Vegas Juneteenth

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The VEGAS JUNETEENTH (June-teenth) EXTRAVAGANZA is the annual event that recognizes and reflects on the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery. We will have a host of events during this significant historical, cultural celebration. Juneteenth represents a very important milestone in American history, when our nation finally and truly became “the land of the free.” The 1st VEGAS JUNETEENTH EXTRAVAGANZA was on June 15, 2007 to June 17, 2007 and it was a great success. Every year thereafter, the VJE will either be the weekend of June 19th or the weekend before the 19th for 3-Days.For 2008, the Vegas Juneteenth Extravaganza will be a 4-Day weekend, that's right 4 Days of Reflection and Celebration. June 19th-22nd will the cultural event of the year, so don't miss out on this festive extravaganza!----------------------------------------------- June-teenth always focused on education and self improvement; since 1865 while including indigenous and innovative entertainment, from African Dance to Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Steppin’. Entertainment such as comedy shows, to sporting games and tournaments such as basketball, softball, kick ball, football, dodge ball and others of popularity. Not forgetting to mention, spades, domino’s, and bid whist, while having some video games competitions such as Madden, NBA Live, NCAA, and yes even Ms Pac Man and Super Mario Brothers! During the VEGAS JUNETEENTH EXTRAVAGANZA there will also be a picnic, wine tasting, book fair, story-telling, and more. We will not only offer events for the secular, multiple events for the faith and religious community as well as functions that are cultural. As fun and important as entertainment is to our lives, our primary purpose is to Educate, Enlighten, Encourage and then to Entertain. We will have symposiums, conferences, workshops, classes, discussions and even debates. A poetry & spoken word conference, including workshops, relationship seminars, business classes, and black politic debates. In order for us to change as people, for the better, keeping our rich heritage of greatness alive and thriving, we must be challenged, convicted, and convinced. If our minds change, our habits will change!-------------------------THIS JUNETEENTH celebration is for ALL OF US! THIS IS FOR ALL OF US, from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, from Denver, Detroit to Dallas. ALL OF US, from San Antonio, Seattle, South Beach to San Francisco, to Atlanta, Brooklyn, Miami to Milwaukee, to Houston, Boston, Chicago and even Honolulu, Hawaii. THIS VEGAS JUNETEENTH EXTRAVAGANZA is for the tall, short, light, dark, medium, and everythang else. It is for the local and the out of state, the educated and illiterate, wealthy and dead broke, single, married, divorced and widowed, it is for ALL OF US! ALL OF US must enjoy the annual weekend in Vegas baby, Vegas!-------------------------Some words of Wisdom as you keep reading:There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones. - Anwar el SadatWhere there is no vision, the people perish. - ProverbsBe the change you want to see in the world - Mahatma GandhiIf there in no struggle, there is no progress - Fredrick DouglassSome make it happen, some watch it happen, and some say, “What happened?” - AnonymousNever discourage anyone...who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.------------------------Short History Lesson ~ Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that all slaves were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger's regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.------------------------ Later attempts to explain this two and a half year delay in the receipt of this important news have yielded several versions that have been handed down through the years. Often told is the story of a messenger who was murdered on his way to Texas with the news of freedom. Another is that the news was deliberately withheld by the slave masters to maintain the labor force on the plantations. And still another is that federal troops actually waited for the slave owners to reap the benefits of one last cotton harvest before going to Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. All or neither could be true. For whatever the reason, conditions in Texas remained status quo well beyond what was statutory.------------------------ Thank you for your time and attention. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas for the 1st VEGAS JUNETEENTH EXTRAVAGANZA and at each one annually thereafter! For more information, suggestions, comments, or concerns please contact us at this myspace page or via email @ [email protected]