Juneteenth — now a federal holiday marking June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of emancipation to enslaved people in Texas — anchors a full weekend of events across Jacksonville and the surrounding area. Local celebrations include the JWJ BDay 5K and Block Party at 8 a.m. Friday at James Weldon Johnson Park, Juneteenth in the Park from 6–9 p.m. Friday at Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park, and the Great Melanated Float-Out at 11 a.m. Saturday at William Sheffield Regional Park. The Melanin Market Juneteenth Celebration runs 3–9 p.m. Saturday on A. Philip Randolph Boulevard, while the Ritz Chamber Players present "Free at Last?" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Terry Concert Hall at Jacksonville University, and Ritz Voices with Richard Smallwood takes the Ritz Theatre stage at 8 p.m. Saturday for $38.65.
Music fans have plenty of reasons to head out Friday night. Les Claypool brings a triple bill — Primus, Les Claypool's Frog Brigade, and Claypool Lennon Delirium — to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. Tickets run $63–$97, and earlier tour stops have seen all three acts share the stage simultaneously. Also on Friday, Struggle Jennings (born William Harness, and connected by family to outlaw country icon Waylon Jennings) plays Jack Rabbits at 8 p.m. for $37, mixing hip-hop with country undertones.
Saturday brings a unique film experience to Fernandina Beach: the Amelia Island International Skate & Surf Festival at the Tigre Island Music Room starting at 1 p.m. Eighteen short films on surfing and skateboarding will screen throughout the day alongside live music, with the evening capping off at 8 p.m. with a screening of "El Toro" scored live by Supreme. Tickets are $40–$95.
The weekend's biggest ticketed show may be Rick Ross at the Moran Theater Saturday at 7 p.m. Ross is marking the 20th anniversary of his landmark 2006 debut "Port of Miami" with a 17-city tour, and the Jacksonville stop features the Renaissance Orchestra and the Sainted Trap Choir. Ross is asking attendees to come dressed in formal black-tie attire. Tickets range from $97 to $312.
Event details and additional listings were reported by the Florida Times-Union's Jacksonville.com.
