Juneteenth: Karen Smith, Donna Dorman Drum Up Holiday Spirit During Woodbury Event
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was produced as part of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University’s South Jersey Information Equity Project fellowship and supported with funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the NJ Civic Information Consortium.
BY MONIQUE HOWARD | South Jersey Information Equity Project
WOODBURY — On June 7, BrickNKulture hosted a pre-Juneteenth celebration to honor the holiday’s cultural roots with an African drum workshop featuring Karen “Magic Fingaz” Smith and Donna “Noize” Dorman of the Sistahs Laying Down Hands Collective.
The program was funded by the Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College of South Jersey, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State.
On a cloudy afternoon, the harmonies of the ancestors echoed with the rattle and beat of every instrument played by a small group of participants inside an airy event space.
In the spirit of Juneteenth, guests also created cardboard roll shakers filled with beans and rice, decorating each with multi-color streamers.
Donna Miller, Woodbury City Councilwoman and trustee of the Gloucester County Historical Society, was in attendance and participated in the festivities.
“Juneteenth started back in 2010 as part of the Neighborhood Preservation Program and the Greater Woodbury Arts Council,” Miller said. “And even though these programs fizzled out over the years, NPP has made a comeback.”
She added, “We’ve tried to do something each year to commemorate Juneteenth because we feel it’s important. Juneteenth means different things to different people, so we try to have a balance of education and entertainment for all ages.”
Although Miller is grateful for the funding received to continue sponsoring Juneteenth events, she is hoping for support from corporate sponsors and individuals looking to give back to the community.
“Even during COVID, we had senior lunch giveaways and produce giveaways when we couldn’t meet and really be close to each other,” Miller said. “We’ve always tried to commemorate it in some way since 2010.”
Smith lent her musical expertise to instruct the African drum workshop, which was enjoyed by both children and adults.
For Brooklyn native Smith, musical inspiration flowed abundantly throughout her neighborhood. However, she was first introduced to the art of music by her cousin
Bradley Simmons, a formally trained percussionist. His creative influence immersed Smith in the soulful rhythms of drumming.
“I already had it in me, and I would just drum on things and whatnot,” she said in an interview with Front Runner New Jersey.
“So I would say because of him, I started playing more and more, but not so much at school. I was just feeling it. I feel it because it’s the original heartbeat.”
In addition, Smith was inspired by the DanceAfrica festival held annually in May at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The cultural exposure to African drummers and dance companies left a lasting impact.
“For me, my drumming is very spiritual,” Smith stated. “I feel all the ancestors are coming into my rhythms and talking and delivering messages. That’s what I feel I’m relaying to others — to stay connected.”
Smith believes African drumming is not only something to be heard but also experienced, serving as a meaningful way to honor Juneteenth.
“Juneteenth is the real day of freedom that was made official by the wonderful government that we have,” she said. “There’s no more slavery pre se.. So, June 19, 1865, was really Independence Day for Black people.”
She hopes to continue sharing her passion for drumming and the cultural legacy that inspires her music.
“I do this for all ages,” Smith said. “I think that little people — the future generation of leaders — should know that this is so important to have in their lives, and the message that it brings. So, I feel like I’m a messenger in some shape or form with my drums.”
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