Houston's Juneteenth Celebration will commemorate the 150 year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation at Miller Outdoor Theatre on June 19, 2013. This year's celebration will feature legendary Zydeco artist C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Annika Chambers, Toni Simmons and LipanUrban.
C.J. Chenier is the son of Clifton Chenier, a Grammy Award winning Creole music legend and pioneer of the modern Zydeco sound. C.J. took over leadership of his father's legendary band and severed as the front man since 1985. As a native of Port Arthur, Texas, C.J. was initially interested in funk and soul music in the 1970s and learned to play saxophone. He performed on sax in his father’s band beginning in 1978 and developed his talent for accordion after his father invited him to take over the Red Hot Louisiana Band in 1985. C.J. has appeared on popular television shows, like the PBS music showcase "Austin City Limits", as well as VH1 and CNN. He has been a guest musician on nationally popular recordings, like Paul Simon's "The Rhythm of the Saints" and appeared before audiences reaching 60,000 at major festivals, including the Chicago Blues Festival.
Houston's Juneteenth Celebration will feature Roger Wood's book, Texas Zydeco, published by University of Texas Press. It is the definitive account, in words and pictures, of how the most formative players and moments in modern Zydeco history developed in Texas, especially Houston. Beautiful photography is provided by James Fraher. Five copies of the book will be given away to audience members for free during the June 19 event. Those who are interested must sign up between 6pm and 7pm at the Houston Institute for Culture information table on the west side of the Miller Outdoor Theatre, near the concession stand. Houston City Council member Wanda Adams will draw the names of the lucky winners and they will be announced at the conclusion of the event.
Each year Houston's Juneteenth Celebration presents an exciting music lineup to celebrate Juneteenth, one of the region's most significant historic events, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas. Music fans gather from across the region at Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston's largest public outdoor theatre on June 19, to hear performances by noted artists representing the rich African American musical traditions of the region, including Blues, Jazz, Brass Band, Funk and Zydeco. The event is free.
Miller Outdoor Theatre is located in Hermann Park at 6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas, 77030. Miller Outdoor Theatre is wheelchair accessible. MetroRail serves Hermann Park. Information can be found at www.ridemetro.org. Concert-goers bringing cars are encouraged to carpool.
Contact Houston Institute for Culture at 832-429-4432, or by email at info@houstonculture.org. Additional information, as well as links to Facebook and Eventbrite are available at www.june19.org.
Houston's Juneteenth Celebration, is produced by Houston Institute for Culture with support from the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Texas Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts. Sponsorship support is provided by Houston Museum of Culture and AIO Wireless. Media support is provided by KPFT Houston, Houston Style Magazine, East End Studio Gallery and HCC Central College. Additional support provided by Radical Eats and Bohemeo's.
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Miller Outdoor Theatre is located in Houston's Hermann Park. Plan your visit.
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Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and commemoration of the abolition of slavery. It has been honored since 1865. LEARN MORE
Emancipation Park was established in Houston's Third Ward as a site for freed slaves and their descendents to celebrate Juneteenth. LEARN MORE
Frederick Douglass has been called "the father of the Civil Rights movement in the United States."
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The Emancipation Proclamation was effective by authority of President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. LEARN MORE
"Juneteenth Revisited" - Houston Press columnist John Nova Lomax recounts the history of the Juneteenth Blues Festival. LEARN MORE
Smithsonian Magazine, in its May 2008 issue, recommends Houston's Juneteenth celebration as the Number 3 "Hotspot" in the nation in "Destination America."
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