Juneteenth (a portmanteau of “June” and “nineteenth”) commemorates the 1865 emancipation of Black slaves in the United States. Today, the celebration often includes singing, street fairs, cookouts, and Miss Juneteenth contests. In 2022, Juneteenth became a state-recognized holiday in Oregon, thanks in part to the efforts of the late community organizer Clara Peoples. Also known as the “mother of Juneteenth,” Peoples founded the Juneteenth Oregon celebration over 50 years ago, in 1972. Read on for more ways to celebrate the holiday, from Don’t Shoot Portland’s Juneteenth Cookout to The 4th Annual History of Black Drag in Portland.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black & Queer Music
Juneteenth and Pride Month shake hands at this music-filled evening featuring two incredibly talented Black queer artists: DJ Curtis starred in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Portland Center Stage, and Jasmine Johnson has performed with the Portland Opera and Oregon Symphony. Musica Mixta, an organization that features a variety of styles and promotes diverse groups of performers, hosts the joyful celebration, and Bar Botellón’s rustic space and delicious menu of tapas and house-made sangria make for a great setting to enjoy the music.
Bar Botellon, Kerns (Thurs June 19)
