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RVA’s Seasonal Roundup of Arts and Culture

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

VMFA, UR and Charlottesville’s Heritage Center host fall, holiday celebrations

Kasseem Dean (Swiss Beatz) and his wife Alicia Keys previewed their “Giants” exhibition at the VMFA.

“Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beats and Alicia Keys” opened at the VMFA on Nov. 22. Coming from the collection of Swizz Beatz, the stage name of American DJ and record producer Kasseem Dean, and Alicia Keys, the exhibition features over 130 works of art by 40 Black artists from Africa, Europe, the United States and the Caribbean.

Among the “giants” celebrated in this collection are both established and emerging artists and photographers – names such as Derrick Adams, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Amy Sherald, Nick Cave, Titus Kaphar, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Esther Mahlangu, Kwame Brathwaite, Mickalene Thomas and Kehinde Wiley.

Two of the featured artists will also participate in events at the VMFA.

Deborah Roberts is a mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited across the U.S. and Europe. On Thursday, Dec. 4, Roberts will give a talk titled “Practice, Practice, Practice” at 6:30 p.m. in the Cheek Theater. Its focus will be the balance of vulnerability, discipline and creative capital – the emotional, physical and imaginative forces – that shape how an artist creates and sustains a creative life.

Thursday, Dec. 11, Arthur Jafa will be in the Cheek Theater for an artist conversation with Enjoli Moon.

At 6:30 p.m. the following Thursday, Dec. 11, Arthur Jafa will be in the Cheek Theater for an artist conversation with Enjoli Moon.

Moon, who founded the Afrikana Independent Film Festival in 2014, will speak with Jafa about his use of cinematic qualities in his film and media.

For more than three decades, Jafa has created imagery that looks at how the Black experience is contructed and consumed in contemporary culture. His work includes films, paintings, sculptures and installations – included his time-based media installation which will be on view at the VMFA from Dec. 7-14 as part of the museum’s REWIND<<FastForward series. 

Both of these artist events will be available to watch from home with Livestream

Check out the events on the calendar at the University of Richmond

UR Free Theater and Dance will present “The Meeting” in the Alice Jepson Theatre. This 1987 American play, written by Jeff Stetson and directed by Chuck Mike, imagines a meeting between Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in a Harlem hotel during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. An evening performance will take place Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee happening Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. Arrive an hour ahead of each performance to view the exhibition and experience the preshow activity in the Modlin Centre lobby and courtyard. 

As part of the Department of Music Free Concert Series, there will be several musical offerings happening in the Camp Concert Hall that are free and open to the public although advance registration is encouraged.

  • Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.: Wagner and Kong Duo – cellist Christoph Wagner and pianist Joanne Kong will perform the Cello and Piano Sonatas of Frédéric Chopin and Dmitri Shostakovich
  • Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.: Global Sounds – a family friendly event featuring student and community performances of traditional Japanese, West African, Brazilian and Indonesian music
  • Monday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.: Wind Ensemble – featuring classics in the Wind Band Literature, UR’s ensemble will perform a work by Gulda alongside artist-in-residence,  Christoph Wagner
  • Monday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m.: Chamber Ensemble – presenting an evening of music performances by student instrumentalists, vocalists and pianists
  • Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m.: University Symphony Orchestra – performing a varied program of repertoire that will feature cellist Ethan Rodgers-Gates and clarinetist Adam Kasti, winners of the orchestra’s 2025 Concerto Competition

In addition, the Office of the Chaplaincy and the Department of Music will hold the 52nd annual Candlelight Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sun., Dec. 7, 2025, in the Chapel. Two services will be offered – one at 5 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. The University’s Schola Cantorum will present new and familiar Christmas carols and anthems in the tradition of the “Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” that was first held at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England, on Christmas Eve 1918. The services conclude with the lighting of candles by the congregation and the singing of “Silent Night.” Prelude music will begin 20 minutes before each service. 

Tickets are not required, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis until we reach capacity. Doors will open one hour before each service.

For further details about any of these upcoming events at the Modlin Center for the Arts visit https://modlin.richmond.edu/events/index.html

Celebrate with the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center will host a special tribute concert honoring the music of Sade on Saturday, Nov. 22. “40 Years of Promise: A Celebration of the Music of Sade” will feature Ivan Orr & Friends performing favorites from Sade’s catalog.

This is a ticketed event with VIP and general admission seating available. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the VIP experience which includes food, drinks and preferred seating. General admission entry begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the link above.

JSAAHC will also host its annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 – 4 p.m.

RSVP at the link above for a free family afternoon featuring holiday music, professional photos with Black Santa and hands-on kids’ crafts, including making Mkeka mats and cookie decorating. Have some hot chocolate and apple cider, or enjoy the bites, beverages, sweet treats and wine tasting hosted by Black Women Who Wine.

Kwanzaa libation begins at 2 p.m., followed by music by the Ebenezer Baptist Church Choir. Professional photos with Black Santa and kids’ crafts will be available throughout the event.

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center is located at the Jefferson School City Center, 233 4th St. NW, Charlottesville.

The Joy of “Southern” Cooking

/ Bonnie Newman Davis
Author and culinary historian Michael Twitty and Dr. Leni Sorensen at the Library of Virginia.

Homemade mayo, the art of making potato salad, canned potatoes, collard greens and Hoppin’ John. What an excellent program on Oct. 28 that featured a conversation between culinary historian Leni Sorensen and award-winning author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty on Twitty’s new book, “Recipes From the American South.” The crowd-pleasing discussion followed the foundation of Twitty’s James Beard Award–winning memoir, “The Cooking Gene.”

Twitty and Sorensen discussed their shared interest in food traditions, family stories, and the importance of passing down culinary knowledge.

Twitty emphasized the significance of self-reliance, gardening, and preserving food traditions for future generations.

“So, you know, both of my grandmothers were very different people. One was from Alabama, and one was from Prince Edward County, Virginia,” Twitty said. 
”One was tobacco farmer, and the other one was two generations removed from a cotton field. . And both of them kind of had the same idea. First it was ‘know how to do everything you can do for yourself.'” 


Twitty noted that many Black people adhered to that mantra of self reliance largely due to Jim Crow laws and the Great Depression. While his grandparents could not depend on the legal system to protect them from Jim Crow, they did have themselves and the ability to help others in their communities by sharing food that often came from their gardens.

On the subject of mayonnaise and canned potatoes, Sorensen, a former meat farmer in South Dakota who moved to Virginia in the 1980s, said she has made her own mayonnaise for decades. She also started canning potatoes so as not to waste any of the leftover vegetable after making potato salad and/or baked potatoes, she said.

The conversation also touched on regional food differences, the importance of community gardening, and the need to connect with others who share a passion for food and tradition.

Great job, Library of Virginia! More, please.

Bryant Terry’s VCU Libraries fall lecture offers “Food For All”

/ Bonnie Newman Davis
Bryant Terry Photo by Jay Paul

VCU Libraries’ fall lecture, “Food for All” on Oct. 15 with Bryant Terry was a thrilling culinary journey! Bryant, a James Beard Award-winning chef, served up a delectable blend of food, culture, Black history, art, humor, and music. His new book, “Black Food,” promises a flavorful exploration of stories, art, and recipes from the African Diaspora. Huge thanks to Irene Herold, Teresa Knott, Antonia Vassar, Kelly Gotschalk, and Sue Robinson for organizing this thought-provoking lecture. Learn more about Bryant’s lecture below.

2025 Fall Lecture puts activism, art and food justice center stage

By Frances Burson

VCU Libraries’ annual Fall Lecture, Food For All, held Oct. 15, featured chef, author and artist Bryant Terry. Terry took us on a journey through his 25-year multidisciplinary career, blending food justice, publishing, art and activism—all rooted in deep values of interconnection, social justice and community engagement. He shared how his recent MFA from UC Berkeley helped integrate his diverse work into a cohesive studio practice, allowing him to experiment across mediums such as sculpture, sound and mixed media.

His work is deeply influenced by Zen Buddhism, cultural memory and movements like the Black Panther Party, which he referenced as foundational to his food justice activism. Terry shared in detail how projects like Razed Bed #2 and The Table and the Larder transform everyday materials and traditional food practices into living works of art that honor Black resilience and history. 

The talk concluded with a “Recipe for Staying Curious,” a poetic and reflective framework that likened creativity to cooking, requiring preparation, risk, care and improvisation. It was a call to stay open, ask hard questions, and let both failure and joy shape the work. 

At a lunch with public health students and librarians earlier in the day, Terry explored the challenges of eating local, sustainably raised food, retaining food culture after immigration, the global infiltration of highly processed foods, and the impact of food on aging, health, and disease management.

Terry is the author of five cookbooks, including Vegetable Kingdom and Afro-Vegan, and editor of Black Food and The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2025. From 2015 to 2022, he served as the inaugural Chef-in-Residence at San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora, curating dynamic programming connecting food, health, farming, and art. Most recently, he completed an MFA in Art Practice at the University of California at Berkeley in 2025 and was awarded a prestigious Graduate Fellowship at Headlands Center for the Arts for 2025–2026. 

Weinstein Author Series – Michael W. Twitty | Recipes From the American South

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Courtesy, Library of Virginia

Join us for a conversation between culinary historian Leni Sorensen and award-winning author and culinary historian Michael W. Twitty on Twitty’s new book, “Recipes From the American South.” Building on the foundation of his James Beard Award–winning memoir, “The Cooking Gene,” Twitty once again brings his unparalleled scholarship, lived experience and eloquent storytelling to his exploration of the South. He showcases the complexity of the food traditions influenced by European, Indigenous, African and immigrant communities. With more than 260 recipes, Twitty offers a broad view of the culinary sweep of Southern history and its many cultures, bringing to life everything from timeless classics to lesser-known regional specialties. “Recipes From the American South” celebrates Southern food’s memory keepers and practitioners.

Leni Sorensen has worked as a university lecturer, museum consultant, hands-on presenter and researcher with a focus on African American slavery, American agriculture, and women’s work in colonial and post-colonial America. She retired as the African American research historian at Monticello, and continues to lecture, consult and write on issues of food history while teaching home provisioning and rural life skills from her home in western Albemarle County. 

REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

The Carole Weinstein Author Series supports the literary arts by bringing both new and well-known authors to the Library of Virginia through online or in-person events. Free and open to the public, the series focuses on Virginia authors and Virginia subjects across all genres.

A book signing will follow the talk. This book will be available at the Virginia Shop.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Seating in the Lecture Hall is available on a first come, first served basis. Limited free parking is available in the deck underneath the Library building. For more information, contact education@lva.virginia.gov.Calendar: LVA EventsDate:Tuesday, October 28, 2025 Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm; Location:Lecture HallAudience:

Food Network Star Aarti Sequeira at Monticello in November

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Chef Sequeira appearance is the latest in ongoing Culinary Diplomacy series at Monticello. 
 

Courtesy Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is pleased to announce Food Network star, cookbook author, journalist, and television producer Aarti Sequeira as the next featured chef in the historic site’s Culinary Diplomacy at Monticello series. Presented in partnership with The Culinary Diplomacy Project, this ongoing series features prominent chefs, culinary experts, and historians exploring the intersection of food, history, and culture.  

Inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s legendary dinners renowned for their cuisine and conversation, this series shares how food has been—and continues to be—a bridge for cultural understanding and communication.  

“Thomas Jefferson understood that breaking bread is what connects us,” said Dr. Jane Kamensky, president and CEO of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. “With our Culinary Diplomacy at Monticello series, we hope to continue this tradition of using food as a tool to facilitate the exchange of ideas, passions, and hopes for our shared future.” 

Guests can participate in two ways. On November 13, join Chef Sequeira for a Culinary Conversation at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center at Monticello.This program will feature Chef Sequeira discussing Jefferson-era recipes and her own global culinary experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a dish designed by Sequeira that draws inspiration from the event’s theme. Tickets available here. 

On November 14, guests are invited to On the Menu, an unforgettable evening of dinner and discussion featuring a three-course meal meticulously crafted by Chef Sequeira that will include Monticello-grown ingredients. This intimate dining experience offers a rare opportunity to explore history through food, all while enjoying breathtaking views from Montalto, Jefferson’s high mountain. A small group experience including pre-reception with Chef Sequeira and a signed copy of “Dining at Monticello” is also available. Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

About Chef Sequeira 

Aarti Sequeira, cooking show host, cookbook author, journalist, television producer and food personality likes to joke that her love of food began in the womb (she was a 10-pound baby) and shows no sign of abating. 

Aarti is a mainstay on Food Network after winning season six of Food Network Star with her trademark combination of an infectious cackle and a unique signature food style: American favorites with an Indian soul. 

In addition to hosting her own shows, “Aarti Party” and the travel show, “Hidden Eats,” she also serves as judge on hit shows like “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Cooks vs. Cons,” and “Christmas Cookie Challenge.” She also cooks alongside some of the best chefs in the country on the new show, “Guy’s Ranch Kitchen.” She co-hosted “Drop 5 Lbs” and has made numerous talking-head appearances on “Best Thing I Ever Ate,” “Best Thing I Ever Made,” and “Unique Eats” on Cooking Channel. A seasoned competitor (or glutton for punishment!), she also won “Chopped All-Stars,” “Cutthroat Kitchen All-Stars,” and “Guy’s Grocery Games.” Off-network, she has been a colorful, memorable repeat-guest on “Today” show, CBS’ “The Talk,” “Home and Family” (Hallmark Channel), and “Dr. Oz.” She also penned a nationally syndicated column for the Associated Press entitled “World’s Fare” in which she taught readers how to use ingredients in the international aisle in simple, weeknight dishes. A gifted writer, Aarti published her first cookbook, “Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul” in 2014 (Grand Central). 

Aarti is an ardent advocate for women battling postpartum depression, having overcome her own battle with it following the births of her two daughters, Eliyah and Moses. A passionate Christian, she also speaks to women of faith about overcoming fear and the sacred nature of breaking bread. She lives in Los Angeles with her children and husband, actor Brendan McNamara.  

Born in India, brought up in Dubai and educated in a British school, Aarti grew up against a varied tapestry of food cultures…from the homemade curries and flatbreads of her mother to the spit-roasted shawarmas her family would enjoy every Friday. It was during the first Gulf War that Aarti decided to pursue a career in journalism, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree at Northwestern’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism. She went on to work for CNN straight out of school, covering everything from economic reports to the plight of firefighters after 9/11. She also produced “Sand and Sorrow,” the HBO documentary about the genocide in Darfur, narrated by George Clooney and directed by Peabody Award-winner, Paul Freedman. After staging under James Beard Award-winner Suzanne Goin at Lucques, Aarti began shooting a YouTube cooking-variety show, “Aarti Paarti,” with her husband behind the camera. At the behest of said spouse, she sent an audition video to Food Network Star, and was immediately called in. The rest is history!  

Culinary Diplomacy images and assets available for download here. 

****** 

About The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello 

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation was incorporated in 1923 to preserve Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Today, the foundation seeks to bring history forward into national and global dialogues by engaging audiences with Jefferson’s world and ideas and inviting them to experience the power of place at Monticello and on its website. Monticello is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, a United Nations World Heritage Site and a Site of Conscience. As a private, nonprofit organization, the foundation’s regular operating budget does not receive ongoing government support to fund its twofold mission of preservation and education. For information, visit monticello.org. 

The  Maupintown Film Festival returns September 5-7, 2025

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Courtesy of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center

The 12th Annual Maupintown Film Festival, in partnership with Charlottesville’s historic Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, returns September 5-7, 2025, with a powerful lineup of films that celebrate the bold resistance and enduring beauty of Black history and culture.

The festival began in 2014, and focuses on showcasing stories from around the world of African American history and culture with feature films, shorts, documentaries, animated films, and discussions with filmmakers as well as experts and community members on topics that are of interest and/or concern of the day.

This year’s Maupintown Film Festival, themed Bold & Beautiful, showcases compelling films that highlight the Black community’s long tradition of resistance against injustice—fighting back against segregation, police brutality, and systemic inequality—while holding fast to an unshakable sense of pride and cultural identity. Over three days, audiences will experience inspiring stories, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and connect with filmmakers and community leaders. Don’t miss this celebration of resilience, power, and the beauty of Black storytelling!

The festival has hosted guests including Actor/Filmmaker Tim Reid, Academy Award-winning Director Paul Wagner, Former Charlottesville City Mayor Nikuyah Walker, Emmy Award-winning Filmmakers Hannah Ayers and Lance Warren, Actress/Filmmaker Karyn Parsons, local area historians, community leaders, and more.

For a Full Festival Line-up, Check out the Maupintown Website Here.

Submit a film for consideration.

Get your tickets early and take advantage of the early bird discount.

1-Day Pass $15

2-Day Pass $20

Film Festival Opening Show /Last Show Times

Friday 9/5            Opening Reception Ticket﹣Free with ticket purchase

6:00 pm                         Cocktail reception

7:30 pm                          An Extraordinary Life (16-minute short film)

7:45 pm                          Q&A with Filmmaker and Actress Lisa Arrindell

Saturday 9/6       Show times: 8:00 am–6:00 pm

First Film Starts                8:00 am–8:45 am       Saturday Cartoons and conversation with the Director/Filmmaker, Warn Wilson

Last Event  Starts              5:00 pm                         Edward Ayers | Meeting the Moment—America @250 and Our Shared American Visions

Sunday 9/7           Show times: 12:00 pm–6:00 pm

First Film Starts                12:00 pm                         Count it up | The Prolyfyck Sole Systaz take on The Detroit Marathon

Last Event Starts               5:35 pm                           Finding Edna Lewis

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Courtesy Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Courtesy Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys is coming to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Nov. 22, 2025-March 1, 2026. The exhibition from the collection of musical and cultural icons Swizz Beatz (Kassem Dean) and Alicia Keys is expansive and features over 130 works of art by 40 Black artists from Africa, Europe, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Among the artists featured are Derrick Adams, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kwame Brathwaite, Nick Cave, Barkley Hendricks, Arthur Jafa, Titus Kaphar, Esther Mahlangu, Meleko Mokgosi, Odili Donald Odita, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Gordon Parks, Ebony G. Patterson, Deborah Roberts, Jamel Shabazz, Amy Sherald, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley.

These celebrated “giants” are expanding the art canon of greats in a big, bold way. They include legendary photographers, iconic contemporary artists, as well as emerging artists. And among the art on view are monumental works that tower in scale and thought. Giants is also a nod to the collectors’ passion for lifting up the human spirit:

“We need to be our most giant selves: to think our most giant thoughts, express ourselves in the biggest way possible, and give ourselves permission to be giants.”
—Alicia Keys

As artists who strive to support other artists and collect from the heart, Keys and Beatz are guided by an outward intention that regards their family of acquired works as “by the artist, for the artist, with the people.”

Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys is organized by Kimberli Gant, Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, and Indira A. Abiskaroon, Curatorial Assistant, Modern and Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum. The coordinating curator at VMFA is Valerie Cassel Oliver, the Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.

The exhibition is organized by the Brooklyn Museum.

When/Where

November 22, 2025 — March 1, 2026

Altria Group Gallery, NewMarket GalleryTickets

Presale for VMFA Members
Available beginning August 24. Not a member? Join now to take advantage of the exclusive presale and see all ticketed exhibitions for free.

Get Presale Tickets

General Public Tickets
Available beginning September 8.

Jazz up your weekend with hot sounds and cool vibes

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Richmonders and fans from afar can expect a weekend awash in jazz, soul and R&B delivered by a mix of music icons and rising stars when the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival returns to Maymont Park on Aug. 9-10.

Aloe Blacc
Ceelo Green
Dru Hill
Jodeci
Kemi Adegorove
Mindi Abair
Muni Long
TI

Dominion Energy is again the presenting sponsor of the festival which has been bringing big names and newcomers alike to perform in Richmond since its inception in 2010.  This year’s lineup will feature numerous Grammy award-winning and chart-topping artists such as T.I., CeeLo Green, Jodeci, Muni Long, Aloe Blacc, Dru Hill, Masego, Marsha Ambrosius, Hot Like Mars, Norman Brown, Charles Owens, Kirk Walum & Mindi Abair, October London, Raheem DeVaughn, Alexander Mack, and many more.

To mark the official start of the Richmond Jazz and Music Festival, regional jazz artists including D.C. metro area singer/songwriter Kemi Adegoroye will take the stage for “Homegrown at the Hipp” at Jackson Ward’s celebrated Hippodrome Theater on Friday, Aug. 8.

In the lead up, the festival will also host “Straight No Chaser” events at various RVA locations. These downtown jazz performances and jam sessions are free and open to the public.

Aug. 6: Clavin Brown & Sam Reed at Bar Solita; Weldon Hill at Tarrants; Chet Frierson at Black Olive; Charles Owens Trio at the Marriott; Dominion Energy Jazz Café at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Aug. 7: John D’earth & Friends at Common House

The festival is rain or shine and attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. It should also be noted that transactions at this year’s festival will be cashless. Major credit and debit cards will be accepted with service charges applying to all orders. For more information or tickets visit https://richmondjazzandmusicfestival.com

House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History

/ Bonnie Newman Davis
Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church, pictured on the left, during the construction of I-95 in 1957. Courtesy Library of Virginia.—-Courtesy of Virginia Humanities

On display July 14, 2025 through Feb. 28, 2026

The Library of Virginia’s free exhibition on the history of Richmond’s Jackson Ward neighborhood, House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History, will explore the historic district that was once the center of Richmond’s Black community through the lens of the Skipwith-Roper family.

Using a combination of archival records, maps and photographs from the Library’s collection, the exhibition covers a period from 1767 through the 1950s, when eminent domain displaced many residents and businesses of Jackson Ward for the construction of the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike.
 
The exhibition is presented in partnership with The JXN Project (JXN), a historic preservation nonprofit organization dedicated to capturing the pivotal role of the ward in the Black American experience as one of the country’s first historically registered Black urban neighborhoods. 

This project was supported in part by a grant from Virginia Humanities.

Opening Celebration for House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History

Celebrate the opening of a new exhibition from the Library of Virginia and The JXN Project titled “House to Highway: Reclaiming a Community History.” The exhibition explores the story of Abraham Peyton Skipwith, the first Black homeowner in the area that would be known as Jackson Ward after the Civil War, and the subsequent removal of his house in advance of the construction of the Richmond–Petersburg Turnpike. This history anchors a larger national story of Black American experience from the founding of the nation through the Jim Crow era. 

The opening celebration features information booths from community partners, guided tours of the exhibition and a panel discussion with the exhibition team on the origins of The JXN Project and the exhibition, the historical importance of Jackson Ward, the legacies of the destruction of Jackson Ward and the future of The JXN Project. 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

  • 4:00 p.m. | Guided Exhibition Tours & Information Booths
  • 5:45 p.m. | Welcome & Partners’ Remarks
  • 6:15–7:15 p.m. | Panel Discussion with The JXN Project co-founder Dr. Sesha Joi Moon; Dr. Gregg D. Kimball, former director of the Library’s Public Services & Outreach division and senior consulting historian for the Shockoe Institute; Barbara Batson, exhibitions coordinator; Catherine Fitzgerald Wyatt, education and outreach manager; and Ashley Ramey Craig, community engagement & partnerships specialist 


This is a free event. Seating in the Lecture Hall is available on a first come, first served basis. Limited free parking is available underneath the Library at 800 East Broad Street. For more information, contact education@lva.virginia.govCalendar:

Celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton

/ Bonnie Newman Davis

Courtesy: Visit Hampton, Virginia

Juneteenth holds special meaning in Hampton, Virginia. This city is not only where the first Africans in English North America arrived in 1619—it’s also where Fort Monroe earned the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress” during the Civil War because it served as a refuge for thousands of enslaved people fleeing the Confederacy, and where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the South, beneath the legendary Emancipation Oak at Hampton University.

With such powerful ties to African American history, Hampton is the perfect place to honor Juneteenth. From engaging museum exhibits to meaningful community events, there are many ways to reflect, celebrate, and learn. Here’s how you can take part in this year’s Juneteenth commemorations in Hampton:

June 14 from 11 AM – 2 PM | 📍 Outlook Beach at Fort Monroe | FREE

Remembrance is a spiritual ceremony honoring the millions of African men, women, and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The day’s events will include an annual Ceremonial Remembrance Walk around the Tree of Remembrance, a procession to the water, poetry, drumming and traditional songs and theatrical performances. At 12:00 noon an International Libation will be orchestrated by Baba Orimalade Ogunjimi of Ile Nago and will occur simultaneously internationally.

A Juneteenth Pageant – The Play

June 14 at 3 & 7:30 PM | 📍 The American Theatre

An Evening of History, Music, Laughter, and Secrets! This moving, often humorous, and memorable experience illuminates the origins and meaning of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. You will laugh and you may cry; most of all you will be enlightened to the true meaning of Juneteenth, also known as ‘Freedom Day!’  

Written and Directed by Marie St. Clair. Presented by the Hampton History Museum Association and Hampton Arts. Tickets are anticipated to sell out.

4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration- Peninsula

June 15 from 11:30 AM – 7 PM | 📍 Mill Point Park in Downtown Hampton | FREE

Celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton with a day of powerful reflection and joyful celebration! This annual event features live music, cultural performances, Black-owned vendors, food trucks, historical presentations, and family-friendly activities — all honoring the legacy of freedom and African American resilience. Don’t miss this vibrant community gathering!

The Soulful Tenors Former member of the Delfonics Joe BranchFormer members of Blue Magic-Fernando “Maurice” Kee and Robert “Buddy” Williamswill be thd Grand Finale!

Also, Phoebus HS basketball star and ” the Voice” contestant who chose John Legend ,Brian Darden II BDii will perform @the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration Sunday June 15th @Millpoint park in Hampton.

Juneteenth Beach Party

June 19 from 12-5 PM | 📍 Paradise Ocean Club | FREE

Celebrate culture, community, and summer vibes at this vibrant event hosted by the Virginia Black Film Festival. 

Featuring: Live Performance by 5 Starr; A collective of musicians, Chris Whitaker, Curdarius Swain, Jonathan Frazier, and Robert Wilkins, unite to create an exceptional experience for listeners. One can expect nothing less than a 5-star sound!

Sign the online guest list and receive a free gift at the party!

Road to Freedom Tour at Fort Monroe

June 19 | 📍 Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center | FREE

Celebrate Juneteenth with a free guided tour on Thursday, June 19, at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m., leading up to the Juneteenth Concert in Continental Park.

The 45-minute tour begins at the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center (30 Ingalls Road), includes indoor and outdoor stops, and highlights the historic journey of freedom seekers. No registration required.

Juneteenth Concert

June 19 from 6 – 8 PM | 📍 Continental Park in Fort Monroe | FREE

Join us for the Juneteenth Concert on Thursday, June 19th, from 6–8 PM at Continental Park in Fort Monroe (4 Fenwick Road, Hampton, VA). Enjoy an evening of live performances, cultural celebration, and community spirit — free admission for all!

Featuring:

  • Violin Performance by Melanie The Violinist
  • Drum & Dance Performance by The Day Program
  • Hip Hop Performance by Night Train357
  • Blues Performance by Bobby Blackhat

The Virginia Black Film Festival

June 20 – 22 | 📍 American Theatre

Celebrate Black stories through film, culture, and community at this multi-day festival in Hampton, VA. Featuring screenings, panels, red carpet events, and live experiences across Fort Monroe and Hampton University, the festival draws creatives, film lovers, and families alike.

Film Screenings – see a list of films here. For film schedule, go to VirginiaBlackFilmFestival.com/tickets and scroll all the way down. Click the white button that says “Screening Schedule.” Tickets are sold by Screening Block #s. Screening Blocks 1-4 are held at the American Theatre. Screening Blocks 5-10 will be at Ogden Hall at Hampton University. Weekend & Day Passes are also available.

Sessions by accomplished guest Speakers sold separately. See Tickets page for more info.

Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

June 21 & 22 | 📍 American Theatre | FREE

The Hampton Roads Black Business Expo is one component of the Virginia Black Film Festival. This entire event will be the place to celebrate Juneteenth in Hampton Roads and Buy Black, by supporting Black Businesses and Black Filmmakers!

The Black Business Expo will take place Saturday and Sunday (June 21-22nd) inside the American Theatre 125 E. Mellen Street, Hampton, VA 23663, co-located with the movie screenings and panels of the film festival.

Plan Your Trip: Juneteenth Trip Itinerary 2025

Jump to: June 14 | June 15 | June 16 – 18 | June 19 | June 20 | June 21 | June 22

Tip: Get the Hampton Black History Sites Pass. Access is free & the link is texted to your phone. In the below itinerary, the 📲 icon notes locations you can check-into on your pass!

Saturday, June 14

11 AM: Sankofa’s 14th Annual Remembrance Ceremony

Attire: White or Traditional African garb. Beach-appropriate shoes. What to Bring: Fresh flowers for the Ancestral Offering. Beach chairs, blankets, and other beach paraphernalia. Bring your DRUMS and other music makers to celebrate these Ancestors and this culture!

Lunch: After the ceremony, grab lunch nearby at Firehouse Coffee 1881, Paradise Ocean Club, or The Deadrise – all of which have outdoor seating!

Daytime: Then, make your way to the Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center 📲 and enjoy the AC as you browse the history exhibits. Before leaving, ask the staff about free tickets to the Casemate Museum and/or directions to the First Africans in Virginia Marker 📲.

Enjoy roaming around Fort Monroe – a popular area for casual exploring. History lovers might pack your headphones and listen to the cell phone tour as you venture, or you might just enjoy the view as you walk along the Seawall Trail. If you packed your beach gear, you might prefer return to Outlook Beach for some sunny rest & relaxation.

Dinner: Grab dinner at a Black-Owned restaurant or your fave vacation spot.

3 or 7:30 PM: A Juneteenth Pageant – The Play (Reminder: tickets are expected to sell out in advance!)

Sunday, June 15

11:30 AM – 7 PM: 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration- Peninsula

Lunch & Dinner: Don’t miss out on the all-day live entertainment at the celebration with tasty options from the food trucks that will be nearby or choose from one of the restaurants in Downtown Hampton.

Daytime: Take a break from the festivities and check the Hampton History Museum 📲 off your list. Located just a few blocks away from Mill Point Park, the exhibits here showcase the important contributions of African Americans to Hampton’s history.

June 16 – 18

Plan your day around the sites on the Hampton Black History Sites Pass that aren’t adjacent to the Juneteenth events:

Or by area:

Thursday, June 19

Breakfast: Sleep in & enjoy a leisurely breakfast as before a day jam-packed with fun & celebration. Enjoy relaxing waterfront views at Copper Barley inside The Landing Hotel, savor beignets from Mango Mangeaux at Simply Panache Place, or stay at the Black-Owned Magnolia House Inn, a charming bed & breakfast.

Lunch: Paradise Ocean Club

12 – 5 PM: Juneteenth Beach Party at Paradise Ocean Club

Bring Your Own… nothing, really. Paradise Ocean Club is a one-stop relaxation & event destination offering a private beach, tiki bar, full-service restaurant, & more!

1, 3, or 5 PM: Road to Freedom Tour at Fort Monroe

6-8 PM: Juneteenth Concert at Continental Park in Fort Monroe

Bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on and enjoy an evening of live performances, cultural celebration, and community spirit by the scenic Chesapeake Bay.

Dinner: The Deadrise restaurant in Fort Monroe closes at 9 PM or you can plan to try a new place in Phoebus, which is just across the bridge as you’re leaving.

Friday, June 20

10 AM – 10 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival at Ogden Hall, Hampton University

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. Note: When visiting Hampton University, you’ll need to drive through the main gate to obtain a visitors parking pass.

Lunch: To stay on campus, you can eat at the dining hall – an impressive two-story atrium along the waterfront – or take a quick drive to nearby Palm Tree Caribbean for authentic Caribbean & Western food. Next door there’s also Palm Tree Vegan & Juice Bar with delicious plant-based meals even non-vegans enjoy.

Daytime ideas on the Hampton University campus:

black mother and son read history sign at emancipation oak at hampton university
  • Take a break & stretch your legs with a walk over to the Hampton University Museum (open weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM). Step inside the oldest African American museum in the U.S. and explore one of the most impressive multicultural art collections in America!
  • Visit the Emancipation Oak 📲 – the site of the first public Southern reading of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. With limbs sprawling over a hundred feet in diameter, the Emancipation oak is designated as one of the 10 Great Trees of the World by the National Geographic Society.
  • Bring your headphones & listen to the Cell Phone Tour for Hampton University, one of the country’s most prestigious HBCUs. The tour starts at the Armstrong Lincoln Memorial, but since it loops, you can jump to which ever stop is nearby – including the Hampton University Museum or Emancipation Oak.

Dinner: Dine where the locals do at nearby favorites like STUFT (Mexican-inspired street food), Skrimp Shack, or Mama Rosa’s Italian Family Restaurant.

8 PM: That 90’s Rave – Hear the biggest tracks of the 90s plus remixes from the pre Y2K era at The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery. Tickets

Saturday, June 21

10 AM – 5 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival & Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. In between showings, visit the Black Business Expo being held in conjunction with the film festival.

Note: If attending at Hampton University, you’ll need to drive through the main gate to obtain a visitors parking pass.

Lunch

  • if at Hampton University you might take the opportunity to eat at the campus dining hall – an impressive two-story atrium along the waterfront.
  • if at The American Theatre in Phoebus there are several options within walking distance. Fuller’s Raw Bar is a must for oyster lovers or Black-Owned Native Soul Bar offers vegan meals to-go

5-8 PM: Block Party Unplugged

Head to Downtown Hampton, where a section of Queens Way serves as an outdoor ‘streatery’ for several nearby restaurants. Today happens to overlap with Block Party Unplugged, so come sip, sway, & stay awhile under the summer sky!

Dinner: Downtown

Sunday, June 22

10 AM – 4:30 PM: Virginia Black Film Festival & Hampton Roads Black Business Expo

Check the schedule to see which films/screening blocks or speakers you want to plan your day around. In between showings, visit the Black Business Expo being held in conjunction with the film festival.

Lunch: You won’t want to miss brunch at Mango Manguaux in Phoebus, whose menu features French, Creole and Neo-Soul cuisine.