Juneteenth revealed through song, dance, poetry in museum program
Performing arts troupe Musical Mosaic is traveling back in time to June 19, 1865.
That’s when Union Army Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Texas, bringing word that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people now were free.
The date became known as Juneteenth — Freedom Day.
More than 150 years later, the musical group honors that history during the Hampton History Museum’s Front Porch Music Series “Voices of Freedom: Why should we celebrate Juneteenth?”
The program begins as a play with a talk show host, a college professor and an activist who debate the significance of Juneteenth.
Using uplifting words, African drumming and dance — as well as an ensemble of guest artists — the three, along with the audience, are guided back to the past through the present to honor the history of why Juneteenth matters, organizers said in a news release.
Calvin Pearson, who heads Project 1619, said by email that Juneteenth represents the end of enslavement as defined by the Emancipation Proclamation. With the 400th anniversary of Africans being brought to English North America on the horizon, Pearson said Americans also should never forget the 246 years of bondage enslaved Africans endured before the bell of freedom rang.
The program runs from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Lane. It’s free for museum members; $5 for non-members.
Interim fire chief gets official nod
It’s a job Jason Monk has been doing for nearly two years, but Friday Hampton officially named Monk its new fire chief.
Monk, 45, is the former deputy fire chief who stepped up as interim fire chief September 2017, while city officials began a search to replace retiring fire chief David E. Layman.
“My focus was to continue moving the organization upward and forward,” Monk said via email. “I worked to place a greater focus on the members and their health and well being.”
During his tenure as interim chief, Monk worked to develop better physical and mental health, wellness, safety and leadership programs, has budgeted for a second set of turnout gear and has fought for better retirement compensation for members.
A Virginia Tech graduate, Monk served as a student volunteer with the school’s rescue squad, according to a city release. He joined the Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue in 1997.
Monk has served 22 years in Hampton, moving up the ranks first as a medic/firefighter, station officer, EMS field supervisor, battalion chief and chief medical officer.
Among his career highlights, Monk has served as a tactical medic with Hampton Police Division’s SWAT team, has taught at Tidewater Community College and has assisted New York City Fire Department following the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Monk has bachelor’s degrees in biology and chemistry from Virginia Tech and a master of science in management from Troy University.