Songs of Black Folk 2026 was a resounding success, celebrating the rich musical traditions of the African diaspora with a special Black History Month and Valentine’s Day production at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. The program featured both a 4:00pm matinee and a 7:30pm evening performance. Once again, we honored the music that began on the African continent, endured slavery, and grew into the spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and spoken word that have shaped culture worldwide.

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SBF 2026 leaned into that year’s theme, “YOU CAN’T ERASE BLACK!”, using music as a form of resistance against efforts to rewrite history and diminish the contributions of Black and marginalized communities. The evening also featured a breathtaking performance by the legendary India Arie, delivering a moment that will be remembered as one for the ages. Along with our astounding orchestra, this once in a lifetime performance created a moving experience that uplifted and inspired audiences, reaffirming the enduring power of Black art to spark change.