Juneteenth 2022 guide: The fest in Five Points and other Front Range events to celebrate the new federal holiday
In addition to this year’s massive Juneteenth Music Festival, which takes over Welton Street in Five Points Saturday, June 18, through Sunday, June 19, Colorado’s Front Range offers a refreshed slate of programming to mark the newly anointed federal and historically Black holiday, which started as a Texas-based celebration of slavery’s end in 1865.
Here are a few events to take note of while planning your calendar.
Denver dance legend Cleo Parker Robinson and her world-class ensemble and school will host a Juneteenth celebration at their Five Points theater this weekend, with a premiere reading by acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni in collaboration with CRPD. Friday, June 17, includes an evening jazz concert with Giovanni and Javon Jackson, while Saturday, June 18, brings the daytime panel, poetry and dance performances, along with Giovanni’s keynote presentation. $30 per day, or $75 for VIP tickets. 119 Park Ave. West. 303-295-1759 or cleoparkerdance.org
Denver Film’s Sie FilmCenter is hosting a Juneteenth Cinema Celebration with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance on Sunday, June 19, featuring screenings of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (10 a.m.), “The Wiz” (12:30 p.m.) and “Amazing Grace” (3:15 p.m.). There will also be a free livestream of the “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom” concert, live from the Hollywood Bowl at 5:30 p.m., produced by Denver’s own Derrick Hodge. Tickets are $5 each, and the livestream is (again) free to attend. 2510 E. Colfax Ave. in Denver. 720-381-0813 or denverfilm.org
Black Pride Colorado’s Juneteenth Celebration returns with a newly robust slate of activities to celebrate the state’s long-underrepresented Black LGBTQ community. Events range from a family-friendly “Queer Cookout” to an all-Black-cast drag show featuring Coloradans and guests from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (including Denver winner Yvie Oddly), according to Tara Jae of Youth Seen. Also returning this year is “The Strange Fruit of Black Excellence” gala, which complements charitable events such as the evening with author and mental health campaigner Nic Stone — itself a collaboration with Empower Community High School. It takes place at Rocky Mountain Public Media and a percentage of the proceeds go back to the Empower High School Student group. Visit blackpridedenver.com for the full list of times, locations and ticketing details.
The Lawn at Foothills Mall will host an opening night Juneteenth concert on June 17, followed by various events June 18-19, including a family bike ride, kids’ music workshops, sports and games, live music, dance, fine art, health and wellness pop-ups, food trucks and more. All events are free minus the 5K, which requires registration and a fee. 215 E. Foothills Parkway in Fort Collins. 970-226-5555 or focojuneteenth.com
The NAACP Boulder County and Executive Committee, African American Cultural Events, will hold its second Boulder County Juneteenth Celebration, which started with flag-raising ceremonies on June 16, and will continue through Friday, June 17. On Saturday, June 18, they add a youth art workshop (in Longmont), and the marquee outdoor community celebration on Sunday, June 19, with Congressman Joe Neguse, at Roosevelt Park (700 Longs Peak Ave.). They’ll also feature a Celebration of Black Excellence with local students, 1-2 p.m. at Boulder High School, 1604 Arapahoe Ave. Free. Register at eventbrite.com.
Denver jazz club Dazzle will host its annual Juneteenth show with a performance from Purnell Steen & the Five Points Ambassadors on Sunday, June 19. The gregarious act will play at 5 p.m. ($25) and 7:30 p.m. ($30), and tickets for either are available at dazzledenver.com. The blues-oriented hard bop music is basically swing style, organizers said, and Denver’s own Myra Warren will round out the ensemble. Like a comedy club, there’s a $20 minimum purchase required. 1512 Curtis St., 303-839-5100
The Fine Arts Center at Colorado College hosts a Juneteenth-themed “Endangered” performance and multimedia art exhibition on Friday, June 17, at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center — billed as “an intimate site-specific (show) in the ‘Floyd D. Tunson: Hearts and Minds’ exhibition” ($20 for tickets). On Saturday, June 18, the “Endangered” immersive program moves to Armstrong Hall for a full concert presentation, organizers said ($15). 30 W. Dale St. in Colorado Springs. 719-634-5581 or fac.coloradocollege.edu
The Rock and Roll Playhouse family concert series will celebrate both Juneteenth and Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19, with an affordable ($17.50 per ticket) show at the Bluebird Theater featuring the live music of Bob Marley (covered, of course) and more. The 11:30 a.m. show is for all ages, of course. 3317 E. Colfax Ave., 303-377-1666 or axs.com
Larimer Square’s free summer concert series, Larimer Sessions, will host a free Juneteenth performance 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, with live music from IAMGRÜV, “featuring smooth, lyrical synth with great drink specials, pop-ups and more,” organizers said in a press statement. larimersquare.com/events
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