09 Jun 2021
CLEVELAND (June 2021) – Through several events and experiences commemorating Juneteenth, visitors can explore Cleveland's Black culture and reflect on the important contributions of Black people to the city's heritage and history. This year, new events, exhibits and performances join longstanding traditions to commemorate and celebrate the important day.
EVENTS & PERFORMANCES
Cleveland's inaugural Freedom Fest is a family-friendly celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth and will feature headline performances from by GRAMMY Award winning performers Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science with special guests Ms. Lisa Fischer and Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef as well as special a presentation from Karamu House – the nation's oldest Black producing theater – called “Freedom on Juneteenth: Songs of Liberation.” Attendees can also enjoy interactive art demonstrations, spoken-word performances, a pop-up vendor village spotlighting Black businesses and food trucks and beverage concessions. The event will culminate with a fireworks display over Downtown Cleveland and Lake Erie. The event takes place Saturday, June 19 from 12 pm to 10 pm at Mall C in Downtown Cleveland.
A Juneteenth Celebration: Traditional Ceremonies, Spoken Word, Music
Held at the Centennial Peace Plaza in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, this free event will include a re-enactment of the 1865 Juneteenth event, a student essay contest, spoken word performances, drill teams, drumming and a Grand March.
Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed
Karamu House is releasing the world premiere of the play “Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed” written by award-winning playwright Celeste Bedford Walker on June 18 and available to stream until mid-July 2021. The play tells the story of the Greenwood Massacre and its aftermath through the eyes of one family.
Juneteenth Walking Tour: A Different Fight for Freedom
Visitors can join ThisIsBLKCLE on a walking tour in Downtown Cleveland to learn about the African Americans who contributed to the growth and success of pre- and post-Civil War Cleveland. The 45-minute walking tours begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Juneteenth Concert at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
A group of powerful and inspiring artists will perform from 12 pm to 8 pm on the Rock Hall's outdoor plaza for a free concert event. Artists include Afi Scruggs, Ngina Fayola and All City Choir from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The event will culminate with a performance from Djapo Cultural Arts Institute, which will engage attendees with theatrical travels through Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea and the United States highlighting Djapo's dynamic dance company, community performers and international artists from each region.
ONGOING EXHIBITS
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: It's Been Said All Along: Voices of Rage, Hope & Empowerment
It's Been Said All Along, which debuted in July 2020, showcases musical and visual artists that have created art as a response to unspeakable tragedy and to promote social justice. Artifacts include Aretha Franklin's Valentino dress worn during her first appearance at Radio City Music Hall, a jumpsuit worn by James Brown and Public Enemy's “Fight the Power” lyrics. Visitors can also experience the exhibit online with a virtual exhibit walk-through and an official Spotify playlist.
Amanda Wicker: Black Fashion Design in Cleveland
Opening June 10, a new exhibit at Cleveland History Center celebrates designer Amanda Wicker, who moved to Cleveland in 1924 and began the Clarke School of Dressmaking and Fashion Design in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood. It became an integral part of the predominantly African American neighborhood, offering young women the chance to learn fashion design and participate in student fashion shows. The exhibit features 15 never-before-seen pieces and highlights her involvement in the community.
HISTORICAL SITES
St. John's Episcopal Church
Founded in 1816, St. John's Episcopal Church in the Ohio City neighborhood was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. St. John's became known to many as “Station Hope” as the bell tower served as a hideout for runaway slaves, who would use it to watch for the signal from boats on Lake Erie that would transport them to Canada. The site is now used for an annual Station Hope event developed by Cleveland Public Theatre.
Cozad-Bates House
The only surviving pre-Civil War structure in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood, the Cozad-Bates House is home to a soon-to-open interpretive center focusing on the neighborhood's history as a center of the abolitionist movement. Visitors can take a virtual tour of the center's exhibits or walk the grounds at the house which combine art and landscape to highlight the people and places of the Underground Railroad network in Cleveland. The outdoor space features plants that are edible or carry medicinal properties to illustrate the difficult journey and along with indigo-colored educational signage, a reference to a staple crop of the exploitive slave economy. The Interpretive Center will welcome visitors inside the home later this Summer.
To keep up-to-date on new developments and activities, please visit www.thisiscleveland.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland's destination marketing and management organization. This private, non-profit organization's mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 19.6 million visitors annually. For more information, visit www.thisiscleveland.com.
