The cities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody will come together at City Springs on Wednesday, June 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. for the annual Juneteenth Celebration.
The free, family-friendly event starts at 5 p.m. with activities scheduled in Byers Theatre, the Byers Theatre Lobby, and the City Green, according to a press release.
The commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States following the Civil War will showcase a performing arts production, a STEAM digital art gallery, educational activities, food vendors, and more.
“Honoring Juneteenth, the nation’s newest federally recognized holiday, gives us a chance to celebrate our shared values. Sandy Springs is a city of art, innovation, and most importantly culture,” City Councilmember Melody Kelley said.
Kelley, who was instrumental in getting Juneteenth first celebrated by Sandy Springs three years ago, said the communities of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody are given a unique opportunity to authentically explore the culture and history of African Americans. The ambitious undertaking will set the standard for Juneteenth programming across the greater Atlanta area, she said.
Kelley attended the Brookhaven City Council’s May 28 meeting to invite the elected officials of Brookhaven to join the Sandy Springs Juneteenth celebration.
Lynwood Park Choir will perform at the event. The choir is from Lynwood, one of the first Black communities in DeKalb County.
A live production of “From Africa to America” will be presented in Byers Theatre and will start promptly at 5:30 p.m. The hour-long production will feature music, African drums, dance, poetry, and more. The production will be directed, produced, and choreographed by Antwan Sessions and Shervoski Moreland of Namari Dance Center & Namari Productions.
Byers Lobby will be the location of LIQUID Arts & Productions’ immersive art exhibition and experience, centered on the creativity of high school students from Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. The artistic vision of PeQue guided the youth in producing canvas pieces that incorporate augmented reality, enabling visitors to engage with the displays while the lobby is open.
Outside on the City Green, the Juneteenth Celebration will feature music, family-friendly games, educational exhibits, vendors, and food trucks. Among the exhibits will be a Genealogy Research Exhibit (in partnership with Georgia Archives and the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society).
An African Dance workshop will start at 7 p.m. on the City Green, presented by Djoli Kelen. That will be followed by a Facilitated Drum Circle at 7:30 p.m., also by Djoli Kelen.
MORE EVENTS: Check out this list of many Juneteenth events and exhibitions happening around metro Atlanta.
