Cape Girardeau will celebrate the country's newest federal holiday at Ivers Square from noon until 6 p.m.
Juneteenth commemor
ates the end of slavery in Texas when word of the Emancipation
Proclamation and the end of the Civil War reached the state. The message arrived with Union
Army Gen. Gordon Granger on June 19, 1865. Juneteenth has been celebrated in African
American communities around the country for more than 150 years. Earliest celebrations were
church-centered community events.
Cape's celebration will be a day filled with fun, information, and music.
The highlights will
include children's activities, door prizes, food, raffles, and entertainment.
Entertainment will be provided by artists and performers from around the country. Ernest James
Zydeco will bring Louisiana style zydeco to Cape. The Kansas City based group's sound features
accordions and washboards. The group headlined the International Cajun and Zydeco Festival in
the Netherlands in 2014.
Also taking the stage that day will be poet and playwright Ebony Stewart. From Texas, Stewart
has toured internationally and is one of the most decorated poets in the state. She is a Woman of
the World Poetry Slam Champion and an award-wim1ing playwright. Her one-woman
shows Hunger and Ocean have received B. Iden Payne Awards and the David Mark Cohen New
Play Award.
Sikeston native, Anna Catherine DeHart, will bring her musical talent to the celebration. DeHart
appeared on season 13 of The Voice and was a member of Blake Shelton's team. Her career
highlights include opening for David Nail, Lee Greenwood, and the legendary Kenny Rogers.
St. Louis native Steven 'Gabrial' Thompson II also will share his singing talents at the
celebration. Professionally known as Gabrial, he began his career playing drums in church and
eventually, at his father's urging, he also began playing the organ. He later used his skills as a
pianist, organist and keyboardist to become a songwriter and a music producer. Gabrial says his
influences include his father, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Zand Tupac among others.
Also performing at the celebration will be The J Sound, Tamika Green, Seanel Paris and
LaCroix.
For more information contact; Ron North at (225) 385-1259.