Commemoration: The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s Juneteenth Celebration kicks off with Honoring the Ancestors, during which community members give presentations about local ancestors through readings and songs. Saturday’s day-long celebration features a parade, food, music, dance, an expo of over 30 Black-owned businesses and orgs, and the Emancipation Concert. Performers over the weekend include Myra Anderson, Richelle Claiborne, Ti Ames, and Keese. The Charlottesville Players Guild wraps up the event with a staged reading of Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, and a post-show discussion with director Matthew Reynolds, the cast, and community leaders and artists, including Sarad Davenport, Zyahna Bryant, Chris Evans, and Reverend Brenda Brown-Grooms.
Friday 6/17 – Sunday 6/19. Free, various times. Various locations. jeffschoolheritagecenter.org
Pictured: Keese performs at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center’s Juneteenth Celebration. Photo: Amy and Jackson Smith.