MIDDLETOWN>>> The Middletown Art Center (MAC) is honored to invite the public to the 5th annual Juneteenth celebration at MAC on Thursday June 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will feature storytelling and live music around the theme “What Juneteenth Means in 2025”. Delicious food by Barbeque Biasotti, and beverages will be available for purchase.
The 5th annual Juneteenth celebration is free and open to the public and will be an indoor/outdoor event beginning in the gallery. Doors open at 5:45 pm. According to the Associated Press, Juneteenth celebrates the day the last enslaved people in Texas were told they were free on June 19, 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The day has been celebrated by Black Americans for generations, but became more widely celebrated after becoming a federal holiday in 2021.
The evening’s conversation in the gallery will be moderated by Randall Cole, substance abuse counselor, member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, and author of “Felonies Before Birth”. Distinguished guest speakers include Voris Brumfield, former District 1 County Supervisor and former pastor at Middletown Community United Methodist Church, Aqeela Markowski and Lynette LeFleche, co-hosts of KPFZ radio’s “Women’s Voices”; Community leader Delores Farrell; Alan Sampson M.D
Clovice Lewis, a highly respected Unitarian Universalist Minister, Social Activist, and Musician who was instrumental in the first Juneteenth Celebration at MAC in 2020 will offer opening remarks. Victor Hall, a musician, educator and drum circle facilitator will join Lewis to play Jazz classics. They, with the other speakers, will be setting the tone for a meaningful and thought-provoking evening of celebration and remembrance.
After the conversation and musical performance, there will be R&B music with DJ Nick Hay and food and beverages for purchase outdoors. Across the street Martin Pohl Organic & Biodynamic Wines will feature the first Thirsty Thursday event in the tasting room with live music by Shawn SanNicolas and food from Terped Out Kitchen—a collaboration with Middletown Area Merchants Association.
Juneteenth and Thirsty Thursday events in Middletown are an excellent opportunity for community members to come together to hear stories, enjoy music, food, and beverages, and celebrate!
The AP also reported this week that Juneteenth celebrations have been scaled back this year due to funding shortfalls as companies and municipalities across the country reconsider their support for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Canceled federal grants and businesses moving away from so-called brand activism have hit the bottom line of parades and other events heading into Thursday’s federal holiday, which celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. The shrinking financial support coincides with many companies severing ties with LGBTQ celebrations for Pride this year and President Donald Trump’s efforts to squash DEI programs throughout the federal government.
Notwithstanding, the Middletown Art Center is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to promoting artistic expression, fostering dialogue, and cross cultural connections. Learn more about the MAC and ways to support their vital work at middletownartcenter.org.
The MAC is located at 21456 State Hwy 175 at the junction of Hwy 29 in Middletown. Call 707-809-8118 or email info@middletownartcenter.org for more information or accessibility assistance.
