WBTT Presents: Juneteenth Arts Festival

For the second year, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present the Juneteenth Arts Festival, featuring live dance and music, an art exhibition, films, family-friendly activities, vendors, and more, on its campus (1012 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota).

The free event takes place on Sunday, June 16 from 12-6:30 p.m. This year's feature film is "Into The Storm" (the documentary about Booker High School's 1966-67 state championship basketball team), which will be shown in WBTT's Donelly Theatre at 2:30 p.m. There will be additional short films from Ringling College students, and art on display as part of an exhibit that begins at WBTT on May 31.

Local organizations, businesses and food vendors will be present and live performances will take place on the outdoor stage throughout the day, including a dance presentation by Monessa Salley from Sarasota Contemporary Dance, musical numbers by WBTT's Stage of Discovery students, and popular WBTT performers taking the stage as the closing act.

Celebrating Juneteenth on Father’s Day has inspired planned family-friendly activities such as free haircuts for dads and Toni Kennedy’s “What’s Poppin’ Penny,” an interactive, educational and entertaining show for children. Additionally, there will be free seats (on a first-come, first-seated basis) to a performance of WBTT's summer production, "Coconut Cake," which will round out the festival experience; the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Major sponsors are the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Penelope Kingman, and Dona and Sam Scott.

Visit westcoastblacktheatre.org for more information.