Juneteenth Arts Festival

Jun 19 - Jun 20, 2026
Family Friendly (5+)

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe is pleased to present another vibrant celebration of Juneteenth, this year expanding the festivities to two days, starting with an unforgettable evening celebrating Black artistry, culture, history and community.

FREE and open to the public, Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, 2026

Friday Night 5:30 – 8:30 pm

With immersive art, live performance, music, and culinary treats, this is a night out your entire family will enjoy.

The evening begins at 5:30 pm with exclusive access to the Juneteenth Arts Gallery, featuring African artifacts from the Friends of Betty J. Johnson Library Collection, striking African face jugs by local ceramist Osa Atoe, and bold digital illustration works from Tampa artist Yosnier Miranda.

Enjoy complimentary lite bites from G’s Southern Kitchen while connecting with artists, community leaders and fellow festivalgoers in a vibrant opening-night atmosphere. Drinks will be available for purchase.

At 7 pm, the energy shifts to WBTT’s mainstage for “Words, Beats & Movement,” a dynamic live presentation directed and hosted by WBTT Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs that will spotlight powerful local talent through spoken word, music, rhythm and more.

Saturday 1:00 to 7:30 pm

Celebrate culture, community and creativity during this unforgettable day honoring freedom and heritage.

Enjoy live music, spoken word performances, African dance, films from local filmmakers and students from Ringling College of Art & Design, visual art, and more. The festival also features performances by WBTT fan-favorite artists and students from WBTT’s Stage of Discovery youth musical theatre intensive summer program – all celebrating the richness of Black culture.

Explore unique goods from local artisans and a variety of flavors from food vendors. Throughout the day, immerse yourself in thought-provoking films and visual art that reflect the spirit and significance of Juneteenth.

The evening will conclude with a special 7:30 pm performance of WBTT artist Brian L. Boyd’s ENIGMA. Inspired by George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, the production blends gospel, hip-hop, and other musical styles in a bold exploration of identity, culture, and legacy. The performance features many of Sarasota and WBTT’s beloved talents, including Todd Bellamy, Derric Gobourne Jr., Michael Mejia-Mendez, Amber Myers, and Maicy Powell.

Saturday Highlights

  • Juneteenth Arts Gallery featuring AACC, Osa Atoe, Yosnier Miranda
  • Workshops including Line Dancing with Donald Frison
  • Spoken Word performances in the Donelly Theatre
  • African Dance performance in the Donelly Theatre
  • Stage of Discovery student performances in the Donelly Theatre
  • Rotation of short films by students from Ringling College of Art & Design and local film makers in the Howard J. Millman Black Box Theatre
  • Performance of Brian L. Boyd’s ENIGMA in the Donelly Theatre

Whether you’re coming with family, friends, or flying solo, WBTT’s Juneteenth Arts Festival offers something for everyone.

Come celebrate, connect, and be inspired. No tickets necessary!

Steven Kalt & Robert Heeren