Facing the Rising Sun

 

We recently concluded our concert series “Facing the Rising Sun,” a celebration of Juneteenth. This series took us to diverse venues: a cozy Cleveland coffee shop, four correctional facilities, a homeless shelter, a charity medical center, and even a set of special performances for a summer camp in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood.

Throughout these concerts we delved into the question, “What is your Juneteenth connection?” Our exploration was expressed through a rich tapestry of musical styles featuring violin, cello, percussion, and vocals. Together we reflected on the importance of celebrating this holiday, regardless of one’s background or skin color, as well as its profound significance - past, present, and future.

We were especially honored to have percussionist Torrell Moss join us! His presence and artistry added so much to our shared celebrations. With music ranging from Stevie Wonder to traditional West African songs to ‘Down by the Riverside,’ it was truly a gift to have Torrell participate in these concerts.

 
A violinist, cellist, and percussionist perform a Juneteenth concert for a large crowd at a men's prison.

Renovare performing with Torrell at the Mansfield Correctional Institution.

 

It was beautiful to see rooms full of people, whether at a coffee shop, inside a prison, or at a homeless shelter, discussing America’s complicated history and making music with us. (Our concerts are always interactive!) Some audience members have lived experience with the difficulties of being a person of color in America, while others didn’t know what Juneteenth was prior to attending our concert. “Facing the Rising Sun” was meant to engage with the hard realities of our country’s past in a way that would help us all grow together and work towards a better future.

Marsha and Brian

Here’s a special note from our friends, Marsha and Brian who attended ‘Facing the Rising Sun’ at Lekko Coffee this past June:

“We cannot adequately express how much it means to us that you use your gifts to celebrate and remember a part of American history that is so bittersweet. We see history as a continuous chain, that the present cannot adequately be understood unless the past is studied and appropriately commemorated. This is especially the case for Marsha as a former teacher of American and African American history in a local high school.”

Click here to read more thoughts from Marsha and Brian about their experiences with Renovare at this concert and others. We are so blessed by their reflections.

We’ve come a long way as a nation. And there is still a long ways to go. Let’s keep “facing the rising sun of our new day begun,” as the classic anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ encourages us to do.

 
 
A violin, percussion, and cello trio perform a concert at a women's prison.
 

Wondering how you can take an action step towards the rising sun? Join us in being learners - check out one of the following books as a starting place!

 
Lalia Mangione