Latest news with #MelanieFiona
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Celebrate Juneteenth in Central Texas with 9 family-friendly events across the Austin area
The official Juneteenth holiday is on June 19, but many Central Texas celebrations will take place this weekend. After the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, thousands of African Americans remained enslaved in Texas until Major General Gordon Granger and Union Army troops arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 to announce that all enslaved people were free. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth recognizes the hard won freedom and ongoing struggles of African Americans. The Statesman has gathered 11 events, from car shows to cookouts, in the Austin area. 4307 E. Old Settlers Boulevard, 6 to 11:30 p.m. Looking to get down on the north side this Juneteenth? Round Rock is hosting the city's 19th annual Juneteenth Festival at Old Settlers Park. Celebrate freedom, culture and community at this family-friendly event with live music, food and activities for all ages. Friday will feature a barbecue cook-off with music from Keith Frank and Dat Boy Play. Saturday hosts music by Melanie Fiona, Sean Ardoin and Kid Capri. There is currently construction underway at Old Settlers Park, so head to Yonders Point in the north portion of the park for the celebration. To learn more about the event, visit 1165 Angelina Street, Noon to 10 p.m. The George Washington Carver Museum will be hosting their 6th annual Juneteenth cookout in the historic Rosewood Neighborhood. The day starts at 11 a.m. with a car show and parade. The event will feature guest DJs, carnival games, workshops, activations and a free plate of smoked BBQ prepared by veteran pitmasters. Tameca Jones and Houston-based musician Chalie Boy will perform at 4 p.m. Watermelon and popsicles will be served all day long. For the full roster of upcoming 'Stay Black & Live' events, visit 601 South Bagdad Road, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Take a drive to Leander for the city's Juneteenth Block Party, produced in collaboration with the Leander Public Arts and Culture Commission. 2025's theme is 'Still We Rise: Strength, Spirit and Solidarity.' The evening kicks off at 5 p.m. with a basketball tournament, live art and a pool and splash pad. The fun continues with line dancing and Soulful Soundz Party Band. Bring a new or gently used book for the Leander ISD Educational Excellence Foundation book drive on site. For more information and a full schedule of Leader's block party, visit 3401 Webberville Road, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ACC's Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the college's African American Cultural Center, will take place at their Eastview Campus. Activities include live entertainment, face painting, caricature drawing, lawn games, free food and giveaways. The event begins at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. The campus will be closed for classes for the day, and will resume normal schedules on June 20. For more information on ACC's upcoming public event, visit 1165 Angelina Street, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The George Washington Carver Museum is hosting a Juneteenth remembrance ceremony to honor ancestors and come together in solidarity. Their goal is to gather in unity to mourn victims of violence in Texas and foster a safe space for communal grieving. The Carver Museum invites the public to gather in their lobby to elevate the spirit of fallen sisters, brothers and non-binary community members with song, prayer and meditation. Attendees are encouraged to wear white or bright, neutral colors. For more information on the remembrance ceremony, visit 606 E 7th Street, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hella Free is a Juneteenth function presented by Cat Records and the Austin Justice Coalition at Empire Garage. The show features music by DJ P Funk, DJ DK, Big Champ the God, DJ Crash, Rikki the DJ and TV 2 Clean. Come out for a night of free music, culture and community, as concert-goers celebrate freedom and Black excellence in style. To grab your free ticket to the show, visit 800 Lavaca Street, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Travis County presents 'Still We Rise,' their 36th annual Juneteenth celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. underneath the parking garage at 800 Lavaca St. The family-friendly celebration of freedom will include fellowship, food vendors, information booths, music and games. This year's theme is 'Still We Rise: Celebrating the Journey with Power and Purpose.' For more information and highlights from last year's event, visit 2310 San Gabriel Street, Noon to 4 p.m. Commemorate the end of slavery and the ongoing journey towards equality at the Neil-Cochran House Museum's Juneteenth Celebration. This free, public event will feature guided tours of the slave quarters, a barbecue lunch from James Beard Award-nominated chef Damien Brockway of Distant Relatives, and a gospel music performance by Christopher D. Spivey & Co. Lunch is provided free of charge from noon until they run out. For more information on the event, visit 1165 Angelina Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get ready for the 19th annual Austin African American Book Festival coming to the Carver Museum and Carver Library. The special celebration of Black literature and culture is themed 'Our Stories, Our Voices' and will feature acclaimed author Walter Mosley. The festival is introducing a new element this year, a writer's workshop called 'Write On!' where attendees can participate in interactive sessions on Black literature and history. There will also be activities for children, an author showcase and a vendor marketplace. For more information visit This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 9 family-friendly Juneteenth 2025 events, things to do in Austin
CBC
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Losing her voice taught Melanie Fiona to speak up for herself
When Melanie Fiona lost her voice in 2012, she was completely terrified. She had just won two Grammys, she was touring with massive names like Alicia Keys and Kanye West, and suddenly her biggest source of creative expression and income was gone. She was burned out, and her body was forcing her to quit. "It really made me take a pause and say, 'Wow, you're just going on autopilot'," Fiona says in an interview with Q guest host Talia Schlanger. "And that put me on the path of learning to say no, for your well being." After years of constantly performing and recording, Fiona realized she was neglecting her personal life. Her success was often at the cost of not only her health, but also her time with the people she loves. "It was a whirlwind of excitement…. Every time another level was achieved, it was just like, 'Is this really happening? Is this my life?'," Fiona remembers. "But it comes with a lot of sacrifice…. I think about the birthday parties that I missed with my family, celebrations, anniversaries, my grandmother's funeral in that time." Melanie Fiona says her break gave her some much-needed space to get in touch with her spirituality, start a family, and begin living her life with mindfulness and gratitude. "It was the awakening I needed to think about my life holistically, and not just as a career-driven person," says Fiona. "It's, 'Who do I wanna be in this world? How do I want to make people feel? What do I want to create that's gonna bring more inspiration and healing to myself and others?'... In retrospect, the journey is perfect." Fully recharged from her hiatus, Melanie Fiona is unleashing her powerful voice once again on her new EP Say Yes. She's ready to affirm what's possible again, without putting herself aside. " It's a mantra that I want people to consider for themselves. Like, 'What is on the other side of saying yes?'," Fiona explains. "Because you've done the work, to deserve that right to say yes in a free space.… And that's the space I made it in. In joy, and freedom, and happiness." WATCH | Official lyric video for Mona Lisa Smile: Melanie Fiona says her fans are happy to see her return to her classic R&B roots, and she's excited for new fans to discover her too. "It's just been nothing but positive," says Fiona. "I just love that people still want to hear more from me. And I love that it's also a reminder for new people, who are discovering the project and me as an artist, that there's a whole catalog to discover and it's good. "And it's stood the test of time," Fiona says. "I'm so grateful.… I still get to do what I love, with a full scope of having a life now." The full interview with Melanie Fiona is
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Announces Return of Award-Winning Outdoor Summer Concert Series
Two-Weekend Event Featuring Parliament-Funkadelic, HANSON, P.O.D., and More Summer Concert Series SEATTLE, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Get ready for an unforgettable summer as Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel proudly announces the return of its Summer Concert Series, featuring two weekends of high-energy performances from legendary and rising artists. The highly anticipated event will take place June 6-8 and July 24-27, 2025 at Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel's Mountain View Plaza, bringing music lovers together for an electrifying outdoor experience with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountains. This year's star-studded lineup includes: June 2025 - June 6: Melanie Fiona with The Gap BandJune 7: 8: Joel Chan July 2025 - July 24: Parliament-Funkadelic featuring George Clinton July 25: HANSONJuly 26: The Rumba KingsJuly 27: Austin Jenckes with Special Guests A Diverse and Local Celebration of Music Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel's diverse lineup features a rich blend of 24 local Native and non-Native musicians performing. These talented artists represent a wide range of genres and cultural influences, ensuring a unique and authentic experience that highlights the depth of the Pacific Northwest's vibrant music scene. By supporting both local talent and world-renowned performers, the casino continues to celebrate community, diversity, and artistic excellence. 'We take immense pride in reintroducing our entertainment program. In this endeavor, our team has been guided by a strong commitment to celebrate our culture and support the local entertainment community by offering a platform for these bands to showcase their talents. Our venue has a reputation for being inclusive and dedicated to creating opportunities for local artists, emerging acts, and indigenous performers. As we move into a larger space, we aim to broaden our efforts to provide even more opportunities for bands of all levels to perform.' –Troy Wyatt, Entertainment Operations Manager Tickets & More Information Tickets for the Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel Summer Concert Series go on sale March 7, 2025 at For more details on artist lineups, world-class dining, and exclusive offers, visit or follow Snocasino on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. About Snoqualmie Casino & HotelJust 30 minutes from Downtown Seattle and the home fields of the Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners, Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel combines breathtaking valley views with a sophisticated gaming setting. Featuring Washington's first sportsbook, nearly 1,700 state-of-the-art slot machines, and 58 classic table games—including blackjack, roulette, and baccarat—Snoqualmie Casino & Hotel offers an unparalleled entertainment experience. Guests can also enjoy national entertainment acts, five distinct dining experiences, and the region's best cigar lounge. Opening in summer 2025, the highly anticipated hotel expansion will introduce a world-class destination spa, a dynamic new sports bar, and a 2,000-seat entertainment and convention space, further enhancing the casino's offerings. For more information, visit Media Contact:Amanda Beltran PR and Advertising StrategistSnoqualmie Casino & Hotel (425) 429 -0845abeltran@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
