Its summertime in Syracuse and Central New York, the area calendar is packed with events for the entire community to enjoy.
There’s the M&T Jazzfest, June 29,30 & July 1st one of the largest Jazz festivals in the country, Southwest Showcase Sunday’s begins on June 17th at Jubilee Park with J Project, Juneteenth – June 14th – 17th an African American festival celebrating freedom, history, and culture.
Juneteenth will take place at various locations including Southwest Community Center and Clinton Square downtown. Syracuse’s Inner Harbor welcomes the Black Lites in a harbor side concert June 29
As more information is available please see urbancny.com/events for the latest information on Summer in the City.
Syracuse, New York – The 2007 edition of the Juneteenth Festival will kick off with a flag raising ceremony at City Hall, Thursday, June 14, 10:00am. This year’s festival will feature four full days of cultural activities and entertainment.
“We are very excited to expand Juneteenth into four consecutive days of celebrating African American freedom through various community wide activities,” states Jesse Dowdell, Juneteenth Board President.
Here are the highlights of this year’s festival:
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Ancestral Recognition Ceremony at the The Warehouse at 350 W Fayette Street. Presentation of the Nia Awards, honoring 5 elders that have made a difference in the community. The Honorable Langston McKinney is the keynote speaker.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
Gospel, Youth, & Family Day at the Southwest Community Center. Featuring church choirs, school choirs, performances, dancers, drummers, church food vendors, and Ms. Kortney Dale as the keynote speaker.
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
Freedom Parade steps off at noon at Castle Street & Salina Street and will proceed to Clinton Square. Sankofa Cultural Square featuring the M&T Bank Family Fun Zone, Jubilee Stage of cultural performances, cultural activities and exhibits.
Clinton Square featuring Main Stage entertainment with ethnic artisans and food court.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
Alliance Network Showcase Sunday featuring speakers and performances at the Jubilee Park.
This year’s major sponsors include: JPMorgan Chase, M&T Bank, The Gifford Foundation, News Channel 9, and Power 106.9. The festival is also made in part by New York State grants secured by Senator David J. Valesky and Senator John A. Defrancisco.
Juneteenth is an African American festival celebrating the freedom, history, and culture of African Americans. It is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Syracuse began celebrating Juneteenth in 1988.
Today, Syracuse is home to one of the largest Juneteenth festivals in the country, maintaining the importance of culture and education through various festival elements. Anticipated attendance for this year is 25,000+.
The festival is still accepting applications from exhibitors, artisans, and vendors. For more information, visit http://www.syracuse-juneteenth.orgor call The Events Company at 315.461.0068.
EVENT SCHEDULE
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
10:00am Flag Raising at City Hall
6:00pm – 8:30pm Ancestral Recognition Ceremony at The Warehouse (350 W. Fayette St.)Cost $20, ticket available by calling 428.1941
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
2:00pm – 10:00pm Gospel, Youth, & Family Day at the Southwest Community Center(401 South Avenue)
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
Noon – 2:00pm Freedom Parade (Castle at Salina Street, to Clinton Square)
2:00pm – 7:00pm Sankofa Cultural Square at Hanover Square
1:00pm – 10:00pm Main Stage at Clinton Square
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
4:00pm – 7:00pm Alliance Network Showcase Sunday at Jubilee Park, South Avenue
M & T JAZZ FEST SCHEDULE
FRI., JUNE 29
Y94FM/WSYR
NEWSCHANNEL 9 MAIN
STAGE
3 to 3:30 p.m.
YCCA Jazz Ensemble Scott Rutledge,Director
4 to 4:30 p.m.
Syracuse Department of Recreation
Stan Colella All-Star Band Joe Carello, Director
5 to 5:45 p.m.
The Steelheads under the direction
of Jim Coviak (performance underwritten by The Atena Foundation)
6:15 to 7:15 p.m.
Beatlejazz featuring Brian Melvin and David Kikoski
7:45 to 9 p.m.
Ed Palermo’s Big Band tribute to Frank Zappa (performance sponsored by The Society for New Music)
9:30 to 11 p.m.
Bela Bela Fleck & The Flecktones featuring
Bela Fleck, Victor Lamonte Wooten,Futureman and Jeff Coffin
LABATT/WAER/SYRACUSE
NEW TIMES CNY STAGE
5:45 to 6:15 p.m.
Bill DiCosmo Quartet
7:15 to 7:45 p.m.
State Street Band
9 to 9:30 p.m.
State Street Band
11 p.m. to midnight
Los Blancos
NATIONAL GRID SCHOLASTIC
STAGE
3:30 to 4 p.m.
Corcoran High School Jazz Ensemble Leigh Scheuerman, Director
4:30 to 5 p.m.
Solvay High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Carolyn Pardee, Director
SAT., JUNE 30
Y94FM/WSYR
NEWSCHANNEL 9 MAIN STAGE
11:30 a.m. to noon
Christian Brothers Academy Jazz Ensemble Tim Davis, Director
12:30 to 1 p.m.
Paul V. Moore High School Jazz Ensemble Dennis Goettel, Director
1:30 to 2 p.m.
Cicero-North Syracuse High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Caryn Patterson,Director
2:30 to 3 p.m.
C.W. Baker High School Vocal Jazz
Ensemble “Silk & Satin” Colin Keating,Director
3:30 to 4 p.m.
Harri Stojka’s Tribute to Gipsy Jazz
(sponsored by the Austrian Government and Vienna Consulate)
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Chico Hamilton and Euphoria (sponsored by NYSMF)
6 to 7 p.m.
Jean “Toots” Thielemans Trio featuring Kenny Werner and Oscar Castro
7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Mose Allison
9 to 10:30 p.m.
The Dave Brubeck Quartet (sponsored by NYSMF)
10:30 p.m.
Price Chopper Fireworks Display
LABATT/WAER/SYRACUSE
NEW TIMES CNY STAGE
5:30 to 6 p.m.
Phil Klein Quartet
7 to 7:30 p.m.
Nancy Kelly Quartet
8:30 to 9 p.m.
Nancy Kelly Quartet
NATIONAL GRID SCHOLASTIC
Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Oswego High School Jazz Ensemble Stephen Defren, Director
1 to 1:30 p.m.
West Genesee High School Jazz Band Steve Frank, Director
2 to 2:30 p.m.
Marcellus High School Jazz Ensemble
Michael Cirmo, Director
3 to 3:30 p.m.
Henninger High School Jazz Ensemble
Michelin Keleher, Director
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Y94FM/WSYR
NEWSCHANNEL 9 MAIN STAGE
Noon to 12:30 p.m.
MPH Jazz Combo II – Joe Colombo,Director
1 to 1:30 p.m.
Liverpool High School Jazz Ensemble
James R. Spadafore, Director
2 to 2:30 p.m.
Onondaga Community College Jazz Band – Steve Frank, Director
3 to 4 p.m.
Howard Johnson & Gravity -(sponsored by NYSMF)
4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Hiram Bullock Band
6 to 7 p.m.
Jaco Pastorius Big Band conducted by Peter Graves with special guests Will Lee and Hiram Bullock
8 to 9:30 p.m.
The Queen of Soul – Ms. Aretha Franklin
9:45 p.m.
Verizon Fireworks Display
LABATT/WAER/SYRACUSE
NEW TIMES CNY STAGE
2:30 to 3 p.m.
Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company Jazz Ensemble featuring Andrea Moore
4 to 4:30 p.m.
Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company Jazz Ensemble featuring Andrea Moore
5:30 to 6 p.m.
The Blacklites
7 to 7:30 p.m.
The Blacklites
NATIONAL GRID SCHOLASTIC
STAGE
12:30 to 1 p.m.
Signature Syracuse Jazz Ensemble Mike Treat and Ray Sturge, Director
1:30 to 2 p.m.
Signature Music Camp Jazz Ensemble Miles Brown, Director
