Drumming, music and laughter filled the halls of the Longmont Museum Saturday morning as the youth workshops in singing, dancing and drumming began.
At the workshops kids were taught by professionals in the arts with the goal of presenting their newfound knowledge at a showcase at the Longmont Museum at 4:30 p.m.
Madelyn Strong Woodley, member of NAACP Boulder County and visionary coordinator for Juneteenth, hoped to educate kids about African American culture through performance art.
“When you can educate the youth using the wisdom of your seniors, and yet use the energy of your youth to inspire the elders that extends their lives, the two together you can’t lose. It’s a perfect marriage,” Woodley said.
Woodley has been working on implementing a Juneteenth celebration in Boulder County for five years. At first it started by putting information about Juneteenth in the city lights, a news insert of events going on that is put in the light bills.
Woodley believes before any true action can be taken, people must be taught about the culture and the event. However, the end goal is a call to action.
“If you don’t get your community to spring into action, you remain stagnant. You won’t grow,” Woodley said.
After sending out the city lights, Woodley started the Executive Committee for African Americans Cultural Events — or ECASE — which led her down the path of hosting a multitude of events with the goal of teaching about African American culture.
The Youth performance workshops are just one of numerous events planned for this year’s Juneteenth celebration. All of which are free.
“One thing our president of our NAACP branch believes in is giving back to the community. We are of the community, for the community, by the community, so we need to give back to the community,” Woodley said.
Woodley and her panel decided on the workshop topics: African dancing, drumming and singing because they believe these are the areas of performance art that kids are most attracted to, according to Woodley.
Woodley believes that this event highlights growth. Growth, meaning to be willing to learn about other cultures, and expanding individuals knowledge.
“Growth is one of the most important concepts. I think that’s a part of life. If you aren’t growing you remain stagnant, if you remain stagnant you will die or your idea will die,” Woodley said.
