FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Livermore Valley Arts
Contact:
Ruth Egherman (925) 583-2306
Arthur Barinque
All-Ages Welcome to Celebrate A Full Day of Juneteenth at The Bankhead
Livermore, CA – (May 16, 2025) – June is a special celebratory month, and Livermore Valley Arts is thrilled to be a destination for the festivities. LVA is proud to be celebrating a full day of Juneteenth this June at the Bankhead Theater. Originating in Galveston, Texas and celebrated on June 19, Juneteenth is the US holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans, where on that date in 1865, all enslaved people were finally declared free under the terms of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. On Saturday, June 21, Livermore Valley Arts is partnering with Tri-Valley for Black Lives to host its fourth-annual Juneteenth Celebration on the Bankhead Plaza for another free, community event. Closing out the joyful afternoon, The Bankhead is proud to present in a ticketed event the annual return of the impressive Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir in a soaring performance that will both entertain and enliven the evening on June 21, after 2023 and 2024’s audience-acclaimed shows. The public is invited to celebrate a full day of Juneteenth at all of these events in Downtown Livermore; the afternoon’s festivities are sponsored by LVA’s 2024—2025 community cultural series sponsor, Las Positas College, and LVA’s 2024—2025 community cultural media sponsor, The Independent. Thanks largely to Las Positas College’s generous support, the afternoon events are FREE and open to the public.
Free Family Friendly Fun, the annual Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 21, from 10 am–2 pm is free and open to the general public, with no reservations required. For the Celebration on the Bankhead Plaza featuring Livermore favorite, Emcee Faith Alpher, Livermore Valley Arts is partnering once again with Tri-Valley for Black Lives to host this event, where family and friends are encouraged to come enjoy food, festivities, fun, music, dancing, drumming, singing, art, storytelling, performances, and entertainment. Featuring community organizations and groups from all over the Bay Area, vendors include JTM In The Kitchen, JAMM the Artist, Bells Bath and Body, Vazi Safi, Quita is Love, Goza Gear, Julielle, Goldi’s Spices, and Smuv Like Butta, with food vendors including The Fusion Food Club: Louisiana Style Gourmet BBQ. Organizations being represented include Tri-Valley for Black Lives, Tri-Valley Haven, Livermore Valley Arts, and Stanford Health Care. (The final list of performances is still being finalized. Stay tuned for a finalized list closer to the date.) This free community and cultural event is part of LVA’s core value and belief that everyone in the Tri-Valley should have the opportunity to experience the arts at whatever age and whatever level they are. All are welcome, and the public is invited to share in this day of events and activities, to not only celebrate African-American culture but also to learn and grow from our shared history as Americans. A fun day celebrating Black Joy, including music and dance such as the famed “Father’s Day Dance Off.” Attendees are invited to stick around right after the celebration at 3pm and head into the Bankhead Theater Lobby as Juneteenth Emcee Faith Alpher puts on a show in the air-conditioned space, for free! Tri-Valley’s favorite motivational speaker, KKIQ radio personality, educator, and comedian Faith Alpher, will be in the Bankhead Lobby after our Juneteenth Celebration for an hour of conversation, inspiration, and stories. A native of Teaneck, New Jersey, Alpher has been delighting audiences for years. A trained actress, comedian, radio personality, wife, mother, and dog-lover, Faith has a remarkable gift for connecting with people of every background, her larger-than-life personality and willingness to share her life’s experiences openly and honestly connecting audiences not just to her, but to each other. Audiences are invited to join this special free experience.
Make a full day of it in beautiful Downtown Livermore! In the evening, The Bankhead is truly thrilled to present once again the acclaimed Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir will celebrate Juneteenth with experience and music that brings and shares the resiliency, joy, and strength of the African-American community. Under the direction of Terrance Kelly, this diverse, inclusive group takes us through a gospel music journey – introducing different styles of Black gospel music, and connecting it to the Freedom Songs of the Civil Rights movement and to music today. Founded in 1986 by Kelly, the mission of OIGC is to inspire joy and unity among all people through Black gospel and spiritual music traditions, weaving together more than 300 singers across multiple choirs from a wide range of faiths, races, and cultures. Under Artistic Director Kelly, the Choir performs 25-30 times a year and is inclusive of an ensemble of nine to fifteen singers representing OIGC at additional events, with performance highlights including jazz festival tours, the CA Governor’s Tree Lighting, inauguration ceremonies, and annual performances with the Oakland and San Francisco Symphonies. Tri-Valley audiences can get ready to stand up, clap, and even sing along with a joyful sound on June 21. A whole day of food, fun, and celebration, coming together as a community—don’t miss out on this fabulous summer Saturday this June 21.
The Bankhead Theater and Plaza are located at 2400 First Street, Livermore. Tickets for all remaining shows in the 2024—2025 Bankhead Presents season and in the 2025—2026 Bankhead Presents season are available online, by calling 925-373-6800, or at the box office windows. For a complete list of events, visit LivermoreArts.org.
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Livermore Valley Arts is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit offering wide-ranging programs that provide access to the arts for the Tri-Valley community and beyond. The Bankhead Theater and Bothwell Arts Center are home to eight resident performing arts companies and over 40 studio artists and cultural arts instructors. LivermoreArts.org
Event: Juneteenth Celebration on the Bankhead Plaza
Date/Time: Saturday, June 21, 2025, 10am—2pm
Tickets: Free & Open to the Public
Event: Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir at the Bankhead Theater
Date/Time: Saturday, June 21, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Tickets: $25—$35 ($25 student/military personnel)
Dates, times, and ticket prices for other events available at www.LivermoreArts.org
