Saturday marks Juneteenth, the celebration of emancipation of enslaved people in the U.S. Across the city, it is being honored with festivals, arts, history and more. Elsewhere, local performers pay tribute to the BSO’s beloved music director, and a cicada-centered public art project. Here’s a look at the schedule:
An Evening With Dominique Jackson: 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, virtual. The actress, author, model and activist will discuss her life and work in this Pride Month edition of Writers LIVE! from Enoch Pratt Free Library. Born in the Republic of Trinidad, she moved to the Baltimore area and graduated from Morgan State University before going on to a successful career.
The Underground Railroad in Baltimore County: 1 p.m. on Friday, June 18, virtual. In observance of Juneteenth, the lunchtime series from Baltimore Heritage and Baltimore Architectural Foundation features Baltimore County African American history scholar Louis Diggs, who will discuss Underground Railroad sites within the county.
Lafayette Gilchrist’s The Return of The Specials Revealed Ensemble: 7 p.m. on Friday, June 18, at An Die Musik Live. Celebrated Baltimore jazz pianist Lafayette Gilchrist is joined by Herman Burney and Eric Kennedy to continue “New Songbook,” described as “a new ever-unfolding work in progress.”
Fishnet x The Takeout Getdown present Juneteenth: The Joy Edition: June 18 and 19. The takeout event returns with more than 10 restaurants, any of which can provide a good meal and a ticket that gets access to virtual performances from Kondwani Fidel, DJ James Nasty and DJ Trillakay.
Juneteenth Playwrights Collective Showcase: 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, virtual. Black women playwrights share new works at this event from Two Strikes Theatre Collective and Fells Point Corner Theatre.
Juneteenth Festival: 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Dovecote Cafe. The fifth annual celebration arrives in Reservoir Hill with live performances, an art bazaar, yoga, face painting, pony rides and more.
Cicada Parade-a Appreciation Day ft. Fluid Movement: 2-10 p.m. at Charm City Meadworks. The arrival of Brood X has brought a public art project to Baltimore, courtesy of Formstone Castle Collection. In tribute, performance art group Fluid Movement will perform an interpretive dance routine, and Charm City Meadworks will have a couple of special cicada drinks on tap.
Juneteenth Picnic & Paint Celebration: 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, at Lake Montebello. The R.I.S.E Arts Center of Baltimore Inc. hosts its first Juneteenth celebration with a guided event featuring a picnic and painting.
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Honors Marin Alsop: 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, on MPT. With Alsop departing as music director, the symphony presents a live gala celebration of her tenure, with renowned soprano Renée Fleming performing works by Handel, Strauss and more. Plus, James Lee III will premiere the BSO-commissioned piece “Destined Words” to honor Juneteenth.
33rd Annual GBMC Father’s Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Walk: 8-11 a.m. on Sunday, June 20, at GBMC. Get out and exercise in a group as this annual event returns to in-person status. It’s all to celebrate the dads, and benefit GBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the process.
Thank you for including Lafayette Gilchrist’s concert in the weekend picks.