Often referred to as the country’s second independence day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Many St. Louis institutions are marking the holiday with free community celebrations and gatherings.
WHAT: JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
WHERE: Delmar Loop
WHEN: Noon to 6 p.m., June 10
Art, music, food and more will be on hand for the annual Juneteenth kick-off in the Delmar Loop at Delmar Boulevard and Hamilton Avenue. A drum call by Baba Kunma will signal the start of the event, followed by live performances, including Spirit Angel of African Dance and Red and Black Brass Band, as well as music by DJ KP.
Other family friendly activities include bounce houses, face painting, a 360-degree photo booth and a community mural painting at St. Louis Artworks. Food and drink will be available for purchase from nearby restaurants such as AAA Fish House, Krab Kingz, Palomino Lounge and Vails Brothers. Free; click here to RSVP
WHAT: JUNETEENTH KEYNOTE
WHERE: Missouri History Museum
WHEN: 5:30 to 8 p.m., June 15
This year’s Juneteenth Keynote, “From New Orleans to Galveston to St. Louis and Beyond,” tells the story of a nine-generation migration from Texas to Missouri. Native St. Louisan Vanessa Slaughter will join St. Louis African American History & Genealogy Society’s Jim Vincent to trace her family’s legacy dating back to the 1860s.
The evening includes a brief presentation about the history and meaning of the Juneteenth holiday and features a live performance by the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis. There will also be opportunities to explore the museum’s exhibits, including “#1 in Civil Rights: The African American Freedom Struggle in St. Louis” banner show, as well as resource tables on genealogical and family research. Food and drink will be available for purchase. Free; click here for more information
WHAT: BLACK MUSIC MONTH AND FAMILY SUNDAY
WHERE: Saint Louis Art Museum
WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m., June 16; 1 to 4 p.m., June 18
A free lecture and musical performance in Farrell Auditorium on Friday, June 16, will honor the power and influence of Black music in celebration of the museum’s recent acquisition of “Dear Friend.” The limited-edition portfolio of 12 photogravures by St. Louis-born artist Oliver Lee Jackson honors his late friend, composer and musician Julius Hemphill.
A Juneteenth-themed Family Sunday takes place June 18, with hands-on activities and other kid-friendly interactive components throughout the galleries. The day will also feature performances and a special art-making activity celebrating Black artists in the museum’s collection. Free; click here for more information
WHAT: GATEWAY TO INCLUSIVE HISTORY
WHERE: Gateway Arch National Park
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 19
This free Juneteenth Conference in the visitor center of the Gateway Arch offers an opportunity to learn more about stories of under-represented groups woven into St. Louis’ rich history. From the area’s original inhabitants, explorers, pioneers, settlers, and those brought against their will through enslavement and immigrants from many nations, their struggles and contributions will be brought to light to increase awareness about the past and help shape a more inclusive future for St. Louis.
Topics include the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network and the African American Civil Rights Network. The Old Courthouse at the Gateway Arch National Park, which was used to auction slaves in estate settlements and was the site of the Dred and Harriet Scott case, is part of the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Free; click here for more information
WHAT: ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA JUNETEENTH CONCERT
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Chesterfield
WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m., June 19
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s (SLSO) third annual commemoration of the Juneteenth holiday will be held in collaboration with the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield, which traces its history back to the 1840s, when a group of enslaved people and their owners attended worship services together in what is now Chesterfield Valley. The current church on Wild Horse Creek Road is a partner church of IN UNISON, a program between SLSO and more than 30 predominantly Black churches in the area.
The concert will feature members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and vocalists from the IN UNISON Chorus performing music by Black composers and traditional spirituals with spoken word and teachings about the significance of Juneteenth. RSVPs are requested; seating is first-come, first served. Free; click here to RSVP
