Smallwood returns for Juneteenth talk at library

ASHEBORO – The history and importance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the 1865 proclamation announcing the end slavery in the United States, is the topic of a talk by Dr. Arwin Smallwood at the Asheboro Public Library, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15.

Smallwood, chair of the History Department at North Carolina A&T State University, will talk about the impact of enslavement not just on African Americans, but on all Americans, and the historic effort require to abolish it. He will draw attention to slavery in North Carolina, and the over 5,000 African Americans, Native Americans and white people who fought to end it.

He also will explain why the celebration of Juneteenth brings a strong sense of pride about the commitment that African Americans have made to the betterment of their lives and those of their children, grandchildren and future generations.

Smallwood’s talk is free. The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For more information, call 336-318-6803.

Other Juneteenth events: 

- The Asheboro/Randolph County Branch of the NAACP will erect a memorial on Thursday-Friday, June 15-16, and Monday, June 19, in front of the Historic Randolph County Courthouse to honor some 1,100 individuals in Randolph County who were bought or sold into slavery.  

- On Saturday, June 17, Hope of Eastside will host a Juneteenth Celebration at Asheboro’s Eastside Park, 627 Brewer St., on Saturday, June 17, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. It will feature vendors, food and performers.  

- On Monday, June 19, a march will begin at 3 p.m. from Greater St. John’s Baptist Church, 819 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Asheboro (the site of Civil Rights training and activism in the 1960s) to the Memorial where flowers will be laid at the base of the memorial.

Gospel music concert Saturday in Bicentennial Park 

Bicentennial Park in Downtown Asheboro will be the place for a gospel music concert on Saturday, June 10, from 5-9 p.m. Slim’s Supreme Angels headlines the event with  groups that will include The Dowdy Boyz, The Anointed Ones, and Pastor Grier & Blessed of Greensboro. 
 

Also, at 6 p.m., Stephen Freeman, an Elvis tribute artist, will take the stage. 

The concert, presented by Jumpstart Goldston, is free; bring a chair or blanket.

Sunday concert to benefit Emmy’s House

- ASHEBORO — Elle McKenzie and The Unity Band will hold its first Sunset Theatre concert on Sunday, June 11, at 7 p.m. with proceeds benefiting the Emmy‘s House Children‘s Advocacy Center. 

The Unity Band plays a variety of music, including oldies to grunge to eclectic to rock to country and more. 

Tickets can be purchased at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St., Asheboro. Call 336-736-8714 or 336-413-4475 for more details.

Willie Gladden Golf Classic is Saturday at Municipal course 

- ASHEBORO — The Willie Gladden Sr. Annual Golf Classic will be held this Saturday, June 10, at Asheboro Municipal Golf Course. 

The two-person teams can register beginning at 1 p.m. and a shotgun start will be at 2 p.m. There will be cash prizes, and each golfer will be served lunch and a goodie bag. 

The tournament is a fund-raiser for the Russell Murphy Scholarships offered to Asheboro High School students. It’s the third Gladden Classic. So far, more than $11,500 in scholarship money has been raised.

Rhythm & Zoo Fest: 3-day  event at Sunset Theatre

- ASHEBORO — Asheboro’s first-ever hythm & Blues Festival will take place at the Sunset Theatre June 15-17, with a different band playing each night. 

Visitors can see one concert or buy a reduced price ticket for all three. Individ-ual prices are $35 each night or $25 for the balcony. Three-night ticket packages are $95 for the main level or $65 for balcony seating.

Shows begin at 8 p.m. each night. Here's the lineup:

- Thursday, June 15 — Smitty & the Jumpstarters. 

- Friday, June 16 — Ghost Town Blues Band. 

- Saturday, June 17 — Grammy-nominated Eric Gales. 

Visit www.asheboronc.gov/sunset_the-atre to buy tickets.