Music, food and community activities set for the 32nd Annual
Juneteenth Celebration at Virginia Avenue Park
The city of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration Committee, Inc. will host an afternoon of music, unique food and craft vendors, a kid’s activity area, a community stage and local resources as part of the 32nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 15, from 2-7 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park.
This year’s theme is “Rising Above Racism: A Legacy of Empowerment & Pride”.
The Main Stage will include a stellar lineup of musicians including Blues artist Sonny Green, local favorite Operation: BUTTERFLY, gospel group Lifeline Quartet, and soloist Miss Aliya. Soul singer Sy Smith, presented in partnership with BroadStage, will headline.
DJ Sucafree will provide lively music sets, KJLH’s Arron “Bobo” Arnell will emcee and Chazz Ross will lead a pre-show participatory drumming performance.
Main Stage schedule:
1:45 p.m. Pre-show participatory drumming performance with Chazz Ross
2 p.m. Welcome by Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration founder LaVerne Ross with soloist Miss Aliya performing the Black National Anthem
2:20 p.m. Gospel performance by Lifeline Quartet
3 p.m. Invocation by Interfaith Council and presentation of Juneteenth Proclamation to LaVerne Ross
3:35 p.m. Santa Monica’s own Nichelle Monroe performing R&B with Operation: BUTTERFLY
5 p.m. Local blues artist Sonny Green
6:20 p.m. Sy Smith performing original and classic soul, jazz, folk and gospel music, presented in partnership with BroadStage
7 p.m. Closing remarks by Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration founder La Verne Ross
The celebration's Community Stage will host panel discussions and spoken word artists.
Participants can also enjoy a children’s craft area and community resource booths.
A cultural arts marketplace will feature over a dozen vendors selling a wide variety of cultural arts, jewelry, clothing, and more. Vendors include Moondance Books, YM Jewels, Wanawake Wanawake Hats, Affirmation Effect, Aingeel-Z Jewelry & Accessories, and more.
Food will be available for purchase from Jon Que’s Smokeout barbeque, Wing Lord and the Patty Wagon food trucks, desserts from C&L Catering, and more.
Known as America’s 2nd Independence Day, Juneteenth has been celebrated in Santa Monica since 1992 thanks to LaVerne Ross when she approached the city to commemorate the holiday that her family celebrated in Texas.
The Juneteenth celebration is produced in partnership with the Santa Monica Juneteenth Celebration Committee, Inc. For event details, visit santamonica.gov/places/parks/virginia-avenue-park.