NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY
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The Guelph Black Heritage Society is hosting their inaugural Emancipation Day Jamboree in the downtown core with support from the Downtown Guelph Business Association (DGBA) on Sunday Aug. 1, 2021.
The GBHS celebrates Emancipation Day, to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent. In 2008, Ontario officially declared August 1st Emancipation Day in the province. This year, the Government of Canada voted unanimously to designate August 1st as Emancipation Day across Canada. We take this time to reflect on the devastations that preceded us and celebrate the courage that allowed following generations to embrace a freedom that many others could only dream.
Come celebrate with us and enjoy dancing, live music, spoken word and cultural foods! The event will be held at the Heritage Hall at 83 Essex Street, Guelph. The Jamboree will start at 3 p.m. and will go to approximately 6 p.m. Suggested donation of $10 per person.
Raising the Pan-African Flag
The event will begin with the raising of the Pan-African flag. The Pan-African flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of (from top down) red, black and green and it is a symbol of Black liberation. Red is the colour of the blood that is shed for our redemption and liberty; black is the colour of the noble and distinguished race to which we belong; green is the colour of the luxuriant vegetation of our Motherland.
Learn Caribbean Dance Movements – Soca with Kween
Soca with Kween celebrates Caribbean and African Culture combining soca, dancehall, and afro music to help get your body moving. This is a fast-moving, fun-cardio, “spiritual” time to trace traditional dancehall steps bringing it into modern day soca while learning rhythmic moves. Bring your runners and YOUR RAG (a small rag or flag, nothing larger than a cloth napkin) and get ready to dance!
Learn about Emancipation Day and Enjoy a Spoken Word Performance by Don Mahleka
Dance to the music of DJ Ess
Try a taste of the Caribbean with food from Big Jerk Smoke House.
Pre-Order a meal from Big Jerk.
- The menu will include: Jerk Chicken - comes with rice & peas, coleslaw and hot vegetable - $20
- Curry Chicken Roti Wrap – comes with rice & peas, coleslaw and hot vegetable - $20
- Vegan Curry Chickpeas - comes with rice & peas, coleslaw and hot vegetable - $20
Items must be ordered in advance and will be available at the following link until July 29, 2021: https://my-site-gbhs.square.site/
Cool down with ice pops and beverages from Laza Food & Beverage
Safety Guidelines that must be followed to attend the Emancipation Day Jamboree:
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.
- You MUST wear a mask. Please wear one that covers your nose and mouth.
- Maintain physical distancing of two meters from each other.
Proceeds from Emancipation Day Jamboree will go toward the Give a Cup Capital Campaign. The mission of the Give A Cup Campaign is freedom. Free us from our mortgage so that we will be able to allocate additional resources towards our on-going #ChangeStartsNow Education Initiative. The #ChangeStartsNow Education Initiative provides educational programming on Black history and culture as well as relevant resources on diversity, discrimination and anti-racism.
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