When Hued Songs’ Executive Artistic Director Kunya Rowley first set out to start an arts organization, he wanted to create an arts collective that would produce experiences meant to celebrate and amplify Black joy and creativity. He could never have predicted, however, that he would ultimately develop a show that amplified and empowered Black voices by honoring Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery, and all that the holiday encompasses.
“The Juneteenth Experience is something that we’ve been percolating on creating, honestly, since I started Hued Songs,” said Rowley in an interview. “Then, in 2020, as our world was falling apart and there was all of this civil and racial unrest, I was really paralyzed. I didn’t know what to do but I often say I’m not good at many things, but I’m a good producer and performer. So, I knew that it was the time for us to figure out how to make this celebration happen.”
With that, Hued Songs partnered with the non-profit cultural organization, the Rhythm Foundation, and produced its first Juneteenth Experience which debuted at the Miami Beach Bandshell in 2021. Since then the immersive event, which blends multiple art forms from gospel rhythms and classical melodies performed either vocally or instrumentally to dance and spoken word, has been showcased annually at numerous theaters and performing arts venues throughout Miami.
Previously The Juneteenth Experience had only been performed in Miami, until this year when it was set to make its Fort Lauderdale debut at The Parker on Friday, June 14, which has been a goal of Rowley’s for some time, he said. “We’ve always been a purposely community-centered organization and as artists in residence with the Broward Cultural Division, it was important for us to ensure that we are finding ways to engage with the community in that way,” said Rowley.
“The way that we make sense of the world is through art. So, I think giving audiences access to a diversity of programming that includes this performance, which is unlike anything I’ve seen in Broward, is super critical,” Rowley said in an interview before the Broward performance had to be canceled.
In an email letter, Rowley explained the situation: “Due to excessive rain during a state of emergency in South Florida, The Parker Playhouse has undergone excessive flooding, making it impossible for us to proceed with our performance on Friday, June 14,” he said in the letter.
He also stated that the company had reached out to willing venues such as Sunshine Cathedral and the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), but Rowley said ultimately the “difficult decision” to cancel the Broward performance was made.
Amid the disappointment of the cancellation, however, Hued Songs’ “The Juneteenth Experience” will go on as planned in Miami Beach at The Colony Theatre at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19.
The shows in Broward and Miami Beach were to share the same set up.
A pop-up market before the main event features goods created by local Black artisans and vendors. “I would be remiss if I didn’t take my role within our community and utilize our platform to the fullest extent. So, we felt that if we have this space and people are already coming, this would be the perfect opportunity to lift up Black-owned small businesses,” said Rowley.
Following the pre-show festivities, the first part of the show will include screenings of short films by local filmmakers that delve into themes of Black liberation and belonging. “Folks will come and enjoy a series of short films that we’ve curated because we took a long, hard look at the story that we wanted to tell because music is beautiful but sometimes it requires multiple art forms to be able to fully tell that story,” according to the presenter.
After the short film presentation, Hued Songs will present a 60-minute theatrical performance that combines poetry, dance, and music while paying tribute to Juneteenth’s spirit of liberation and freedom that Rowley hopes will leave a lasting impression on viewers.
“The theme of the performance this year is ‘What does it mean to belong?’ And truly what we need is freedom and liberation but if you don’t feel like you belong, we can’t really be free. So, I hope it makes people reflect on that question for themselves and the community we live in.”
This will mark the fourth year that Hued Songs will be producing The Juneteenth Experience and, with that in mind, Rowley is disappointed they can no longer mark the occasion by bringing this remarkable experience to audiences in Broward but is also thankful for the community’s unwavering support.
“Many folks have asked how we’re doing. Tired? Very. Bummed? Absolutely. But so, so, so grateful. Thank you Broward Center for the Performing Arts for your partnership, to the entire cast, crew, and team of The Juneteenth Experience, our partners who went above and beyond to help us look for solutions, and to everyone who had already purchased a ticket for Fort Lauderdale,” said Rowley.
Rowley said that The Juneteenth Experience will make its way to Broward County next year barring any unforeseen situation.
“Juneteenth is not a new holiday, but I think our awareness of it has shifted and changed. It celebrates a very specific holiday within our country but what it represents is far bigger than that. It’s really about this constant year-long celebration as well as a fight for freedom, liberation, and belonging. That’s why we continue to keep expanding the experience especially with next year being our fifth anniversary and, trust, The Juneteenth Experience can’t happen in Broward this year, but we will be back,” said Rowley.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “Hued Songs: The Juneteenth Experience”
WHERE: The Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
WHEN: 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19
COST: $31.50 and $41.50 for
standard admission, $51.50 for premium admission
INFORMATION: 305.674.1040 or miaminewdrama.org
2024 Juneteenth Events in Broward County
FORT LAUDERDALE
WHAT: Juneteenth: A Celebration
of Freedom
WHERE: Carter Park, 1450 W.
Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: noon to 4 p.m., Saturday,
June 15
COST: Free
INFORMATION: parks.fortlauderdale.gov
WHAT: Artist’s Roundtable:
Juneteenth Celebration with Niki Lopez
WHERE: NSU Art Museum, 1 E. Las
Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.,
Wednesday, June 19
COST: Free for members, entry
included with museum admission for non-members
INFORMATION: 954.525.5500 or nsuartmuseum.org
POMPANO BEACH
WHAT: 23rd Annual Blues and
Sweet Potato Pie Festival
WHERE: Apollo Park, 1580 NW 3rd
Ave., Pompano Beach
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Saturday, June 15
COST: Free
INFORMATION: pompanobeachfl.gov
DANIA BEACH
WHAT: Dania Beach Juneteenth
Freedom Celebration
WHERE: Frost Park, 300 NE 2nd
St., Dania Beach
WHEN: noon to 5 p.m.,
Saturday, June 15
COST: Free
INFORMATION: daniabeachfl.gov
TAMARAC
WHAT: Juneteenth Freedom
Festival
WHERE: Tamarac Sports Complex,
9901 NW 77th St., Tamarac
WHEN: 7 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 15
COST: Free
INFORMATION: 954.597.3620 or tamarac.org
CORAL SPRINGS
WHAT: Coral Springs Juneteenth
Celebration
WHERE: Coral Springs Center for
the Arts, 2855 Coral Springs Drive, Coral Springs
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday,
June 19
COST: $35 for non-residents, $25
for Coral Springs residents
INFORMATION: coralsprings.gov
