June 20 – 23, 2012
Jepson Center, unless otherwise noted
Telfair Museums’ 5th annual JUNETEENTH Celebration will include acclaimed author Beverly Jenkins, a concert of traditional music and percussion by David Pleasant and a Gullah Geechee day with programs and demonstrations by local artists.
Juneteenth is the celebration of the commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Considered to be June 19, Juneteenth is the oldest celebrated remembrance of African American Emanicipation day and is often celebrated with acknowledgements, speakers and events.
Guest from the Republic of Benin featuring music and dance
Wednesday June 20 / 3:30-5 pm / Jepson Center
Juneteenth Lecture by author Beverly Jenkins
June 21 / 7 pm / Second African Baptist Church
Beverly Jenkins is the nation’s premier writer of African-American historical romance fiction and specializes in 19th century African American life. She has 30 published novels to date and has also been featured in many national publications, including the Wall Street Journal, PEOPLE Magazine, Dallas Morning News and VIBE Magazine. Jenkins has lectured and spoken at such prestigious universities as Oberlin University, the University of Illinois and Princeton.
Bring on the Blessings, her first faith-based, women’s fiction work, was published in Jan 2009, and her newest historical work, Night Hawk was released in October 2011. The fourth book in the Blessings series, A Wish and A Prayer, is due out in 2012
Performance by David Pleasant
June 22 / 6 pm / JC
David Pleasant is a multi-faceted percussion virtuoso, rhythm effects vocalist, avant-garde performance artist , storyteller and lecturer who specializes in African American traditions. Born in Savannah, Georgia, and raised in McIntosh County, he grew up in the rich Geechee-Gullah culture. The Gullah culture has played a major role in the development of Pleasant’s RiddimAthon, a performance and teaching method developed from African, Caribbean, and African American musical traditions.
Juneteenth at the Jepson
June 23 / 12-3 pm / JC
Area performers, storytellers and art activities related to the Geechee-Gullah culture and inviting the participation of neighborhood associations including Cuyler-Brownsville, Tatemville and the communities of Sandfly and Pinpoint.
Jamal Toure, a griot or living historian, is founder of The African Spirits of Day Clean -an organization dedicated to preserving the history and culture of African Americans. Toure will present a living history exhibit based on the Geechee-Gullah culture.
Louise Cohen, a fifth generation native Hilton Head Islander, is a captivating storyteller and speaker of Gullah-a language she grew up speaking. As rooted as she always was on this history-rich sea isle, with its gentle beaches and sanctuaries of oak forest that echo with the praise of her ancestors, Louise found that something was missing. It has become Louise’s mission to tell the stories of her people.
Culture Music by DJ Shaka Zulu, a Reggae DJ heard weekly on WHCJ Radio.
All Juneteenth events are FREE and open to the public, sponsored by the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs.
