Juneteenth Weekend Celebration

Friday, June 16, 2023 | 7 PM

The Nia Cultural Center hosts the 2nd Annual Emancipation Celebration, a gospel concert featuring Grammy award-winning artist Smokie Norful and celebrated sensations, Zacardi Cortez and Amber Bullock at the historic Grand 1894 Opera House. It will also honor pioneers on the national and local levels who made their mark in history by fighting for freedom, equality, and justice or who have worked to make Juneteenth a national holiday. Awards will honor Brent Leggs, Executive Director of the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation; Dr. Ruth Simmons, former President of the Prairie View A&M University; and Sam Collins, Co-Chair of the Juneteenth Legacy Project.  

Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 8 PM

Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., are the 7-time Grammy Award-winning duo, known as “The First Couple of Pop & Soul.” Marilyn began her career singing with Ray Charles, and Billy in churches, choirs and artist management, including Anna Mae Bullock, who became Tina Turner.

Sunday, June 18, 2023 | 4 PM

Join the GSO for a Juneteenth concert featuring works from the 1700s to today – Classical through Romantic – all the way to contemporary. The GSO will be joined by the Galveston Heritage Chorale, Gary V. Navy, Music Director and June Collins Pulliam, Executive Director.