GUELPH – The Guelph Black Heritage Society (GBHS) is hosting an inaugural Emancipation Day Jamboree in the downtown core to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people of African descent.
The event is held in collaboration with the Downtown Guelph Business Association (DGBA).
In 2008, Ontario officially declared Aug. 1 Emancipation Day in the province.
“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,” organizers state.
The celebration will feature drumming, dancing, live music, spoken word and cultural foods.
The jamboree, to be held at the corner of Wyndham Street and Quebec Street, will run from 3 to 7pm on Aug. 1 (suggested donation of $10 per person).
Participants can learn Caribbean dance movements – Soca with Kween. Soca with Kween celebrates Caribbean and African Culture combining soca, dancehall, and afro music.
This is a fast-moving, fun-cardio, “spiritual” time to trace traditional dancehall steps bringing it into modern day soca while learning rhythmic moves, officials say, adding participants should bring runners and a rag (a small rag or flag, nothing larger than a cloth napkin) and get ready to dance.
Participants will also learn about Emancipation Day and enjoy a spoken word performance as well as an African drum performance by Jeffrey Cummings, Gerima Harvey and Emmitt Leacock.
DJ Ess will provide music for the event.
A taste of the Caribbean with food from Big Jerk Smoke House will be available, as will ice pops and beverages from Laza Food and Beverage.
Laza will donate 50 cents from each item sold on Aug. 1 to the GBHS.
The event will be broadcast live on CFRU 93.3 community radio.
Safety guidelines that must be followed to attend the Emancipation Day Jamboree:
– anyone experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, should stay home;
– everyone must wear a mask covering their nose and mouth; and
– maintain distancing of two metres from each other.
Proceeds from Emancipation Day Jamboree will go to the #ChangeStartsNow education initiative.
#ChangeStartsNow will provide educational programming on Black history and culture as well as relevant resources on diversity, discrimination and anti-racism.
The Guelph Black Heritage Society is a registered charity. Tax receipts will be issued for donations greater than $25.
About GBHS
Established in 2011, the mission of the Guelph Black Heritage Society is to restore and maintain Heritage Hall, originally known as the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) Church, built in 1880 by former fugitive slaves who arrived in the area via the Underground Railroad.
The building is a cultural, historical and social community centre serving to promote Guelph and Wellington County’s distinctive place in southwestern Ontario’s rich Black heritage.
Email info@guelphblackheritage.ca for more information.
