Art
Juneteenth ‘Round the Bay’ Guide
It was on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had become official, Major General Gordon Granger and his regiment of Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas, and gave the news that the Civil War had ended, that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the “enslaved were now and forever free.” June 19 became known as Juneteenth and in 2021, it became a federal holiday. Here are some of the observations being held ’round the Bay.
![Official Juneteenth flag. Wikipedia.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/juneteenth-round-up-featured-web.jpg)
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of 250 years of legalized enslavement of Africans in the United States.
Long before the federal government declared Juneteenth a national holiday, June 19 had become synonymous with the end of legalized enslavement of Africans in the United States, even though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on Jan 1, 1963.
It was on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had become official, Major General Gordon Granger and his regiment of Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas, and gave the news that the Civil War had ended, that President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation, and the “enslaved were now and forever free.”
June 19 became known as Juneteenth and in 2021, it became a federal holiday. Here are some of the observations being held ’round the Bay.
By Geoffrey Lee
Marin County
Marin City
June 19
Marin City’s Juneteenth events will last all day, beginning with a prayer breakfast at the Marguerite Johnson Senior Center at 9 a.m. at 640 Drake Ave., followed by a procession to George ‘Rocky’ Graham Park at 850 Drake Ave. in Sausalito where there will be musical entertainment, vendors, a jumpy house for children and more. For more information, call 415 332-1441
Mill Valley
June 17
Mill Valley Recreation, along with the City of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity & Empowerment (MVFREE), will host its second annual Juneteenth celebration this year called the Freedom Festival. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mill Valley Downtown Plaza. Free. For more information, contact Molly Given, recreate@cityofmillvalley.org or 415-383-1370
San Francisco
![The Curtis Family C-Notes will perform at 3 at MoAD in San Francisco on June 17. Photo courtesy of MoAD.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/MoAD-Juneteenth-C-Notes_second-pic.remini-enhanced-1024x683.jpg)
The Curtis Family C-Notes will perform at 3 at MoAD in San Francisco on June 17. Photo courtesy of MoAD.
June 10
San Francisco Inaugural Juneteenth Parade
The parade route runs from San Francisco’s Civic Center down Market Street to the Embarcadero Ferry Terminal Plaza where it will join ‘Juneteenth on the Waterfront.’ 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For additional information on the Juneteenth Parade, please visit JuneteenthSFC.org.
‘Juneteenth Pop-Up on the Waterfront,’ at 1 Ferry Building, celebrates Black chefs and Black-owned small businesses, among them, Mo’Raysha’s oxtails, mac & cheese and more as well as Brutha’s Honey. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m
June 16
San Francisco public officials will kick off a full weekend of activities welcoming performers and speakers from 12 noon to 1 at City Hall.
June 17
Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration in the Fillmore. Saturday, June 17 · 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, go to: https://juneteenth-sf.org
Museum of the African Diaspora:
MoAD will honor Juneteenth with free exhibitions and programming for the whole family. Free admission from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. One of the special events is from 3-4 p.m. called A Song of Triumph II: The Diaspora of Black Music with the Curtis Family C-Notes and members of the Community Music Center Black Music Program Faculty. Register at https://29050a.blackbaudhosting.com/
Juneteenth SF Freedom Celebration in the Fillmore
June 18
San Francisco Juneteenth Weekend at Gilman Park
Celebrate Freedom Day and honor fathers with live music, food, and fun at the SF Juneteenth Fathers Day Festival on Sunday, June 18 from noon to 6 p.m. 903 Gilman Ave., SF
Oakland
June 10:
BoomShake Music, in partnership with the Black Cultural Zone, as part of Oakland Juneteenth Liberation Month invites you to a community arts & culture gathering sparked by the seeds, roots, and branches of artist, teacher, mother, and friend Monica Hastings-Smith aka Mo’ Clearly, who transitioned to the ancestor realm in June 2021. 1 – 6 p.m., Free. Liberation Park, Oakland, CA 7101 Foothill, Oakland
June 16:
Oakland Rocks’ Juneteenth week: Celebrating the journey, justice, resilience, and progress culminates in a lunchtime concert featuring the West Coast Blues Society, performances by Oakland’s Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate with remarks by Vice Mayor Mayfield. 11-1 p.m., Oakland City Hall Plaza., 14th and Broadway.
Odun Ayo: A Juneteenth Celebration of Black Families, Students and Staff Thriving in Black Joy and Excellence in OUSD. The evening celebrates Black students, staff, and families in Oakland schools. Featuring live performances by Queen Iminah and African American Females of Excellence (AAFE), Kingmakers of Oakland, Spear of the Nation, interactive activities, and community resources to uplift Black Joy and Excellence in Oakland Unified School District. Organized by Spearitwurx with AAFE, African American Male Achievement (AAMA), and OUSD Office of Equity. 5-9 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 1000 Oak St., Oakland CA
June 17:
Afrocentric Oakland FAM BAM Oakland’s 14th Annual Juneteenth Festival
Lake Merritt Amphitheater Lake Merritt Boulevard Oakland, CA 94612
A celebration of Black/African culture that has become a family-friendly tradition for thousands of Bay Area residents. Father’s Day tribute have been a guaranteed good time for the whole family. For more, info, go to AfrocentricOakland.com. 12 noon – 8 p.m.
Berkeley
![Musicians at a previous Juneteenth in Berkeley.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/berkeley-music.remini-enhanced.jpg)
Musicians at a previous Juneteenth in Berkeley.
Berkeley Juneteenth Week:
June 11.
Prayer for Peace: Pastor Michael Smith, McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. calls for the community to come together at their places of worship and pray for peace, protection for children, community healing, equal justice under the law, and to remember the hope and promise of Juneteenth. An all-denominational and community inclusive event that can be repeated on June 18. 11 a.m.- noon.
June 18
36th Annual Berkeley Juneteenth Festival Sun. 18, 2023, 11 a.m. -7 p.m.
3271-3299 Adeline St. Berkeley. Performances by Sonny Farley, Junior Toots, Nkan music, Guitar Trifecta, II Funk Ky Shu’s Wit Nu Soles, Nat Bolden, Shannon Rhodes, SambaFunk!, Deanna Brewer, Blackcat Zydeco
Richmond and West Contra Costa County
Richmond
June 17
Juneteenth Family Day and Festival
A Juneteenth parade 10 a.m. at Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 South 47th St. Richmond, CA 94804 is followed by a festival at 3230 Macdonald Ave. Richmond, CA
11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Albany
A free, outdoor Juneteenth and Father’s Day Celebration including music, art, food, dance, a maker’s fair and more in store. It features performances by: Terrie Odabi (blues), African Heritage Ensemble (African drumming workshop/performance), Keith & The KC Kids (classical fusion), Skip the Needle (rock), Al Lazard and the World Street Players (New Orleans Funk), Tiffany Austin (jazz/soul), Valerie Troutt’s MoonCandy (live house ensemble), DJ K-La V (soulful party music). For more information, go to AlbanyJuneteenth.com
American Canyon
The 2nd Annual Juneteenth Community Fest will be held on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 1-6 p.m. at Main Street Park, 5500 Eucalyptus Dr., in American Canyon.
Brenda Knight will be the MC and Dr. Lawrence VanHook will be the keynote speaker.
For additional information contact: Brendaknightevents@yahoo.com or 707-319-4773.
East Contra Costa County
June 17
Antioch
Grace Bible Fellowship Church, from 11:30-4:30 p.m. vendors and kid zone, live music, food and drinks. FREE live entertainment featuring headliner R&B Musical Group Surface, R&B sensation Niecey Living Single, Christian Rap Artist CJ Emulous, Gospel Artist Alfreda Campbell. 3415 Oakley Road, Antioch, CA 94509
Pittsburg
Souljah’s 12th Annual Juneteenth Celebration family event at a new location, City Park – Railroad and Civic avenues, noon-5:30 p.m.
June 18
Antioch
Juneteenth: A Freedom celebration. Rides and games; live entertainment, free food and drinks and more. Williamson Ranch Park, Lone Tree Way & Hillcrest. Antioch, CA 94531 noon-5 p.m.
Pleasant Hill
The event will be held at the City Hall lake, 100 Gregory Lane, from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. and will feature: a performance for the kids by Unique Derique, a visit from Princess Tiana of ‘The Princess and the Frog,’ a West African highlife band, Sweet Mother Food Truck & The Guzzler Bar Truck and an art display
June 25
Concord
Juneteenth: “Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future, includes vendors, games, food, crafts, music, dance, speakers
Sunday, June 25, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road, Concord, CA
1-3 p.m.,
South Alameda County
June 15
Hayward
The summer’s first Thursday street party will be presented by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the city’s Juneteenth celebration organizers. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at B and Main Streets.
June 17
The West Coast Blues Society will present the Hayward Russell City Juneteenth Celebration music festival on the plaza behind City Hall with jazz, blues, R&B and gospel performances, including a special guest appearance by the legendary Johnny Rawls, of Hattiesburg, Miss. For more information, call (510) 472-8800 or visit www.westcoastbluessociety.org.
June 19
On national Juneteenth Day of Observance, the Pan-African flag will be flown on Hayward City Hall Plaza. The Hayward Public Library will also be presenting its annual Juneteenth Online Readathon.
Livermore
June 17
Juneteenth Celebration in Partnership with Tri-Valley for Black Lives The local celebration, including music, art, drumming, singing, dancing, and musical performances. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Bankhead Plaza, 2400 First St, Livermore, CA 94550
Vallejo
June 17
33rd Annual Vallejo Juneteenth Festival & Parade will take place at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park downtown behind City Hall at Mare Island Way & Capitol Street. This year’s event will feature a parade in downtown Vallejo. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Stockton
June 19
“Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom, Community and Education” will be held at Weber Point Event Center, 221 N. Center St., Stockton. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, contact Ms. Rosemarie 209-430-4096; Ms. Gloria 209-481-6184 or Ms. Rachel 209-718-9828.
Activism
Griot Theater Company Presents August Wilson’s Work at Annual Oratorical Featuring Black Authors
The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.
![Late playwright August Wilson. Wikipedia photo.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/august-wilson-featured-web.jpg)
By Godfrey Lee
Griot Theater Company will present their Fifth Annual Oratorical with August Wilson’s “Half a Century,” at the Belrose on 1415 Fifth Ave., in San Rafael near the San Rafael Public Library.
The performance explores the legacy of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson whose 10-play Century Cycle chronicles the African American experience across the 20th century, with each play set in a different decade. “Half a Century” journeys through the final five plays of this monumental cycle, bringing Wilson’s richly woven stories to life in a way that celebrates history, resilience, and the human spirit.
Previous performance highlighting essential Black American authors included Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Lorraine Hansberry with Langston Hughes.
The play will be performed at 3:00. p.m. on Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, and 28 at 7:00 p.m., and on Feb. 23 at 3:00 p.m.
For more information, go to griottheatercompany.squarespace.com/productions-v2
Activism
Oakland Community Art Center is Helping Immigrants Heal from Trauma
The programs are catered to youth and adults with programs called “Arts in Schools” and “Arts and Wellness.” Students are encouraged to participate in music, crafts, and dancing. In contrast, adults can join support groups to connect with others and receive mental health resources to alleviate trauma they may have previously experienced.
![ARTogether is a community organization that allows immigrant and refugee residents a space to express themselves through an artful and creative outlet. IStock photo.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/stop-the-hate-community-art-center-featured-web.jpg)
By Magaly Muñoz
A local community art center ARTogether is creating a safe place for immigrants and refugees one craft at a time.
After Donald Trump’s first presidential term started in 2017, Leva Zand saw firsthand the impact of discrimination towards immigrants. She wanted to give this community a space to heal through a creative outlet, which prompted her to start ARTogether.
“Folks can come together and do art activities, celebrate their culture, and basically be in a judgmental free environment, no matter what is their immigration status or how well they speak English, when they came to this country, what generation they are,” Zand explained. “The idea was how to use arts and culture for community building and connection between refugees, immigrants themselves and with the broader community.”
Located in downtown Oakland, the space is dedicated partly for galleries and art shows featuring local immigrant artists. The remaining area is a communal studio where ARTogether hosts its regular activities.
Art is used as a therapeutic medium that allows participants to process and express their emotions and experiences and build community with others in the studio, Zand said.
The programs are catered to youth and adults with programs called “Arts in Schools” and “Arts and Wellness.” Students are encouraged to participate in music, crafts, and dancing. In contrast, adults can join support groups to connect with others and receive mental health resources to alleviate trauma they may have previously experienced.
Zand told the Post that a lot of the issues participants come into the program with are related to feeling a lack of support or community after newly arriving to the area from their home countries. While many come from areas where traditional therapy is considered taboo, art lets people of all backgrounds express themselves in a creative form that makes sense to them.
The center can also provide referrals and direct contacts to traditional mental and physical health professionals and legal and social programs for those who need more extensive assistance.
Because of how the organization started, ARTogether has a strong “Stop the Hate” messaging built into its mission. They began promoting advocacy against anti-immigrant and anti-refugee hate across several demographics during the pandemic, even before “Stop the Hate” became officially established.
“We really want to activate this space for the community to get together, to share, to strategize, to see how they can advocate at the local, state and even national level for their rights,” Zand shared.
Anticipating an influx in stress and trauma for residents after the presidential inauguration in January, ARTogether is hosting a community gathering at the end of the month in order to give people the space to express their feelings through crafts.
These gatherings, or “Gather In’s”, will be held monthly, or for as long as funding can sustain them, which Zand said might not be for long.
The organization recently lost one of its grants from the city of Oakland during the major budget cuts earlier this month that slashed funding for arts and culture programs. They were meant to receive a $20,000 grant through the city’s initial contingency budget plan but the money is now gone until Oakland can get their revenue up again.
Zand shared she worries about the state of the country come the new year and where her organization may end up as well if budget restraints continue at the local and state level.
“We are really facing uncertainty. We don’t know what is happening…We don’t know how bad it’s going to be,” she said.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop theHate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to https://www.cavshate.org/
Activism
‘Let’s Glow SF,’ ‘Paints’ Holiday-Themed Light Shows on Landmark Buildings in Downtown San Francisco
The ‘canvases’ for Let’s Glow SF, which began on Dec. 6 and continues through Dec. 13, include 101 California St., Annie Alley, the Crossings at East Cut, the Ferry Building, One Bush Plaza, Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, Salesforce Tower, and the PG&E Substation.
![The clock tower of the Ferry Building lights up with digital art projection. Photo by Anka Lee.](https://www.postnewsgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/glow-up-featured-web.jpg)
By Anka Lee, Post Intern
San Francisco has outdone itself again with the return of Let’s Glow SF, an abstract digital art projected brilliantly on various landmark buildings downtown for the holiday season.
Produced by the partnership of Downtown SF Partnership and A3 Visual, SF Glow began in 2021 with the intent to bring life back to downtown after the COVID-19 outbreak left its streets desolate.
Accompanied by different genres of music, the largest holiday projection arts festival in the U.S. is described on its web site as “a stunning journey of light” and “a striking marriage of art and technology …that elevates the city’s art scene.”
The ‘canvases’ for Let’s Glow SF, which began on Dec. 6 and continues through Dec. 13, include 101 California St., Annie Alley, the Crossings at East Cut, the Ferry Building, One Bush Plaza, Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, Salesforce Tower, and the PG&E Substation.
‘Painting’ the light installations onto buildings starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.
At the Ferry Building on Dec. 7, the animated light display was by featuring art by Spectre Lab, Maxin10sity, and Ryan Uzilevsky of Light Harvest Studio. Across from the Embarcadero, plastic chairs were put out for front-row seating to the upcoming projection.
Families dressed in matching sweaters chatted animatedly among themselves, couples cuddled up against the bitter wind, and the ringing of the trolley’s distant approach all served to brighten the street. Holiday-special drinks like hot chocolate and themed cocktails were sold and participating eateries like Avotoasty, Barcha Restaurant came together to bring to San Francisco America’s largest annual Christmas projection event.
The eight-day event will close on Dec. 13, with “Glow on Front: A Neon Block Party” from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 240 Front St.
Ervin, one of the Block by Block Downtown SF Partnership safety workers for the event, said he’s “looking at a record amount this year,” nearing around half a million attendees in total. But that evening, a lively community evolved from the original trickle of people waiting for the art show to start.
Vendors set up displays and sold jewelry, notebooks, and handmade hairbands. Seats filled up as the day’s light faded, the chill of the air increasing with the flow of people. The excitement among the crowd was palpable and contagious. It was a welcome feeling, electrifying the ever-growing holiday cheer.
Chatter quieted and adventurous music blasted from speakers that were behind the seating area. A projection by Spectre Lab shone directly at the Ferry Building, the abstract graphics of candlelight, lanterns, and disco balls ‘dancing’ to the beat of the music that transformed the clock tower into something alive. The illusory animation spun and stretched the tower with enthusiasm—this writer was in awe.
A newcomer to Let’s Glow SF thought it was really cool how it “utilizes space that we have and…adds something new…for us to enjoy.”
One family only learned about the lights show on their way home after arriving by ferry, and “[they’d] seen it on the billboard with all the artists…. It’s a very positive thing for San Francisco after everything that’s gone on [with COVID].”
Attend the Let’s Glow SF projection event today through Dec.13 for free, at any of their eight locations: 101 California St., Annie Alley, the Crossings at East Cut, the Ferry Building, One Bush Plaza, Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, Salesforce Tower, and PG&E Substation. Food and drink are sold at different participating businesses respective to each projection location. For more information, visit downtownsf.org.
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of January 22 – 28, 2025
-
Activism3 weeks ago
Oakland Poll: Tell Us What You Think About the Cost of Groceries in Oakland
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks ago
PRESS ROOM: Top Climate Organizations React to Trump’s Executive Orders Attacking Health, Environment, Climate and Clean Energy Jobs
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Trump Exploits Tragedy to Push Racist and Partisan Attacks
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
Black Reaction to Trump DEI Blame on The Plane Crash
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks ago
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025 We Proclaim It
-
Activism2 weeks ago
Oakland Post: Week of January 29 – February 4, 2025
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks ago
W A T C H Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb Joins MIP