Sugarhill To Sugarhill (A Costumed Art & Jazz Exhibition)

At its core, Harlem Nights: Sugarhill To Sugarhill is a love letter to Black joy—not just as a feeling, but as a legacy. This event isn’t about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s about reclaiming a moment in history when creativity, culture, and community collided in radical, beautiful ways—when joy was a form of resistance, and art was how we made ourselves known.

By honoring the Harlem Renaissance Period, we tap into a time when Black artists were unapologetically vibrant, stylish, brilliant, and seen. That spirit—of showing up fully, dressed to the nines, surrounded by art and music that speaks directly to the soul—that’s what we’re bringing into Newark Symphony Hall. That’s JOY.

Not a shallow version of it. Not performative or sanitized. But the kind of joy that is earned, lived, danced through. The kind that is loud and stylish and glittering and full of purpose. The kind that says, “We are still here. We are still creating. We are still shining.”

In a world that often tries to make Black and Brown people prove their worth or suppress their shine, Harlem Nights: Sugarhill to Sugarhill is a space where we can just be—be brilliant, be bold, be joyful, together. Executive Summary“Harlem Nights: Sugar Hill to Sugar Hill” is a curated, immersive art, jazz, and costume gala that pays homage to the glamour, brilliance, and JOY of the Harlem Renaissance. This experiential event merges fine art, fashion, performance, and music, capturing the exuberant spirit of Black cultural history and celebrating its legacy in Newark today. The night will connect Harlem’s iconic Sugar Hill with Newark’s vibrant Black arts movement through visual storytelling and live experiences.

This event also supports local economic development through vendor engagement, artist sales, and cultural tourism during Newark Arts Festival 2025.

Concept Overview

Attendees will arrive at Newark Symphony Hall dressed in Harlem Renaissance-inspired fashion—think zoot suits, flapper dresses, feathered hats, pearls, and vintage glam. The evening will open with "The Black Hollywood" installation, cocktails, and a visual art exhibition organized by Dontae T Muse & The Harlem Fine Arts Show, showcasing contemporary works inspired by the Renaissance era.

The night will progress with curated performances, live jazz, engaging educational panels, and a special recognition of creatives and cultural contributors. The goal is to immerse guests in the elegance and brilliance of a golden era of Black creativity while connecting them with living artists who carry that legacy forward.

*Food and OPEN BAR!

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