In partnership with Hi-Arts and The Africa Center, the queer- and Black-led grassroots arts and activist coalition Intersectional Voices Collective (IVC) has announced the second iteration of last year’s combination Black Lives Matter demonstration and Pride party, the Juneteenth Jubilee.
The celebration will be held on Saturday, June 19, from 1-7 pm, in the plaza bordering The Africa Center at 110th Street and 5th Avenue, on the corners of Duke Ellington Circle and Tito Puente Way. Featuring a line-up of Black trans and queer bands, singers, dancers, rappers, and spoken word artists, it will culminate in a Rose Court ceremony honoring Black women leaders in the community.
The occasion will begin with a land acknowledgement and community blessing, followed by an afternoon of performances and a resource fair highlighting community wellness. Performers include Icon Sinia Alaia, Courtney Washington and The Masterz at Work Dance Family, Britton & The Sting, Litty Official, Jiggy, Linda LA, Jlore, and Alphonso Horne. Harlem-based artist Dominick Troy Williams has been commissioned to provide key art, Byrell the Great will DJ a ballroom exhibition set, with Karma Mulan serving as MC, and The Rose Court ceremony will be hosted by Stonewall Protests founder Qween Jean.
IVC planning committee members include Deja Smith, Jonovia Chase, Marquise Vilsón, Mya Lynn, Devin-Norelle, Jaime Cepero, Condola Rashad, Shakina Nayfack, Troy Anthony, Daniel Bracamontes, Marti Cummings, Phillip Henry, and Jordana Abrencia.
According to Smith, who organized the event, “As multidisciplinary artists, people of color, and LGBTQIA people, we were aware of the significant tolls that bias and stress have on our body, mind, and spirit daily. Adding in the additional stress-related factors of a city-wide lockdown and lack of work in our chosen fields gave us a unique understanding of how we could use our skills as creatives to impart major wellness experiences on our community, on a larger scale.”
Chase added, “The Juneteenth Jubilee is a revival unifying New York City through centering Black & queer & trans folks. Spend the day rejoicing in liberation, make new connections to bring change and inspire one another with joy.”
