Eiteljorg Museum Celebrates Juneteenth with Free Community Event Featuring Jazz, Poetry, and Cultural Heritage

On Friday, June 21, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art will host its 11th annual Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration, inviting the public to enjoy a full day of music, poetry, and cultural reflection. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests will experience a vibrant lineup of performances—all free of charge, including museum admission and parking.

Launched in 2015 to mark the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth, the event has since evolved into one of the Eiteljorg’s most anticipated cultural celebrations. Organized in collaboration with local community partners, Juneteenth and Jazz has become a cornerstone of the museum’s public programming, spotlighting Black artists, musicians, and storytellers from Indianapolis and beyond.

“During the Juneteenth observance, family, friends, and the community gather to remember all those who fought for freedom,” said Alisa Nordholt-Dean, Beeler family director of education and vice president for public programs at the museum. “With Juneteenth now more broadly recognized around the country, the Eiteljorg Museum is honored again to host the Juneteenth and Jazz Community Celebration and welcome the public with live jazz music and meaningful cultural heritage presentations.”

Event Lineup Highlights

• 10:00 a.m. – The celebration kicks off with a welcome and spoken-word performance by jus Will, a local poet and comedian.

• 10:45 a.m. – Jazz takes center stage with a performance by Cassius Goens III and the Groove Theory Quartet. A Ball State University professor and jazz drummer, Goens has appeared on 17 professional recordings.

• 12:00 p.m. – DJ iSM blends classic and contemporary hits in a set sure to get the crowd moving.

• 2:00 p.m. – Celebrated author and educator Shonda Buchanan returns to the Eiteljorg to present poetry and read from her new book, The Lost Songs of Nina Simone, followed by a book signing. Buchanan is also the author of Black Indian and other works exploring African American and Native history and identity.

• 3:00 p.m. – Sister Stella leads the SITEAW Drum Circle, an interactive percussion experience promoting empowerment and cultural diversity.

• 4:00 p.m. – The day concludes with a performance by Rob Dixon and Trilogy. A staple of the Indy jazz scene and a veteran of national stages, Dixon has performed with Tony Bennett and the Count Basie Big Band and currently serves as artistic director for Indy Jazz Fest.

  
  

Honoring Freedom and History

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to enforce the emancipation of enslaved people—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. While celebrated for generations in African American communities, Juneteenth became a federally recognized holiday in 2021.

The Eiteljorg Museum honors this pivotal moment in American history by creating a space for celebration, reflection, and community. Whether through jazz, storytelling, or cultural presentations, Juneteenth and Jazz offers a joyful and powerful tribute to freedom.

For more information, visit eiteljorg.org.