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Waterfront Park to host virtual Juneteenth Jubilee Series

Juneteenth marks the final communication of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America on June 19, 1865

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Waterfront Park has partnered with Jecorey 1200 Arthur and Actors Theatre of Louisville to create a virtual Juneteenth Jubilee series.

According to a news release, the Juneteenth Jubilee video series will consist of seven 15-minute episodes that commemorate the Juneteenth holiday, which marks the final communication of the abolition of slavery in the United States of America on June 19, 1865, two and one-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 

The episodes will be released weekly each Friday across various platforms beginning on June 19, 2020, and will feature artistic performances, as well as educational content that captures the celebratory nature of the historical Juneteenth holiday.

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Original plans for the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee included a community celebration in Waterfront Park with a black-owned business expo, a Freedom March, and artistic performances. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the event planning committee shifted to a virtual event to maintain the celebration of this important holiday, while adhering to recommended health and safety guidelines.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration on the Juneteenth Jubilee,” said Deborah Bilitski, president and executive director of Waterfront Park. “Although we would rather be celebrating in person with the community, we recognize the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic and its disproportionate impact on African Americans. We’re happy to offer a virtual, educational and celebratory experience that we hope will help to expand the community’s understanding of the significance of Juneteenth.”

Robert Barry Fleming, Executive Artistic Director at Actors Theatre of Louisville shares, “ As our nation has faced recent uprisings in protest of the public health crisis of systemic racism, we are grateful for the opportunity to partner and contribute to such a worthy enterprise as this project. The importance and necessity of recognizing Juneteenth as a seminal North American holiday that celebrates the extraordinary contributions of black cultural, political, and social action, now more than ever, seems intuitively legible, and we are grateful to reflect that in our theatre-making with these compelling stories. ”

In addition, to celebrate Juneteenth, the Big Four Bridge will be lit red, white and blue this weekend and each Friday through July 31.

Weekly episodes will be aired each Friday online at: https://ourwaterfront.org/annual-events/juneteenth-jubiliee/ and https://www.actorstheatre.org/direct/juneteenth/ beginning on June 19, 2020.

Episode synopses:

Before Juneteenth

  • Episode 1: “WAR”

Story: On April 12, 1861, Confederates bombarded Union soldiers at Fort Sumter and black soldiers were turned away from fighting.

  • Episode 2: “EMANCIPATION”

Story: On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

During Juneteenth

  • Episode 3: “SURRENDER”

Story: On April 9, 1865, Confederate General in Chief, Robert E. Lee surrendered.

  • Episode 4: “NEWS”

Story: On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger read aloud the contents of "General Order No. 3", announcing the total emancipation of those held as slaves.

  • Episode 5: “FEAST”

Story: Former slave, Laura, recalls a feast on Juneteenth.

After Juneteenth

  • Episode 6: “REALITY”

Story: Some cities ban the celebration of Juneteenth and neo-slavery continues.

  • Episode 7: “HOLIDAY”

Story: A national movement works to make Juneteenth a holiday.

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