Supporting Black Creatives and Performers Through ROSIN! Really Cool and Fun Rosin

 I, along with many people, celebrated the idea of making Juneteenth a federal holiday. Juneteenth has traditionally been celebrated on June 19 and marks the day in the year 1865 when Union Army General George Granger read out General Order No.3 in Galveston, Texas. That proclamation announced the end of chattel institutional slavery in Texas, the last state to have "legal" slavery. Of course, it took the point of the guns of the United States Army for slaveholders in Texas to release their slaves. There have been many horrific twists and turns on the march towards freedom for all Americans, but Juneteenth has been a traditionally celebrated Black holiday to commemorate the ending of slavery as a legal institution in all and in each of the United States of America. 

Ted Ellis, Scholar in Residence at Old Dominion University talks about Juneteenth

Netflix show 'High on the Hog' delves into the history and food of Juneteenth 

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a holiday in the U.S.

                                                                     Mr. Gibbs Von Rothbark

On June 18, 2021 our social media friend Wade Davis (@theprimacellist), a Black and gay cellist, performer, and teacher, and the human companion of one of the cutest dogs in the world, Mr. Gibbs (MrGibbsVonrothBark on Instagram)  tweeted, "Damn. Now literally EVERYONE is copping Juneteenth and it's just sickening to see." To which I replied, "Yes. That's my impression too. What do you think would be good ways for allies of Black Americans to observe/participate in Juneteenth? I ask out of friendship, respect, and love." Wade replied, "You're doing the right things Supporting/promoting black creatives and businesses is another way. The biggest is making sure people understand exactly what Juneteenth is: a recognition of the fact that two years after slavery was abolished, some white people still had slaves." 

Later that day, Wade messaged me and said "A way to promote black creatives/performers would be to have me be an ambassador for rosin or strings from your shop." My first response was to say "Cool. Can we chat more on Sunday or Monday". That would give me a few days to mull things over. BUT it took me all of three minutes to respond! " Although--- I just thought of something great. Magic brand rosin with Mr.Gibbs' picture in the bottom. It's clear, so you'd see him as you use it."

                                                           MR. GIBBS MAGIC ROSIN!!!!!!!

Mr. Gibbs Magic Rosin will be available from us on our website FineViolins.com and from Wade Davis directly. 

From us, the cost will be $15.00 and shipping via USPS to US destinations is free. The proceeds from our sale of Mr.Gibbs rosin will be donated to the Sphinx Organization to support diversity in the arts. 

I hope that this will be a small but growing way to support BIPOC classical music performers and creatives. And.. IT'S FUN! Isn't Mr. Gibbs one of the cutest dogs you've ever seen? Seriously, follow him on Instagram. I think he'd love to see your social media pictures using Mr.Gibbs rosin. Please tag him, Wade, and us. 

As I said to Wade on Twitter- We're doing this in the spirit of "friendship, respect, and love".

By the way- this is Magic 'Ultra' Rosin which is great for cellos and violas. We love their 3G rosin for violins, too. Maybe we'll have some with Zev the shop dog's visage made for that!

Zev, our shop dog!