Through Libations & Citations: A Juneteenth Celebration, curated by gaudanse’s Artistic Director, Imani Gaudin, history was transformed into living memory, creating sacred spaces where storytelling, art, and community converged. Based in gaudanse’s mission to hold space for artists while providing accessible, sustainable, wellness-based arts practices, the two-day celebration honored the journeys of our ancestors while inviting audiences of all backgrounds to gather in reflection, remembrance, and joy. Photo credit: Noble_Captures_TN

The weekend began at the Rosenwald School in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, with a standing-room-only conversation and book signing featuring Chief Justice (Ret.) Bernette Joshua Johnson, co-author KaTrina Griffin, and interviewed by The Honorable Karen Wells Roby. Their warm, candid exchange felt less like an interview and more like a gathering among family in their living room, embodying the spirit of connection that gaudanse seeks to foster. For many, it was a first encounter with this historic space. “I have never been here before,” one attendee said. “I didn’t even know this place existed,” said another, affirming the organization’s commitment to cultivating new audiences and expanding access to the arts in rural communities.

Presented by gaudanse, as part of their Day 1 Libations and Citations: A Juneteenth celebration, Chief Justice Bernette J. Johnson (Ret) said, “It was an honor to celebrate Juneteenth in Donaldsonville with family and friends. It is important to me to interact with young people. I like to encourage them to work hard and dream big. My presence in the community is evidence of what they can achieve!”

“I think what is happening in America is impacting young people, and we want them to be involved in the process…we want them to be leaders and get involved in their communities and change whatever needs to be changed and improved.” US Magistrate Judge Karen Wells Roby stated, “It was an honor interviewing a giant in the legal profession who has always fought for civil rights and is one who exemplifies what a good leader looks like.”

Gaudanse was honored to share space with these historical figures and community leaders.
“It was important for us to focus on accessible, sustainable, wellness-based art practices in curating these events by providing free experiences focused on the arts, cultural preservation, and our humanity. We gathered to celebrate joy, love, and freedom by honoring our ancestors,” stated Imani Gaudin, event curator.

As the celebration continued at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, history and artistry intertwined beneath the legacy of the GU272 descendants. Through music, movement, poetry, journaling, and a candle lighting ceremony, Gaudin’s new work, bury me in new orleans, invited participants to honor those who came before us while reflecting on the enduring power of love. Saxophonist Lazarro Nettles delighted the audience with jazzy tunes.  Oral histories shared by our community elders illuminated generations of lived experience, preserving invaluable cultural memory and reminding all present that storytelling is both an act of preservation and a pathway to healing. Varnel Jackson, Sr., a descendent of the Hohen Solms/Modeste (Donaldsonville) community, Roy Quezaire, Jr and his sister, Dr. Barbara Quezaire LeBoeuf both born in Donaldsonville, intrigued the audience with memories a joy, laughter and love, recounting moments at the True Friends Hall where live music, dancing and balls served as their entertainment, all centered around the arts and artists as the pivotal force of nature that support mental wellness.

The celebration culminated on Day 2 in New Orleans’ City Park, where Gaudin and dance artist Celine Seiber brought nanibu: The Throne Room to life through a whimsical and regal performance that invited the community into a collective libations ceremony to pay homage to ancestors, celebrate freedom, and embrace one another through shared humanity.
Across Donaldsonville and New Orleans, Libations & Citations: A Juneteenth Celebration demonstrated that Juneteenth is not only a remembrance of liberation—it is an opportunity to uplift rather than divide, to honor rather than marginalize, and to strengthen the relationships that bind communities together. Through oral history, artistic expression, and intentional gathering, gaudanse continues to preserve living histories, foster human connectivity, and create spaces where every story matters and every voice is welcomed and celebrated through artistic expression.

gaudanse extends heartfelt gratitude to its supporters: the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, CF Industries, Graugnard Furniture, the gaudanse Board of Directors and team, RRAAM, Darryl Gissel, Eric’s Epic Events LLC, community partners, participating artists, and the many returning and first-time audience members whose presence made this historic Juneteenth weekend possible.

Imani Gaudin is an interdisciplinary dance and performing artist. She is the founder and artistic director of gaudanse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding accessibility, sustainability, and wellness-based arts practices for underserved communities of performing artists. As a performer, she is currently a movement artist with Shamel Pitts’s TRIBE. Her work has been commissioned by Baryshnikov Arts, Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance, and Churchtown Dairy. Additionally, her work has received support from the New York State Council on the Arts, National Performance Network, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Imani has been a resident artist at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, New Dance Alliance, Baryshnikov Arts, and Pepatián in partnership with BAAD!. In 2025, she was named a Gambit 40 under 40 Honoree, premiered her first self-produced evening-length work nanibu (an interdisciplinary dance-based play), and made her international debut with her work mamihlapinatapai, in Paris, France.

gaudanse (gaudanse Inc.), is an interdisciplinary dance production organization. This collective of multidisciplinary movement artists, founded by Imani Gaudin is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that is rooted between New York, NY, and New Orleans, LA. Weaving together elements of dance, performance art, music, film, culinary arts, and visual arts, gaudanse builds immersive, whimsical worlds of fantasies that provoke thought and transport audiences into new dimensions of imagination. Through accessible programs, mentorship, workshops, and performances, the collective is committed to propelling the artistic growth of early-career creators.

For more info: www.gaudanse.org. @gau.danse @imani.angele.
gaudanse acknowledges and honors that we live and function on the land of the Munsee Lenape, Canarsie, Wappinger, Houma, and Choctaw peoples.

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