As the metro gears up to commemorate the 159th anniversary of the end of slavery on June 19th, a jam-packed lineup of events will honor and celebrate Black culture, history, and heritage across the Kansas City Metro area.
If we missed information about your planned event, go to the bottom of this article for information on how to submit your event for inclusion in our regional print (June 6) and online Juneteenth calendar.
Here’s a rundown of area festivities:
June 1 – JuneteenthKC Cultural Parade
Kicking off the celebrations is Kansas City’s largest parade procession celebrating African American pride. The Cultural Parade returns with nearly a hundred groups and floats through the heart of the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District starting at noon.
JuneteenthKC Program Director Makeda Peterson says the parade will also bring back the popular Zulu Connection Stilt dancers from New Orleans. The group made its debut last year and was a huge hit with crowds.
The parade also features a drill & dance team competition of KC’s best, with the winner getting $500 and a large trophy. Awards also go to the best float ($500 & plaque), best fraternal organization ($250 & plaque), best car club ($100 & plaque), and best business/organization ($100 & plaque). With bragging rights and cash on the line, the parade is sure to wow onlookers.
The festivities start early, with corporate-sponsored rally blocks hosting special community engagement activities from 10 to 11:30 a.m., including photos with Sluggerrr from the Kansas City Royals. The pre-parade show will also feature special acts and performers from previous years. The Parade will be broadcast locally on Fox 4, and admission is free. For more info, visit juneteenthkc.com.
June 1 – Zhou B Art Center Grand Opening
After the parade, you can head on over to the ribbon cutting for the Zhou B Arts Center’s grand opening. Ribbon cutting and the initial walk-thru are free and begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by a grand opening benefit at 6 p.m. Tickets to the fundraiser are $100 and available at bit.ly/ZhouBKCGrandOpening for more information, visit zhoubartcenterkc.com.
June 4-26 – Juneteenth Film Festival
Celebrating Black storytellers, the Second Annual Juneteenth Film Festival, curated by film critic Shawn Edwards, runs June 4 to 26 at the Screenland Armour Theater.
The festival aims to provide a platform for the city’s Black filmmakers to showcase their work. This year’s lineup boasts several locally produced independent films and documentaries each Wednesday of June at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City. The short film “BF” by Jamie Addison will be shown before each feature.
The festival opens with “Underneath: Children of the Sun” at 7 p.m., June 4 and “The Pistol,” a documentary about local gangster Kenneth Rayford, at 6:30 p.m. (sold out) and 8:30 p.m., June 5 tickets are $13.
June 12 has two showings. “Kansas City Dreamin,” directed by Diallo Javonne French, plays at 6:30 p.m. and examines the evolution of Jazz from the 1930s through today’s popular music. “What’s N Kansas City?’” directed by Skiem Heim plays two hours later at 8:30 p.m. and highlights local Black-owned businesses.
“Binding Us Together,” directed by Oscar winner Kevin Willmott, the film is about the renowned KC civil rights activist Alvin Brooks and has two showings June 19 at 6:30 & 8:30 p.m.
The festival ends with “Drout 2,” which is written by Isaiah King and directed by Chuck Browne. The action revenge story plays June 26 at 6:30 p.m. For more info on movies and dates, visit JuneteenthKC.com/calendar or Screenland.com.
June 8 – Juneteenth in the Dotte Parade
Not to be outdone on the Kansas side, the Juneteenth in the Dotte committee will host its annual parade in Kansas City, Kansas, June 8, starting at 10 a.m.
The parade route runs along 5th Street in KCK from Rowland to Everett. Along the route, you’ll find live music and DJs, as well as food and retail vendors. There are also games and family-friendly events all along the parade route.
The parade itself showcases lively marching bands, energetic dance and drill teams, car clubs showing off their vehicles, and much more. For more information visit jnthedotte.com.
June 15 – JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival
The 18th & Vine District hosts the 13th Annual JuneteenthKC Heritage Festival on June 15. National R&B star Kelly Price will headline the mainstage at 8:30 p.m.
The day kicks off at noon with a gospel jubilee featuring performances by Soul Therapy, Ashley Brewer, Chosen Generation, and headlined by Crystal Aiken, who won the first season of BET’s “Sunday Best” gospel singing competition.
Music will play throughout the day and into the evening with community performances, along with guest personalities, contests, and giveaways. The whole of 18th & Vine will be taken over by Black vendors pedaling clothing, food, and wares. The festival also offers free, family-friendly activities like the Youth Zone, which, from 1 to 4 p.m., offers puppet shows, face painters, and pony rides.
New this year is the Onyx Art Walk, which showcases over 30 local Black artists displaying and selling their works.
The closing night concert features Kelly Price, R&B songstress whose hits include “As We Lay” and “Friend of Mine.”
For more information, visit juneteenthkc.com.
June 15 – Brunch & Learn Health Symposium
Before the cultural heritage festival, there will be a brunch with Mayor Lucas and friends starting at 10 a.m. More details were not available at press time, for updated information, visit facebook.com/JuneteenthKCMO/.
June 19 – Johnson County Juneteenth Celebration
With the theme “The Jubilee of Juneteenth: Celebrating a Legacy of Freedom,” Johnson County celebrates on the holiday itself, June 19, with their third annual event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons.
The program will include keynote speaker Glenn North, emcee Steve Arledge, live music from the Louis Neal Big Band with vocalist Lisa Henry, a Roller Dance Performance by SK8SHOT Studios, and more.
At the event, the public can enjoy a children activity and craft area, engage with staff representing various county programs and services, purchase food and beverages from the Lenexa Public Market and park for free. For more info, visit jocogov.org/juneteenth.
June 19 – Journey of Jazz: A Juneteenth Celebration of UNESCO
The free Journey of Jazz concert brings together local and internationally acclaimed artists, highlighting the historical timeline of jazz from birth to Bebop and beyond. The concert commemorating Kansas City’s United Nations Creative City designation takes place at UMKC’s White Recital Hall from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
June 20 – Nelson-Atkins Museum 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration
The Nelson-Atkins Museum partners with JuneteenthKC for the 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 20 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The free event offers a full day of programming, including music, stepping and two-stepping performances, storytelling from community leaders and Buffalo Soldiers, art-making activities, and screenings of the documentary “Ailey!” about legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey. Visitors can also explore the museum’s galleries with docents providing insights into works by African American artists.
The all-day celebration event is free, but registration is required. To register or get more information, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthAtNelson.
To submit items for our Juneteenth 2024 calendar go to https://www.communityvoiceks.com/submit-an-event/
