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Date
June 10, 2023 10:00AM
Name
Juneteenth Celebration
Description
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Kirkwood Hall, Atkins Auditorium, Classrooms, and Galleries L2 & L5
All activities and performances are FREE.
Please allow extra time to park and enter the museum and approach from the north or east. It will be a busy day in midtown. While in the area, enjoy PrideFest activities in Theis Park.
As a part of city-wide observances and in partnership with JuneteenthKC, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art presents the seventh annual Juneteenth Celebration. Enjoy and learn through music, storytelling, dance performances, and art activities.
Also known as Freedom Day, Juneteenth is an abbreviation of “June nineteenth” and honors the emancipation of enslaved people, which was announced by executive order in Texas on June 19, 1865. The history of freedom and equal rights after emancipation is a long and complex one; indeed, that history is still being written today. Juneteenth recognizes this ongoing struggle while celebrating the enduring contributions of African Americans.
PERFORMANCES & PRESENTATIONS
Jazz Storytelling
10:30–11:30 a.m. │ Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Experience a new musical performance with vocalist Lisa Henry, storyteller Br. John Anderson, drummer Mike Warren, and bassist Tyrone Clark as they sing and share a creative story relating to the painting She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them by Amy Sherald. This multidisciplinary call and response performance is created especially for the Juneteenth commemoration.
Storytelling & Poetry
11a.m.–2 p.m. | Lens 2, Bloch Building
11–11:30 a.m. Poetry
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Storytelling
12:30 p.m.–1 p.m. Poetry
1:15 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Storytelling
Hear performances by poets and storytellers Taylor Brown, Donna Madison, Robert Brown, and George Pettigrew, inspired by Juneteenth.
Ceremony & Recognition
11:30–11:40 a.m. | Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Welcoming remarks and recognition of Makeda Peterson, JuneteenthKC Program Director. She honors the legacy of her father, Horace M. Peterson III, founder of JuneteenthKC, the Black Archives of Mid-America, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and American Jazz Museum. Debra Nabors sings the powerful Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Live Music
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Lady Dee and her band perform a selection of songs related to African American culture in honor of Juneteenth and Black Music Month.
Story Time
Noon–1:15 p.m. | Educator Resource Center, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
This reading component by Christle Reed, Dr. Marjorie Williams, Dr. Jennifer Collier, Dr. Jumesha Wade, and Ajia Mignon Morris engages children with stories related to Juneteenth.
Storytelling & Live Music
Noon–1 p.m. │ Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Experience the re-enactment of Otis Ray Redding Jr. performed by Br. John Anderson, Rick Cole, and Suzetta Woods through storytelling and music in honor of Black Music Month.
The Kansas City Boys & The Kansas City Girls Choirs
1:30–2 p.m.│ Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Enjoy musical selections directed by Mia Ramsey.
Spoken Word & Live Music
2–2:30 p.m. │ Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Enjoy poetry and music performed by Natasha Ria-El Scari and percussionist Tony Thompson.
Divine Nine: African American Greek
2:15–2:45 p.m. | Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
The Kansas City Greek Picnic, in collaboration with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), proudly presents "Harmony of Cultures," a mesmerizing performance captivating audiences with its vibrant fusion of traditional step dancing and modern choreography. The talented members of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities will enthrall the crowd while celebrating Black Greek culture and unity.
Kansas City 2Step Showcase & Free Dance
3–4 p.m. │ Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
3–3:30 p.m. 2Step Showcase
3:30–4 p.m. Free Dancing
Experience the awarding-winning De Barker, along with steppers from the Kansas City 2Steppin' Community, with music by DJ Joe Straws.
DINING
11 a.m.–2 p.m. │ Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Purchase house-made BBQ, baked beans, lemonade, and Peach Tree Restaurant & Cafeteria's signature peach cobbler.
ONGOING ACTIVITIES 10 a.m.–4 p.m. except where noted
Gallery Activity
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Gallery L5, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Learn about the civil rights leaders depicted in Kerry James Marshall’s Memento #5 with the help of Museum Guides.
Docent Spotlight
11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Gallery L2, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Engage in conversation with our volunteer Docents about the painting She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them by Amy Sherald
Community Organizations & Library Tours
10 a.m.–4 p.m. | The Spencer Art Reference Library, Level 2, Bloch Building
Stop by the library and speak to representatives from: Black Archives of Mid-America, Greater Kansas City Black Studies Group, Kansas City Buffalo Soldiers Chapter, and Black Space Black Art. Behind the scenes tours of the library’s closed stacks are scheduled at 10:30, 11:00., and noon for anyone interested in learning more about the Nelson-Atkins art library.
Drawing Demonstration
Noon–2 p.m. │ Rockhill Room
Watch artist and educator Anthony High create drawings inspired by the museum collection.
Quilt Block Design with Adinkra Symbols Art Activity
Classroom 4–5, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Create a textile quilt block with four symbols to share your creative story.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Our Presenting Sponsor:
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The Bill & Christy Gautreaux Collection for loaning the painting She had an inside and an outside now and suddenly she knew how not to mix them by Amy Sherald.
Community partners who help make our Juneteenth Celebration a success.
Members—the art and soul of the museum—and volunteers, whose support makes festivals like this possible. To learn more, visit the Info Desk or artandsoulkc.org.
SAVE THE DATES
JuneteenthKC 12th Annual Heritage Festival
Saturday, June 17 | Noon–10 p.m.
18th & Vine | 
Docent Spotlight Tours in Honor of Juneteenth
Monday, June 19 | 10 – 5 p.m.
Free Docent Spotlight stations will be available during the day for conversation with volunteer Docents about work by African American artists. A different work of art will be featured each hour, exploring 150 years of art in the museum’s American and Contemporary art collections.
Tivoli Under the Stars: Summer of Soul
Friday, September 8 | 7:40pm
This 2021 American independent documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival is directed by Questlove and features never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, and more.
*Paid Event: check website for ticket pricing
Kansas City’s Lawn Party
Sunday, July 23 | 4–8 p.m.
PROGRAM DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE