MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Art Center is launching “Sounds of Liberation” — conversations about race and music on Juneteenth, June 19.

Following the inaugural conversation and performance with musician/composer Clovice Lewis at the MAC, there will be a Juneteenth celebration including an authentic Kenyan dinner, live performances and a dance party.

Dinner starts at 6 p.m. followed by performances at 7 p.m.

Performances include an introduction and welcome by Clovice Lewis, call and response singing with Gloria Scott, poetry reading by Lake County Poet Laureate Georgina Marie, West African Dance and Drumming featuring Djibril Camara and live music and dancing with the Midnight Sun Massive band (Soul, Reggae Ska Calypso).

Juneteenth — also called Emancipation Day or Freedom Day — is recognized as a holiday in 45 states, including California since 2003.

June 19 commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Africans and African-Americans in the US. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was declared in 1862, word did not reach Texas until June 19, 1865, hence Juneteenth.

“The Sounds of Liberation: Discovering Wisdom and History in African American Music” launches with an intimate conversation and performance with Composer/Musician Clovice Lewis at 4:30 p.m.

Throughout the series, Lake County African-American musical artists will share their stories and music in intimate settings with small participant audiences.

Seating is limited, so interested community members are encouraged to purchase tickets early.

“We aim to open doors to challenging conversations about being Black in America and building bridges among Lake County communities and neighbors,” said Lewis, who conceived of the Sounds of Liberation with MAC director Lisa Kaplan and project manager Sabrina Klein.

While Lewis is the first artist to be featured, he will be followed by Victor Hall of Midnight Sun in July, Gloria Scott in late August, and future dates with Andre Williams and Robert Watson among others.

Sounds of Liberation events will be livestreamed on Zoom (with chat participation) and on MAC’s Facebook page (@mtownartcenter).

Each Sounds of Liberation conversation will also be recorded to raise awareness and engage more people over time.

Register for Zoom participation or purchase tickets to attend live at www.Middletownartcenter.org/sol.

Dinner is served from 6 to 8 p.m. ($25 per plate) inside the MAC. The outdoor dance party is free and open to the public. No host bar on-site, alcohol will be available for purchase.

The Juneteenth dinner and dance are a fundraiser for the Sounds of Liberation project which is made possible with community support and with support from California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information about the Juneteenth event, and dinner menu, or to purchase tickets, visit www.middletownartcenter.org/sounds-of-liberation.