(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Symphony Hall presents Africa on Stage, a month-long celebration of African and diaspora arts, culture, and education throughout October 2026 as a centerpiece of the venue's Centennial programming. Spanning four weeks, the festival transforms the Hall's campus into a gathering place for film, fashion, beauty, live music, and community learning, culminating in FELA! The Concert, a one-night-only performance in the historic Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall on Thursday, October 22, 2026 at 7:00pm.
FELA! blends powerful storytelling with Afrobeat rhythms to celebrate the life, music, and revolutionary legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the Nigerian musician and activist whose sound and activism reshaped global culture. The production caps four weeks of open-to-the-public programming highlighting film, fashion, beauty, and artist-led education.
"Newark Symphony Hall is Newark's First Stage. This October it becomes Africa's stage too," said Talia L. Young, President & CEO of Newark Symphony Hall. "Bringing FELA! to the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall during our Centennial, alongside hands-on learning for our students, is exactly the kind of expansive programming this building was built for: art that educates, unites, and moves us forward."
October's Africa On Stage Schedule
Africa on Stage unfolds across the month with performances, film, fashion, and community programming, each presented with a cultural or community partner.
Saturday, October 3 (2:00pm- Midnight) | Bringing Ghana's Damba Festival to Newark. The festival opens with an immersive celebration inspired by Ghana's historic Damba Festival, presented by the North American Dagomba Community. Experience the sights, sounds, and traditions of one of West Africa's most celebrated cultural observances through drumming, dance, music, ceremony, and visual storytelling. Free and open to the public.
Friday, October 9 (5:30pm – 9:00pm) | The Refill: Beats, Braids and Beauty. Celebrate African beauty, fashion, and cultural traditions through live demonstrations, styling experiences, braiding, headwrapping, and conversations that explore beauty as artistry, identity, and cultural expression. Register
Saturday, October 10 (2:00pm) | Amazing Grace: Yoruba World Film Screening. Experience the acclaimed Yoruba World film Amazing Grace, followed by a live conversation exploring history, identity, resilience, and the enduring legacy of the African Diaspora. Presented in partnership with HarlemCLX. Reserve Your Seat
Sunday, October 18 (10:00am) | Africa on Stage Community Arts Education Day. A free community celebration of African arts and culture. Open to the public, this interactive day features live artist demonstrations, music, dance, storytelling, hands-on workshops, and cultural experiences for families, students, educators, and lifelong learners. Register
Tuesday, October 20 | Africa on Stage Arts Education School Day. Presented in partnership with the Newark Board of Education, this special school-day experience welcomes Newark students and educators for immersive arts education programming, artist demonstrations, performances, and cultural learning designed to inspire the next generation of creative leaders. This program is presented exclusively for participating Newark Public schools.
Thursday, October 22 (7:00pm) | FELA! The Concert. Africa On Stage culminates with FELA!, an electrifying production featuring cast members from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production celebrating the life, music, and revolutionary legacy of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Buy Tickets
Tickets for FELA! The Concert and registration for all Africa on Stage community programming are available at newarksymphonyhall.org.
Founded in 1925, Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) has been a cornerstone of arts, culture, and community for over a century. One of New Jersey's most historic performing arts venues and the state's largest Black-led arts institution, NSH honors its legacy while advancing a bold vision for the future of creativity. The 200,000-square-foot historic landmark shapes the cultural and economic landscape through world-class performances, cultural programming, and workforce development initiatives. NSH remains dedicated to inspiring audiences of all ages and creating meaningful pathways for artists and residents across the Greater Newark region.
Keitaro Harada conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Xian Zhang conductor
George Li piano
New Jersey Symphony
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Christian McBride double bass
Chris Komer horn
New Jersey Symphony
