Join Us in Celebrating Juneteenth in Keene and the Monadnock Region!
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when all enslaved individuals became aware of their freedom. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, it took two and a half years for enslaved people in Texas to learn of their freedom.
Join us as we celebrate freedom with a variety of free family-friendly events and activities!
The Freedom Trail is back and open for self-guided tours starting on Thursday, June 12.
Take a walk through history to learn about important historical events that have shaped the ongoing freedom journey of Black Americans. The trail, located on the grounds of the Keene Family YMCA at 200 Summit Road, Keene, is a ¼ mile scenic walk through the fields which will be open through Sunday, June 22
Wednesday, June 11
Screening followed by Q&A with Joseph Lascaze and Ophelia Burnett
6:00 pm - The Showroom, 20 Commercial Street, Keene
PAINT ME A ROAD OUT OF HERE
A wild tale of a painting’s whitewashed journey and the two artists who challenged the same powerful and oppressive institutions, a half century apart, with their artwork, their voices and their shared, persistent goals.
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Saturday, June 14
11:30 am - Birdies, 18 Main Street, Keene
Kid Flicks: Celebrating Black Stories
Powerful films for ages 8+ curated by the New York International Children's Film Festival (Run time: 56 min).
This series of short films shares the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being Black and young. Seating is limited.
Thursday, June 19th
Special Performance
5:00 pm - Central Square, Keene
SAYON CAMARA & LANDAYA
Master drummer Sayon Camara from Guinea, West Africa, joins forces with multi-instrumentalists Dave Kobrenski and Grant Ellerbeck for spellbinding performances of traditional Malinké music.
Known collectively as Landaya, this powerhouse trio draws from the traditions of Sayon’s village, weaving intricate rhythms on the djembé and dunun drums with ancient melodies.
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CRYS MATTHEWS
Crys Matthews is back for an encore performance! Already hailed as “the next Woody Guthrie,” Crys is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers.
Crys Matthews’s thoughtful, realistic, and emotional songs speak to the voice of our generation and remind us why music indeed soothes the soul.
