Hot Springs will celebrate Juneteenth today with special events at the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market, including a free screening of "Summer of Soul (... Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)" at 8:30 p.m.
Congress and President Joe Biden acted quickly this week to approve legislation that established Juneteenth as a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery.
According to The Associated Press, Juneteenth commemorates the events of June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas -- some two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had freed slaves in Southern states.
The 2021 Juneteenth Celebration in Hot Springs will begin at 5 p.m. today at the farmers market, 121 Orange St., with live music by Dazz & Brie at 7:30 p.m., followed by the free screening by the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
A news release from the city of Hot Springs said the event will feature the Nu Era Choir under the direction of Kennion Gulley. There will be free hot dogs, chips, water and energy drinks, as well as food truck vendors. There will be giveaways and speakers, including Hot Springs native Candace Evans, media and communication academic adviser at Arkansas State University.
"Summer of Soul (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)," sponsored by Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, is directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in his feature-film directorial debut.
The release said the film showcases footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969, including never-before-seen concert performances by B.B. King, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Stevie Wonder.
"Thompson and his team of producers unearthed more than 45 hours of footage to bring the film to life. The film premiered this year to rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival, and won both the grand jury prize and audience award," it said.
Low Key Arts is presenting the live performance by Little Rock natives Dazz & Brie.
The 2021 Juneteenth Celebration is being coordinated in partnership with the Juneteenth Committee of Hot Springs, MLK Hot Springs, Stop the Violence Coalition of Hot Springs, the city of Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs, Low Key Arts, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.