Page 5 June 22

www.theaustinvillager.com THE VILLAGER Page 5 ~ June 22, 2012 ENTERTAINMENT Celebrate Your History & Culture Hometown Boy Rocks Hometown Crowd for Juneteenth Houston has grown to be a city full of talent. Back in the day, in some areas many industries had it tougher than others. Music is one of those industries and it was fruitfully developed to be comparable to almost any other industry. In the 1940’s when a young Joseph “Joe” Sample was growing up a good foundation in music education was difficult to attain but it was something that burned his soul. His destiny for the music industry was set when he was just five-years-old when he fell madly in love with the sound of Austin All-Star Band Entertains the 2012 Ninth Annual Alvin Patterson Battl of The Bands. Photos by Angela Wyatt boogie-woogie. His affection for music grew with the sounds of By: Angela Wyatt Louis Armstrong and big bands Villager Reporter of the 1940’s era, and some Juneteenth is the oldest white artists too. He worshipped Joe Sample (front) and Band known African American cel- and admired his older brother for ebration commemorating the his musical abilities. Because he on fire once again in celebration of many years are so proud of end of slavery, and is an an- idolized his brother so, he told of Juneteenth and in a time hon- all his accomplishments and nual observance on June 19 his mother he wanted to take ored tradition by playing at Miller are happy to receive an invi- to remember when Union sol- piano lessons. Grasping the ba- Outdoor Theater for the home- tation to a play at Houston diers enforced the Emancipa- sics of piano play, a young Joe town crowd at the annual Hous- Juneteenth Celebration. tion Proclamation and freed all emerged himself into the study ton Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth is the cel- remaining slaves in Texas on of music under the tutelage of the Some Houstonians can’t ebration of the emancipation June 19, 1865. This day is an renowned Drs. Mayo and wait to hear Sample play again. of slaves. It was on June 19, opportunity for people to cel- Reinhard, Joe Sample is now I. J. Cunningham told the pianist 1865, when months after ebrate freedom and equal one of the legends of the jazz via facebook “I would not miss President Abraham Lincoln rights in the United States. world. it for the world. You have been had declared all slaves free Juneteenth is the time of To love the piano is to my favorite musician for over 30 with the Emancipation Proc- year when folks get together, know and love Joe Sample. He years! See ya Tuesday.” On lamation on September 22, a series of community events has always thought of the piano Junteenth, Sample is expected 1862, that slaves in Texas got are held to celebrate as a safety net when one was play songs from his newest al- the message from Major Gen- Juneteenth. Festivities vary needed in his life that was bum Live (with Steve Gadd, eral Gordon Granger. Offi- from: sporting events, commu- charmed to some and rough to Nicolas Sample with Randy cially becoming a state holiday nity clean up’s, to pot luck others. It is in his safe place that Crawford). Sharing the stage in 1890, Juneteenth is now a outdoor cookout, BBQ’s or he feels most comfortable. He with Sample are Milton Hopkins recognized holiday in over 40 picnics, Neighborhood and readily allows those fans that and Hit City Blues Band and Les U. S. states. block parties, community flag were interested and had a burn- Amis Creole. Celebrate Juneteenth at raising ceremonies, dance ing desire as he did into his place A gift, such as the one the Miller Outdoor Theatre on contest, displays at city hall, li- to share his love of the piano. Sample posses, should never Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at 7pm. braries, school events, presen- The Texas Southern University be squashed. That’s why This is a free and open event to tation of community service alum will keep the torch for jazz Sample and his wife Yolanda the public. awards, parades, give-away and much more. In the United States, slavery began shortly after the first English colonist arrived and lasted until the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect on January 1, 1863 issued by President Abraham Lincoln. On that date Texas was largely controlled by forces fighting for the Confederate States, which opposed the abolition of slavery. On June19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state. In Galveston, Texas the newly freed slaves held large public celebrations and so laid the base for future Juneteenth ac- youth Association (GEAYA) 1930 the first Juneteenth Cel- tivities. The word “juneteenth” consisting of volunteers from ebration was held at Rose- resulted from the words “June Businesses and Nonprofits. In wood Park and 81 years Nineteenth” being slurred to- a great effort and strong dedi- later we are still going strong, gether in speech. cation, as community leaders coming together and honor- After 1865, Juneteenth and activist they work hard to ing our history and making was mainly celebrated in promote, enhance and con- every moment of it count. Texas. Parks have been es- tinue the growth of the Free- The Juneteenth festivi- tablished on land bought by dom Day (Juneteenth) Cel- ties that have taken place former slaves to hold ebration. The G.E.A.Y.A’s mis- Juneteenth celebrations in the are, The Ninth Annual Alvin sion is to create diversity and Texas cities of Austin, Hous- Patterson Battle of The cultural awareness about Af- ton. However, it is now a Bands, held at Nelson rican American history through states holiday or observance Field, June 16, 2012, events, educational programs in more than half of the US Juneteenth Youth Talent and individual projects and states and there is a campaign Show held at Doris Miller keep our youth excited about for Juneteenth to become a Auditorium, Green and national holiday or observance their background and history Clean Neighborhood day throughout the nation. of ancestors. Project, 2k Freedom Run/ Juneteenth celebrations are To insure that celebra- Walk, Historic Parade, and also held in other countries tions will continue, many Afri- Community Program in around the world, including can American communities Rosewood Park. Events to Ghana, Honduras, Japan, Tai- purchase “emancipation follow are The Juneteenth wan and Trinidad and Tobago. ground” and moved the cel- Gospel & Praise and Gos- As you know Austin has ebrations to private property. pel Fest both will take place its very own special Juneteenth Emancipation Park in East at Doris Miller Auditorium, committee, Greater East Austin Austin was such a location. In June 23 and 24, 2012. Home town Heroes.

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