Celebrations for the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth began last week in the Valley, but there are still a number of events happening through the weekend. Here are X upcoming Juneteenth events around metro Phoenix.
City of Goodyear
Thursday, June 19The West Valley city will host a free Juneteenth Family Day at the Goodyear Recreation Campus, 420 S. Estrella Parkway, Goodyear. The family-friendly event runs 5 to 9 p.m. and will include live performances from 40+ Double Dutch, AZ Rhythm Connection and Pretty Precise Step. There will also be educational speeches, workshops and interactive activities that celebrate culture, community and freedom. Gov. Katie Hobbs will be in attendance.Juneteenth Family Reunion
Thursday, June 19BlackNet AZ, in collaboration with Cactus & Culture, will host the second annual Juneteenth Family Reunion from noon to 9 p.m. at Archwood at Eastlake, 1401 E. Van Buren St. This intergenerational gathering rooted in joy, reflection and celebration will include live DJ sets; a Chicken Wing Showdown tasting contest; mixology classes; cultural performances; interactive art installations; and kids' activities until 4 p.m. The event is mostly free, although some of the activations require a small fee to participate.Phoenix Art Museum
Thursday, June 19In honor of the holiday, the museum is offering reduced admission all day ($10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 17). From 5 to 8 p.m., enjoy an open Mic hosted by Rashaad Thomas, a performance by The Sunflower King. Local organizations Lit Twist Bookmobile, Arizona Birthworkers of Color, Made In Her Image and Taste of Melanin will be on hand, and food and drink we be available for purchase.South Phoenix Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19The first annual South Phoenix Juneteenth event, presented by Roots Life Unity in the Community, will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hermoso Park, 2030 E. Southern Ave. Activities include raffle prizes, live entertainment, lessons in Black history, a kids' zone, health and wellness resources and food and drink vendors.East Valley Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Friday, June 20This unique, family-friendly community celebration will include music, stories, poetry, food and vendors from 6 to 10 p.m. at Plaza at Mesa City Center, 56 E. Main St., Mesa. The event is presented by Zen Nights, Fair Housing Training Institute, Get Juiced Organic and NEB Production.New Karpa Theater Co. at ASU Kerr
June 20 and 21New Carpa Theater Co. presents a special Juneteenth weekend performance titled "A Time for Healing, A Time for Change, A Time for Theater," featuring two short plays, "Lost Boys Found" and "The Moment." The one-act plays will be staged back-to-back each evening at 7:30 p.m. at ASU Kerr, 6110 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona. Doors open at 7 p.m."Lost Boys Found" tells the story of Sudanese refugees, thousands of whom relocated to Phoenix after fleeing their war-torn nation and spending years in squalid and dangerous refugee camps. "The Moment" follow a woman and her children from the D.C. suburbs, and how their lives were transformed during the final year of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Both plays are suitable for general audiences. General admission, including all online fees, is $27, or $25 with the $2 promo code: JUNE. Tickets purchased by phone or in person at the box office are $18 for general admission and $11 for students. Children under 12 are free but must have a reservation. Visit asukerr.com.
