Smithsonian Magazine ranks Houston's Juneteenth celebration the Number 3 "Hotspot" in the nation
Mark Lacy
event in our region - the abolition of slavery. Juneteenth originated
in Galveston in 1865 when major general Gordon Granger read General
Order #3, "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a
proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are
free." The celebration of Emancipation Day quickly spread throughout
Texas, becoming known as Juneteenth. Today, it is officially
recognized in over half of the United States.
Houston Institute for Culture has assembled an extraordinary music
lineup from across the Gulf Coast to celebrate this historic event.
Our efforts have brought the attention of the nation back to the place
where the celebration began. Smithsonian Magazine, in its May 2008
issue, recommends Houston's Juneteenth celebration as the Number 3
"Hotspot" in the nation in "Destination America."
Juneteenth is honored in many of the same ways as July 4th, with
family get-togethers, cookouts, religious gatherings, and of course,
live music. Fans will gather from across the region on June 19, 2008
in the city's largest public theater, to hear performances by ReBirth
Brass Band, Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie, Sherman Robertson
with special guest Trudy Lynn, and much more.
ReBirth Brass Band has been performing at raucous jazz clubs and big
festivals for more than 20 years. From New Orleans' Tremé
neighborhood, ReBirth pioneered the fusion of Mardi Gras Indians'
poly-rhythms and funk with traditional New Orleans second line brass
band music. The nine-member group will be at its best in front of the
thousands expected to gather at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie perform versatile, high-energy
Zydeco, born from rural Louisiana Creole and Cajun roots and fused
with Country and electric Blues - a dance music for everyone.
Soul and Blues legend Trudy Lynn got her start in Houston's Fifth
Ward, performing with Albert Collins and Clarence Green. She teams up
with touring sensation Sherman Robertson, whose Houston roadhouse
sound has been heard on Paul Simon's "Graceland", and in performance
with Bobby "Blue" Bland, Junior Parker and Clifton Chenier.
Over the course of the evening, the audience will have the unique
opportunity to hear new compositions based on the theme of Juneteenth
by young local artists Tamara Williams (Gospel), Tony Henry
(Singer-songwriter) and Corey Ledet (Zydeco). These performances were
specially commissioned for the occasion.
Help us spread the news about Houston's Juneteenth celebration. Share
this email with family and friends. Refer others to the website,
june19.org. This is a great opportunity to gather with family and
connect with others in the community. Take a floor seat close to the
live music on stage. Or bring a picnic basket and a blanket or lawn
chair to relax on the amphitheater hill.
This is a multicultural celebration of importance to all people. In
addition to the significance of this historic occasion, there are many
reasons to support the upcoming celebration:
The musicians represent the best of our regional traditions;
One of the finest public event facilities in the nation, Miller
Outdoor Theatre is hosting this free event in a central location that
is accessible to most everyone in the city;
And, the organizations involved in making this event possible are
essential in our community, including Houston Institute for Culture,
Surviving Katrina and Rita in Houston, KPFT Pacifica Radio, KTRU Rice
Radio, KTSU The Choice, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum,
Community Artists' Collective, the Houston Blues Society, Project Row
Houses, and Talking Back Living History.
"A Gulf Coast Juneteenth" is produced with support from the City of
Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board and the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is located in Hermann Park at 100 Concert
Drive, Houston, Texas, 77030. It is wheelchair accessible. For event
information, history and additional features, see
www.houstonculture.org or www.june19.org. MetroRail serves Hermann
Park. Information can be found at www.ridemetro.org. Concert goers
bringing cars are encouraged to carpool. Miller Outdoor Theatre's
information number is 281-373-3386.
Additional event information and artist bios are available at:
http://www.june19.org
Stay tuned to the above website following the event to learn how you
can help in the evaluation process and future planning as we build
greater community support for this important tradition.
____________________________________________________
M a r k @houstonculture.org
Houston Institute for Culture
7111 Harwin Drive, Suite 132
Houston, Texas 77036
Learn more about Houston Institute for Culture
http://www.houstonculture.org/resources/hifc.html