Several events are planned around Miami Beach to mark the 157th Juneteenth Independence Day, which honors the contributions of Black Americans while remembering the emancipation of those who had been enslaved.
On Saturday, June 17, the Soul Vegan Festival takes over Lummus Park from 6 to 7 streets at 600 Ocean Drive. The rain-or-shine event runs from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and features plant-based African American and Caribbean dishes created by talented chefs from across the nation, activities for children, live entertainment and more. Entry to this event is free, but food and drinks are available for purchase onsite. For more information, visit www.soulveganfestival.com.
On Monday, June 19, FIU Miami Beach Urban Studios (420 Lincoln Road, Suite 440) exhibits “Reflecting Black to the Future: Celebrating Emancipation and Freedom” by Dr. Valerie L. Patterson at 9 a.m. This event offers a retrospective with mixed media, including digital technology.
On Monday, June 19 from 4-10 p.m., the City of Miami Beach will be celebrating the 4th annual Juneteenth Celebration at Bandshell Park (7275 Collins Ave). The event begins at 4 p.m. with a jazz picnic and performances by the New World School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble and The Harden Project. Next, the gates to the Miami Beach Bandshell open at 6 p.m. for short film screenings at 6:30 p.m. Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber will address the audience during a civic program that begins at 7:40 p.m. ahead of an 8 p.m. live performance by Hued Songs, who will present the Juneteenth Experience, a free multidisciplinary celebration of Juneteenth. The entertainment features a diverse cast of local artists, including Miriam King, J’Von Brown, Jasmine Williams, Arsimmer McCoy, Darius Manuel, Eden Marte, Chauncy Riley and King Friday with members from Zest Dance Collective under the direction of Artistic Director and Choreographer Gentry George. Tickets are free and available to the public through Eventbrite.
“The theme of the performance is belonging,” according to artistic director Kunya Rowley. “Juneteenth is a day about freedom and belonging is a critical ingredient toward that.”
The Juneteenth Experience will be live streamed on MBTV, channel 660 on Breezeline, 99 on AT&T U-verse, or on the city’s website.
All nonessential Miami Beach government offices will be closed on Monday, June 19 in observance of the holiday.
