JuneteenthVA 2020 Programming
430 High Street, Portsmouth, VA. (across the street from the Commodore Theater)
The goal of JuneteenthVA 2020 is to truthfully acknowledge the American history that shaped and continues to influence the very essence of our lives in these extreme and existential times. Through the History Plays, community members become sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others -- only then, without shame or blame, can we make significant and lasting improvements in the work of dismantling slavery's infrastructure. -- Sheri Bailey, award-winning playwright, community-builder and JuneteenthVA founder
JuneteenthVA 2020 Programs
Plays, Music, Broadcasts, Presentations, Discussion
JuneteenthVA 2020 programming is built around a weekend of founder Sheri Bailey’s brilliant History Plays (see list below). Filled with historical characters, these plays bring to life the contention between America’s freedom and slavery, both at the very foundation of America’s democracy. Viewed in a community setting, followed by deep and meaningful discussion, these works of art create a space to face the truth about America’s past and forge a road to reconciliation.
Videos of the plays will run all weekend, along with streaming remote performances, live music, interviews with key community members, and lively conversation
JuneteenthVA 2020 Events
Program Highlights
Friday June 19, 2020 - 8 p.m.
THE FANNIE LOU HAMER STORY: MZURI MOYO AIMBAYE’S ONE-WOMAN SHOW IS STREAMING LIVE ON YOUTUBE FROM THE HISTORIC WAYNE DENSCH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN SANFORD, FLORIDA — COME WATCH IT WITH US! In this LIVE one-woman show, one of American’s great voting and women's rights activist, exemplary leader in the civil rights movement, and 1964 presidential candidate is brought to life. Hamer was key in organizing Mississippi's Freedom Summer and was a co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus, an organization created to recruit, train, and support women of all races who wish to seek election to government office. Hamer was extorted, threatened, harassed, shot at, and assaulted by white supremacists and police while trying to register for and exercise her right to vote. She later helped and encouraged thousands of African-Americans in Mississippi to become registered voters.
Saturday June 20, 2020 - Afternoon
ABOLITIONISTS’ MUSEUM The cast is Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Sojourner Truth, David Walker, Nat Turner and Abraham Lincoln, who are wax figures in a museum. The curator has recently hung a Confederate flag and sparked a debate among the characters about whether or not to burn it. At the play’s conclusion the audience will be asked to share their opinions about what to do with this symbol of the past that still means so much in the present.
Saturday June 20, 2020 - Evening
LIVE MUSIC Join the joy of Peyton "Ms. Drumz" Bailey’s steel drum music!
EARL LEWIS LIVE PROGRAMMING with JuneteenthVA Board Member Earl Lewis who is the cousin of William Chapman (unarmed Black man killed in Walmart parking lot by Portsmouth Police Officer Steven Rankin who was convicted by Black female Commonwealth Attorney Stephanie Morlas of manslaughter and served 2 - 1/2 years.
The History Plays with Playwright Conversation
ABOLITIONISTS' MUSEUM (PUPPETS) Anarchy reigns as Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, John Brown, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe and David Walker — wax figures in a museum — debate whether or not to burn the Confederate flag recently hung in their place of residence
AFRIKAN KINGZ & QUEENZ and THE MAKING OF AFRIKAN KINGZ & QUEENZ (PUPPETS)
This play is a game show musical comedy starring Cleopatra, VII and Hannibal, Ruler of Carthage as contestants on Egyptian Squares, a spoof on TV’s Hollywood Squares
SUMMER DREAMS (FILM) description to come
DANNIE 'N LAURENCE (FILM) is a tale/love story of opposites, in which characters of all different backgrounds are forced to live together, It's hate at first sight, but as events pile up, the two main characters fall in love. But will thatt be enough to overcome the differences in their backgrounds? Welcome to a love story where "happily ever after" might not mean together. [Winner: "Best New Playwright" by Company of Angels in North Hollywood; Outstanding Screenplay Award from Writer's Workshop]
GETTYSBURG ADDRESS description to come
REAL THAT (RAP VIDEO) description to come
CRAZY LOVE (VIDEO) description to come
NAT TURNER KILLED MY FAMILY description to come
NINA SIMONE (PLAYLIST) description to come
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL description to come
IDA B. WELLS (LYNCHING REPORTER) description to come
BLACK PANTHER MOVEMENT description to come
WALKING WITH A PANTHER (READING OF PLAY DIRECTED BY ROBERT ALFORD II) Walking with a Panther tells the story of a once idealistic Black Panther and his first seven days home after 23 years in prison. [ Sy Richardson as Poppa; Haskell Anderson as Frank] [Winner: National Endowment for the Arts Playwrighting Fellowship]
DEACON MAN (SPOKEN WORD VIDEO) Music Video www.youtube.com/deaconman is a monologue from Walking with A Panther]