Join us for a Gospel Brunch to kick off Juneteenth. City Hall Park will come to life with the Lake Champlain Mass Choir and band on the BCA Patio. 150 lucky people will get a seat at a table in the center of the park to enjoy Great Northern’s Frank Pace’s delicious southern brunch.

While the seated brunch is sold out, you can still sit on the grass to see and hear the choir. Pack a picnic brunch!

Singer/songwriter Myra Flynn spends her career embracing dichotomy. Half Irish and half African American, her original indie/soul songs blend soulful vocals with a lyrical delivery that doesn't let one get too comfortable. As the New England Deli Magazine puts it, "Her vocal influences have as much in common with Ani Difranco and Shawn Colvin as they do with Rihanna and Jill Scott."

Flynn spent her Vermont childhood clad in leopard print and platform shoes, singing and dancing atop anything that looked remotely like a stage. These days, not much has changed. She has since shared stages with:  Ivan Neville (Dumpstaphunk), Mike Gordon (Phish) , Gabrielle Gordon (Natalie Merchant), Sonya Kitchell, Rayvon, Res, Alexa Ray Joel, Slick Rick, Anais Mitchell and Lee “Scratch” Perry. 

Crooked Measures, her 2009 debut album, earned Flynn a solid spot in the singer/songwriter circuit as well as much deserved media recognition. She was named "Best Up-and-Coming Performer" by Seven Days Newspaper (2010 and 2011) and "New England Artist of the Month" by The Deli Magazine New England. She signed a six-month licensing deal with CBS Records and her original song "Feels Like the Sunshine" was used on the CW television show "The Beautiful Life" (produced by Ashton Kutcher).

Flynn’s sophmore album, For The Record, dropped August 5, 2011. Produced by Vermont singer/songwriter Gregory Douglass, the New England Deli Magazine said the new album is crafted with “a self-assured sense of commitment and what seems like another lifetime of reasons to sing.”

"For The Record is an album about everyone in my life but me. It's been an inspiring exercise to try to step out of my own perspective and kind of take on the role of the characters who shape my personal world,” Flynn said. “As a result, I think the album is far more edgy than Crooked Measures. I really dove in and tried to explore religion, sex, anger, love and even death. I hope listeners can relate at times, but I think it's also okay if they simply listen. If they listen closely, they may hear the musical grownup inside of me who has finally arrived. I'm pretty proud of her."

Half Pigeon adds a third album to Flynn’s catalog of original music, building on the critical success of her debut Crooked Measures (2009) and sophomore release For the Record (2011). Produced by Matt Bogdanow of Plushgun, Half Pigeon was recorded at Motherbrain studio (Brooklyn), and features guest appearances by Gregory Douglass and Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio). The album received a raving review from Seven Days Weekly saying: "At its most organic, Half Pigeon recalls hints of 2012 darlings Alabama Shakes, and at her very danciest, Myra Flynn seems almost to channel Janet Jackson in her badass prime. What is truly noteworthy is that Flynn is often capable of delivering on both ends of this scale in a single song — and with a unique voice and style to boot."

Never Mind the Mourning is Flynn's fourth body of work, recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Grammy Award winning producers Jared Lee Gosselin and Tony Ghantous. While Flynn has been known in the past for her more down tempo singer/songwriter work, this album is her first exploration in what she calls indie/pop. While the sound may be more pop, the lyrics are often not about what one might think they are as Flynn sneaks in themes of American ware fare, infidelity and domestic abuse between the sugary sounds. 

Currently, Myra Flynn lives a bi-costal life, still holding onto her roots in Vermont half of her year while also working and living part-time in Los Angeles under the guidance of Swift Street Management Team. She has created a jewelry line made from recycled piano parts and recently partnered with Vermont Vineyard, Shelburne Vineyard to create a namesake wine: FLYNN. She has toured the United States countless times as well as: Whales, London, Ireland and most frequently, Australia. Her motto regarding next steps and fame tends to be: "If you're doing it, you've already made it." 

Artist JoeMac (Joe McClain Jr.) is a nationally renowned spoken word artist. A native of East Chicago, Indiana, he has resided in San Diego, California since 2003. His accolades include being the 2x Inland Empire(CA) Slam Champ (2018,2020) and 2019 San Diego Slam representative for the Individual World Poetry Slam, where he finished 24th in the world. He has opened for multi-platinum artists Joe, Jon B. and Dwele. Additionally, outside of spoken word, he is a 2x best-selling author.

William Forchion: Director, Producer, Poet, Clown, Acrobat, Stuntman, Father, Friend, Minister, Coach, Writer, and Teacher, all in one package. He is fueled by his desire to inspire and entertain. William Forchion creates art that connects audiences, to promote emotional, spiritual, and mental growth. William is the author of “Billosophy: meditations on God, movement and miracles”, “Sacred & Sacrosanct: a collection of poems” and his latest project “#ApoemAday” a year long project of daily poems. William hosts and produces the “Billosophy101 podcast and the Billosophy101 vlog on theDreamerStation YouTube channel. William grew up in Hammonton, NJ where life on a farm nurtured his creative imagination. In 2017 William was selected to be a U.S. State Department cultural exchange Ambassador for the Arts making two trips to Turkmenistan. William is summer camp Director at Circus Smirkus in Greensboro, VT. William, the proud father of 3 beautiful children, has called Brattleboro, VT home since 1998.

DJ Melo Grant is the host of the radio program Cultural Bunker on 90.1 WRUV FM. She has been bringing Hip Hop to the Champlain Valley for 33 1/3 years.

Warning:  The constitution of the State of Vermont has two exception clauses that permit slavery!  The Black folks in Galveston were in the dark for two ½ years. Well, this language has been in the Vermont Constitution for 244 years! 

Come get the details and learn what we can do about it.

 "Article 1. [All persons born free; their natural rights; slavery prohibited]

That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like."

 Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance

Judi Emanuel is a Jamaican recording artist, singer-songwriter of original Jamaican music (reggae, ska, mento, dancehall ), and performs covers of Jamaican and international music. Caribbean Rain Family is a family band from Jamaica, formed in 2017 when Judi relocated with her family to Shelburne, Vermont. It is the only multi-generational Jamaican family band in Vermont.

The band’s music is an exciting blend of Jamaican Folk Music and Popular music. Caribbean Rain Family shows are an interactive experience featuring acoustic instruments and tight family harmonies. Caribbean Rain Family presents Jamaican Folk Music, games and stories for Kids and Families and Workshops on the History of Jamaican Music. Audiences sing and play along with the family while deepening their knowledge of Jamaican Culture. The family’s overarching message is of love and togetherness.

Caribbean Rain Family brings the warm, socially inclusive, positive vibes of Jamaica to Vermont and the world. Coming from a reality where systemic racism is not a problem, Caribbean Rain addresses the issues of race and gender bias and inequality. Promoting a culture of freedom, inclusion and worthiness for all. Learn more at: https://www.judiemanuel.com/

Gigs/Awards:

· Radio Bean shows

· O.N.E. New Year’s Eve City of Burlington Kids and Family show

· Vermont International Festival - Kids Shows

· Champlain College Workshops on Jamaican Music

· Awarded Clemmons Family Farm-Sense of Place Grant for promoting diversity through music

Not my 4th of July is an experience told through song, dance, spoken word and monologue. The play captures Fredrick Douglas, the man and the message. Set to a soundtrack that is both modern and historical, we follow a young girl who is called to give a speech after a tragic event. Wondering if her voice matters she is apprehensive and looks to the legacy of Douglas to give her strength to use her voice to invoke change. With a multi generation cast from 13 - 66, the foundation of one of Douglas' most famous speeches, and set to the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter Movement - Not My 4th of July is sure to inspire, enlighten, and educate. 

Not My 4th of July is created and directed by Onyx Keesha, written by Myra Mcdonald & Danielle Tucker - Another M.PoWeR Production.

Singing jazz, blues and funk has been a central part of Jenni's life since her teen days in New York City, where she was born and raised.  In the 1970's, while working towards her Masters in Education, Jenni was involved in several musical productions at UVM, and sang in various settings, including local clubs, private parties, college campus events, receptions, fraternities and sororities. 

The 1980's found Jenni completing graduate work and pursuing projects in Houston, Texas and Boston.  Among these was a unique repertoire of song and music which included a work she titled "The Billie Holiday Story."  Another project kept her busy in a Boston recording studio producing demo tapes for Star Search and the Coca-Cola Company. 

Jenni Johnson has been described as "a renaissance woman" in the many articles written about her in the Burlington Free Press, Seven Days, Vermont Woman the Rutland Herald, as well as for newspapers across the lake in New York State. Born in NYCs Harlem Hospital and raised in the Big Apple, she now resides in Burlington, VT.

Her resume includes Supervisor of Physics and Counselor at Mass. Institute of Technology. Private counseling practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her dual appointment at the University of Vermont meant working as a counselor at the Counseling Center and instructor for the College of Education. Some of Jenni's community involvement over the years include: Commissioner of Parks & Recreation;(elected official) Ward Clerk; Board member Howard Mental Health; organizer of fund raisers for Alzheimer's Association, Katrina flood victims, Honduras flood victims, and other humanitarian causes.

Keru Bo is a singer/song-writer Afro-Jazz artist, originally from Kenya who now lives in the Burlington area. 

She has more than 20 years’ experience performing all over the world in music festivals. Her style of music is a blend of African Traditional Music, with inflections of Brazilian Samba/ Bossanova, Jazz, and Blues.  

KeruBo sings African folk music and Afro jazz, from African laments to more modern arrangements. Her influences are from generations of music artists and songwriters but more particularly – Achien’g Abura, Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka and Nina Simon. She feels that these notable, strong-minded, female singers effectively used their music as a powerful medium to bring awareness to social issues and to rebuke social injustices.  They sang candidly about issues without worrying about consequences. 

KeruBo’s music is about healing, preserving African culture and heritage, while highlighting social issues affecting vulnerable minorities such as women and children.

KeruBo is also a member of the Windows to A Multicultural World Teaching Artist Team with the Clemmons Family Farm, that  provides opportunities to engage K-12 students in various social justice topics that pertain to African-Americans and the African Diaspora, and shares her heritage, culture, folk music and storytelling through remote learning.

KeruBo Website

Jeh Kulu Dance and Drum Theater comprises master artists from Guinea and Senegal, West Africa, and 13 talented American artists, all of whom are passionate about the traditional rhythms and dances from throughout West Africa. Come dance with us!

As a storyteller, Ferene Paris Meyer creates heart-centered spaces through workshops, community engagements, culinary cuisine, and more! She aspires to make a collective difference within our local commun

Double Dutch has been a pastime of youth in America since the end of World War II. Evolving from Africa, Double Dutch is historically a jump rope game played originally by Black children (mainly girls) in rural and urban areas in America. Double Dutch is a game in which two long jump ropes turning in opposite directions are jumped by one or more players jumping simultaneously. Join local jump super star Tiffany for some fun in Roosevelt Park! Ropes will be provided but all are welcome to bring their own!

Representing Somalia, Tanzania and Burundi and currently living in Burlington, Vermont, A2VT synthesizes their native African musical and dance roots with Western pop and Hip Hop sensibilities. Their songs, performed in up to eight unique languages, reflect their journey from Africa to America, and celebrate the musical collision of two continents and the party that ensues! www.A2VT.com

DJ Dakota has been playing music and rocking dance floors for over ten years at popular night-life venues in Burlington, VT such as Red Square, Ruben James (RJs), 1/2 Lounge, Higher Ground, Club Metronome and Nectar’s. His resume also includes corporate events for UVM, Hotel Vermont, The Hilton, The Winter Brewfest and Burlington ArtHop as well as opening up for international touring acts such as Ja Rule, Base Nectar, Girltalk, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Sarani, Nas & Damian Marley and Wyclef. He has been DJing at weddings across the state of Vermont and the New England region for years and enjoys bringing people together through his love of all the different Genres of music.

DJ Dakota FB

Not my 4th of July is an experience told through song, dance, spoken word and monologue. The play captures Fredrick Douglas, the man and the message. Set to a soundtrack that is both modern and historical, we follow a young girl who is called to give a speech after a tragic event. Wondering if her voice matters she is apprehensive and looks to the legacy of Douglas to give her strength to use her voice to invoke change. With a multi generation cast from 13 - 66, the foundation of one of Douglas' most famous speeches, and set to the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter Movement - Not My 4th of July is sure to inspire, enlighten, and educate. 

Not My 4th of July is created and directed by Onyx Keesha, written by Myra Mcdonald & Danielle Tucker - Another M.PoWeR Production.

Join us for the first annual Juneteenth Roosevelt Park 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Registration required. All participants to receive a basketball. Players on the championship teams win $50 Gift Cards to Dick’s Sporting Goods! Maximum of 5 players per team and minimum of 3.

Mikahely is a singer-songwriter who hails from the beautiful island of Madagascar, but his music is out of this world! A self-taught musician, he draws inspiration from traditional Malagasy rhythms to create his own unique and healing sounds on guitar and valiha (a zither-like instrument made from bamboo). Singing his all original music in his native language of Malagasy, Mikahely transcends boundaries. Having toured in Madagascar and Europe, he now brings his music to new audiences in the United States. He is also featured in the documentary Guitar Madagascar.

Originally from Seattle Washington, Spoken Word Poet/ Emcee and Teaching Artist Rajnii Eddins has been engaging diverse community audiences for over 27 years. He was the youngest member of the Afrikan American Writers Alliance at age 11 and has been actively sharing with youth and community in Vermont since 2010. His latest work Their Names Are Mine aims to confront white supremacy while emphasizing the need to affirm our mutual humanity.

Rivan Calderin, aka Rivan C., is a rapper, a singer, and a poet. Growing up the son of a DJ exposed him to a number of genres of music, all of which play a direct role on his songwriting process and his personal beliefs. 

Over the past 3 years, Rivan C. has opened for a plethora of notable artists, such as WAX, The Beatnuts, Lyrics Born, Billy Woods, Homeboy Sandman, and Lance Skiiiwalker of Top Dawg Entertainment. In addition to his solo musical endeavors, he is also one of the lead vocalists in the up-and-coming hip-hop/jazz band Juicebox. 

DJ Dakota has been playing music and rocking dance floors for over ten years at popular night-life venues in Burlington, VT such as Red Square, Ruben James (RJs), 1/2 Lounge, Higher Ground, Club Metronome and Nectar’s. His resume also includes corporate events for UVM, Hotel Vermont, The Hilton, The Winter Brewfest and Burlington ArtHop as well as opening up for international touring acts such as Ja Rule, Base Nectar, Girltalk, Ice Cube, Lil Kim, Sarani, Nas & Damian Marley and Wyclef. He has been DJing at weddings across the state of Vermont and the New England region for years and enjoys bringing people together through his love of all the different Genres of music.

Dwight & Nicole is an American indie-soul band fronted by Dwight Ritcher & Nicole Nelson. Ritcher and Nelson met in Boston when they were both just out of school and cutting their teeth on the local club scene. They discovered a shared love of classic blues greats like Albert King and Lighting Hopkins, covering songs by their vocal heroes Mavis Staples, Jimmy Witherspoon and Etta James. All the while obsessing over writing, and honing their own original music.

Dwight & Nicole began performing live as a duo; touring the Northeast and developing a strong fan base. They then self-released two critically acclaimed albums through crowd funding. Over the next several years they would become well known regionally for their dynamic live shows and well crafted songs; gaining plenty of industry respect with nods for nine Boston Music Awards, seven Boston Phoenix Awards, seven Daysie Awards, and six New England Music Awards.

Both Ritcher and Nelson possess strong natural voices that stop you dead in your tracks. Whether belting or whispering, their singing commands attention. They are both also captivating performers, multi-instrumentalists, and strong songwriters. This rare mix finds them standing out from the crowd of up and coming East Coast bands. Ritcher plays a Gibson Flying V guitar – picking up his first one as a teenager in Long Branch NJ – he has never played anything else. Nelson, a gifted singer & classical violinist from NYC has described the bass as her first real love. She picked it up again in 2015 and has not looked back. The recent addition of powerhouse drummer Ezra Oklan to the band has solidified their sound. They took this combination into the studio in 2017 with spectacular results.

Dwight & Nicole’s 2018 EP “Electric Lights” was recorded live to analog tape with multi-Grammy Award Nominated producer Joel Hamilton (Aaron Neville, The Meters, The Black Keys, Yoko Ono) at Studio G in Brooklyn, NY. Hamilton, undoubtedly captures their sound and live energy. They have just self-released two singles – the shimmering soul-anthem Wait and the dusty rocker Hi-Lo ahead of the EP, which have begun to introduce their music to a whole new wave of listeners. The release has also just landed D&N their first major label distribution deal through Orchard / Sony Music, and an Independent Music Award nomination.

Christal Brown (choreographer, educator, performer, writer and activist) is a native of Kinston, North Carolina, and received her BFA in dance and minor in business from the University of NC at Greensboro. Upon graduation, Brown went on to tour nationally with Chuck Davis' African-American Dance Ensemble and internationally with Andrea E. Woods/Souloworks. Immediately following those experiences, Brown performed with and managed Gesel Mason Performance Projects while apprenticing with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange in Takoma Park, Maryland. Upon relocating to New York Brown, apprenticed with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company before finding a home with Urban Bush Women, where she spent three seasons as a principal performer, community specialist and apprentice program coordinator.

Aside from performing, Brown is the Founding Artistic Director of INSPIRIT, a performance ensemble and educational conglomerate dedicated to bringing female choreographers together to collaborate and show new work, expanding the views of women of all ages, and being a constant source of inspiration to its audience as well as members. Founded in 2000, INSPIRIT has been honored to show work at Aaron Davis Hall, St. Mark's Church, Joyce Soho, The Lincoln Theater of Washington, D.C., and various other venues across the country.

Combining her athleticism, creativity, love for people, and knack for teaching, Brown continues to teach and create works that redefine the art of dance and the structure of the field.

Omega Jade made her start in 2016 as a Stand Up Comedian.  After six months of doing open mics, she was given the opportunity to perform in her first show.  Darker Side Of Comedy produced by Jade Marcotte.  A show for comedians of color.  She performed in shows all over Vermont until creating a show of her own.  It combines her 2 passions; Comedy and Hip Hop.  She named it Rhyme & Unreason.  Comedians do their regular material and the MC was given the task of interpreting the comedians set in a freestyle type verse in the same amount of time. There were DJs. It was fun, fresh and only stopped because of the pandemic.  But while hosting the show she created, she was also working on her debut album Wounded Healer(2019). Upon the release of her first album she was granted the lucky chance of going on tour opening for Pace Won, thanks to Full Blast Booking . The pandemic has not stopped her from creating.  Mothers Day she’s to release her EP titled Elevate: The Rise Of Mama MC. And she is looking forward to sharing it with you.

Sabouyouma (pronounced sah-boo-yoo-MAH), is led by Ousmane Camara, a master Balafonist from Guinea, West Africa. Based in Burlington, Vermont, they combine traditional West African dance music with contemporary funk and reggae.

SINNN, formerly known as SINsiZZle, is a Ghana born hip-hop and afrobeats artist. His musical journey traces through the African continent, the streets of New York City, and has landed him in Vermont for the better part of the last 20 years. He has performed with local greats like Dave Grippo, Konflik, Myra Flynn, Craig Mitchell, Fattie Bee, Dj Adog, Es-K, Jennifer Hartswick, and many more. As a touring artist he has shared the stage with a plethora of talent from Akrobatik to Wyclef Jean. His music is inspired by life and is a reflection of his experiences. A former member of the VT Union, he has a passion for using his visuals to display Vermont in his artistry. 

Judi Emanuel is a Jamaican recording artist, singer-songwriter of original Jamaican music (reggae, ska, mento, dancehall ), and performs covers of Jamaican and international music. Caribbean Rain Family is a family band from Jamaica, formed in 2017 when Judi relocated with her family to Shelburne, Vermont. It is the only multi-generational Jamaican family band in Vermont.

The band’s music is an exciting blend of Jamaican Folk Music and Popular music. Caribbean Rain Family shows are an interactive experience featuring acoustic instruments and tight family harmonies. Caribbean Rain Family presents Jamaican Folk Music, games and stories for Kids and Families and Workshops on the History of Jamaican Music. Audiences sing and play along with the family while deepening their knowledge of Jamaican Culture. The family’s overarching message is of love and togetherness.

Caribbean Rain Family brings the warm, socially inclusive, positive vibes of Jamaica to Vermont and the world. Coming from a reality where systemic racism is not a problem, Caribbean Rain addresses the issues of race and gender bias and inequality. Promoting a culture of freedom, inclusion and worthiness for all. Learn more at: https://www.judiemanuel.com/

Gigs/Awards:

· Radio Bean shows

· O.N.E. New Year’s Eve City of Burlington Kids and Family show

· Vermont International Festival - Kids Shows

· Champlain College Workshops on Jamaican Music

· Awarded Clemmons Family Farm-Sense of Place Grant for promoting diversity through music

Not my 4th of July is an experience told through song, dance, spoken word and monologue. The play captures Fredrick Douglas, the man and the message. Set to a soundtrack that is both modern and historical, we follow a young girl who is called to give a speech after a tragic event. Wondering if her voice matters she is apprehensive and looks to the legacy of Douglas to give her strength to use her voice to invoke change. With a multi generation cast from 13 - 66, the foundation of one of Douglas' most famous speeches, and set to the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter Movement - Not My 4th of July is sure to inspire, enlighten, and educate. 

Not My 4th of July is created and directed by Onyx Keesha, written by Myra Mcdonald & Danielle Tucker - Another M.PoWeR Production.

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Noble Julz Hamilton serves as the co-owner of the first–rate entertainment production company M.Power Productions, LLC. Julz recognized her talents as an artist at a very young age, being introduced to the public as a poet in the eighth grade, when the keynote speaker of her graduation opened his speech with a poem Hamilton penned for the event. After graduation, she continued to invest in her gift and followed her passion by attending Newark’s Arts High School where she studied music education and theater performance.

In 1998, Noble Julz combined her education and spirituality with the rhythm of her heart to feature in numerous college tours and venues throughout the New Jersey and New York area, including Princeton University, the Serengeti Plains Café and the Nuyorican Poets Café. Shows in which she was featured include “For Her Eyes and Ears Only”, “Speak Your Mynd” and “Def Poetry Meets Def Comedy”. These feature performances led to Julz winning city-wide talent searches in 2004, 2006 and 2008, as well as featuring as a vocalist on the 2008 release of the “SPP Poetic CD” with Noetic and Cole Ledge.

In addition, Julz has recorded and performed with and under the leadership of noted music and entertainment figures such as Bad Boy Records producer and sound engineer G-Man, internationally-known DJ Cheese of Undisputed Entertainment, and legendary P-funk artist Kevin Goins.

Julz has also served the arts community behind the scenes as the producer of over 10 sold-out stage performances, including “Sincerely Yours,” for which she also served as writer. She is also the co-writer and executive producer of various short films, including. In addition, she is the co-creator, assistant director and co-writer of the award-winning web-series “TH3M!”, executive producer of web-based talk show “1:1 w/Onyx,” which is viewed in over 180 countries, and can currently be seen on the hit web-series “Between Women,” in which she plays the role of Brooke Scott.

Most recently, Julz has taken on the additional role of equality activist, serving as the organizer of the Atlanta Equality March in April 2012. With these accomplishments under her belt and many more ahead, Hamilton continues to use her gift and creativity to create peace through positive images.

Luis Calderin is an open-format DJ that always keeps the crowd hyped with his wild and unexpected blends and selections. He’s been a pillar in the Burlington, VT music scene rocking clubs, concerts and all things in between. His approach and music philosophy is simple…#StayAwesome.