Through the summer months, the sweet sound of jazz pours from the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, attracting visitors inside for its after-hours jazz performances. June also brings a special lineup of cultural programs from discussions to artistic presentations and documentary screenings, further showcasing African American history, culture, and storytelling. Located in the heart of what we know today as the Lincolnville Historic District, between the bustle of downtown, sits the first public Black high school in St. Johns County, the historic Excelsior School Building, built in 1925. After desegregation, the building was converted into a government office until 1980, leaving the building destined for demolition. A group of former Excelsior students and community members rallied to save the historic structure. In 2005, it first opened as the Excelsior School Museum and Cultural Center before being renamed to the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center (LMCC) in 2012.
Through the arts, educational programs, lectures, live performances, and exhibitions, the museum tirelessly works to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the more than 460 years of African American heritage and history that fill St. Augustine. Monday through Saturday, visitors can walk through their exhibits and learn how black men and women have shaped the state and nation from the free and enslaved men and women of the Spanish colonial period to the activists of the Civil Rights era, with stories that carry into the day. In addition to its regular operating hours, the museum hosts special events throughout the year, including its music series and community-focused “Museum After Hours programs, using more interactive and dynamic mediums to bring these stories to life through music, discussion, performance, and community engagement.
Jazz At the Excelsior Summer Series Line-Up
May 26th – Eric Carter
Performing classic jazz and blues melodies, Eric Carter creates a relaxed atmosphere with his smooth instrumental playing.
June 10th – Amy Alysia and the Band
Amy Alysia and the Band bring a soulful blend of jazz, blues and R&B, with powerful vocals, heartfelt ballads and an engaging stage presence that draws audiences into every song.
July 22nd– Akia Uwanda
Multi-genre vocalist Akia Uwanda’s powerful vocals fill the stage with vibrant, soulful energy and a dynamic performance style that creates a rich musical experience.
August 5th – Marcus Click
Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist Marcus Click creates an evening of relaxed yet engaging jazz with a smooth contemporary sound driven by melodic saxophone playing and infectious grooves.
August 12th – Longineu Parsons II
Closing out the season, classically trained trumpeter Longineu Warren showcases a versatile style that moves seamlessly between jazz, blues, jazz fusion, and classical.
Performances take place in the second-floor gathering space on Wednesdays from 7pm-9pm. Tickets range from $45-$60 per show.
Juneteenth Events List
June 13th, noon – Lunch and Learn with Dr. Edda Fields-Black
Dr. Edda Fields-Black is a renowned author best known for her extensive knowledge of West African rice farmers. During this lunch, catered by No Pity Party, she will share her knowledge, life, and heritage roots. Tickets are $50.
June 16th, 6pm – African Diasporan Hidden Kulture presented by Nola Oracle
The CEO of Diaspora Whispers Studios and local filmmaker, Nola Oracle’s two-part film of African Diasporan Hidden Kulture.
June 17th, 2pm – The Significance of Quilting to the Underground Railroad presented by Pat Hines
Pat Hines, author and master quilter, will demonstrate quilting and its significance to the underground railroad while also sharing her story as a descendant of Christmas Hemming.
June 19th, 7pm – “The Soul of Blackness”, a Johnnie Sanders production
This dynamic 90-minute production, “The Soul of Blackness,” celebrates the richness, resilience, and cultural impact of Black music and artistic expression.
For more information and ticket purchasing visit the Lincolnville Museum site.
