Juneteenth

June 17, 2023, noon to 3 pm

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Juneteenth 2023

Join us on Saturday, June 17, 2023, for a special celebration featuring an outdoor concert with exceptional musical talent from the region, art exhibitions, a hands-on art project for families, and food vendors. Presented in partnership with BAAM, the Frederick Douglass Honor Society, the Talbot County Free Library and Play in Color.

BASKETBALL: Drawing inspiration from the book The Black Fives: The Epic Story of Basketball’s Forgotten Era by Claude Johnson, which chronicles the early basketball teams formed by African American churches, athletic and social clubs pre-racial integration, Play in Color is hosting a free throw competition at the Juneteenth Celebration. A limited-editioned Juneteenth basketball, designed by Play in Color co-founder Shelton Hawkins, will be on sale at the event. Proceeds will help fund future Juneteenth Celebrations at AAM.

ARCHEOLOGY: Archeologists Lyle Torp and Dr. Matthew Palus will share initial findings and artifacts from an archaeological study of land once owned by James and Henny Freeman, the earliest documented free Black landowning family in Easton, MD, who lived on the site from 1787- 1828. The site is part of the Hill community, an early free Black settlement in the nation. AAM commissioned the study in advance of developing the property into a Museum annex.

FOOD & VENDORS: Juneteenth fan favorites Chubb’s BBQ and Danielle’s Pit Stop will be back to serve their delicious food again this year. Other food vendors include Creative Creation BBQ and Nannies Water Ice. Juneteenth food vendors will share a space with the neighboring Delmarva Pride Festival on the corner of Harrison and South Streets.

The celebration will also include non-profit booths and a number of local vendors with handmade goods for sale including macramé and fiber art objects by Double Rainbow Designs, ceramic art pieces made by Down2Earth Pottery, Kenneth Fisher’s hand-painted mailboxes, and Antiguan and Barbudan seed work jewelry and other goods by Botanique.

For additional inquiries about Juneteenth @ AAM, contact Jennifer Chrzanowski at jchrzanowski@academyartmuseum.org.

To support Juneteenth, click here.

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Artists & Musical Acts Devon Beck

Devon Beck, Juneteenth’s MC will perform a spoken word piece for the event. Beck is a leader, builder, and connector who has held leadership roles in education, community development, and the music business. After receiving his undergraduate degree from University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Devon began working in the school system, mentoring and leading young students with those very lessons. Currently, he is the Facilitator of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Talbot County Board of Education and guides leaders and organizations to remove barriers to inclusion. As Co-Founder with Shelton Hawkins of Play In Color, an organization that uses basketball to build community, Beck continues to make strides to leave a positive impact on the community.
DJ E-Shore

Howard Barnett, Jr, professionally known in the business by the name DJ E-Shore, is a Talbot County native from St. Michaels, and longtime resident of Easton, MD. Howard has been working with music for more than half of his life. His love for music started when he convinced his parents to sign him up for drum lessons as an elementary student. Howard has always been enamored by the local DJs of his early adult years and marveled at their skill to mix, scratch and blend songs by way of vinyl records on the turntables. DJ E-Shore is also many things outside of being a DJ: he is a human resources professional for the United States Government with over 35 years of tenure, a loving husband and father of 2 sons.
Munit and z Lovebugs

Munit and z Lovebugs are an adorable family band featuring vocalist Munit (Mama) on ukulele and drums, Gabriel (son) on bass, vocalist Meezan (daughter) on ukulele and trumpet, and singer Ayana (the young- est and the firecracker of the band)! They love playing songs of love, peace, positivity, and joy from around the world that make us feel good. Strangers turn into friends and a community is born as they perform and get the audience singing along to their originals and to classic and funky songs that many know and love. It’s bound to be a good time, telling stories, and making memories across the generations with Munit and z Lovebugs.
The Sagacious Traveler

Tavair Tapp first took the stage as The Sagacious Traveler in late 2021 in his hometown of Columbia, Missouri. A singer-songwriter, he has an eclectic lyrical range, from whimsically fun to reflectively somber. Now a resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, he performs acoustic versions of originals and covers at local music venues, coffee shops, bars, and festivals throughout MD, DE, and VA. Tavair derives the alias Sagacious Traveler from his self-titled series with the concept of “traveling back in time to meet the boy he used to be” to impart invaluable advice to his younger self. He also has two singles available on all streaming platforms: “Neapolitan Ice Cream” (2021) and “Sincerely, Your Dearest Friend” (2022).
Ayla

Ayla is a soulful, vibrant, sixteen year old who has the phenomenal gift of song. She has been selected to be a part of The Voice and currently working with Tena Clark. Ayla recently made a guest appearance for UNICEF and has also worked with R&B Singer Patti LaBelle for a JCPenny commercial. She is a local talent from Easton, MD who has been raised by a single mother who pushes her to use her gift. Look for Ayla’s performances in festivals and venues across the Eastern Shore.
Ruby Fisher

Ruby Fisher is a freshman at Saint Michaels High School. Fisher has had seven years of voice lessons and four years of choir and has performed in many musicals.