Juneteenth 2015

The City of Santa Monica will host the 23rd annual Juneteenth Celebration at Virginia Avenue Park on June 20 from 11 am to 4 pm. In honor of what has become America’s “2nd Independence Day,” actress Juanita Jennings will MC a day filled with music, dance, food, and fun. Performances on the main stage include Grammy-nominee Ray Brooks & the Blues Masters Band; Motown, R& B, and soul by Route 101; reggae by Island Rhythm Production; samba with Samba Samba Dance; and the participatory Lava Bai Drum Circle. Crafts, face painting, and games for kids will be found at the Kids’ Zone. A pop-up legacy museum will highlight the history behind the Juneteenth Celebration. The festival will also include a cultural arts marketplace, Texas-style BBQ, and other favorite foods.