WHEELING — Towngate Theatre hosts a screening of the 1991 film “The Five Heartbeats” as part of Wheeling’s 2023 Juneteenth Celebration.

The film will be shown at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 18. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Admission is $5 or free those dressed as a character from the film or in clothing from the time period of the movie.

Coming in on the tail end of a rhythm and blues singing group explosion in 1960s, “The Five Heartbeats” (Robert Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon, Harry J. Lennix and Tico Wells) rise and fall within the space of seven years. Townsend co-wrote and starred in this amazing story of a fictional black male quintet. After researching a real group, the Dells, he brilliantly depicted the typical issues that most black groups confronted in pre-Civil Rights America.

This event is part of Wheeling’s 2023 Juneteenth weekend lineup, which will culminate on Monday, June 19 at 6 p.m. with a Juneteenth ceremony and celebration at Market Plaza.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. This year, the Wheeling Juneteenth committee is proud to partner with organizations from across the community to celebrate Black history and culture. Learn more at wheelingjuneteenth.com.

A church-turned-theater, Towngate is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District and is part of the nonprofit Oglebay Institute. Towngate offers entertainment almost every weekend.

In addition to main stage theater productions, Towngate also offers poetry and spoken word performances and children’s theater. Towngate also features comedy and improv shows. Local and regional musicians perform concerts on the Towngate stage, and a variety of acting classes are offered year-round for all ages.

As a single screen cinema, Towngate shows a variety of films on select weekends throughout the year including classic movies, independent films, thought-provoking documentaries, as well as film shorts by local and regional filmmakers.

For more information on Towngate Theatre, visit www.oionline.com or call 304-242-7700.