Happy Juneteenth! Here are 20+ events to keep you entertained this week. Sign up for my newsletter to stay updated and check out MerlexPicks.com for the most up-to-date event calendar of Houston events!

EMANCIPATION PARK JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
Monday, June 19, 2017, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Emancipation Park is the oldest park site in the City of Houston. The parcel was purchased for $800 in 1872 by a group of Black community leaders  in celebration of Juneteenth (the anniversary of the emancipation of African Americans in Texas on June 19, 1865). Learn more here.

WALKING TOUR OF EMANCIPATION PARK INSTALLATIONS
Monday, June 19, 2017, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Artists Jamal Cyrus, Nathaniel Donnett, and Chanelle Nicole Frazier have embarked on a series of interventions along Emancipation Avenue. The works are intended to engage visitors and community residents in both historic and contemporary narratives of the Third Ward neighborhood. Tours will begin at Emancipation Park. Learn more here.

A GULF COAST JUNETEENTH AT MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
Monday, June 19, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Celebrate Juneteenth with legendary rhythm and blues singer Mavis Staples, as well as Milton Hopkins and J Paul Jr and the Zydeco Nubreeds Friends & Fam Page! Learn more here.

PEOPLESPRING – NETWORKING FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Tuesday, June 20, 2017, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The second annual PeopleSpring Houston – a networking, leadership, and women’s luncheon event, designed to connect female entrepreneurs to one another. Bring your business cards, practice your elevator pitch, and make meaningful connections. Lunch is included. The event is free, but space is limited. Learn more here.

GROWN-UP STORYTIME 103 – SEASON 10 BEST OF!
Tuesday, June 20, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
“Every month you send us stories, we pick the best ones, and assign them to a rotating crack-squad of expert story readers who show up the night of and wow our socks and/or pants off. So that means these stories are some of the best selections to represent this past season (July 2016-May 2017).” They are doing an 8pm and a 10pm. $7. Learn more here.

MNDSGN (STONES THROW) + JAWWAAD AND BOBBY EARTH
Wednesday, June 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
A great line-up for the music heads. the music heads. Mndsgn grew up in south New Jersey, raised with Gospel music at church, and B-Boy culture at home. JAWWAAD is a hip hop artist, trumpet player, composer, and educator. Bobby Earth is a recording artist, producer, and CEO of the local Milky Wayv label. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.

TAILORED WEDNESDAYS (112 VS JAGGED EDGE)
Wednesday, June 21, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Head to Midtown for free fish and shrimp with a drink purchase, neo soul and classic R&B music videos, and a 112 vs. Jagged Edge tribute set at 10pm in Houston’s oldest bar! Learn more here.

FADE TO BLACK PLAY FESTIVAL
Thursday, June 22, 2017 – Saturday, June 24, 2017
Houston’s first and only national short play festival to celebrate the new works of African-American playwrights. Tickets are only $25. Learn more here.

HMAAC + ARRAYNOW PRESENTS: THE HOUSE ON COCO ROAD
Thursday, June 22, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Continuing their relationship with Ava DuVernay’s film collective ARRAY Now, HMAAC presents The House on Coco Road, an intimate documentary exploration of heritage and history against the backdrop of a brewing Afro-centric revolution as the U.S. government prepares to invade the island nation of Grenada. Tickets are only $10. Learn more here.

FUTURE WITH MIGOS, TORY LANEZ, A$AP FERG and ZOEY DOLLAZ
Thursday, June 22, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Nobody’s Safe Tour comes to Houston! Also the night before Migos will be at Mercy Night Club if you don’t want to drive to The Woodlands. Tickets start at $55. Learn more here. 

GEEKS AND GIGGLES HOSTED BY ROXXY HAZE
Friday, June 23, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Comedian + Youtuber Roxxy Haze presents: Geeks and Giggles at Rec Room featuring Chinedu Ogu, James Campbell, Ryan McGhee and Brenda Valdivia! The event will feature standup comedy, improv games, prizes, and food! Bonus: Rec Room also has a bar and is right downtown! Advance tickets are $10! Learn more here.

THIRD WARD FREE MARKET SQUARE AT EMANCIPATION PARK
Friday, June 23, 2017 – Saturday, June 24, 2017
Continue the Juneteenth celebrations with local vendors, activities and performances as Houstonians reignite the legacy of Emancipation Avenue’s thriving Black business district. The EEDC’s Free Market Square is a temporary outdoor shopping and live entertainment market centrally located at the corner of Bastrop and Elgin on Friday from 4-8pm. and Saturday from 12-8pm. Learn more here.

HOUSE PARTY FRIDAYS
Friday, June 16, 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Spinning old school Hip Hop, R&B classics, twerk, N.O Bounce, Reggae, Dancehall, Latin and more until 3AM in the morning. Learn more here.

HOUSTON LGBT PRIDE CELEBRATION 2017
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
2017 marks 39 years of the Houston LGBT Pride Celebration®, the official Pride of Houston. This event is free and open to the public to attend/watch and open to the public (no age limit).  Learn more here.

3RD ANNUAL TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Everything that makes the Crescent City great is present at the festival including, music, food and art. The organizers pride themselves in bringing you a true New Orleans experience. Presale tickets are $10. I highly recommend pregaming at the Trap Yoga & Day Party event or at Bourbon, Brunch, & Booze. Learn more here.

TRAP YOGA & DAY PARTY AT THE WOMAN’S EARTH
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a HIP HOP infused yoga class taught by GABBY of MixFitz Studios. Afterwards, walk out onto the deck to enjoy a SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCE by the beautiful & magical STERLING VICTORIAN straight out of L.A. There will be an intimate mixer and day party on the deck with UNLIMITED WINE. Celebrate being a woman and a lover of the hip hop culture on JUNE 24th! Come be inspired to be uniquely and authentically YOU in this culture. Learn more here.

BOURBON BRUNCH & BOOZE
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy special samples from local Bourbon, Whiskey, Beer, companies. There will also be a variety of other alcoholic beverage options while you are enjoying a variety of delicious brunch samples from local restaurants. You will hear a mixture of music from every genre. Tickets are $40 but you might catch a deal on their Facebook page! Learn more here.

“SIP AND SHARE” WINE, CONVERSATIONS, AND CONNECTIONS VOL. V THE SUMMER SOUL SESSION EDITION
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Local Black nonprofit QueenLyfe is bringing a panel of experts for a total mind, body, and spirit experience discussing holistic healing, healing through creativity, and the importance of incorporating overall wellness into our lifestyles. During this interactive experience, guests will have opportunity to engage with our featured healers during intimate breakout sessions. Learn more here.

4 THE PEOPLE
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
We’re taking things we love and putting it all under one roof. Infusing house party and kickback vibes with a music festival feel to create an atmosphere of no worries, positivity, and a fun time 4 The People. There will be two stages: The First Floor Jam Session & Second Floor Bounce. There’s also the beautiful back patio if you want to smoke and chill. Learn more here.

LITTY KITTY KARNIVAL
Saturday, June 24, 2017, 10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Tun’ up this Pride at this carnival themed event and feel free to dress for the occasion. Featuring special performances by The Regal People and Morganne Nikole, this will be an event you won’t want to miss. Opening for the first time, Black Origins welcomes you to the Quilombo Mansion. $7 gets you access to a food truck, drink specials, music and some special festivities that will be revealed the night of the event. Learn more here.

ETTA’S SUNDAY BRUNCH
Sunday, June 25, 2017, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Enjoy delicious brunch staples from Etta’s Kitchen like Belgian waffles, chicken & biscuits, shrimp & grits, and of course mimosas! The Waxaholics will also be on hand to provide the music. If you want to continue the party head to Cafeza for soul and R&B singer Madeline Edwards. Learn more here.

CAFEZA PRESENTS – MADELINE EDWARDS
Sunday, June 25, 2017, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Singer and songwriter Madeline Edwards combines sultry vocals and classic jazz, soul and R&B arrangements with a contemporary vibe and a stage presence of a veteran performer. Join us for our monthly Sunday-evening performance with Madeline and friends, the last Sunday of every month. Learn more here.