NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - The Iron Horse in Northampton is hosting its first Juneteenth celebration. The event will feature local artist Indë, along with Parris and others. Western Mass News spoke with one artist to bring you a preview of the event, and why organizers say it’s about more than just the music.

On Juneteenth, the Iron Horse in Northampton will hold it’s first Juneteenth celebration, featuring western Mass. artist Indë, alongside Parris and the Ujima Singers. For Indë, the night is personal, returning to the iron horse stage more than a decade after first performing there at the age of 14, “there’s very few events in western Mass. that are specially designed for black people in the area and having this group of singers was really the first time I was in a majority black space consistently in my life and it’s been really powerful to be in that space.”

While the event will celebrate Juneteenth, the annual holiday commemorating the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the U.S., it will also spotlight local black talent and community. It’s also a celebration of Indë’s new album Role Model, with songs built around mentorship and community, brought to life with vocals and a full ensemble onstage.

“you might be surprised based on the way that I’m speaking right now that I have a big range so I’m going to hit some high notes”, Indë said they want audiences to leave the event with more than a playlist, “some of the songs are sobering, being a black person in America, at this time and at any time in our history has never been an easy thing to be. Ultimately people should leave feeling like they are in a community and feeling that they’re not alone.”

Iron Horse owners, the parlor room collective, said events like this are part of a push for more community-centered programming and greater access to live music. Tickets for the show cost $24. There’s another big piece: the collective will give away 100 percent of the door proceeds directly to the musicians.

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