Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Celebrates Juneteenth with Free Community Event
Throughout June, celebrate Black Music Month at the Rock Hall with community events, live music, and exhibit stories featuring powerful and inspiring Black voices
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame proudly celebrates Juneteenth with a free community celebration on Saturday, June 18, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Union Home Mortgage plaza.
With support from the John P. Murphy Foundation, the free community event brings together a powerful and inspiring group of performers to commemorate the richness of Black culture and highlight Black music, stories, and artists.
Schedule of events
2 p.m. - 10k Movement Dance
Street Dance genres are constantly changing. Young people continue to evolve styles from their predecessors into new ways of moving that give them their own voice and allow them to tell their unique story. Each session, battle, and performance fosters the next conversation or the next movement.
3 p.m. - Charity Barnes
As a neo soul artists, singer and songwriter, Charity uses music to feed her soul and invites you to let the music take you on a journey. Neo soul and its various incarnations has helped to redefine the boundaries and contours of Black pop. It has been noted by music writers for its traditional R&B influences, conscious-driven lyrics, and strong female presence.
4 p.m. - Rainey Institute Interactive Bucket Drum Demonstration
A community anchor in Cleveland’s historic Hough neighborhood for more than a century, enjoy an interactive bucket drum demonstration with the Rainey Institute. The organization changes the lives of over 2,500 children a year through education and engagement in performing and visual arts.
5 p.m. - Jul Big Green DJ Set
Jul Big Green is a genre blending artist from Cleveland that combines pop with hip hop and rock elements. He entertains audiences with diverse musical arrangements with a goal of having a song for everyone. He’s worked with various musicians ranging from Tropidelic to Nathan-Paul and The Admirables and has written lyrical and instrumental compositions for Kent State University, Cleveland State University, and national televised advertisements.
8 p.m. - Djapo Cultural Arts Institute with Weedie Braimah & The Hands of Time
The Djapo Cultural Arts Institute’s intergenerational ensemble combines traditional drumming and dancing with costumes and choreography that are heartfelt and expansive. Djapo is a Wolof word meaning “come together.” Weedie Braimah is widely regarded as the premiere voice of the Djembe. He descends from a long lineage of well-known musicians. Braimah exemplifies tradition, evolution, and soul as he brings his vision of building a reverence for folkloric West African music to life. His sound is the new voice of Djembe Music around the world and a blueprint for modern music rooted in African percussion.
Throughout June, the Rock Hall Live! Powered by PNC summer concert series also honors Black Music Month by spotlight an array of local Black artists, sharing their amazing music and voices. Catch these incredibly talented performers on Thursday night’s from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Rock Hall’s Union Home Mortgage Plaza. All shows are free.
· June 2 - self-taught multi-instrumentalist and emerging artist Marcus Smith
· June 9 - high-energy rapper and emotional storyteller Jinari Kemet
· June 23 - award-winning songwriter and choreographer, and top contestant on ABC’s Rising Star, Gabrielle NICOLE
· June 30 – board certified music therapist and singer-songwriter Liz Bullock who has opened for artists such as Dionne Warwick and J.D. Souther
Plus, exhibits stories, playlists, and archival materials from the Vault will be featured throughout June inside the museum and throughout the Rock Hall’s social and digital channels highlighting how Black artists continue to create emotional content that unites and inspires millions.
The Rock Hall is open daily in June from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 9 p.m. To plan your visit or learn more about the Rock Hall’s Black Music Month and Juneteenth celebrations visit rockhall.com.