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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T180000
DTSTAMP:20260617T090554
CREATED:20260515T143048Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T143531Z
UID:10002744-1781888400-1781892000@gregoryburrusproductions.com
SUMMARY:Guitarist Singer Jeanne Ricks Band in 2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration
DESCRIPTION:2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration\n\n\n\nMaplewood and South Orange come together once again for the 2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration\, a community gathering that honors freedom\, resilience\, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. On Friday\, June 19\, 2026\, the Maplewood Memorial Park Amphitheater transforms into a vibrant cultural space filled with music\, reflection\, and collective joy as neighbors\, families\, and artists celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth. \n\n\n\nThis year’s program uplifts the voices and stories that continue to shape our shared journey\, blending tradition with contemporary artistry. Among the featured performers is Jeanne Ricks—a guitarist\, composer\, and creative force whose socially conscious sound has become a powerful presence in Juneteenth programming across the region. \n\n\n\nJeanne brings her signature blend of Blues\, Soul\, Jazz\, and modern groove to the MAPSO stage\, offering a musical reflection that honors the past while inspiring forward motion. Her set—rooted in healing\, unity\, and liberation—creates a soundscape perfectly aligned with the meaning of the day. \n\n\n\nJeanne Ricks – RicksoMusic – Strings of Liberation –  A Socially Conscious Soundscape  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5:00 – 5:45 pm Jeanne Ricks brings a powerful musical journey of reflection\, healing\, and unity through her soulful guitar work and inspired arrangements. Her Juneteenth set features modern interpretations of “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” and “We Shall Overcome\,” along with timeless calls for justice and compassion such as “People Get Ready\,” “Someday We’ll All Be Free\,” “What’s Going On\,” “Blowin’ in the Wind\,” and “Love’s in Need of Love Today.” Jeanne weaves these classics together with original compositions that honor resilience and the ongoing pursuit of freedom. Her performance invites the audience into a space of remembrance\, hope\, and collective uplift. She closes with a message of unity and forward motion\, reminding us that love\, courage\, and community remain our greatest instruments of change.   \n\n\n\nJeanne Ricks\, known professionally as Ricksomusic\, is a guitarist\, composer\, and creative producer whose work blends Blues\, Funk\, Soul\, and atmospheric sound design into a signature style that is both groove‑driven and emotionally rich. A New Rochelle native with deep roots in the New York and New Jersey music scene\, Jeanne is recognized for her warm tone\, fluid phrasing\, and the unmistakable sense of storytelling she brings to every performance. \n\n\n\nAs the creator and artistic director of Sketches of Music\, Jeanne has developed a multimedia platform that merges live performance\, visual art\, and narrative elements to spotlight emerging and established artists. Her work reflects a commitment to cultural preservation\, creative innovation\, and community‑centered artistry. \n\n\n\nJeanne’s music has been featured in broadcast media\, including segments for The Weather Channel\, and she continues to expand her catalog of original compositions and collaborative projects. Whether on stage\, in the studio\, or behind the camera\, she approaches every endeavor with intention\, authenticity\, and a deep respect for the power of music to inspire and connect. \n\n\n\nWith Ricksomusic\, Jeanne stands at the intersection of artistry and vision — a guitarist with a distinct voice and a creator shaping new spaces for musical expression. \n\n\n\nTo see all all of the  2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration  activities –  Visit Maplewood Arts and Culture Juneteenth Event \n\n\n\n\nGregory Burrus Productions is a community‑driven cultural organization dedicated to presenting socially conscious music\, storytelling\, and live arts experiences that uplift\, educate\, and unite audiences across New Jersey and the tri‑state region. Led by cultural producer and community curator Gregory Burrus\, the organization creates platforms that honor heritage\, celebrate artistic excellence\, and amplify voices that speak to justice\, resilience\, and collective healing.
URL:https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/event/guitarist-singer-jeanne-ricks-band-in-2026-mapso-juneteenth-celebration/
LOCATION:Maplewood Memorial Park\, Maplewood Memorial Park Amphitheater\, New Jersey\, 07040\, United States
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260619T200000
DTSTAMP:20260617T090554
CREATED:20260515T143845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260515T171829Z
UID:10002745-1781895600-1781899200@gregoryburrusproductions.com
SUMMARY:Singer Performer Merikara SaikaPta in 2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration brings Maplewood and South Orange together for a day of remembrance\, reflection\, and joyful community expression. On Friday\, June 19\, 2026\, the Maplewood Memorial Park Amphitheater becomes a living canvas of music\, culture\, and storytelling as neighbors gather to honor the legacy of Juneteenth and the ongoing journey toward freedom. \n\n\n\nThis year’s program centers the artists and voices who carry forward traditions of resilience\, healing\, and liberation. Among them is MeriKara SaikaPtah—a vocalist\, storyteller\, and creative vessel whose work is deeply rooted in spirit\, ancestry\, and the transformative power of sound. \n\n\n\nMeriKara’s performances blend Jazz\, Soul\, Spirituals\, and spoken‑word textures\, creating a space where history\, identity\, and collective healing meet. Her presence on the Juneteenth stage offers a grounding\, heart‑centered experience that honors the past while calling the community toward unity\, strength\, and forward movement. \n\n\n\n7:10 – 7:755  Merikara  SaikaPta  – Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom ( Gil Scott Heron\, Marvin Gaye-) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom” is Merikara’s powerful tribute to the artists who turned truth into art and art into liberation. Drawing inspiration from Gil Scott‑Heron\, Marvin Gaye\, Nina Simone\, and the socially conscious voices of their era\, this set blends soul\, jazz\, spoken word\, and message‑driven storytelling into a moving musical experience. Each song becomes a reflection on resilience\, justice\, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom — honoring the legacy of those who used music as both a mirror and a megaphone for change. \n\n\n\nWith her commanding presence and emotionally rich delivery\, Merikara leads the audience through a journey that is both reflective and uplifting. The set invites listeners to feel the weight of history while celebrating the strength of a people who continue to rise. “Songs of Strength\, Sounds of Freedom” is more than a performance — it is a call to remember\, to honor\, and to carry the spirit of liberation forward. \n\n\n\nMeriKara SaikaPtah is a vocalist\, storyteller\, and creative vessel whose work is rooted in spirit\, culture\, and the healing power of sound.  Known for her warm\, resonant tone and emotionally honest delivery\, she brings a rare blend of ancestral grounding and contemporary expression to every performance. Her artistry spans Jazz\, Soul\, Spirituals\, and spoken‑word‑infused performance\, creating experiences that uplift\, awaken\, and invite deep reflection. \n\n\n\nA South Orange native with a growing footprint in New Jersey’s arts community\, MeriKara has appeared in productions such as Rooted In Us… A Jazz Corner Juke starring Ms. Celli Pitt and friends\, and continues to build a body of work that honors lineage while forging new creative pathways. Her performances are marked by intention — weaving themes of liberation\, identity\, and collective healing. \n\n\n\nAs both an artist and cultural practitioner\, MeriKara uses her voice as a tool for empowerment\, connection\, and emotional restoration. Whether on stage\, in community spaces\, or within multidisciplinary collaborations\, she brings a presence that is both grounding and transformative. \n\n\n\nTo see all all of the  2026 MAPSO Juneteenth Celebration  activities –  Visit Maplewood Arts and Culture Juneteenth Event \n\n\n\nGregory Burrus Productions — Live Music Ambassador\n\n\n\n\nGregory Burrus Productions is a community‑driven cultural organization dedicated to presenting socially conscious music\, storytelling\, and live arts experiences that uplift\, educate\, and unite audiences across New Jersey and the tri‑state region. Led by cultural producer and community curator Gregory Burrus\, the organization creates platforms that honor heritage\, celebrate artistic excellence\, and amplify voices that speak to justice\, resilience\, and collective healing.
URL:https://gregoryburrusproductions.com/event/singer-performer-merikara-saikapta-in-2026-mapso-juneteenth-celebration/
LOCATION:Maplewood Memorial Park\, Maplewood Memorial Park Amphitheater\, New Jersey\, 07040\, United States
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