Celebrate Juneteenth in Seneca Village

Join the Central Park Conservancy for our 2024 Juneteenth celebration as we honor Seneca Village’s “Spirit of Community.” Through rousing musical presentations, hands-on family-friendly activities, archaeological insights, and opportunities to engage with Conservancy guides at key locations within the landscape, we will relive the traditions of Seneca Village’s residents and celebrate the strong sense of community cultivated by their three churches.

This year’s event is curated by Artistic Director Andromeda Turre. Artwork provided by Daniel Fishel.

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Explore This Year's Lineup

Community Through Music

As a foundational Black American music genre, the blues gave birth to jazz, soul, and rock and roll. Evolving from the folk music of enslaved Africans and spirituals, the blues will be brought to life by three musicians at Summit Rock. Experience the music that Seneca Village residents likely enjoyed—and might still today, had their community endured.

A regular at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brianna Thomas (@breetifullife) is an internationally acclaimed vocalist who has graced the stages of the world’s premier jazz festivals. Winner of New York’s Jazzmobile Vocal Competition, Thomas has performed with legendary musicians Clark Terry, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, and more. Performing a set of spirituals and early blues for Juneteenth, she will draw inspiration from artists like Odetta, Bessie Smith, and Mahalia Jackson.

New York native T.K. Blue (@saxmanblue) brings his expertise as a saxophonist, composer, and master jazz educator to this year’s Juneteenth celebration. Mentored by NEA Jazz Masters like Abdullah Ibrahim, Dr. Randy Weston, Archie Shepp, and Regina Carter, Blue is a national treasure with international collaborations. He’s releasing Planet Bluu on October 25, 2024, and for this event, he will present his take on jazz bebop blues, featuring music from icons like Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane.

Vocalist and songwriter Chinah Blac (@chinahblac) seamlessly blends soul, classical, rock, and hip-hop into her signature sound. She’s collaborated with Grammy-winning artists like The Dave Matthews Band, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hill, Jonas Brothers, and many others and has held the position of vocal director for Erykah Badu’s world tour. As a producer, she assembles top musicians to deliver her masterful sound. Currently touring as a background vocalist for Chaka Khan, Chinah’s talent shines across genres and stages.

Community Through Play

Imagining the games the children of Seneca Village might have played, Kaiser’s Room (@kaisersroom) will present an interactive, multi-sensory theater performance designed for visitors of all abilities. The performance will include an option for audience participation and will also feature a sensory-based activity to deepen engagement.

Community Through Spirit

Seneca Village’s three churches—All Angels’, AME Zion, and the former African Union Church—played a crucial role in fostering a dynamic, close-knit community. Representatives from All Angels’ and AME Zion will be present, along with the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum, which will communicate the legacy of the African Union Church in Seneca Village.

Community Through Art

Participate in a printmaking workshop with the Sugar Hill Children’s Museum (@sugarhillmuseum) to create a mural commemorating Seneca Village’s past and celebrating the future of our city.

Join the Studio Museum in Harlem (@studiomuseum) in an art-making activity inspired by nature and the artwork of Sam Gilliam.

Chat with BIPOC farmers involved with the Corbin Hill Food Project (@corbinhill_foodproject) about their experiences growing fresh food and providing access to the public. Then celebrate history through traditional food sources with special seed paper to plant in your own homes.

Community Through Exploration

Meet Our Guides
Central Park Conservancy guides will be stationed at Tanner’s Spring and Summit Rock to provide information about Seneca Village’s churches, school, and other community institutions and vividly bring history to life

Explore Archaeological Insights
Take part in a “mock dig” to discover objects that were found in the 2011 excavation of the Seneca Village site, guess their purposes, and engage in hands-on exploration of similar items from that time.

Go Deeper with the Institute for the Exploration of Seneca Village
Meet representatives from the Institute, which organized and advanced Seneca Village’s largest archaeological excavation project.