Events
Juneteenth
Through its cultural programs the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department (PBCAD) works to celebrate the convergence of art, culture and history all year long. PBCAD has celebrated Juneteenth and Caribbean Heritage Month’s since June 2020 with a range of virtual and in person events ranging from story time and conversations to concerts and performance.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Almost one month before that day, on the 20th of May in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was read on the steps of Knott House (Tallahassee, FL) by Union Brig. Gen. Edward McCook, letting the enslaved peoples in Florida know they had been freed—a full two years after the document was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. Both days have since become a day to celebrate African American freedom, culture, and achievements. Celebrating Juneteenth is a celebration of family, freedom, activism, and resilience.
The City of Pompano Beach invites you to celebrate Juneteenth with us by participating in the following events:
Story Time at the Blanche Ely House Museum
June 1, 2024
11:00 AM
Blanche Ely House Museum
Bring the whole family for a delightful Story Time session featuring tales celebrating African American and Caribbean heritage. This event is perfect for children and adults alike, fostering a love for storytelling and cultural appreciation.
June 12 - June 15, 2024 │Tickets: $15 - $25
Pompano Beach Cultural Center
The Southern Fried Poetry Slam is an annual performing arts festival celebrating poetry, spoken word, and community outreach. Born in 1993 from a sense of family, home-cooked meals, and good ol’ Southern food, Southern Fried Poetry shares the absolute best southern offerings — hospitality, comfort, and tradition. Each June, a city in the Southeastern United States hosts this vibrant festival, one of the largest Spoken Word and Performance Poetry tournaments in the world, showcasing extraordinary writers, orators, and artists who compete for cash prizes and bragging rights to the South.
Amara Chi: Joanne Hampstead's Solo Exhibition
June 14 - July 23, 2024
Opening Reception: June 21, 2024; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Pompano Beach Cultural Center
Explore the works of Joanne Hampstead in her solo exhibition, Amara Chi, at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center. Hampstead's art delves into themes of identity, history, and community, reflecting her Caribbean heritage. The opening reception will provide an opportunity to meet the artist and gain insights into her creative process.
23rd Annual Blues and Sweet Potato Pie Festival
June 15 │11:00 AM
Apollo Park
This day of free family fun, live entertainment, art and history includes performances, activities, exhibits and the legendary pie-tasting contest to crown the community's best sweet potato pie maker. From children's fun to great music and food, the Blues and Sweet Potato Pie Festival offers a good time for all ages.
Good Jeans and Brown Suga: Joshua "Mo" Buron's Photo Exhibition
June 19 - August 24, 2024
Opening Reception: June 26, 2024; 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Ali Cultural Center
Celebrate the vibrant photographic artistry of Joshua "Mo" Buron at the Ali Cultural Center. His exhibition, Good Jeans and Brown Suga, is a collection of photos and poetry brought together to highlight the aesthetic of the black community in denim. This journey through the photographer's eyes and soul captures the essence of 2020, the year it took to create. The opening reception will include a chance to meet Buron and discuss his inspirations and techniques.
June 22 │7:00 PM
Hunters Manor Park
Join us for a Moonlight Movie in the Park featuring " The Color Purple".
June 27, 2024 │ Tickets: FREE │7:00 PM
Ali Cultural Arts Center
Host: Cathleen Dean, Black Cat Media
The Montage Film Series, hosted by Black Cat Media and Cathleen Dean, is an exciting program that unites aspiring filmmakers, industry professionals, film lovers, and the general public. Participants are invited to engage in candid discussions aimed at building a supportive community for emerging filmmakers. The June 27th screening features Hero of 1,000 Faces. The Hero of 1,000 Faces Project seeks to discover what makes a hero as it pertains to black men as they seek inclusion and contribution to a society that might see them otherwise. Hero #14 George Gadson – Artist, will join producer Michael Anderson and Cathleen Dean in conversation following the screening.
Living Room Concert at the Blanche Ely House Museum
June 27, 2024 │ 7:00 PM
Blanche Ely House Museum
Performer: Karina Iglesias
Enjoy an intimate evening of music at the Blanche Ely House Museum's Living Room Concert featuring the talented Karina Iglesias. Known for her soulful voice and captivating performances, Iglesias will provide a memorable musical experience in the Ely’s “living room”. This is a wonderful opportunity to tour the Blanche Ely House Museum, take in the African-American Woman Changemakers exhibition and experience live music in an intimate and history-filled setting.
