News Summary
Jacksonville is launching ‘The Pop-Out,’ a concert series in June celebrating Black Music Month in the historic LaVilla neighborhood. Taking place in Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing Park, the series will showcase local and regional Black artists across three Saturdays. Presented by community partners including VyStar Credit Union, the event aims to honor the legacy of musicians and promote cultural richness while creating a family-friendly environment. Additionally, the Ritz Chamber Players will host a separate concert series titled ‘Voices of Freedom,’ further enhancing the celebration of Black cultural contributions in the city.
Jacksonville is set to celebrate Black Music Month with a new concert series named “The Pop-Out,” launching in the historic LaVilla neighborhood. The concerts will take place in Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing Park on three Saturdays in June: June 1, June 8, and June 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This community-centric event will showcase local and regional Black musical talent, providing an opportunity for attendees to enjoy a vibrant, free, and family-friendly atmosphere.
The event is curated by Larry Love & Love Creates and presented by a collaborative effort involving VyStar Credit Union, Placemaking Jax, Vibrant Places Collective, and Jax Parks. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to fully enjoy this open-air concert experience.
“The Pop-Out” serves not only as a celebration of Black Music Month but also honors the legacy of James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson, the composers behind the Black national anthem. The series aims to highlight LaVilla’s rich musical heritage while fostering a platform for Jacksonville’s emerging Black artists. As part of a broader initiative, “The Pop-Out” seeks to intertwine the history and culture of Jacksonville’s past, present, and future.
Support for this concert series by VyStar Credit Union underscores a commitment to community, history, and creativity, reinforcing the importance of music as a unifying force in society.
The Ritz Chamber Players Connection
In addition to “The Pop-Out,” Jacksonville will also feature the Ritz Chamber Players, who are hosting a concert series entitled “Voices of Freedom” from June 18 to June 21. This series commemorates Juneteenth, Black Music Month, and Pride Month, further enriching the celebration of Black cultural contributions in the area. The Ritz Group is devoted to highlighting Black musicians and composers within the classical music realm, emphasizing the need for diverse representation in the musical landscape.
The concert series will present works such as Nkeiru Okoye’s “We Met at the Symphony,” which aims to address and explore the sense of isolation that Black individuals often experience in predominantly white spaces. Attendees will have the chance to engage with pieces from modern Black composers, supporting a broader diversity of chamber music in the community. Statistics reveal that less than 2% of American orchestra members are Black, highlighting the critical need for initiatives that promote inclusion and representation in the arts.
Importance of Engaging the Community
Both “The Pop-Out” and the Ritz Chamber Players’ performances align with an ongoing movement to elevate and celebrate Black music and culture within Jacksonville. Organizations such as Downtown Vision and VyStar Credit Union play essential roles in sustaining these cultural initiatives, promoting community engagement and appreciation for local talent.
Community members are encouraged to come together, creating a vibrant atmosphere that honors Jacksonville’s cultural heritage while paving the way for future generations of musicians. Whether through the rhythm of local performances or the elegance of classical music, these events aim to foster a sense of pride, connection, and celebration of Black artistry in the city.
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Additional Resources
- The Jaxson Mag: A Brief History of Black Music Making in Jax
- News 4 Jax: The Pop-Out Brings Black Music to Downtown Jacksonville
- Jacksonville.com: Ritz Chamber Players Perform Classical Symphony
- 904 Happy Hour: Music Guide to Jacksonville & St. Augustine
- Jacksonville Free Press: The Pop-Out Celebration Announcement
- Wikipedia: Black Music Month
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black Music
- Google Search: Black Music History
- Google Scholar: Black Music Culture
- Google News: Black Music Month
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
