Kat Wright Credit: File: Matthew Thorsen
On Tuesday, South Burlington nightclub Higher Ground announced that it had partnered with the Champlain Valley Exposition to host a series of drive-in concerts and events. The first major concert announcement in that series came Thursday: Vermont’s Kat Wright performing on Friday, June 19.

But June 19 is also Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. To honor that day, the soul singer’s concert has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 21 .

Wright issued the following statement on the band’s Facebook page:

“Hi, Friends.

In the hustle and excitement to get next Friday’s show announced it was overlooked that it falls on a very important day, June 19th — or Juneteenth. This year, Juneteenth will be the 155th anniversary of the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. In reverence of this — we will be moving our show to Sunday, June 21. This year, of all years, let’s do better about acknowledging & embracing Juneteenth, to honor and celebrate Black Americans — and use it as an opportunity for all of us to continue to research, soul search, and commit to not only being anti-racist, but to actively address the injustices facing Black Americans ever day. On a personal note: while there is so much to say about race in America, I’m in listening mode right now. I will reflect back, more, soon.

Love, always.”

Requests for comment from Wright and Higher Ground were not immediately returned.

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Jordan Adams joined Seven Days as music editor in 2016. In 2021, he became an arts and culture staff writer. He's won awards from the Vermont Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association. In 2022, he became a freelance contributor.