CITY ARTS : More Than the Blues

The music and stories of the black experience are among the highlights of this year’s Juneteenth celebration today at the William Grant Still Community Arts Center.

Performances will include a broad spectrum of sounds ranging from early spirituals, gospel, classical music and the works of contemporary African American composers, including William Grant Still.

The celebration, commemorating the day Texas slaves finally learned they had been emancipated, also includes storytelling and a gospel workshop.

Among the artists performing Still’s work will be the Afro-American Chamber Music Society, accompanied by soprano Celeste Headlee, the composer’s granddaughter.

Still’s diverse compositions drew on classical, blues and jazz traditions.

In 1931 his work, “The Afro-American,” was the first full symphony by a black composer to be performed by a major orchestra, in Rochester, N.Y. Still, who died in 1978, also wrote several operas.

“I think much of the African American experience in music has been pigeonholed. We are more than blues. We have a rich history in classical music,” said Bobbee Zeno, who is helping produce a musical segment of the program.

“Dr. Still was a great composer.”

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The free concerts begin at 2 p.m. at the William Grant Still Community Arts Center, 25230 W. View Street. Information: (213) 734-1164.