Las Vegas Reminder for June 5th: NATIONAL JUNETEENTH OBSERVANCE FOUNDATION

We hope you are planning to attend the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Jazz, Spoken word & Arts Grassroots Picnic on June 5^th at Sunset Park. National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, Las Vegas has been honored to be selected as the first June 2010 appearance date for Rev. Ronald V. Myers, M.D. in the ongoing campaign to have Juneteenth recognized as a National Day of recognition, similar to Flag Day. To date, 36 states have recognized Juneteenth.

June is Black Music Month

National Juneteenth Observance Foundation is honoring legendary jazz pianist Ghalib Ghallab on this date. National Juneteenth Jazz Artist, pianist and trumpeter, Rev. Ronald V. Myers, Sr., M.D., will perform and advocate for the passage of legislation to establish Juneteenth as a state and national holiday observance in Nevada. The event will feature Las Vegas jazz trumpeter Rick Jones, guitarist Mac Loving, Jr.  Pierre L  Sutton, Jr., chair of the National Juneteenth Poetry Commission, Keith Brantley, host of the West Las Vegas Art Center’s Poet Corner and spoken word artists, Griot Nation.

The National Juneteenth Jazz, Spoken Word & Arts Grassroots Picnic will be held at Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset, Las Vegas, NV, Area C, on Saturday, June 5, 2010. Open to the public, the free event is planned as an evening of family fun with poetry, art and jazz begin at 6:00pm. It is accessible to public transportation, parking, rest rooms and picnic area. Cross streets are Eastern and Sunset, near airport. Parking is by the site.

Juneteenth Jazz
"Juneteenth is a landmark in history, a celebration of freedom and the end of slavery in America. Juneteenth Jazz is dedicated to the preservation of the unique aesthetic expression of freedom through jazz, and the spiritual essence of a people whose lives continue to be the creative catalyst of all America's music. Juneteenth Jazz is dedicated to the innovators of this great music and the economic, cultural and educational development of the historic community that produced America's most intellectually sophisticated musical expression of freedom for all the world to enjoy."

"June is Black Music Month and the month where the "19th of June", Juneteenth Independence Day is celebrated throughout America," states Dr. Myers, Founder & Chairman of the National Association of Juneteenth Jazz Presenters (NAJJP). "I look forward to honoring Ghalib Ghallab through a Juneteenth Jazz music tribute and to advocate for Juneteenth to become a state and national holiday observance in Nevada."

Juneteenth, or the "19th of June

Recognizes June 19, 1865, in Galveston, TX, when Union General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in the Southwest. This was the last major vestige of slavery in the United States following the end of the Civil War. This occurred more than two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Upon the reading of General Order #3 by General Granger, the former slaves celebrated jubilantly, establishing America's second Independence Day Celebration and the oldest African-American holiday observance.

 Dr. Ronald V. Myers, M.D.
Rev. Dr. Myers, is also the Founder & Chairman of the National Juneteenth Christian Leadership Council (NJCLC), host of the annual National Day of Reconciliation and Healing From the Legacy of Enslavement and the National Juneteenth Black Holocaust "Maafa" Memorial Service, is a physician and Baptist medical missionary serving in the poorest geographic area in America, the Mississippi Delta for over 20 years. Rev. Dr. Myers received an honorary doctorate from Phoenix University of Theology in recognition of medical ministry to the poor and racial reconciliation and healing.

For more information on the National Juneteenth Holiday Campaign, visit:          http://njof.org/

Thank You, See You Saturday at Sunset Park. Bring Your Cameras and Upload Pictures to Our Sites, http://juneteenth_lasvegas.webs.com . We are on Facebook. Look for National Juneteenth Observance Foundation and National Juneteenth Observance  Foundation, Las Vegas.

Dee Evans, State Director           
Nevada Juneteenth Committee

National Juneteenth Observance Foundation (NJOF)
702-878-5277  ●  e-mail: mystfaith1@aol.com                

web site: http://juneteenth_lasvegas.webs.com