Following DC’s Something in the Water Festival, Concerns Linger
Attendees gather in front of the stage at the Juneteenth Chocolate City Jubilee concert at Freedom Plaza in D.C, June 19, 2022. Photograph by Grace Bidemi.
Hundreds gathered Sunday for the Chocolate City Jubilee event at DC’s Freedom Plaza to celebrate Juneteenth, the newly federal holiday which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the U.S.
The concert featured a lineup of Black DC artists and youth performers including Reaction Band (@reactionband), Ayanna Gregory (@imayannagregory), Patience Sings (@patience.sings), Liv Grace (@liv.wav), Ambition Band (@ambitionbanddmv), TOB Band (@tobbandandshow), and host Poet Taylor (@justcuriouspoe).
The free event was organized by local Black-led mutual aid and community defense organization Harriet’s Wildest Dreams (@harrietsdreams) not only for those who want to celebrate Juneteenth in the district but for those may not have been able to afford tickets to Something in the Water, happening just a few blocks away.
Harriet’s Wildest Dreams co-coordinator Nee Nee Taylor (@neeneetay) called out Mayor Muriel Bowser, who just won DC’s democratic primary election, for allowing SITW to fall on Juneteenth and charge ticket prices ranging $200-$500 when most Black Washingtonians cannot afford such prices.
“Shame on y’all for allowing this wonderful event to come to DC knowing damn well that it’s going to be attended by majority [w]hite people on JUNETEENTH because local Black people can’t afford to drop $400 to listen to music 😞,” Nee Nee wrote in an IG post.
Neither Mayor Bowser or Something in the Water have responded to the criticism of the festival’s inaccessibility for Black residents. During the festival, photos and video from the certain areas of the festival grounds showed chaotic scenes as complaints surfacing on social media described a lack of space, security, and seating. Some ticket holders reported being denied entry to the festival on site, while on social media, users pointed out the tickets were still on sale as overcrowding occurred. As the music festival has now moved on to posting highlights on its Instagram, social media comments show frustrated attendees asking for refunds.
Nee Nee has one ask for SITW: “My ask has been and still is, that @pharrell and his team connect with us and support. As I ask all National events that [visit Washington D.C.], leave the City better than the way you found it.”
Nee Nee has invited Pharrell and SITW to make a contribution to Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, which serves Black Washingtonians though legal, political, and community defense efforts against the oppressive systems that exist in DC. The DC native continues to be committed to serving Black Washingtonians. “The Juneteenth Chocolate City Jubilee wasn’t about me, but a gift to my people from those who protect and reside in me, that are greater than those who are against us and in the World… [i]t was an honor to show up for my Ancestors with a message and Black Love.”
SITW organizers provided a now-defunct webpage to ABC 7News where attendees seeking refunds are directed to file requests. SITW has not yet responded to Nee Nee or to the many upset attendees still demanding refunds.
