Celebrate Juneteenth 2024 at the Ordway with Blackout Improv

As the Juneteenth holiday gains broader recognition nationwide, Blackout Improv, the esteemed all-Black improv comedy group based in the Twin Cities, has partnered with the Ordway to commemorate this significant day in American history. Juneteenth, celebrated every year on June 19, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865 and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom and equality. Blackout Improv will perform a special Juneteenth show at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul at 7:00 p.m. on June 19, 2024.

So, why should geeks be interested in a show about Juneteenth? Blackout’s Duck Washington explains, “Juneteenth is a celebration of our freedom—a celebration of a victory over oppression and injustice. Is that fight not at the core of some of our strongest science fiction?” And he certainly has a point. You can find this theme not only in Afrofuturist stories but also in media such as X-Men, Star Wars, Star Trek, The Hunger Games, and many, many more that anybody reading these words could probably list.

“Today, so many of our freedoms are at risk, and I think Juneteenth is the perfect time for every geek to remember that in the not-so-distant past, many of us didn’t have those freedoms,” Washington continues. “Fighting for and celebrating those freedoms is as important here on Earth as it is in galaxies across the stars.”

Blackout is known for its dynamic and thought-provoking performances, which blend humor with social commentary on contemporary issues. The Star Tribune has hailed the group for its “exhilarating freestyles on the topics of our time,” showcasing an ability to engage audiences while addressing critical societal themes.

Blackout Improv

Washington adds, “While I think players like myself and Gregory Parks might be more identifiable to [local geeks], I think that every member of Blackout is nerdy about something. The diaspora of geekiness converges in our membership and nerdy topics are often reflected in our performances, whether it be Black Panther, music, or sneakers.”

Audiences can expect an evening of laughter, insight, and impactful storytelling as Blackout Improv takes the stage to celebrate Juneteenth. This isn’t a show to be missed.

You can purchase tickets for Blackout Improv’s Juneteenth show online through the Ordway’s official website or at the theater box office.