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Freedom Day Meets Columbia/HoCo


 

I realized last night that I haven’t said a thing about Lakefest, which is going on this weekend. I guess I feel that Lakefest, put on by the Columbia Festival of the Arts, has a pretty good publicity network getting the word around without my help. Still, it’s a really wonderful, quintessentially Columbia weekend and if you have a desire to have that old-time Columbia experience you should definitely check it out.

I do want to draw your attention to what’s happening on Sunday for Juneteenth. The 3rd, in collaboration with Columbia Festival of the Arts and The Howard County Library System, has a whole day of Juneteenth Freedom Day activities planned. From the event page:

Come and celebrate Juneteenth with The 3rd! It's Lakefest weekend down at the lakefront so we're doing what we do best...collaborating! So here's what you can expect:

- Pop Up Cookout (featuring vegan options) by Chef Jamila from 12pm-5pm. Know what you want?Go ahead and pre-order here: https://www.clover.com/online-ordering/the-3rd-inc-columbia

- Live entertainment on the mainstage from 12pm-7pm to include: The WLHS Step Team, The JoGo Project, Delfayo Marsalis and more!

- Kids activities galore! Local puppeteer, Father's day crafts, and the Howard County Library STEAM mobile!

Saturday evening, at the Smith Theatre at Howard Community College:



Join our partners at the Howard County Center of African American Culture for an inspirational Juneteenth program in Smith Theatre on Sunday, June 18 at 7 p.m. The evening features performances by Savoy Mcliwain, Duane Moody, and Everette Williams in a concert of spirituals, arts songs, and opera by Black composers. This program is FREE and open to the public.

And on Sunday, at Saint John Baptist Church, “Black History 365: A Truthcentric View of History.” The program begins at 1:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall and features Dr. Walter Milton, Jr. and Dr. Joel A. Freeman. To learn more about “Black History 365”, take a look at this article from News One.


Did you know that June is African American Music History Month? It was created in 1979 as National Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter. Take a look at the Smithsonian’s website from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture for more background on Black Music Month.

Columbia’s big celebration of Black Music Month is the Capital Jazz Fest. I’m embarrassed to admit I never knew that connection until I started researching this piece. 

Held each year during Black Music Month since 1993, the Capital Jazz Fest is one of the premier black music events in the country, featuring over 30 acts over three days. The Pavilion Stage features live contemporary jazz, while the Chrysalis Symphony Woods Stage (dark on Friday) features live R&B/soul music from the old-school and the new! (Capital Jazz Fest Website)

Update: This just in from a helpful reader!




My apologies for the omission. Things that have to do with running somehow never manage to penetrate my consciousness. Register as a race participant or volunteer.


Have a wonderful weekend! Don’t forget the local Farmers’ Markets, and enjoy the weather - - the forecast looks good!





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