Free performances, family friendly activities and admission to area institutions are just some of the festivities planned to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday across St. Louis.
MISSOURI HISTORY MUSEUM Thursday, June 16, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The Missouri History Museum’s Juneteenth Keynote Lecture and Gospel Music Performance features Bill Doggett, who will present a multimedia address about the life of his father, the Rev. John Doggett Jr., a man who worked tirelessly for civil rights, human rights and social justice on the local and national level. In addition, the Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis will perform.
The evening’s activities will also feature self-guided tours of the museum’s exhibits with a scavenger hunt of civil rights-related stops, a Historian’s Corner to learn more about St. Louis’ civil rights history, and food and drinks available for purchase from Orlando’s.
Other upcoming Juneteenth events at the museum include: Storytelling in the Museum: Juneteenth (June 17), 2022 Juneteenth Community Bike Ride, in collaboration with Trailnet and 4 The Ville (June 18), Just Breathe STL, in collaboration with The Collective STL (Wednesdays June 22 to July 13).
For more information, visit mohistory.org/Juneteenth.
GRAND CENTER Sunday, June 19, noon to 3 p.m.
The community is invited to Juneteenth, A Father’s Day Celebration in Grand Center for a free Family Day of activities at the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.
Enjoy the St. Louis Kettle Corn Truck, EyeSeeMe Book Store and art activities at CAM; free family portraits with Virginia Harold at the Pulitzer; and Golf the Galleries (tickets required) and chalk art with Kyla Hawk at The Sheldon. Other activities include live entertainment, storytelling with Ready Readers, a sing-along dance party and the Bubble Van.
For more information, visit thesheldon.org.
ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Sunday, June 19, 2 to 3 p.m.
Members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, along with vocalists from the orchestra’s IN UNISON Chorus and IN UNISON scholars, will appear in a free community concert at Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church (1617 Euclid Ave.).
The concert marks the SLSO’s second annual commemoration of Juneteenth, held in collaboration with longtime IN UNISON partner Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist and its pastor, the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr.
The program will feature works by Black artists, including Margaret Bonds, Florence Price and more, as well as spirituals and hymns from Black American musical expression.
No tickets required. For more information, visit slso.org.
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN Sunday, June 19, all day
The Missouri Botanical Garden is offering free admission to all visitors on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.
Special activities planned for the day include a free okra plug for a “pot-a-plant” activity at the Children’s Garden. Okra has strong ties to the African American experience. It was brought to America through the transatlantic slave route, likely as provisions for enslaved people.
There will also be an interpretive visitor guide highlighting significant contributions of African Americans to advance botanical science throughout history, offering opportunities for onsite exploration, self-reflection, nature journaling and meditation. In addition, learn more about Missouri-native scientist Dr. George Washington Carver, who greatly influenced 19th- and 20th-century agriculture and education, in the Carver Garden, named in his honor.
Admission is also free on June 19 at the Garden’s other sites, including Shaw Nature Reserve and the Butterfly House.
For more information, visit mobot.org.
