A view of the Juneteenth Music Festival from the stage at Five Points (2019 – from their website)
One of the nation’s largest Juneteenth celebrations is back and is better than ever. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary as a music festival, Denver’s Juneteenth Music Festival is returning to the Five Points neighborhood with in-person entertainment. There will be a host of events with a special kickoff featuring the Grammy Award-winning R&B group 112.
You can also celebrate from the sofa with virtual programming available online. Either way you choose to celebrate, make sure you #DREAMBIG!
JUNE 15th : Juneteenth Eats at Cheba Hut: Patrons can support the Juneteenth Music Festival by grabbing lunch and/or dinner at any of the 14 Colorado Cheba Hut locations for Juneteenth Eats; a day of specials, swag and onsite activaties at select locations. A portion of the proceeds from the entire day’s onsite and delivery sales will go toward funding Juneteenth Music Festival’s community programs for entrepreneurs and artists.
JUNE 18th : Juneteenth Music Festival Livestream: In partnership with Denver Community Media, the six-hour live broadcast features not only an array of entertainment with special guests that preview the highlights of the upcoming weekend Welton Street festival but also the annual Dream Big Awards presented by Verizon. Starting at 2 p.m., the program can be viewed via social media platforms and on Denver Community Media channels Comcast 56 & 881HD.
Juneteenth R&B Summer Kick-Off featuring 112: This “cookout” style, family-friendly event at Levitt Pavilion will be an evening of soulful sounds from local talent and headliner, 112. Doors open at 5:30 pm and guests are encouraged to show up early, equipped with blankets and lawn chairs to comfortably enjoy the grounds, take in the sunset and dance well into the evening. Get your tickets now.
When: 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Where: Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Park
JUNE 19-20
Annual Juneteenth Parade: Traditionally, the Juneteenth parade, which represents the flooding of the streets with newly freed slaves, kicks off the street festival. Thousands line the streets in celebration as a parade of performers and community organizations take over 26th Street with a strolling party.
Juneteenth Street Festival at Welton Plaza: This year, Denver’s historic Juneteenth street festival boasts 10 city blocks of artisan merchants, food vendors and interactive activities flanked by performance stages and the Juneteenth Kid’s Zone presented by Janus Henderson Investors; instilling financial intelligence at an early age and providing the ultimate fun and educational experience.
To the Beat of the Drum; Denver Black Pride at Charles Cousins Plaza: This famed plaza is named after the late Denverite, Charles Cousins. Cousins was a highly regarded entrepreneur and real estate mogul known for leading the charge in affordable housing for Denver’s Black community. Cousins passed away in 2009 at the age of 91. In Partnership with The Center on Colfax, producer of Denver’s Black Pride Festival, JMF Corporation will activate this space with the celebratory sounds of the diaspora, hosting live musicians and DJ sets.
Five Points of Culture at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Performing Arts Complex : Denver’s historic Cleo Parker Robinson Dance has been a cultural epicenter for the arts for more than 50 years, displaying exemplary community standing as a 501c3 and providing enriching experiences and curriculum for the community. Cleo Parker Robinson Dance will be the home for educational panels and roundtables as well as the Juneteenth Museum, highlighting seven decades of the iconic Five Points celebration.
Festival details can be found at http://www.JuneteenthMusicFestival.com and by following Juneteenth Music Festival on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @JuneteenthMusicFestival. Shop the official Juneteenth Marketplace at http://www.ShopBlack.org.
ABOUT JUNETEENTH
Commemorated in cities across the nation and around the world since June 19, 1865, Juneteenth is a cultural event marking the ending of slavery and the beginning of African American independence in the United States. The 2021 Denver event will focus on the importance of art, storytelling and inclusion, and will include the annual DREAM BIG Awards. The online award ceremony will highlight individuals who have made positive impacts on the community and will feature musical performances, live podcasts, a virtual cypher, comedy, history segments and more.
About JMF Corporation
JMF Corporation is a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate freedom through community engagement by focusing on the historical significance of Juneteenth. JMF Corporation utilizes its annual music event to promote inclusivity, educational and economic empowerment and support of the humanities. Donate to JMF Corporation and drive opportunities for Denver’s BIPOC community of entrepreneurs and artists. JMF is working diligently to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. Sign the petition.
https://www.denver.org/blog/post/juneteenth-music-festival-2021/