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EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION: Juneteenth, that all important
date celebrating the time when news of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation
Proclamation spread by word-of-mouth among Texas slaves, has become
a increasingly powerful celebration in this country.
Morgan Industries hosts some of Tucson's finest African-American artists, ranging from Marris Doty to Gaile McNair, along with plenty of great chow and entertainment in The Village, an African American art show, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, June 15 through 17, at 35th Street and Park Avenue. And the action hits full speed at Kennedy Park, with the 27th annual Juneteenth Festival itself. Local officials will speechify on Friday, followed by amateur talent performances. On Saturday, performers from Mary Baker to Bobby Taylor will hit the stage, followed on Sunday by the Father's Day Gospel Jubilee, featuring the Old Pueblo's best belters. Great foods of all varieties will be on hand throughout, including Bill Stewart's famous catfish. It all adds up to one fantastic time, according to event spokeswoman March Smith. "This started as a spontaneous celebration among the slaves, who didn't find out until two years after the Civil War that they had been emancipated," Smith says. "We've tried to keep that tradition alive. This isn't about personalities. It's about folks persevering and rising above adversity. And above all, it's about celebrating freedom." Event runs from 4 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, noon to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday in Kennedy Park, 3700 S. Mission Road. Admission is free. For details, call 791-4355. NOTTINGHAM NOD: Even in medieval times, supply-side economics had their enemies, particularly in the form of that fun-loving Bandit called Robin Hood. In what could be the direct anathema to modern Republicanism, that imp of Nottingham forest firmly believed in taking from the rich and giving to the poor. And he did so with a fun-loving style that constantly kept his foes bedeviled. Now the tikes, teens and grown-ups of Arizona Youth Theatre revive the legacy of that long-gone hero with their performance of Robin Hood, guaranteed to be chock-full of "thrills, excitement and fun." Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, June 13, and 11 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, June 14, with performances continuing through July 12 at Arizona Youth Theater, 5671 E. Speedway. Tickets are $6, $4 for children, and available by calling 546-9805.
MINOR-LEAGUE FUN: Take yourself out to the ballgame tonight
or tomorrow, where the plucky Tucson Toros take on the Edmonton
Trappers, wrapping up their latest homestand. To be frank, our
boys of summer are struggling a bit in this first half of the
season, so dive into buck beverage night (Thursday) and bellow
your support. Or come around on Friday and try your luck in the
eighth annual Diamond Dig, wherein all ladies 17 and over pay
a mere $1 admission and have a chance to dig up the field in search
of a real diamond (49 Cubic Zirconia will also ply the field).
First pitch is 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $3 to $8. Call 325-2621
for information.
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And Tucson has caught that wave full-force, with a passle of
events showcasing African-American contributions to our culture.
