GAPX brought to life by original global touring members of the legendary group “The Gap Band” will serenade Juneteenth festival goers for 90-minutes with chart-topping hits likeOutstanding, andYou Dropped a Bomb on Me.
The event will end in the classroom on Monday, June 19, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Historian, legal scholar, New York Times Bestseller, and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed will speak about her book,On Juneteenth.
In partnership with Austin Justice Coalition, aCommunity Revival and Remembrancewill take place to honor victims of police violence in Texas. Indigenous earth-based practitioners, faith leaders, healers, and bodyworkers will gather to help elevate the spirit of our fallen sisters, brothers, and non-binary community members. This will start from5 p.m. to 8 p.m.on Monday, June 19.
