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A weekend of Pride, Black history and community celebration | Weekend 401

The Illuminated Pride Parade is one of the few nighttime Pride parades in the nation.
Pride RI
The Illuminated Pride Parade is one of the few nighttime Pride parades in the nation.

Six Rhode Island events celebrating Black, LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities

Looking for some tips on what to do this weekend and beyond? We’ve got you covered. Here are a few recommendations from Ocean State Media producer, James Baumgartner.

Hip-Hop Symposium

As part of this year’s Juneteenth celebration, Christopher West, PhD, the Executive Director of the African-American Museum of Rhode Island, will lead a discussion called “Place, Memory and Community: The voices, collectives, and crews that shaped the Hip Hop Scene in Providence, Rhode Island.”

Where: Liston Theater, CCRI Providence Campus, 1 Hilton St, Providence, RI
When: Thursday, June 18
Details: www.juneteenthri.com/otherevents

A New Center for Black History in Newport

Juneteenth marks the official opening of the Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History in Newport. Housed in the 17th-century-era Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House, the Center pays homage to the lives and experiences of Black Newporters past and present.
Ocean State Media morning host Luis Hernandez spoke with the Center’s director, Dr. Akeia de Barros Gomes, about what visitors can expect to see when the doors open on Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Where: Edward W. Kane and Martha J. Wallace Center for Black History, 17 Broadway, Newport, RI
When: Ribbon Cutting - Friday, June 19, 10:00 a.m. Family Day - Saturday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Details: newportblackhistory.org

Taste of Juneteenth

This event showcases the food and food culture of the African Diaspora with dozens of food vendors.

Where: Farm Fresh RI, 10 Sims Ave., Providence, RI
When: Friday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Details: tasteofjuneteenthne.org

Juneteenth Festival

The 8th Annual Juneteenth Festival of Rhode Island will feature music from Julius Morris, Chachi Carvalho and headliner Jon Hope.

Where: Temple to Music, Roger Williams Park, Providence, RI
When: Sunday, June 21, 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Details: www.juneteenthri.com/festival

50 years of Pride in RI

A group of 75 people marched in the first Pride Parade in Providence in 1976, and this weekend, thousands will celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride events all day on Saturday, culminating in one of the only nighttime Pride parades in the country.

Where: Pridefest - I-195 District Park; Illuminated Pride Parade - Empire and Washington Street, Providence
When: Saturday, June 20. Pridefest - 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Parade - 8:00 p.m.
Details: prideri.org

Strawberry Thanksgiving

The Tomaquag Museum puts on this free celebration of the Strawberry Moon at Ninigret Park. There will be a Native arts market, traditional Indigenous dances, food vendors, games and more. Free guided walking tours will share traditional ecological knowledge. Bring a chair or blanket and spend the afternoon in the park.

Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
When: Saturday, June 20, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Details: https://www.simpletix.com/e/strawberry-thanksgiving-tickets-274961

James learned the basics of audio editing while studying music at Missouri State University. He went on to get a Master of Fine Arts in Electronic Art at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he created electronic music, video art and internet-based media art. While at RPI, James went on the air for the first time, hosting an electronic music show on Rensselaer's station, WRPI, but his love of radio came from staying up late so he could hear punk rock on KKFI, the community radio station in Kansas City, Missouri.
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