Juneteenth, July 4 Events Planned By African American Museum

PHILADELPHIA — A slew of events commemorating Juneteenth and Independence Day are being planned by the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

From Thursday through Saturday, July 3, events will be held under the banner "Freedom-Liberty: 1776 – 1865."

The museum will kick off the series with a special ArtBreak on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. featuring Dr. Gabrielle Foreman of Pennsylvania State University and the Colored Conventions Project.

Foreman’s presentation will focus on the historical and contemporary resonance of the Juneteenth and July 4th holidays through the lens of her research and the work of noted visual artist Glenn Ligon. After her presentation, Foreman will be joined in dialogue by Ivan Henderson.

The event is free and open to the public. Those who want to attend can register here.

Then on June 19, Juneteenth Celebration will take place at AAMP.

The event will feature a full day of family-friendly outdoor festivities to commemorate the holiday, including educational activities for youth and families, tasty bites and handmade wares sold by local vendors, and a live stage featuring performances by Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, Nina "Lyrispect" Ball, Aijee, Drum Like a Lady, Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, and V. Shayne Frederick.

In addition to the Juneteenth Celebration, the museum will offer free timed admission to the museum on June 19 and June 20 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., courtesy of Wawa.

Current exhibitions at the Museum include Anna Russell Jones: The Art of Design, which highlights the wallpaper and carpet design work of the first African American graduate of the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, now Moore College of Art and Design, and the permanent display Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776 – 1876. Advance registration for museum admission will be required.

Then at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 1 the museum will host the Black Gotham Experience, partnering with creator Kamau Ware to present an evening of conversation and performance exploring the historical significance and contemporary relevance of the Juneteenth and July 4th holidays.

Through the revolutionary lens of historic figures like Samuel Fraunces, whose experiences are highlighted in displays at The President’s House on Philadelphia’s noted Independence Mall, this program inquires; “What are the revolutions of today?”

Attendees will get to enjoy music and visuals courtesy of Rashid Zakat, bites from local food trucks, wine, and cocktails, and more. The event is free with RSVP.

"We welcome members of the Greater Philadelphia community, the country, and the world to join us as we explore and commemorate the historical significance and connection of Juneteenth and July 4th," said Ivan Henderson, Vice President of Programming, African American Museum in Philadelphia. "AAMP is proud to be a part of this year’s Wawa Welcome America partnership as we reflect on the experiences of African Americans during those defining moments in history, as we live and work through our own current defining moments."

AAMP will also host and co-host several other unique events between June 17 to July 3, including:

• Saturday Night Jazz | Juneteenth: A Holiday for All at the Woodmere Art Museum
• Free Community Screening of TULSA: THE FIRE AND THE FORGOTTEN presented by PFS, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and WHYY
• Freedom-Liberty Celebration @ AAMP: June 26
• Griot Tale Saturdays! @ Franklin Square
• Freedom-Liberty Celebration @ AAMP: July 3

Visit the museum's website here for more details and a full schedule of events.