Celebrate Juneteenth with jazz, history and joy
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Whether you're dancing at 18th & Vine or learning about local history at the library, Kansas City is full of ways to celebrate Juneteenth and the legacy of Black freedom.
The big picture: Juneteenth commemorates the day when enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free 2½ years after the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Today, it's a celebration of Black freedom, culture and community.
Wednesday
📚The Olathe Public Library Juneteenth Celebration runs from 10am-4pm at both branches. It's a free, all-ages event with storytimes, live music, film screenings and a Black business pop-up.
Thursday
🎓 KCKCC is celebrating Juneteenth with a community gathering open to everyone — not just students — from 11:30am-2pm at its main campus. There'll be cultural performances, food trucks, lawn games and music.
🎤 Johnson County's Juneteenth event returns for a fourth year from 4:30-6:30pm at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons. The lineup includes the Kansas City Boys and Girls Choir, the James Ward Band, spoken word poetry, roller dancers, and a keynote from longtime civil rights advocate Victor Webb.
🏫Drop-In History: Juneteenth at the Wornall House Museum will take place from 10am-6pm. This free, self-paced program features an audio tour, historical artifacts and special exhibits.
Friday
🎷 The Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a free Juneteenth jazz performance from 6-7:30pm. Flutist Amber Underwood will take the stage with her band SoulPatrol, and museum galleries will stay open late before the show.
Saturday
🎉 Over in KCK, the JN in the Dotte Parade kicks off at 9am at 3507 N. 27th St. and ends at Klamm Park. Expect drill teams, dance crews, DJs and local performers marching through the historic Quindaro neighborhood.
🎶 Kansas City's signature event, the JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival, takes over the 18th & Vine historic district from noon-10pm. Thousands are expected to pack the streets for food trucks, vendors, kid-friendly programming and a full slate of live music.
Sunday
📖 The KC Public Library's Central Branch is hosting a history talk at 2pm. Local historian Erik Stafford will walk through how Black Kansas Citians fought for freedom, from the Underground Railroad to building a self-sustaining business community.
🛍If you're looking to support local, the Juneteenth BlaKCK Business Festival takes place from noon--7pm at Wilson's Pizza & Grill in KCK. The event includes dozens of Black-owned vendors, food and live music, with a neighborhood block party feel.
Did we miss an event? Hit reply and let us know.