Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration
Saturday, June 21, 2025
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth at the Eiteljorg with live jazz performances, cultural presentations and FREE admission and parking for all.
Juneteenth & Jazz: Celebrating Freedom
Schedule of Performances
10:00 a.m. – Welcome & jus Will spoken word
10:45 a.m. – Cassius Goens Quartet feat. Akili Ni Mali
11:45 a.m. – Patrice Stokes poetry reading & book signing
12:00 p.m. – DJiSM
2:00 p.m. – Shonda Buchanan poetry reading & book signing
3:00 p.m. – SITEAW Drum Circle
4:00 p.m. – Rob Dixon
Our Guests
jus Will Spoken Word
Storytelling is essential for everyone’s well-being. Through his poetry, jus Will aims to both inform and entertain, offering his perspectives on life and sharing the experiences he has gone through.
Cassius Goens Quartet feat. Akili Ni Mali
Associate Lecturer of Music at Ball State, Cassius Goens, is a sought-after musician, clinician, and educator within the greater Indianapolis community who has performed across the Midwest, New York, Europe, and Brazil.
Patrice Stokes
With extensive experience as a motivational speaker, spoken word artist, host, and emcee, Patrice empowers clients and organizations worldwide. As a published author, she uses spoken word to facilitate healing and connection, fostering environments of growth and self-discovery. Patrice hosts her radio show and podcast “Inspired On Purpose,” which empowers audiences to embark on a journey of emotional, spiritual, and cultural understanding.
DJ iSM
DJ iSM is a talented local DJ whose style is a unique blend of musical influences. He aims to entertain and be recognized as the “life of the party”.
Shonda Buchanan
An award-winning poet, fiction, nonfiction writer, and educator, Shonda Buchanan is the author of five books, including the award-winning memoir, Black Indian.
SITEAW Drum Circle
The act of drumming serves as a release, bringing joy to everyone who needs to elevate their spirits and refuel with positive energy to continue their journey through life.
Rob Dixon
Musician and jazz educator Rob Dixon is the founder of Trilogy and the Indianapolis Jazz Collective, and he has worked with renowned artists such as Tony Bennett and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.
Juneteenth: A Brief History
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to ensure all enslaved people were freed. As the news spread, so too did the celebrations – Juneteenth, also known as Jubilee Day, Freedom Day, or Emancipation Day, was born. Today, people across the country celebrate with barbecues, parades, prayers services, music, and more.