Monday, June 7, 2010

Al Edwards' 31st Annual Juneteenth Gospel Gala & Emancipator's Award: Father's Day Celebration

Call to request your tickets now! 713.741.8800

HAPPY JUNETEENTH 2010



Dear Friends and Neighbors,

June 19, 2010 marks the annual celebration of Juneteenth! This Juneteenth is the 31st anniversary of Emancipation Day or Juneteenth becoming a state holiday in Texas as a result of legislation authored by Rep. Al Edwards. This year also signals the 145 years since General Gordon Granger read General Order No. 3 in Galveston, TX in 1865 guaranteeing the emancipation of the slaves. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. At a time when some people seek to re-write our history for harmful political purposes, it is more important than ever to celebrate and remember the history of our nation.


I'm urging everyone to participate in the many area Juneteenth events across the city and nation.
Here are just a few of the events:

Join the many celebrations in the Houston-area and beyond, including in Galveston, where on Saturday, June 19th at 8:30 a.m. there will be a recitation of General Order No. 3 and H.B. 1016 authored by Rep. Edwards which created the holiday, a prayer vigil, thanksgiving service, and free breakfast at the historic Ashton Villa located at 2328 Broadway in Galveston, TX.

Also in Temple, TX on Saturday, June 19th at 10 a.m. there will be a Juneteenth Parade and Festival at Ferguson Park & 24th Street. For more information contact Mr. Willie Floyd at 254.773.1448.

In addition, various Juneteenth events will take place in San Antonio under the guidance of Byron Miller. More information is available at http://www.juneteenthsanantonio.com/events.html.

And make sure to join us for the highly anticipated grand finale, the Al Edwards' Emancipator Awards and Gospel Gala honoring the late gospel artist Shirley Joiner and all Father's, their families and friends, who can receive invitations free of charge. The event will be on June 20th, Father's Day at 5pm in Jones Hall in Downtown Houston. Featuring Dr. Bobby Jones of BET with a special presentation by Yolanda Adams, and many more. This event is invitation only, dress is semi-formal, no children under 10 years old. For more information, call 713.741.8800.

For additional ticket invitations you must make your requests early, please contact 713.741.8800.

Nominees for 2010 Al Edwards' Emancipator Awards include Maxie Sanford, Rev. Rugley Monroe Jr., and Honorable Betty Brock Bell.

Some of the noted performers include Sister Risé Joiner-Peters, Kathy Taylor, Sister Theola Booker & the Southeast Mass Choir, V. Michael McKay, Esprit Hunter, Endurance, GMWA-Houston Chapter, and many more.

Happy Juneteenth!

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