The Arcosanti crew is in the midst of preparation for JUNETEENTH 2008, an annual festival of African-American Art and Music, including Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Reggae.
The festival commemorates the date that most slaves first heard about President Lincoln's 1863 declaration of freedom. It symbolizes the joy of a call to freedom, and the responsibility to assist in developing a more inclusive and equitable society.
The arts in general, and in this case specifically, African-American arts, are one of the most compelling sources for passing this message on.

This event has been celebrated at Arcosanti since 2000. The images show some of the activities during JuneTeenth in years past, and the following are some of the acts that have graced the Colly Soleri Music Center during this event:
The Milt Cannon PJazz Quartet, Les Czimber Trio, Lonne Givens Blues Band, Gato Loco w/Quetzal Guerrerro , Joe Bonner Trio, Wytko Saxophone Quartet, Dave Cook Quintet, Chris Finet Quintet/NAU ...

... Joshua Breakstone Trio w/Malik Alkabir, The Cunningham’s, Dr.Jill Allen Quartet, Kathy Morris, Matt Butterman, Mary Redhouse, Dick Berk, Mr. Freddy B, Big Pete Pearson, Walter Belcher, the APA Dance Company, and Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor.

This is a lovely event with delicious food, arts and crafts, good vibes and wonderful music, in an amphitheater shaded this year by a gigantic parachute.

The schedule this year starts this evening at 7pm with a Festival Kickoff Freedom Dance Party featuring Henry Turner Jr. & Flavor and Cannonfire.
Saturdays activities start at 11am with the opening of the event by Elder Douglas Hobson and the St. Luke Ebony Christian Choir, followed by performances by the Cannonfire Ensemble, Genevieve, The Cunninghams and Henry Turner and Flavor.
Sundays activities start at 11am with Milt Cannon and a tribute to Big Pete Pearson "King of Phoenix Blues". This is followed by performances of PJAZZ Quartett with Rick Jones, The Cunninghams, Lady J Huston and a Cannonfire Dance Band Finale.
Tickets are $10 per day, $5 for students.
VIP tickets are $25 per day or 2-day tickets for $40. VIP includes the Friday Freedom Dance, access to the backstage lounge, the Sunday VIP only performance with Genevieve and limited poolside service.
The festival is organized by Milt Cannon of the Prescott Jazz Society.