“Yes! For Lady Day,” the centerpiece of Governors State University’s Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, is a tribute to Billie Holiday, which helps connect it to the Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration.
The outdoor event, which debuted in 2021 at the park also known as theNate, takes place on June 18 in University Park, rain or shine.
“It’s a really important holiday, it’s definitely of interest to the community that we serve and it aligns with the mission and the purpose of theNate,” said Jeff Stevenson, director and curator of Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.
Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration includes a 1 p.m. processional to “Yes! For Lady Day,” which Mark di Suvero created with a railroad tank car, salvaged steel I-beams and cable over two summers while the artist lived in a farmhouse on what was to become Governors State University’s campus.
“It’s celebratory and abstract but definitely a connection to the artist Billie Holiday and both her beautiful artistry and her tragic life,” said Stevenson about the blues singer.
The event includes performances by Andrea Billups and her jazz band called Cuz’n, which is based in Joliet, and Chicago’s Acme Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir, which was named best church choir in America in Verizon Wireless’ 2008 How Sweet The Sound competition.
Also, a quartet from Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra performs from 4 to 5 p.m. when Governors State University’s Visual Arts Gallery is open.
“There’s some really exciting components,” said Stevenson, director and curator of the Visual Arts Gallery.
Spoken word will be presented by Flossmoor resident Jeanne Miller, a teacher and English Department chair at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and Jataun Rollins, an author, poet, therapist and speaker. They both participated in the inaugural Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration.
Gatherings include live music and spoken word from 3 to 4 p.m. at “Illinois Landscape #5? aka “French Fries,” which artist John Henry made with welded and painted steel after being commissioned by the Governors State University Foundation with assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration concludes from 5 to 6 p.m. with a walking tour of the park’s two pieces by sculptor Richard Hunt, “Large Planar Hybrid” and “Outgrown Pyramid II,” as well as other artists’ work in the collection totaling 31 pieces.
“Richard Hunt is one of the most important artists in the collection. He’s a regional Chicago treasure and a national hero. We want to share his work and vision,” said Stevenson of Flossmoor.
“He has a new piece that he’s doing for the Obama Presidential Center. He did a piece for the Ida B. Wells memorial in Bronzeville. He’s very well-known and prolific. He’s part of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. He’s a sweetheart and we’re hoping he’ll be able to come.”
Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration is partly sponsored by Southland Arts and features a free barbecue by drewBBQ & Sausage of Crown Point, Indiana, for attendees who registered by June 10.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, water bottles, umbrellas for shade and shoes for walking on grass paths at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, which was named best sculpture park in the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice awards for 2021.
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Other Southland events celebrating Juneteenth include:
Juneteenth: 2-8 p.m. June 18 at Robbins Park District Community Center, 13800 S. Trumbull Ave., Robbins. The celebration includes dance, food, historical speaking, performers and vendors. Tickets: free. Call 708-577-4752.
Juneteenth Celebration: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 18 at Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland. This Forest Preserves of Cook County event celebrates country, family and freedom with activities, presentations, performances and an exhibit highlighting Black history, arts and culture. Tickets: free. Call 708-868-0606 or go to fpdcc.com.
Homewood-Flossmoor Juneteenth Festival: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. June 19 at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor. This family-friendly celebration of Black culture, pride and power includes food trucks, live music and performances, and vendors. There is also parade at 9 a.m. June 18, starting at Flossmoor Road and Sterling Avenue and ending at Parker Junior High School, 2810 School St., Flossmoor. You Matter 2 organized the event with a mission “to provide an environment that celebrates and showcases the uniqueness, power and endurance of African Americans.” Tickets: free. Unlimited activities pass is $20, or $35 with axe throwing. Call 708-798-2300 or go to youmatter2.org.
Juneteenth Summer Solstice Celebration
When: 12:30-6 p.m. June 18
Where: Governors State University’s Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, 1 University Parkway, University Park
Tickets: Free
Information: 708-534-4021; govst.edu/nmsp
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.