On Saturday, June 19, the African American Heritage Council hosts its second annual Juneteenth Fish Fry and Open House, and invites the public to preview the recordings documented there by the organization last June. Karen Somerville, artistic director on the project expects to release the compilation, titled, “Our Stories Our Songs” in August. Tim Mc Alee of Northeast, Maryland is the engineer.
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day is historically the first known celebration to the ending of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation went into effect in January 1863 but enslaved blacks in Galveston, Texas were unaware of their liberation until two years later. When 2000 Union troops arrived with the news on June 19, 1865, the reaction sparked a celebration that continues to honor that memorable day across the nation with gatherings for fish fry’s, barbecues, and activities that commemorate the heritage of African Americans.
Heavy rains threatened to halt festivities at last year’s event but an eager crowd of a few hundred never gave up. By noon, the rains stopped and the sun came out just in time for the Flag Raising. “The people just kept coming, it was something to see, said Irene Moore. I stayed all day too, because I didn’t want to miss a thing.” That was the popular sentiment on the ‘once upon a time’ playground of the 19th century one room ‘colored’ school one year ago to date. Several came to tell a story or to sing a song, as others listened and held out to enjoy the fish and to bare witness to the history-making event. The Story Circle gathering drew 21 settings that day. In addition, 17 live recordings of original and tradition music performed by local musicians and singers.
“The story circle process is a resource for positive social change designed to engage community dialogue by creating an atmosphere where first we learn to listen, and by listening, we learn about ourselves, and each other,” says Somerville. “There is no right or wrong way to tell your own story, but there is a right way to listen to someone else’s. No cross talking in the circle, that is the rule. Simple yet effective, the results can be life changing from one person to the community.” Hope Clark, Alternate ROOTS, Resources for Social Change facilitator welcomed people inside the museum to tell their stories as Somerville directed the music recording inside St. George United Methodist Church on St. James Newtown Road in Worton Point.
Clark brought the concept to the board about two years ago while collaborating on a different project with Somerville. They saw the potential to develop the broader vision of AAHC by merging their common goals and experience. Clark now serves as AAHC board secretary.
AAHC has been collecting oral histories since its inception in 1994, in the production is narrative from interviews conducted prior to this project, supported by a grant from the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area, managing agency Eastern Shore Heritage Inc. (ESHI). Awarded the 2008 Tradition Bearer Award, for her many distinguished contributions to preservation of the heritage and stories of Kent County and the Chesapeake heritage area. Somerville is the first recipient of the honor given by the group.
The music has been adapted to soundtrack and several pieces will run as single tracks on the release Somerville, explains. “They are heart-warming, beautiful, and masterly told stories by ordinary people with extraordinary courage; backed up by soundtrack created from the equally prolific artistry of local singers and musicians. In the process of editing, I have listened to these recordings numerous times in the past year, she continues. They are with me in a deep sense, much more than just words like a book you read for entertainment, or a story you hear and partly forget before you can retell it. I know the timbre of their voices, the rise and fall through the changes and challenges they encounter. I was not there, but I see them, I see myself there with them, and I am glad to know them.”
In completion, the CD runs about seventy minutes. The public will get a sneak preview of about thirty minutes in excerpts at the Fish Fry and Open House on Saturday. There will be opportunity to reflect upon and to discuss topics as revealed in such titles as; Ode to Watermen, The Singing and Praying Bands, Passing Through, Social Hurdles of Integration, The Long Way Home, and Born Free. A schedule of the day’s activities will list the track titles and screening times. There will be four sessions at different intervals leaving visitors with time to explore the museum, living history presentations, games from the past, and Zumba with Bonnie Tabor-Clark.
Featured storytellers and artists in the screening from Worton are Cheryl Saunders and husband James, with her brother Donald Phillips, Catherine Walker-Somerville, Sombarkin’, Sam Moore and Crossing Over, and The Gospel Inspirations. Mrs. Etel Walraven, Millington; the Chester River String Trio, Pres Harding, Bob and Pam Ortiz, Robert Earl Price from Chestertown, and Andy McCown, Betterton.
The Flag Raising is at 11:00 am. Donned in the USCT uniform to marshal the opening ceremony are Calvin Frazier, distinguished Commander of the Parker-White American Legion Post # 143 and Norvel Thompson, AAHC board member, both from Chestertown. Visitors will gather around for brief history of the occasion, the formal salute, and singing of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. The Pomona Welsh Ponies gracing the historic pride of Kent County for more than 50 years will be a delightful sight, offering rides to visitors in an Amish runabout driven by James Jones of Chestertown.
This is a picnic style, no pets, smoke free environment with plenty of good food and fun for the entire family. Bring your own chairs, blankets, tents, or canopy. Plan to stay all day.
The African American Heritage council is a 501c3 non-profit organization supported by volunteers, in-kind services, private donations, and grants. This event made possible in part with support from the Kent County Arts Council, and Alternate ROOTS, Community/Artist Partnership Program with funding provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
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