BALTIMORE — On Saturday June 14, 2014, celebrate Flag Day and Caribbean Heritage Month at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum with a Caribbean DJ, King Kabuki, a parade with Carnival dancers and more. A steel drum band will perform the national anthem at as part of the Smithsonian’s nationwide singing of our anthem to set a new world’s record.
The full day’s schedule includes:
Film on the Chesapeake and Caribbean Connection— During the War of 1812, enslaved people in Maryland were promised resettlement in a British colony in exchange for fighting with the British forces. We screen the documentary The Merikens, about Chesapeake descendants in Trinidad. Post-film discussion follows with Dr. Annette Palmer, Chairperson of the Department of History at Morgan State University and a Meriken; Tina Dunkley, Director of Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries; and Hazel Manning, former Minister of Education and Local Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
Caribbean DJ Spins— Jam to DJ Phaze and dance the Limbo with King Kabuki.
Record-breaking Singing of the Anthem— St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra, a steel drum band, plays the Star-Spangled Banner at 4 p.m. as part of the Smithsonian’s “Raise It Up” program, a nationwide event commemorating the bicentennial of the National Anthem. The Smithsonian partners and communities across the U.S. will join together in a sing-along of the Star-Spangled Banner in an effort to set a new Guinness World Record.
Kids’ Activities and Carnival Parade— Community artist Sallah Jenkins will lead children and other visitors to make their flag. Participants are invited to carry their flag in a parade inside the museum with costumed Carnival dancers.
Acclaimed Maryland Author and Marylander Lauren Francis-Sharma signs her acclaimed debut novel ‘Til the Well Runs Dry set largely in Trinidad and based on her grandmother. “[A] remarkably accomplished first-time novelist…spellbinding…” raves Booklist.
These events are related to the museum’s current exhibition: “For Whom It Stands: The Flag and the American People,” which features more than 100 works of art, artifacts, documents, and photographs that show the flag as a reflection of the American people. The exhibition was recently named a “Top 10 Must-See Summer Exhibit” by USA Today.
For more information about events at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, visit: www.rflewismuseum.org