Artists and audiences alike shared the spotlight in an evening of music, poetry, and creativity at Newark’s historic venue.
Since October 2023, Newark’s iconic and recently renovated Terrance Ballroom has opened its doors to guests hoping to participate in their free open mic night every second Tuesday.
“A Night on the Mic was inspired by young artists,” said Diamond Hyatt, Newark Symphony Hall’s Programming & Social Media Coordinator.
“Being here within the Newark area, we’re surrounded by many artists, and I think Newark Symphony Hall just wanted to bring something that will allow all genders, [and] all ages to come to have their spotlight moment on the stage,” Hyatt added.
Many creatives and performers get to shine, using this free platform to make themselves heard and promote their art to the public. Such a small but spacious venue also gives guests the freedom to unwind and enjoy themselves for a night on the town.
“It’s an honor to be in an environment where we can have the stage. I think it’s just such a competitive environment. So, this kinda cleared the air. This allows people who are more experienced or not as experienced to still have the opportunity to share their talent,” Hyatt added.
This event was hosted by Brooklyn’s own Antwon Robinson, a.k.a. Blacksoul. Though original host C. King (best known for the improv comedy troupe Wild ’N Out) had come down with a sudden illness, Robinson proved to be an excellent replacement, hyping and serenading the audience throughout the night with groovy tunes and fiery charisma.
The evening kicked off with Robinson’s band entertaining audiences, who were especially crazy for drummer Kevin and his thunderous performance. Guests were also treated to delicious food and refreshments as they settled in and enjoyed the up-close performances just for them.
When the floor opened for the volunteers, one brave woman sang acapella for the first time in front of people. Though nervous, she had audiences snapping their fingers and tapping their feet to the beat of her music. After that, another volunteer sang a song about a man remembering his love in Hindi, establishing how diverse the night’s creative lineup would be.
One highlight of the evening came with Brea H., a young woman who sang a powerful rendition of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like A Hole” with spectacular showmanship. Following her, Eric from Wood Ridge sang “A House Is Not a Home” by Luther Vandross with his silky smooth pipes. He also used his time on the stage to promote his upcoming album, “From Darkness to Light.”
But the lineup featured more than just singers. Some volunteers even took to the stage to share their poetry. One unique performance came from duo Tara Jada and Imani White. Their performance saw Jada singing a song about love, which she claimed was rare these days, and White painting a portrait next to her onstage.
On top of that, up-and-coming artist Prince Mac sang “You Gotta Get Over It,” an uplifting piece encouraging the audience to overcome and let go of any stress or depression weighing them down. Thanks to such an incredible list of performers, everyone was on their feet and dancing to the music by the second half of the evening, making for a night to remember.
“To be able to come into the Terrance Ballroom and actually perform, whether you sing… whether you play an instrument, we’re open to just creating a space for creatives and artists to share their gifts,” said Hyatt.
“A Night on the Mic” is only one of the many events Newark Symphony Hall has in store for the public. They will have a “Giveback & Pay It Forward” charity event on September 29th and a Soul Line Dance event on October 11th.
Hyatt also announced their Haunted Hall trunk-or-treat event, offering more fun to children of all ages with a bounce house and DJ music on Halloween, October 31st.
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Newark Symphony Hall’s “A Night on the Mic” Lights Up the Terrance Ballroom
