The South Fork will see Juneteenth marked this weekend and on the official holiday, which is Monday, at places such as the Southampton African American Museum, LTV, and the Parrish Art Museum.
The Southampton African American Museum will celebrate Juneteenth (marking the emancipation of slaves in America) this weekend with free events such as a keynote address by Charnele Brown, an actress, producer, fashion designer, and singer; a solo by Nah-tarsha Cherry, a gospel singer; live music, a D.J., and a barbecue.
The celebration kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. with a performance by Ms. Cherry, who has hit the top 100 on gospel charts with her singles "Be Alright" and "Yes." A Southampton High School graduate, Ms. Cherry was featured in Gospel USA magazine in 2014 in an article titled "Cherry on Top."
Ms. Brown will follow the performance with a talk on "Why the Southampton African American Museum Is Important to Our Community." Born and raised in East Hampton, Ms. Brown attended SUNY New Paltz, where she studied acting with other notables, including Aida Turturro.
Perhaps best known for her role as Kimberly Reese in the NBC comedy "A Different World," she made her Broadway debut in 1989 as the first American member of the South African musical "Sarafina!" Many other roles followed onstage and on television, and she appeared in the movie "How U Like Me Now?"
The evening will conclude with a set by D.J. Infmatick, who has brought his original mixes, beats, and sound to dance floors along the entire East Coast.
On Saturday, self-guided tours can be taken between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. A discussion on "How Has the World Changed?" will begin at 1, with panelists including Kenneth Browning, an actor who grew up in the Bronx and the Hamptons; Mark Johnson, a Southampton High School graduate who is vice president of community development at Truist Bank; Wendell Brown, a child and teen actor, and Ms. Brown.
Mr. Browning's resume includes "Law & Order," "Dead of Night," and "To Live and Die in Bed-Stuy." He has appeared on stage in many productions, among them August Wilson's "Two Trains Running," Shakespeare's "Othello," and the currently touring production of Layon Gray's "Black Angels Over Tuskegee."
Mr. Brown is known for the film "Up the Academy," as well as several television specials and over 200 commercials.
In his position at Truist, Mr. Johnson has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for education, especially in Black communities. In 1986, as Southampton High's student council co-chairman, he helped create the school's Wall of Distinction, which honors students for their accomplishments. His name is now on that wall.
After the panel discussion, guests will meet Brenda Simmons, the museum's founder. Live music by Certain Moves and a barbecue lunch catered by Heart and Soul will follow until 2:30.
A related event, "Sipping Series: Spirits of Summer," dedicated to celebrating BIPOC artists in the Hamptons, will happen from 2:30 to 6:30. A partnership between Art Soul: Hamptons, Hamptons Hiatus, and the museum, it will include refreshments, a V.I.P. lounge with reserved seating, a gift bag, and more. Tickets are $150 via eventbrite.
On Monday and Tuesday, the African American Museum, along with the Eastville Community Historical Society, will join forces with LTV Studios to celebrate Juneteenth by commemorating Harry Belafonte, starting each day at 5 p.m. with a reception at LTV including music, wine, beer, and snacks.
"Carmen Jones," Otto Preminger's 1954 Golden Globe Award-winning film starring Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, will be shown Monday at 6. "Sing Your Song," a 2011 documentary about Belafonte, who died in April, will be screened on Tuesday at 6. Both programs are free.
Earlier on Monday, which is the official date of the holiday, the historical society and the museum (SAAM) will have a panel discussion at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, starting at 2 p.m. Screenings of two short films focused on the SANS neighborhoods of Sag Harbor will follow.
Moderated by Brenda Simmons, executive director of SAAM, the panel will include Renee Simons, the SANS Sag Harbor president; Georgette Grier-Key, executive director of the historical society, Beverly Granger, an artist and SANS resident, and Sarah Kautz, a consultant for cultural resources and preservation.
The panelists will discuss the films and how SANS -- the communities of Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, Ninevah, and the subdivisions -- have remained a haven for African-American families on the East End for generations.
Tickets are $16, $12 for senior citizens, $10 for members, $5 for students and children.
