SummerStage Anywhere, the digital series, is honoring Juneteenth with a day of dance on Friday. Tribute performances will be presented on SummerStage's Instagram channel throughout the day starting at noon, including an excerpt from RudduR Dance's ballet, "WITNESS." It'll finish on SummerStage's YouTube channel at 7pm with a panel discussion, "Reflecting the Times," led by Hope Boykin of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, followed by a tribute performance of Hanging Tree, featuring Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet Dance Theatre, vocalist Marcelle Davies-Lashley, and poet Carl Hancock Rux.
"As a Black woman in America, I am a direct beneficiary of the struggles and battles for justice and I stand on the shoulders of those who fought and continue to fight for my freedom," said Danni Gee, Dance Curator and Music Programming Associate for SummerStage. "I am honored to be able to celebrate this important anniversary of Juneteenth in our country's history on SummerStage Anywhere. I am proud to present this program even more so in light of current events and it is crucial to me that the communities we serve know that we stand with them."