Juneteenth Santa Ynez Valley “Harlem Nights Renaissance”

The 4th annual Juneteenth Santa Ynez Valley celebration in Solvang returns this year with a change in format and a swanky new angle. While Juneteenth celebrations of Solvang’s past have focused on a casual, family-friendly theme, the festivities are all grown up this year.

The 2023 Juneteenth event takes place on Friday, June 16th, from 7:00 – 10:00 pm in the ballroom of Craft House at Corque in Solvang, with the theme “Harlem Nights Renaissance.” This event is open to the community, and the evening promises to deliver a sophisticated fête with speakeasy vibes, comedy stand-up, spoken word poetry, live music, a 360 photo booth, and a southern-themed dinner buffet featuring fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, fondue, shrimp and grits, and Café DuMonde beignets with coffee.

Perhaps the most memorable part of the evening will be the live auction art pieces provided by several esteemed artists, including Kehinde Wiley, the artist for Barack Obama’s official portrait in the Smithsonian; pieces approved by the estate of the famed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat; and a mixed-media sculpture by Faith Ringgold, born in 1930 in Harlem, New York, and Professor of Emeritus of Art at UC San Diego.

Guests are widely encouraged to come in their very best roaring 20s-themed attire for a sophisticated, semi-formal evening of fun and cultural immersion, and stay on for the after-party with Lex the DJ that promises to deliver cultural beats and dancing late into the night.

More event information and ticket sales can be found at https://www.juneteenthsyv.com/, with early bird general admission at $99 per person, which includes dinner. Ticket prices go up after June 8th and ticket sales will close on June 14th. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets early and enjoy an unforgettable evening that celebrates Black Heritage and those who are today  shaping the history of tomorrow.

SPONSORS:  The Fund for Santa Barbara, Visit SYV, Endowment for Youth Community, Madi’s Treasure Box Inc., High on the Hog Catering, Marriott Santa Ynez Valley, SYV Pride, County of Santa Barbara, Juneteenth Santa Barbara, Pacific Pride Foundation, Pico Los Alamos, Lumen Wines, and Moke Experience in Solvang.