W42ST Daily 6/19/2020
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led a group of Union soldiers into Galveston, Texas, and announced the war was over and slaves were free.
Juneteenth is now recognized as the “official” end of slavery in the US, although freedom had been enacted into law two and a half years earlier, with President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
Keri Jordan-Leander’s great-great-great-grandfather was a former slave who went on to be co-founder of Tuskegee University. Her grandfather was tortured by his racist co-workers at a steel mill, and her father worked as a cop in Philly during the time of the MOVE bombing. This is her story.
And this powerful essay by actor/playwright Bleu Beckford-Burrell explains why language about the protests is crucial, why police brutality is not the core issue, and what she, as a Black womyn in America, wants. Read her words here.
BUY BLACK
One of the ways anyone can celebrate Juneteenth is by supporting black-owned businesses in Hell’s Kitchen.
Massage Envy will be open soon – call for a gift card.
Maison 10 is home to a curated collection of gorgeous home goods, candles, jewelry, bags, and the best face mask (they call it a face glove) for sidewalk drinking.
Rude Red is the ONLY hot sauce I need in my fridge – it goes on everything (you can pick it up at Westerly Market).
Fresh From Hell is now open, selling smoothies, juices, salads, and healthy breakfasts.
Little Pie Company is Sarah Jessica Parker’s Thanksgiving go-to for good reason.
This is the story of my discovery of Ethiopian food at Queen of Sheba.
Other local, black-owned businesses include Meske (two Ethiopian restaurants within two blocks – so spoiled), Le Soleil Brilliant Haitian restaurant, and Rostelle shoe repair. If you know of any others, please add to the list by replying to this email.
CELEBRATE
The Antonyo Awards are a celebration of black Broadway and Off-Broadway performers, with a pre-show virtual red carpet, original musical numbers, and star presenters and performers including Audra McDonald, Tituss Burgess, Alex Newell, LaChanze, James Monroe Iglehart, Cody Renard Richard, Griffin Matthews, and many more. It starts at 6pm.
WATCH
The National Theatre is streaming its 2019 sold-out production of Small Island, which tells the stories of first-generation immigrants from the Caribbean who came to the UK after the Second World War II. Weaving together three storylines, the play reaches into 1948. It’s available to watch until June 25.
GO LIVE
Carnegie Hall celebrates Juneteenth with an evening of music and commentary from Wynton Marsalis, Bill Moyers, Bishop Michael Curry, and pianist Joseph Joubert and the Juneteenth Mass Choir. It’s free and starts at 7.30pm.
ACT
HK Dems is holding a conversation and call to action tonight around the subject of police brutality. Find out more.
LISTEN
From tomorrow, you have 48 hours to see a concert by The Gorgeous Nothings, which was filmed last winter at Joe’s Pub. Shining a light on the vibrancy of NYC’s hidden LGBTQ+ community during the 1920s and 1930s, the concert stars Seth Sykes, Telly Leung, and many other Broadway big-hitters. Streaming is free, and funds raised will go to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Find out more.
DANCE
Greenwood, an ensemble dance piece that draws on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre as a source, makes its broadcast premiere this week. You can watch it as part of Alvin Ailey’s All Access program, with a short film re-enacting the incident that sparked the bloodshed, and a conversation with artistic director Robert Battle and choreographer Donald Byrd. See it here.
MAKE
Lotus flowers take root in murky waters and burst into beautiful bloom above the surface. And, to remind us that we can all emerge from difficult moments, the Rubin has launched The Lotus Effect. Fold a lotus flower and dedicate the origami creation to someone or something that has helped you overcome this challenging time. Find out how your creation could become part of an installation at the museum.
SUPPORT
A black queer town hall will take place over the next three days, with appearances from Bob the Drag Queen, Peppermint, Marti Gould Allen-Cummings and more in roundtable discussions and performances. Funds raised will go to Black Lives Matter, Black LGBTQ organizations, and local Black LGBTQ drag performers.
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