Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Wednesday, June 18 | 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)

Rivian South Coast Theatre, 162 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach

Kick off LBCAC’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee with an unforgettable cinematic experience that sets the tone for a weekend of truth, beauty, and celebration. Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Summer of Soul is the Academy Award–winning documentary that unearths the long-lost footage of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival—a radiant tribute to Black music, identity, and resilience.

With showstopping performances by legends like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson, and The Staple Singers, this film is more than a concert documentary. It’s an urgent act of historical preservation, a joyous expression of Black excellence, and a soulful reflection of Juneteenth’s enduring spirit.

This event is the perfect launch for our Juneteenth Jubilee because it embodies everything the holiday stands for: liberation, legacy, and the power of remembrance. It’s a celebration, a rediscovery, and a call to keep lifting the stories that shaped us.

We are proud to partner with Rivian South Coast Theatre, whose continued support for community-based programming makes this evening possible. Their commitment to collaboration reflects a deeper understanding: that when organizations unite with shared purpose, we create cultural impact far greater than what any one venue can achieve alone. Rather than sailing solo in separate directions, we’re choosing to move as a fleet—amplifying voices, elevating stories, and making real waves in the name of justice and joy.

Let this electrifying film be your first step into a weekend of music, memory, and meaning. Because history that was once nearly lost is now ready to inspire.

Check out our calendar at

www.LBCulturalArtsCenter.org

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments

and the City of Laguna Beach.