17th Annual Juneteenth Celebration – A New Voice of Hope

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, June 20, 2009 - Noon to 5:00 p.m.
Virginia Avenue Park

The City of Santa Monica and Juneteenth Celebration Committee proudly present the 17^th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, a free community event with live entertainment, health expo, and cultural art.  Juneteeth commemorates the day the last African-Americans slaves were notified of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.  The thread of hope from the newly freed slave has been woven through African American history and continues through their positive influence on the mosaic of a hopeful nation. This year’s festival will celebrate the theme “A New Voice of Hope” through music, cultural art and history.

Comedienne and actress Debra Wilson-Skelton of MADtv will lead the audience through an odyssey of performance venues including a main stage, youth stage and legacy museum.  The entertainment line-up features Greg Walker, lead vocalist for Carlos Santana; Herbie Hancock and Kenny G; Trumpeter Rahmlee Michael Davis, original member of Earth Wind & Fire and the Phil Collins Band; Island Rhythm Reggae; Route 101 Funk/Jazz/Blues: gospel choirs including the Ward AME Church 40 member Jubilant Praise Youth Choir; storytelling, dance and more.  The Youth Stage will offer youth an opportunity to express their messages of hope through spoken word workshops culminating in an open mike session performance.

The legacy museum will feature gospel choirs, historical presentations on the contributions of African Americans in the nation and local community, and the history of Juneteenth.  Event attendees will enjoy a marketplace of cultural art and crafts, jewelry, literature and African American cuisine including BBQ, Fried Fish, Soul Food, and delectable desserts and beverages. A health and fitness Expo will be sponsored by the Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and Orthopedic Hospital with O2 Max Fitness.

Virginia Avenue Park is located on corner of Pico and Cloverfield in Santa Monica. Visitors and neighbors are encouraged to walk, bicycle or park for free at Santa Monica College “Structure A” at the corner of Pico and 17^th Street.  A Big Blue Bus chartered for the event will shuttle attendees from Santa Monica College at Pico and 16^th Street eastbound and back at Pico and 22^nd Street (eastbound). Directional signs will be visible at the college on Pico and 17^th Street.  Virginia Avenue Park is served by Blue Bus Line No. 7 and is accessible for persons with disabilities.  For more information, call 310.458.8688.