New Rochelle Public Library Celebrating Juneteenth All Month Long

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The federal Juneteenth holiday isn't observed until June 20, but the celebrations are already gearing up at the New Rochelle Public Library.

The New Rochelle Public Library is hosting a wide variety of Juneteenth programs starting this week as part of the city of New Rochelle's Juneteenth Celebration presented by The Lincoln Park Conservancy.

On Thursday, at 4 p.m., in the First Floor Meeting Room, children will be able to get a head start on New Rochelle's Juneteenth Celebration at a pre-Juneteenth Children's Community Quilt Making Workshop. Inspired by Juneteenth colors and patterns, children between the ages of 6 to 10 will cut, color and paste their creative ideas to become part of the final quilt. All materials will be provided. Registration is requested here.

On Friday, June 17, at 7 p.m., the library will partner with the New Rochelle Municipal Housing Authority to host the "I Hear Music in the Air" Gospel Fest, a gospel choir concert featuring the music of PURPOSE from the Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, Pastor Ronell Fuller & the Band, Promise Land Community Church Choir and Sistas in Christ.

On Monday, June 20, the library will host two events with Bokandeye African American Dance Theater. At 1 p.m., in the Ossie Davis Theater, children ages 6 and up will be able to learn basic traditional West African dance movements in a 60-minute workshop. Registration is requested here. At 2:30 p.m., the professional dancers will perform, highlighting the rich and colorful history of West Africa through dance, rhythm, song and theater. Registration is requested here.

"A Retrospective of the Lincoln Avenue Corridor - 1900s - 1960s," an exhibit depicting New Rochelle's Black Enclave that became the center of the first desegregation case fought and won in a northern city, will be on display in the Lumen Winter Gallery through June 24.

All events are free and open to the public. The New Rochelle Public Library is located at 1 Library Plaza in New Rochelle.