Ne-Yo, Yung Bleu, Inayah and El Debarge will be among some of the artists performing at this year’s AFRAM Festival in Druid Hill Park during Juneteenth weekend June 18-19.
AFRAM, Baltimore’s celebration of Black and African American cultures, will also bring back AFRAM Restaurant Week that was added to the festival for the first time last year.
This year’s festival will kick off June 18 with headliners Ne-Yo, Yung Bleu and Inayah. The weekend-long event will continue June 19 with headliners Rotmi, Le’Andria Johnson, El Debarge, and The O’Jays.
Festival organizers have also put together a Roots + FAMILY stage, showcasing performances by local artists. Among this year’s talent are Lady Brion, Jordan Pope, Brian Pope, Jonathan Gilmore, Katyrah Love, KONJUR Collective, Taylor Avante, Joshua Dixon, Baltimore Griots, DJ Lexi Lex, Urban Foli, and R.E.I.G.N.
The second annual AFRAM Restaurant Week from June 13-19 will feature 24 Black-owned and women-owned businesses, each with a special menu item(s) for AFRAM.
The list of restaurants includes:
- Bar One Baltimore
- Cakes By Cynthia
- CAnE Collective
- Cheezy Mikes
- Capital Lounge
- Crazy Puddings
- Creole Soul Restaurant
- Crust By Mack
- England Eatery
- Fishnet
- Freakin Sweet Jars
- Gangsta Vegan
- Get It Inn Island Cuisine
- Home Maid
- My Mama’s Vegan
- Next Phaze Baltimore
- Old Major
- Serenity Wine Bar + Cafe
- Shipyard Pub
- Simply Marie’s
- SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine
- The Celestial Cafe
- The Land of Kush
- The Sporty Dog
Check out what each restaurant is cooking up by visiting AFRAM’s website for a list of menu items.
Other Juneteenth events
Although AFRAM is one of the biggest events this weekend, there are other Juneteenth events happening in and around Baltimore on Juneteenth itself and the days leading up.
The Baltimore City Prevention Convention has organized multiple Juneteenth events, starting with a virtual community conversation over Zoom on June 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
The next day, they will hold an Ancestral Walking Tour at the Sagamore Pendry Hotel in Baltimore on June 16 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Then, on June 17 from 2-5 p.m., there will be a Job Fair, Symposium, and Community T-shirt Quilt event at Be More Green.
On June 18, a Juneteenth Jubilee event will be held again at Be More Green from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Also on June 18, Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration. The day will start with a community health walk at 9 a.m., followed by a community leaders breakfast at 10:30 a.m., then a community and family reunion cookout and celebration from 12:30-4 p.m. The church’s culinary ministry will provide complimentary food, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own food.
The GIVETHXPARTY: Juneteenth Edition will be happening from 3-7 p.m. on June 19 at Eager Park. Dance along as a live DJ plays tunes ranging from dance music to house music to disco. There will also be a drum circle, food, vendors and more.
A Juneteenth Celebration is being held at the Columbia Lakefront on June 19 from 12:30-5 p.m. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit on as you enjoy music, food and more.
Though not being held on Juneteenth weekend, a Juneteenth Crab Feast will be held on June 26 from 3-7 p.m. at the Downtown Cultural Arts Center, located at 401 N. Howard St. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.
