Newark Symphony Hall has officially announced Africa on Stage, an ambitious month-long celebration of African and diaspora arts, culture, and education set for October 2026.

Serving as a major centerpiece of the venue’s ongoing Centennial programming, the festival transforms the historic venue into a vibrant hub for film, fashion, beauty, live music, and interactive community learning.

The entire month builds toward a marquee finale: FELA! The Concert, a one-night-only performance inside the historic Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall on Thursday, October 22 at 7:00 PM.

Honoring Afrobeat and Global Legacy

FELA! The Concert brings together original cast members from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production. The electrifying show blends powerful storytelling with rich Afrobeat rhythms to celebrate the life and revolutionary activism of Nigerian music icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

The performance caps off four full weeks of open-to-the-public programming that bridges global arts with local community engagement.

“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.”

A Full Month of Cultural Programming

Africa on Stage features a diverse lineup of weekly events developed alongside esteemed cultural and community partners:

 Saturday, October 3 (2:00 PM – Midnight) | Bringing Ghana’s Damba Festival to Newark: Presented by the North American Dagomba Community, this free opening event brings West African traditions to life through drumming, dance, ceremony, and visual storytelling.

 Friday, October 9 (5:30 PM – 9:00 PM) | The Refill: Beats, Braids and Beauty: A celebration of African beauty, hair braiding, headwrapping, and fashion as forms of cultural artistry and personal identity.

 Saturday, October 10 (2:00 PM) | Amazing Grace: Yoruba World Film Screening: A special film screening presented with HarlemCLX, followed by a live panel conversation exploring diaspora history, identity, and resilience.

 Sunday, October 18 (10:00 AM) | Africa on Stage Community Arts Education Day: A free, interactive day for families, students, and educators featuring live artist demonstrations, music, dance, and hands-on workshops.

 Tuesday, October 20 | Africa on Stage Arts Education School Day: Presented in partnership with the Newark Board of Education, offering an exclusive immersive arts experience tailored for Newark Public School students.

Thursday, October 22 (7:00 PM) | FELA! The Concert: The month’s flagship performance celebrating the pioneer of Afrobeat with Broadway cast alumni.

Tickets and Registration

Tickets for FELA! The Concert and free registration for all community events are available at newarksymphonyhall.org.

photo credit: Aric Thompson

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