♪♪ >>> I didn't really start celebrating Juneteenth until I was older.

But it definitely has a significant place in my heart.

>> Just the fact that we can come together to celebrate is such an exciting prospect.

>> Celebrate is kind of a complicated word.

Only because that there's a kind of a struggle to recognize that lots of things can be true at the same time.

>> Every day I'm seeing and experiencing oppression and slavery of the mind, slavery of opportunity.

>> I think Juneteenth is a wonderful reminder that people who have died for your ability to move, to be and occupy spaces like this.

There are people who have died for your ability to speak.

>> I celebrate and I smile, and I remember that there's more to do.

>> Basically dedicating my life to, you know, creating a Juneteenth that feels true.

[ Applause ] >> We're live at xBk right here in Des Moines!

[ Cheers ] on Iowa pbs and on Iowa public radio.

Welcome to "Juneteenth: The Movement."

[ Applause ] >> I'm Cece Mitchell.

>> I'm Madison ray.

>> The United States government made Juneteenth a federal holiday this week.

And tonight we are here to celebrate black joy and creativity from right here in Iowa.

>> But of course let's get into the show.

Our first artist comes from a very musical family.

He's a singer and a dancer and is been making music in Des Moines for years now.

Let's meet Entre Luche.

[ Applause ] >> I'm going to be doing two songs at the show.

I'm performing something new which is a song that played on the radio internationally.

And it was one of my first big songs that I ever performed.

Then I'm performing "My mind," more of an afro beat vibe, which I think people will enjoy.

"Something new" is more so centered around Iowa and life, love, and relationships.

I shot the music video at skate south which if you're from Des Moines you've nine times out of ten, you've been to skate south.

So I just wanted to have something that was super fun, you know.

Juneteenth is a celebration, and I didn't want to come into this with something too serious.

I just wanted to have fun and allow everyone to enjoy themselves.

>> Fun fact, entre is the great-grandson of blues legend Willy Dixon.

>> What?

>> Yeah!

Please welcome Entre Luche to the stage.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪ You got me wanting something new you got me wanting something more with you ♪ ♪ And when the beat drop what you going to do you got me wanting something more ♪ ♪ Something more with you ♪ ♪ Shorty been around since I dance like this we've been in a club like 50 minutes ♪ ♪ Shorty been surround like she on my way bouncing up and down like a girl gonna stay ♪ ♪ I just need a shorty who will listen call her miss Patty in the kitchen ♪ ♪ If the you don't listen you gonna miss it Patty cake clapping with attention ♪ ♪ You got me wanting something new you got me wanting something more with you ♪ ♪ And when the beat drop what you gonna do you got me wanting something more something more with you ♪ ♪ Now we gotta party since we danced like this vibing with the girls they've been killing that ish ♪ ♪ Light skinned Betty you know she got a fatty when she danced up on my I'm gonna smack it ♪ ♪ Feel into temptation and I know I gotta face it thinking just how long it takes for you to get in them jeans ♪ ♪ You're everything that I wanted you shut it down when you flaunt it ♪ ♪ If you could be by my side cause at the end of the night imma be screaming I found ♪ ♪ Something new you got me wanting something more with you ♪ ♪ Oh yeah and when the beat drop what you going do you got me wanting something more ♪ ♪ Something more with you when the beat drop ♪ ♪ When the beat drop when the beat drop ♪ ♪ Something new you got you got me wanting something more with you ♪ ♪ When the beat drop what you gonna do you got me wanting something more something more with you ♪ ♪ When the beat drop when the beat drop ♪ ♪ Something about you entre ♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪ Entre yeah ♪ ♪ Hey the first scene that I seen walk up on the beach in a blue swimsuit ♪ ♪ Girl he had brown eyes thick thighs and a small toot ♪ ♪ Independent transcendant all defined in you one glimpse that I reminisce back to back what do I do ♪ ♪ I seen many beauties I can't lie but there's something about you that just call my eye ♪ ♪ It's like I fell in love at first sight it's not right ♪ ♪ It's not right cause I've seen many beauties I can't lie ♪ ♪ But there's something about you that just caught my eye ♪ ♪ It's like I fell in love at first sight it's not right ♪ ♪ It's not right I can't get you off my mind ♪ ♪ I can't get you off my mind I can't get you off my mind ♪ ♪ Hey I can't get you off my mind mind ♪ ♪ What is the fire I jump to when I can't get you off my mind I'm lost in your ways ♪ ♪ Look at that face I need you it in my life ♪ ♪ I noticed you before I can't lie ♪ ♪ This type of patience is driving my dangerous look at your world it looks so amazing ♪ ♪ I seen many beauties I can't lie there's something about you baby it's all right it's all right ♪ >> Can you clap one time?

♪ I seen many beauties I can't lie but there's something about you that just caught my eye ♪ ♪ It's like I fell in love at first sight it's not right ♪ ♪ It's not right cause I can't get you off my mind ♪ ♪ I can't get you off my mind I can't get you off my mind ♪ ♪ I can't get you off my mind mind ♪ ♪ Oh na na hear oh na na my mind ♪ ♪ Oh na na my mind on my mind ♪ ♪ Can't get you off my mind ♪♪ >> Thank you guys so much.

My name is entre.

[ Applause ] >> that was fantastic.

>> I can't get that off my mind.

>> You said it.

I'm so ready to go to the club now.

Like -- I'm ready -- >> we're right here.

Entre Luche, everybody.

>> Yes.

[ Applause ] >> Are you ready to meet our next artist, though?

>> I am.

>> Well, I'll let Emmett Phillips talk for himself.

>> I always loved opportunity to, you know, to go into my creative chambers and come out with something new.

And I have pieces that are appropriate for events like this because I'm an artist that sings and speaks to freedom and just often.

But I was inspired by this event to make something new.

So I'm working on a piece called "Call to action."

And my intent is to leave the audience and participants with some type of sense of duty to go forward and make some moves that actually would create this feeling of, you know, freedom and liberation for more people.

You know, so I want to speak to the people and hopefully like light some fires in their belly to get out here and be a part of the change, not a witness or someone on the fence.

You know, that's actually my greatest goal with that.

>> So Cece, you might not know, but obviously Emmett is an artist, but he's also an entrepreneur, an educator who works very, very diligently to empower all the creatives and young people across the state, but also across the country.

>> Oh, that's so sweet.

Hey, if you remember that song, "Success is my protest," from -- >> of course I do -- >> from the holiday special, he co-produced that, Emmett did, with dean Kelly's writing history project.

That was an amazing one.

Let's hear Emmett Phillips.

>> Revolutions aren't typically televised, but it's going to be today.

Make some noise, y'all.

[ Applause ] Now it's time for some spoken word, baby.

It's time to let the words live.

It's time to just talk to y'all.

You all got to dance, you got to turn up.

It's time to listen.

Get there education.

Get these lyrics, get this message, all right.

So if you've never been to a poetry slam before, you'll got to know it's very much welcome for you to snap, can I get some snaps right now?

All right.

And if you hear something that you like and you feel it in your gut, you can do an mm, you can do something -- something light like show us, you know, that reciprocity that we're going to give y'all.

So with no further ado, I have a very talented young poet, Hoover high school grad, that's ready to get in her bag for y'all today.

When I say rated, you say g. Rated -- >> g. >> Rated.

>> G. >> Don't get offended when I say clear female, I just mean white woman who doesn't see color yet exerts her ageism, et cetera, overly being absent minded says black people should forget about slavery.

The past is the past.

And I agree.

On this eight-hour shift everything I say opposing argument feels like two magnets repelling, answering to small for eight more, I was trying to lesson the field.

Y'all could call it picking cotton.

Then she gets into religion, abortion, and women's rights.

Clear explaining these topics like I didn't attend government funded pipeline to prison school.

Sitting in classes telling me the rationality behind darker skinned people as slaves.

All lives do matter, hypothetical.

Clear female found some black in me.

I told her it was Stockholm syndrome.

She said it was love.

Like cops were coming.

I ran from the conversation that we should forget the past when it's still our present.

You aren't allowed to process what is still being registered.

There's two properties black people have every day -- one our pigment, two the killing of our people.

Transparency so blind even written as brittle bones and black bodies and deep blue they'll never touch the vision though a great divide.

Video evidence executions evolution of gripping bag and elevator this proves you -- you are full of it.

[ Snaps ] [ Applause ] >> Oh, yeah.

Y'all can clap now is.

-- now.

Let's go.

Rated g!

Yeah.

That part.

That's how we set it off, all right.

So I'm going to get into my first piece.

It's inspired by -- what up, 360?

It's inspired by one of my most inspirational people in my life, Maya Angelou.

It's called "Rise."

Inspired by "Still I rise."

I'm going to need two things.

When I say we, I need you to say rise -- >> we -- >> rise.

>> We -- >> rise.

>> I'm going to make a statement and put my hand out.

If you feel it's true, say true.

When I do that.

All right?

When I go like this, no more trues, you all just vibe with me.

Is that cool?

All right.

I realized that we've been lied to.

>> True.

>> We've been oppressed and deprived, too.

>> True.

>> But they can't damage what's inside you.

>> True.

>> Cuz like Maya Angelou, we're going to rise, too.

See, I been living in this nation through sensory deprivation, cultural appropriation, incarceration, probation, promotion of self-hating, liberty still waiting to come.

Police waving their guns, you best be watching your tongue.

They even aim at the young.

I pray I see 31.

When will this evil be done?

What have our people become?

March to the beat of the drum.

What if the drummer is scum?

You keep dancing or run.

Simple question, right?

What good is ambition without direction?

America lacks affection.

See Department of corrections if you got some objections, I'm just being objective.

I speculate on this prison state, and they call me a skeptic.

But I'm more like a coptic privy to some knowledge.

If ignorance is bliss, this country's happy and agnostic.

But on another topic, when I turn my focus cosmic and fly over the continent with Confucius in my cockpit, I no longer react.

See, I'm more inclined to watch it and leave it up to God.

But she told me that I got this.

So I'm going to do my work here.

Day to day and year to year.

Coast to coast and pier to pier.

My mama's smiling ear to ear.

Keep the faith and leave the fear.

Keep it up because change is near.

Keep it up because change is near.

Keep it up because change is near.

Take a stand, even kneel.

Talk like key and Peele.

Show them how you feel.

Show them how to keep it real.

I realized that we been lied to.

>> True.

>> We've been oppressed and deprived, too.

>> True.

>> But they can't damage what's inside you.

>> True.

>> Cuz like Maya, yeah, we gonna rise, too.

My first piece.

Thank you.

[ Applause ] Few final piece is a new piece, all right.

And I dedicate this particularly to the communities of oak ridge.

I've been working with them for about three years now.

It's really to all the youth, all the people that make our youth feel empowered, feel uplifted.

This is for y'all.

It's called "Call to action."

I was asked to perform here, and I accepted with ease.

It wasn't for the opportunity.

I needed release.

No armchair revolutionary, this when I bleed.

Lip service is worthless when it ain't reflected in deeds.

My call to action.

Guaranteed as uncle Sam taxing.

Calculated as mass media distractions.

Do the work and quit relaxing.

I said do the work and quit relaxing.

Purge the parasites pilfering the glory you could bask in before vaxxing and masking.

The red and blue lights flashing.

Like our true rights are lacking.

What's a civil charge when it's what you're tracking.

Call it felony level black skin.

That was the probable cause, but the problem is I'm really tapped in.

And I found my call to action.

Infiltrate the education system with the children napping.

Hey, ain't no sleeping at that desk.

When Mr. E steps in, make sure that schoolwork is correct.

Our children used to such neglect, so I became a teaching artist just to feed them self-respect.

I had to give them -- I had to give them the keys to the throne.

Got some third grade students that can spell like Nina Simone.

When you invest in yourself, ain't no need to alone.

You invest in yourself, ain't no need for a loan.

I break the spells on the youth in a rush to be grown because that's my call to action.

Using music as momentum in my train of thought as traction.

So what's your call to action?

Oh, your voicemail's full.

It's all right.

I'll call you back then.

"Call to action," my piece.

[ Applause ] >> Once again, that's Emmett Phillips.

He's brilliant.

>> Brilliant.

>> Those words.

[ Applause ] I think -- I think it's always important to have poetry represented in our shows.

It's like going to church.

Sometimes you got to stand in the feeling and speak on it.

And they just spoke on it.

That was fantastic.

>> Emmett Phillips and rated g. >> Yes.

[ Applause ] >> Next we've got a guy from Burlington, his name is deon wykowski, better known as young old soul.

Let's hear a little bit from the young old soul himself.

>> Growing up in Texas, Juneteenth was a big deal.

Celebrated the first Juneteenth in Galveston.

They like to have fun, they like to party.

And I hope that you can also have a good time and enjoy my music tonight.

>> At my organization, Iowa public radio, we discovered him through his submissions to the npr tiny desk concert contest.

>> Sponsored by state farm.

>> That contest is accepting submissions right now, by the way.

>> And our friend, young old soul, will be playing all original music for you tonight, things he wrote from his, well, young old soul.

Let's turn it over to him.

>> Hi, folks.

♪ I don't know what you see in him all he ever does is make you hurt ♪ ♪ I'm right here waiting patiently on you ♪ ♪ While he's out there using her and when you ask what I do for you ♪ ♪ Picture this the sun the stars in the universe and the moon ♪ ♪ Don't know really what I do for you but you do a lot for me ♪ ♪ If you're lost I'll be around when you find his love, it don't amount to nothing ♪ ♪ When you figure it out when you run out of patience ♪ ♪ I'm waiting on you I'm waiting on you yeah ♪ ♪ I'm waiting on you I'm waiting on you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ I've been around the world so I've seen some things like how to fool a girl who loves you desperately ♪ ♪ He parties every night but she is too meek to say this game is getting old ♪ ♪ But he'll know soon enough that he messed up because he'll go to sleep and she'll be gone when he wakes up ♪ ♪ And there won't be no making up cause she'll be here next to me ♪ ♪ If you're lost I'll be around when you find his love it don't amount to nothing ♪ ♪ And when you figure it out when you run out of patience ♪ ♪ I'm waiting on you I'm waiting on you ♪ ♪ I'm waiting on you yeah I'm waiting on you ♪ ♪♪ ♪ And now it's up to us to make some memories staying up all night watching "South park" on TV ♪ ♪ Going out on hikes oh baby ain't it groovy how the stars spell your name ♪ ♪ So if you're lost I'll be around I'm waiting I'm waiting for you ♪ ♪ When you find his love don't amount to nothing I'm waiting I'm waiting on you ♪ ♪ When you figure it out I'm waiting I'm waiting on you ♪ ♪ When you run out of patience I'm waiting I'm waiting on you ♪♪ [ Applause ] ♪ it's too crowded and loud eat food for thought but not off the ground ♪ ♪ And don't you worry about what's lost and found just smoke your last one down ♪ ♪ Just smoke your last one down ♪ ♪ She's the girl from New York black lips and Newports ♪ ♪ And when it snows she wears shorts and a big fur jacket that carries all of her dreams ♪ ♪ Buses cars and railways she'D rather walk even through the rain ♪ ♪ Wants to leave but she'll always stay yeah she's afraid of change ♪ ♪ Yeah she's afraid of change ♪ ♪ She's the girl from New York black lips and newports ♪ ♪ Yeah and when it snows the wears shorts and a big fur jacket that carries all her dreams ♪ ♪ Well dive bars are her place she wants to be where they know her name ♪ ♪ Well you can't drink away all your pain ♪ ♪ It's time to sit and think it's time to sit and think ♪ ♪ She's the girl from New York black lips and newports ♪ ♪ And when it snows she wears shorts and a big fur jacket that carries all of her dreams ♪♪ >> Thanks, guys.

[ Applause ] >> Young old soul.

You guys!

[ Cheers ] >> so let's ask our live studio audience, are you enjoying the show so far?

[ Cheers ] that's awesome.

I hope all of our friends at home are also enjoying the show wherever you're watching.

Thank you for tuning in tonight.

But let's keep the show going.

>> Yes.

Let's.

Looks like up next we've got the isis arets.

Who would they be?

>> You can't say too many things about the group.

They've been around since I was a kid.

They were dope then, and they're still dope now.

Like they do parades and festivals.

They're in small towns.

They're in big cities.

Like they were even with Kamala Harris, the current Vice President of the United States, when she was here visiting back before, you know, the thing we don't really talk about.

Yeah, they're so fantastic.

Their energy is just magnetic.

They're incredible.

>> Let's hear a little bit more from their leader, Cory Williams.

>> They have internalized Juneteenth and what it stands for, what it really means.

I think this year people will probably do a little more of that.

I think normally when you see Juneteenth, you see African-American culture, and it's predominantly African-Americans experiencing their culture which we do everyday of our lives.

I want to see Juneteenth this year be multicultural.

I need everybody to start paying attention to what's going on because it's -- it's important for our kids.

It's important for our future as Americans.

You know, not even people of color, just as Americans, that we start getting on the same page with these things.

It's very important to our community because obviously it granted us an inkling of freedom.

An inkling.

And we're still fighting for it.

[ Applause ] >> So speaking of community, if you didn't know -- they're actually holding auditions later this fall.

So if you have young people in your life, people that want to come out and dance and do the thing, please check them out on line and get in those auditions.

How would y'all like to see them do their thing?

[ Cheers ] I'm not convinced.

Do you want to see them?

[ Cheers ] then from Riviera park amphitheater, these are the isis arets.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Hey hey ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Keep it going.

Keep it going.

Keep it going.

[ Cheers ] >> how about the Isiserettes?

[ Applause ] >> Madison, what are you doing?

What are you doing?

>> Mm, mm.

I'm getting ready for my audition.

>> Good luck.

>> Thanks.

>> What's up next, man?

>> Well, we have another artist coming up.

By -- well -- let me just give you a little rundown about this next artist.

>> Uh-huh.

>> She has been involved in a theater community, and she's an actress and writer, right in Des Moines.

She's also toured the country playing Americana.

And she's the founder of girls rock Des Moines.

>> Yes!

[ Applause ] >> Let's hear some more from Rae Fehring.

>> I chose black myself by amethyst khia because I discovered her music and think that she's amazing.

I mean, I -- I saw an interview with her, and she says that the song is kind of an homage to ancestors, right.

She wouldn't be able to be where she is today had it not been for the struggles that black folks went through, had it not been for the bravery of black people to effect change.

So the song is sort of an homage to that.

And I feel similarly when I heard it, not only did I feel like it was an homage to ancestors, but I felt it was an anthem for me today that really kind of in a powerful and driving and fierce and proud way articulates how wonderful and beautiful it is to be black.

This is "Earthbound."

♪ She spoke of her faith every day she never ate a meal without her thanks and praise ♪ ♪ Born in Mississippi no daddy and no name skin too dark for her mama's love was her claim ♪ ♪ I can't recall the day that we met too young to remember but I'll never forget ♪ ♪ She loved me till her dying day she smiled when she said my name she held me up when I was down ♪ ♪ I remember her I can see her when she was earthbound ♪ ♪♪ ♪ She raised me like she was my mother Chris life dutiful wife but silently she suffered ♪ ♪ Perfect imperfection God gave her direction her songs of praise still fill my ears ♪ ♪ Brings an unbeliever like me to rivers of tears she loved me till her dying day ♪ ♪ She smiled when she said my name she held me up when I was down I remember her I can hear her when she was earthbound ♪ ♪♪ ♪ She called for me that October I found her alone and fading into limitless torpor ♪ ♪ Could I raise her up as she did me could we bridge the chasm and the years in between ♪ ♪ I hold her hand her breath starts to slow I whisper in her ear and hope that she knows ♪ ♪ I'll love her till my dying day I'll smile when I say her name ♪ ♪ I hold her up after she's down will she remember me will she still here me after she's earthbound ♪♪ [ Applause ] >> now I'm going to take a quick minute to tune because if ever you go see live music with a guitar and one -- slightly flat -- one string is slightly out of tune, it just changes the whole song.

I'm doing you a favor.

This is "Black myself" by amythyst khia.

♪ I'm gonna jump the fence and walk in the creek but I'm black myself ♪ ♪ I want to sweep that gal right off her feet but I'm black myself ♪ ♪ I'm tired of walking around with no shoes on but I'm black myself ♪ ♪ And your precious God ain't gonna bless me because I'm black myself ♪ ♪ If you walked in the blood of the shadow because the land's right away ♪ ♪ When you stop work horses you're on anyway ♪ ♪♪ ♪ You better lock your door when I walk on by because I'm black myself you look me in my eye but you don't see me because I'm black myself ♪ ♪ Is you washed in the blood of the chattel cause the lamb's rotted away ♪ ♪ When the they stopped shipping work horses they bred their own anyway ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪♪ ♪ I don't creep around I stand proud and free cause I'm black myself ♪ ♪ I go anywhere that I wanna go because I'm black myself I'm surrounded by many lovin' arms cause I'm black myself ♪ ♪ And I'll stand my ground and smile in your face cause I'm black myself ♪ ♪ Washed away my blood and tears I've been born brand new ♪ ♪ There's no more work horses but there's still work to do ♪ ♪ Cause I'm black myself cause I'm black myself ♪ ♪ Black myself black myself black myself ♪ ♪ I'm black yeah I'm black yeah black myself ♪ ♪ Black hear black my black myself ♪♪ [ Cheers ] >> Rae Fehring, everybody!

[ Cheers and applause ] >> she's legit one of my favorite people.

As I think our live studio audience agrees.

Yeah?

>> Yes.

>> Whoo.

Your boy caught the vapors.

But let's move on to our next artist, she's originally from algona, Iowa, she's a fixture right near Des Moines from the musical community for more than 30 years, and she started performing at the age of 3.

Let's hear some more from Tina Haase Findlay.

>> Juneteenth is special to me for an unusual reason because I did not celebrate it as a child.

I have a unique perspective on it that comes from being a mixed race child raised in the only black family of an all-white town in northern Iowa.

And so even though Juneteenth was not something that my community celebrated, I know that it was in the hearts of my very own family members.

And the family members that came before them who migrated up from Mississippi, Georgia, up to Iowa to become farmers.

And so my grandfather who raised me was a gardener in the city that I grew up in in algona, northern Iowa.

And so I know that he loved roses.

He took care of this rose garden in the city of algona.

That is why I'm wearing roses in his honor tonight.

Not only for him but for all those who came before me and went through very hard times.

And I want to honor them, and I want to go forward and use my talents to make things better for people coming ahead of me than they were for the people who came behind me like my family.

One -- one, two, one, two, three, and -- ladies and gentlemen, in honor of Juneteenth, the black National Anthem.

♪ Lift every voice and sing lift every voice -- are you ready?

Say yes.

>> Yes!

♪ Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring ♪ ♪ Ring with the harmonies of liberty let our rejoicing rise ♪ ♪ High as the listening skies let it resound loud as the rolling sea ♪ ♪ Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has brought us ♪ ♪ Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us ♪ ♪ Facing the rising sun of our new begun let us March on 'til victory is won ♪ ♪ So the road we travel better chance chasing around in the days when hope was born and died ♪ ♪ Yet with a steady steady beat have not weary be ♪ ♪ Come to the place come with your side and we have come over a way that where tears have been water ♪ ♪ We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered 'til now we stand at last where we lead a bright star is hey hey hey ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing sing lift every voice and sing of freedom ♪ ♪ Lift every voting rights and sing of freedom lift every voice and sing of sing of ♪ -- >> sing it now!

♪ Yeah yeah yeah lift every voice and sing of freedom ♪ ♪♪ ♪ God of silent tears thou has brought us this spark along the way thou who has might lead us to the light ♪ ♪ Keep us forever forever in the path we raise ♪ ♪ Let's our beat straight from the places where God met peace ♪ ♪ Let's our hearts drum with the wine of the world we shall be ♪ ♪ Beneath beneath our hand let us forever stand true to our God true to our native land ♪ ♪ True to our native land come on lift every voice and sing of freedom ♪ Sing!

♪ Lift every voice and sing sing sing sing lift every voice ♪ ♪ Come come come sing ♪ ♪ Lift every voice and sing of freedom lift it up lift it up come on ♪ ♪ Every voice every voice every voice ♪ ♪ Every voice every voice and everywhere every voice ♪ ♪ Whoo lift it up lift it up ♪ ♪ Lift it up lift it up.

Lift every voice ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Lift every voice lift it on up lift it on up yeah ♪ ♪ Lift every voice sing it sing it sing it ♪ ♪ Sing it of freedom freedom ♪ ♪ Shout freedom ♪♪ thank you, everybody!

[ Cheers and applause ] >> The Tina Haase Findlay!

[ Applause ] >> So that's what it takes to get into the Hall of Fame.

Okay.

Copy.

Got it.

>> How is everybody feeling in here?

How are we doing here at xBk?

>> Live studio audience, are you awake out there after that last set?

Yes!

Yes!

About to sing shout about freedom.

Come on now.

Ooh, hit me right in my spirit.

And then like the spirit beneath the spirit.

You'll got that, too?

Like the spirit and the layers?

Like a nice -- like a nice piece of cake.

You know what this holiday needs?

Cake.

>> Please.

>> I'm here for a Juneteenth cake.

So should we keep the show moving?

You want to see our next act?

>> Yes.

>> So our next act, we're changing the energy just a little bit tonight.

We're going to dabble a little -- in a little hip-hop.

Our next artist is all the way from St. Louis, Missouri, even though he's been holding it down here in Des Moines for a few years.

I'll turn it over to Andre Davis.

>> I've chosen to play "Andre's prayer," a conversation develop me and God.

A good selection for Juneteenth because I think for us as black people especially with our relationship with Christianity and our relationship with the religion, that conversation will w God is a constant part of our struggle in regards to our relationship with America and the other song is "Fight on."

Which is really dear to me because I'm from St. Louis, and spend a lot of time with the protests during the Michael And I spent a decent amount of time here especially last summer in Des Moines when there was a bunch of protests happening over the George Floyd murder.

And I just wanted to take a song and really channel all of that energy and that anger, pain, and just overall emotion and give the people something to look back on and go, this is what I was feeling.

This is what was going through my mind as we were outside, as we were standing in front.

The police officers with their shields and their teargas.

This is what my feeling was, this song right here.

>> A strong voice in the protests and organizer last summer and a recent grad from Drake law school.

Here's Andre Davis.

[ Cheers ] >> today we are here to celebrate the strength and the power of the ancestors who were able to triumph over one of the worst tragedies to ever occur on American soil.

But even in their strength on days like this, they still had to ask one important question -- where is God?

♪♪ ♪ Uh-huh yo ♪ ♪♪ ♪ So crazy yeah speaking to the Messiah almighty provider ♪ ♪ I'm asking about what happened with my experienced prior my Baptism by fire forged to be the iron ♪ ♪ Swore to fight the wars for all the children of zion praying that I'm maintaining a sense of refinement ♪ ♪ Trying to be enlightened while also seeking alignment ♪ ♪ I look to the sky to answer the questions I have struggled with in my mind ♪ ♪ Being reprimanded by God who flooded the planet but sent the first commandment I was asking the reverend to give my family protection ♪ ♪ He told me to talk to you if I was seeking perfection so I worshipped with a purpose but you gave me neglect ♪ ♪ If I'm made in your image then come and face your reflexion my cousins were murdered by demons with automatic weapons ♪ ♪ If we living in hell how is life still a blessing God can you hear me please can you hear me ♪ ♪ God God can you please hear me God God can you hear me ♪ They told me never to question the very essence of the one responsible for my presence but I'm hard headed ♪ ♪ Fury directed at the message of what you did on the 7th ♪ ♪ If you're all powerful then why the hell were you resting ♪ ♪ Tell me how can you tell us never to put any doubt in you when death is bountiful ♪ ♪ They say that kids well safe without an ounce of proof I'm not downing you ♪ ♪ As the people hold ya name high I hold your name accountable ♪ ♪ For all the obscene automatic machines ♪ ♪ And ring throughout the hood causing SDRAR us on scenes and the pain that it brings ♪ ♪ To many family trees ♪ God can you hear me please can you hear me ♪ ♪ God God can you hear me please can you hear me ♪ Moat ♪ God can you hear me God God can you hear me ♪ ♪ Please can you hear me God ♪ ♪ Is it -- is it blasphemous to tell you that you abandoned us alone in our environment and all of its disadvantages ♪ ♪ Blaming us for not overcoming because we looked to you to prove something miraculous ♪ ♪ Could happen in our lives if we kept paying our tithes ♪ ♪ When my uncle needed a guide you pushed him aside now they WAN charge him with a homicide ♪ ♪ Because he had nine instead of 9 to 5 so I cry ♪ ♪ For the suffering of him and other men who's entire life is stuck within the cycle of shooting rifles and ducking them ♪ ♪ The role models that they follow got a hundred clips and say they better load ♪ ♪ Or get shot while buffering why do my mother's screams ring all of the dreams answer me ♪ ♪ I'm asking about what happened forged to be the iron swore to fight the wars for all the children ♪ ♪ Trying to be enlightened while also seeking alignment ♪♪ [ Cheers ] ♪ uh-huh Andre Davis ♪ ♪ Deep in the earth like cleats in the dirt seeking the reason that we've been hurt if the street with teeth in the curb ♪ ♪ The outer world is hard my inner deem entrepreneurs are worse so tell me why release 'em when I'm not receiving the perks ♪ ♪ Of amendments you said I'm given have you seen that the first supposedly guarantees my freedom for speaking words ♪ Who try to slave the masses for it's okay if the person's average ♪ ♪ Murder one of mine I'll turn this place to ashes I know you peep it the people see it the evil you keep releasing ♪ ♪ Is it so join convenient to treat us as someone decent ♪ ♪ I tell you my life matters how is there a disagreement ♪ ♪ It doesn't take a genius to know that folks are owed a certain code of small respect ♪ ♪ And if you don't let them know what do you all expect ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone until everybody gone fight on ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone fight on fight on ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone until everybody gone fight on ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone fight on fight on ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone until everybody gone fight on ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone fight on fight on ♪ [ Speaking foreign language ] ♪ pigs hate me for my pigment you a bigot cause you ignorant ♪ ♪ This is the land of the free and the home of the wicked ♪ ♪ Truthfully I don't get it explain to me in an instant ♪ ♪ You kill an unarmed person and still deserving forgiveness how ♪ ♪ George brown hands up still shot him down George Floyd heard his voice killed him on the ground ♪ ♪ Rakia Boyd destroyed wow y'all even killin women now ♪ ♪ Deescalation is a concept it could work if you mindset wasn't solely fixated on hatred where is you conscious ♪ ♪ Nonexistent 'til we burn a building let's be honest ♪ ♪ You'd like a conversation but save it we way beyond it you want me on a crucifix for calling out ya ruthlessness ♪ ♪ Protect and serve word homey prove it then you should be moving right through ya unit removing whoever Judas is but the law made you a lunatic ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone until everybody gone fight on fight on ♪ >> Clap -- ♪ until everybody gone until everybody gone until everybody gone ♪ ♪ Fight on fight on until everybody gone ♪ ♪ Until everybody gone fight on until everybody gone ♪ ♪ Fight on fight on until everybody gone ♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers ] >> that is Andre Davis.

If you like what you heard, you can find more of his project on Spotify or anywhere else you listen to music released by station one records.

>> Next up we've got Spayce.

>> I'm so excited.

I'm so excited.

My God.

>> Yes.

She's a neo soul artist from right here in Des Moines.

She's been making music since 2006.

>> That's right.

Let's hear from Spayce.

>> As I was coming up as a kid, I did celebrate Juneteenth.

Basically in my community we had a lot of Juneteenth activity at the park.

We brought all the people and more about celebrating your brown.

Everybody came out for it in my community.

So it was a good time.

As an adult, I do still celebrate Juneteenth.

I do it more in a way where I'm educating my children.

I feel like I like to take more time and go ahead and take them to places like Georgia, to Martin Luther King's spot there.

Things like that.

I usually spend it more educating more than celebrating because we do have current issues still going on.

>> You know, Spayce is one of my favorite artists.

We linked on social media -- yes, social media works.

But you know, like I've been watching her videos and I just like fell in love with the style and the sound.

I'm so glad we can have her here at this show tonight.

>> Yes.

[ Applause ] >> Thank you, guys, for having me.

I'm just going to go ahead and create my own vibe.

You have fun partying.

Going to slow it down just a little bit.

♪ Yeah yeah well I was walking round with my head down ♪ ♪ And I can see the people but it's the time ♪ ♪ And I can hear the laughs but it's just not mine not my sound ♪ ♪ But then you came along and you're wearing that smile and I was thinking love well it's touched back now ♪ ♪ And I was thinking happiness is what I found in you ♪ ♪ And I'm in I guess no brakes I'm going to be here as long as it takes ♪ ♪ And I make my measure keep a smile on your face to say ♪ ♪ Yeah I'm all in oh praise and I'm going to be here for as long as it takes ♪ ♪ I make my measure keep a smile on your face so stay yeah ♪ ♪ And a little love story that we're writing with every new chapter so exciting ♪ ♪ I send no love but you inviting oh no what have I done ♪ ♪ But I'm in all yes now no brakes don't want to slow it down now ♪ ♪ Send no love but I gave you my heart now ♪ ♪ Say you'll hold on top for the right now yeah I'm all in ♪ ♪ Yeah I'm all in for you for you yeah ♪ ♪ For you mmm ♪ ♪ Well I'm all in all gas no brakes and I'm going to be here for as long as it takes ♪ ♪ And I make my mission keep smile on your face to stay ♪ ♪ Say I'm all in all gas no brakes and I'm gonna be here for as long as it takes ♪ ♪ And I make my mission keep a smile on your face to say yeah ♪♪ [ Cheers ] >> thank you.

Thank you.

So they do call me Spayce.

Make sure you spell it by the end of the night.

S-p-a-y-c-e.

They call me Spayce.

Thank you for allowing me into yours.

The first song is about being full of love and when you are in love, you're supposed to be all in.

This next one is "When the love starts to hurt," we switch it up and give them this.

♪ Yeah whenever you can't be hurt you talk so much can't get a word ♪ ♪ What's feeling like loving you is starting to hurt and yet in my -- didn't I treat you good ♪ ♪ You know I treated you like you are side but I don't want to love no more ♪ ♪ I'm walking out love's front door because I don't want to hurt no more ♪ ♪ No I don't want to love no more I'm walking out love's front door cause I don't want to hurt no more ♪ ♪ Don't need your love no more yeah don't need your love no more ♪ ♪ I don't need it don't need your love no more yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah I'm walking out love's front door yeah ♪ ♪ Now now I'm walking out love's front door yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah I don't need your love no more ♪ ♪ I don't need that I don't need that I don't need that don't need your love no more ♪ ♪ Yeah tell 'em I'm walking out love's front door yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah said I'm walking out love's front door ♪ ♪ Well yeah yeah yeah I said I don't need it ♪ >> Nice meeting y'all.

Have a good night.

[ Cheers ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] >> she don't need our love no more, but I need more Spayce.

Wasn't that amazing?

[ Cheers ] >> do you see why she's my favorite?

Do you see why she's my favorite?

>> Yes.

>> Like my heart is just so full right now.

But -- >> I love the vibes.

I'm feeling chill.

I'm feeling good.

How you feeling, Madison?

>> Honestly, I can't stop thinking about the Isiserettes.

>> Me either honestly.

>> I'm telling you -- I'm telling you -- >> how's that audition coming along?

>> As soon as I get these knees together, I'm in there like swimwear.

>> Let's get inspired.

Here's the Isiserettes.

>> One, two, three -- ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Move it move it move it.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ [ Cheers ] >> The Isiserettes.

Wonderful local troupe.

You might notice my co-host Madison is off getting ready for his world premiere.

You know, just a casual Saturday.

Next up we've got James Tutson, a special collaboration between him and bridges to harmony, a singing group out of Roosevelt high school.

Yes.

Let's hear a little bit more from James before.

>> Juneteenth, I remember just being a kid and my mom would always take us to the most stuffy museums it felt like, every Juneteenth we would walk around and look at black history.

And I think as a kid you don't realize what all that means.

But you know, Juneteenth is -- is really just remembering to me.

It's remembering all that history, everything that has led up to today.

That and like the hope that moving forward we just continue to create more freedoms for the people that come after us.

And that's kind of the history I grew up learning, and I have grown to really appreciate it.

And I think it's become like a real staple of celebration in my life.

And I'm really grateful for this and for an opportunity to celebrate.

>> Three is performing with bridges to harmony gospel high school from Roosevelt high school in Des Moines.

Celebrating their 13th anniversary this year.

James Tutson is from Iowa city.

Let's hear them together.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ I tell you I rest in you and get ready for the spirit ♪ ♪ You're the love I need to look and it's like I hear it ♪ ♪ Like glass spilling color on my face you're my homily how you call to me ♪ ♪ Give me hope with all your grace I simply want glory I simply want glory ♪ I still think you're holy ♪ ♪ You're my gospel choir Catching heaven's fire make me want to grab a tambourine ♪ ♪ You're my testimony when you stand before me I can't help it I believe ♪ ♪ You're the mother's hand laying on my head don't you make me feel so blessed ♪ ♪ And when the world get scary you're my sanctuary and I can feel the good Lord's rest ♪ ♪ Holy I think you're holy ♪ ♪ Simply you're holy you're an answer to prayer whenever you're near yes you are ♪ ♪ I believe you're still holy holy holy ♪ ♪ Holy of you're holy I simply ♪ ♪ Holy I still think you're holy yes you're holy ♪ ♪ Holy to me ♪♪ [ cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪ Oh I've always been one proud that I could thrive all on my own ♪ ♪ I've lately felt dim and I can feel that pride doing me in ♪ ♪ I think I need you to show me I wasn't meant to be lonely I need your shine on me ♪ ♪ Come give me your glory I feel like I'm the moon in the sky and you are my sun ♪ ♪ You shine on me you give me my story ♪ ♪ I feel like I'm the moon on my own I'm fine but I was made to be in your shine ♪ ♪ Whoa it's so sad what becomes clear like how much less I laugh when you're not here ♪ ♪ Oh I'm never quite whole there's a hole I find deep in my soul when you're gone ♪ ♪ I think I need you to show me I wasn't meant to be lonely I need your shine on me ♪ ♪ I feel like I'm the moon in the sky and you are my sun ♪ ♪ You shine on me you give me my story I feel like I'm the moon on my own ♪ ♪ I'm fine but I was made to be in your shine shine on me ♪ ♪ Shine on me I need your shine on me shine on on me ♪ ♪ Need your shine on me shine on me I need your shine on me ♪ ♪ I need your shine on me shine on Lord knows I need the shine ♪ ♪ Got to have your shine shine on on me ♪ ♪ Need to shine on me shine on me I need your shine on me ♪ ♪ I need your shine on me yeah shine on me I need your shine on me yeah ♪ ♪ Yeah yeah I know I need your shine on me need your shine on me ♪ ♪ Need your shine on me I need your shine on me come give me your glory ♪ ♪ I feel like I'm a moon in the sky and you are my sun ♪ ♪ You shine on me you give me my story I feel like I'm the moon on my own ♪ ♪ I'm fine but I was made to be in your shine ♪♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> The bridges to harmony gospel choir from Roosevelt high school on the steps of xBk.

[ Cheers ] and James Tutson, what a set.

Now the moment you've all been waiting for.

The world premiere from the finesse.

Let's hear a little bit from my co-host, Madison ray.

>> If you're just learning about Juneteenth, I really hope that you understand that this is an American holiday.

This is a time that we can celebrate freedom, real freedom.

The abolition of slavery while the details are murky and -- and very convoluted, the sentiment of us being free as Americans means a whole lot.

And I can't fathom any reason that we wouldn't come together and celebrate the time that we decided as a country that we would not tolerate this any longer.

I really hope that people can really understand that and -- and fall in love with this idea that our neighbors, our friends, our family, like we get to be free, we get to do this together.

It's a -- it's a new chance for us to move the destiny of this country forward in a new direction.

[ Cheers ] ♪ oh no guitar listen ♪ ♪ We said freedom will find a way that's what the blue bird said ♪ ♪ We run and fly away we run and fly away ♪ ♪ We said freedom find a way that's what the bluebird say ♪ ♪ We run and fly away we run and fly away drop that beat ♪ >> How y'all feel tonight?

[ Cheers ] >> The band sounds so good.

Don't you agree?

You'll sing with me.

♪ We sang freedom will find a way that's what the bluebird say ♪ ♪ We run and fly away we run and fly away said freedom ♪ ♪ Will find a way that's what the bluebird say ♪ Y'all want to meet the band real quick?

[ Cheers ] you'll make some noise for the drums.

Scott -- ♪♪ On the bass, we've got Dave altimeyer, make some noise.

♪♪ On guitar, give it one time to Sean -- [ Applause ] On the keys -- ♪ oh my God on the keys on the keys ♪ This is my a1 Damon.

You'll make some noise for Alan!

[ Cheers ] while you're in the clapping mood, put your hands together.

I need that soul clap.

Ready?

Here we go.

Soul clap.

[ Clapping ] repeat after me, I said -- she said -- she said -- >> ladies?

Sing.

♪ Fly away we're gonna fly away ♪ ♪ Fly away we're gonna fly away ♪ >> Come on.

♪ Fly away we gonna fly away ♪ ♪ Fly away we gonna fly away ♪ ♪ Freedom yeah fly away ♪ ♪ That's what the bluebird say freedom and fly away we run and fly away ♪ ♪ Freedom fly away that's what the bluebird say we run and fly away we run and fly away ♪ ♪ We run and fly away we run and fly away ♪ ♪ We run and fly away ♪♪ [ cheers and applause ] ♪ I said freedom will find a way that's what the bluebird say run and fly away ♪ ♪ We run and fly away I said I said freedom ♪ ♪ Fly away that's what the bluebird say ♪ ♪ Run and fly away we run and fly away ♪♪ [ cheers and applause ] >> i what public radio and xBk here in Des Moines.

Thank you so much for our live studio audience here in Des Moines.

Also our audience at home and on the radio.

Thank you so much for tuning in.

We'd like to thank our production crew and sound support.

And for west end salvage for providing the wonderful props for this beautiful set.

Happy Juneteenth.

[ Cheers ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪