Ramapo College's Berrie Center To Host Juneteenth Piano Concert

MAHWAH, NJ — Ramapo College will host a series of virtual concerts this week in celebration of the Juneteenth holiday.

The Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Ramapo College of New Jersey campus will host the shows, which feature father and son piano duo Ryan & Ryan.

The broadcast will be free and is available by registering at the link here. Concerts will start Thursday and run through June 23.

According to the college, the duo will be performing their "Kickin' the Clouds Away" concert which features "some of the world’s best piano music including jazz, ragtime, classical, and gospel."

Berrie Center Director Lisa Campbell will be joined by the duo for a pre-concert discussion.

Legislation signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in September 2020 officially designated the third Friday in June as a state and public holiday.

Juneteenth, which is short for June 19th, is a 156-year-old holiday that celebrates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery in the United States.

"Juneteenth today celebrates African-American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures," according to Juneteenth.com in an explanation of the holiday.

On June 19, 1865, Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to inform enslaved African Americans that the Civil War was over and slavery had been abolished.

Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which said: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free."

Granger's announcement implemented the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, more than 2-1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln first issued it in 1863.

Initially, the presidential order caused little change in Texas due to the lack of Union troops to enforce it.

READ MORE: What Is Juneteenth? 5 Things To Know About The Holiday

Additional reporting by Gus Saltonstall.