Can’t Miss Alabama honors Juneteenth, Father’s Day and more
Juneteenth celebrates freedom and the official end of slavery. (Getty Images)
Have a safe and happy Juneteenth and Father’s Day weekend!
Rosa Parks Museum
Troy’s Rosa Parks Museum will host a Juneteenth block party on Saturday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Comedienne Joy will emcee. Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ at Large with Souled Out Groove headlining the festivities. The event includes a children’s activity area and a 1950s-era Montgomery City Bus will be on display. Big Mo, the mascot of the Montgomery Biscuits, will be on hand from noon to 1 p.m. Leading up to Saturday’s event, the museum will host the free panel discussion “Montgomery Then and Now,” presented by the Un(re)solved Juneteenth Committee Thursday, June 17 at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium. In conjunction with the panel discussion, the Un(re)solved AR installation will be on display in the museum gallery through June 19, free of charge. For additional information, call 334-241-8615. The museum is at 252 Montgomery St.
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Civil Rights Institute
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) will celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 at 10 a.m. The commemoration will be a daylong festival of heritage and culture celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in America. The community is invited to visit the galleries at BCRI free of charge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with timed reservations to encourage physical distancing. Masks are not required but encouraged inside the galleries. After immersing in the history of Birmingham’s civil rights story, dance to the beat of African drumming and enjoy local food vendors, workshops and children’s activities. There will be a health fair with free COVID-19 vaccinations as well as screenings for sickle cell and HIV. Black Voters Matter will visit in the Freedom Rides Tour bus to offer voter registration and restoration resources. BCRI will bring the jubilee’s first AfroTech feature presented by Apple, Ed Farm and Stream Innovations. There will be a farmers market powered by Woodlawn Foundation. Reserve your ticket.
Arlington Historic House
Grab-and-go meals for Juneteenth and Father’s Day are featured this weekend at the Arlington House. Celebrating Freedom will be Friday, June 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will include an art show featuring Ronald McKeithen with live music provided by local jazz trio The Clark Collective and African-inspired appetizers prepared by Arlington chef Matthew Murphree. The menu includes chicken yassa, carrot cake with harissa yogurt and chocolate malva pudding. Tickets are $20. Father’s Day Grill and Chill will be Saturday, June 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu includes grilled burgers, fries or grilled sausage with peppers and onions over Creole rice. Tickets are $15. For more information about either event, call 205-780-5656. The venue is at 331 Cotton Ave. SW.
Juneteenth at Kelly Ingram Park
Juneteenth will be observed at Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park with a festival and parade. The parade starts at 9 a.m., with community celebrations at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will enjoy food, music, vendors and entertainment. Admission is free. The holiday commemorates the official end of slavery. More details will be shared this week on the city of Birmingham website.
Blueberry Festival
Enjoy the 40th annual Blueberry Festival Saturday, June 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in historic downtown Brewton. The festival will have its famous original blueberry ice cream, as well as blueberry cobbler and crunch made with local berries. The festival will include a variety of arts and crafts, a car show, live entertainment, food court, carnival T-shirts and children’s activities. The venue is Jennings Park. For more information, visit the website or call 251-867-3224.
Juneteenth at The Camp
Juneteenth at The Camp in Huntsville will feature local musicians and artists on Saturday, June 19 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hear music from Kelvin Wooten & King Kwofi, Wade Brown, Cole Boyz, Marquis Green, Mario Maitland, Cantina Rodgers, Alex Banks, Jalen Kelly and Dante Pride. William Hampton will be a featured speaker, Neal Fudge will paint and DJ Cee-o & Lloyd G will be the hosts. There will be spoken word referencing the history of Juneteenth and an educational art walk that will let people read the story behind the holiday. The event is at 5909 University Drive.
Gulfport Juneteenth Celebration
The Gulfport City-Wide Juneteenth Celebration is June 18-20. Food, live musical acts, dance performances, market vendors and a parade are among the events planned. Plus, this year’s festivities will include an awards ceremony honoring community members and a special acknowledgement for fathers in attendance. Take part in the “Freedom Day” Mary Spinks-Thigpen Oratorical Scholarship Contest. Follow this link to learn more.
The Perfect Note
Jazz flutist Kim Scott will be featured at the Perfect Note Father’s Day Weekend, 1845 Montgomery Highway S., Suite 201 in Hoover. Limited seating is available for shows on Saturday, June 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets must be purchased prior to the day of the show online. Face masks are required. Group reservations must be called in prior to the show or emailed to info@perfectnotelive.com. A $10 minimum food and/or drink purchase is required per person in the main stage dining room. For more information, call 205-986-7280 or visit perfectnotelive.com.
Pride Dance Party
The Pride Dance Party is Saturday, June 19 from noon to midnight at Ghost Train Brewing Company, 2616 Third Ave. S. in Birmingham. Music will be provided by DJ CoCo with performances by local drag entertainers. Admission is free.
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Alabama Theatre
Join the journey of Celtic Throne live at the Alabama Theatre Thursday, June 17 at 7:30 p.m. Irish dance performances will be brought to life with foot-stomping family fun for everyone. Celtic Throne explores the ancient origins of Irish step dance and celebrates the millennia‐long journey of a music‐ and dance‐loving people as they migrate from the ancient Near East to Ireland, Scotland, England and the United States. Infused with innovative choreography, dazzling costumes and spectacular lighting and projection, Celtic Throne is Herbert W. Armstrong’s most electrifying, edge‐of‐the‐seat production to date. Masks are required. Go to ticketmaster.com for tickets.
Free Friday Flicks
Grab your blanket and crew for the 30th annual Free Friday Flicks beginning at dusk during June. Free family films are shown every Friday at Veterans Park in Hoover. This week’s family feature is “Tom and Jerry: The Movie” on June 18. “The Croods: A New Age” will be shown June 25. The park opens at 6:30 p.m. Movies not shown due to inclement weather will run on Friday, July 9. Arrive early and have a picnic before the show. A food vendor will be onsite. For updates, follow on Facebook.
