AFRAM, one of the largest African American festivals on the East Coast, celebrated its seventeenth year at Druid Hill Park Saturday. That day was also, for the first time, designated Baltimore Club Music Day. Festival goers witnessed several pioneers of the club scene perform Saturday.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott worked to create the celebration of the Baltimore Club scene, which he experienced growing up in the city.

“This was a perfect time for us to celebrate the entire history — 30 years-plus of that history — and what better place to do that than at Baltimore’s festival, Baltimore’s favorite festival, Baltimore’s Blackest festival, AFRAM?” Scott said last week.

Scott stated that the genre “was really a part of our culture that helped us escape everything and it was something that was ours. D.C. has their Go-Go, other folks have their other stuff. We had our club music and it was something that was unique to Baltimore.”

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Unique indeed. Saturday’s festival was full of dancing and great vibes with thousands of people in attendance spread out across the park.

Festivities continue Sunday beginning at noon.

Destiny Thrweatt, 23, dances with Marvin Parrott, 37, at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
A neck full of diamonds at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
People enjoy dancing and fun vibes at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Dancing happened all day long at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
Dancing happened all day long at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
People enjoy dancing and fun vibes at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Dancers from TSU Dance Crew and BMore Than Dance Crew perform at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
People enjoy dancing and fun vibes at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Cali Leahy, 40, dances at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
Cali Leahy, 40, dances at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
LeiLei Sims, 40, shows off her style at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Children enjoy dancing and fun vibes at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
Children enjoy fun vibes at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Dancers from TSU Dance Crew and BMore Than Dance Crew perform at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Shay Lyseh, 28, laughs at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
Shat Lyseh, 28, laughs at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Bill Morris, 25, and daughter Adora Tarley, 4, dance at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
Bill Morris, 25, and daughter Adora Tarley, 4, dance at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
RyeRye performs at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day.
RyeRye performs at AFRAM Juneteenth Festival on June 17, 2023 at Druid Hill Park. This is the first official Baltimore Club Music Day. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)

Kaitlin Newman

Kaitlin.Newman@thebaltimorebanner.com

Kaitlin Newman

Kaitlin Newman is a photojournalist specializing in multimedia coverage. Her main areas of focus are politics, conflict, feature and breaking news. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Professional Writing from Towson University, which is where she is also the professor of photojournalism.

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