NIKARA WARREN PRESENTS BLACK WALL STREET @ HARLEM STAGE

Live/Reserved Seating
Priority Seating: $35
General Seating: $25

~ GET TICKETS HERE! ~

Vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator Nikara Warren is a true Brooklynite. Born and bred in the eclectic and electric enclave, her family, her friends, her band, and her musical pedigree are a microcosm of the county at large. Granddaughter of world-renowned jazz pianist Kenny Barron, daughter of a half Trinidadian soca/dancehall lover father, and a classic 90s “Brooklyn ’Round the Way” girl mother, Warren is taking vibes to the people with her infectious compositional sense, her post-modern patchwork of influences and cultural signposts, and her fearless musicality. Her bold quest comes from being well-versed in the vibraphone lineage, but seeking to adventure beyond it. Music critic Kira Grunenberg states, “Nikara Presents Black Wall Street doesn’t project its versatility and creative range through scholarly jazz arrangements or covers chasing perfectionism. Instead, it offers original music converged around a stylistically fluid foundation.”

Warren’s debut album, Black Wall Street, represents a convergence of Nikara’s personal, cultural, familial, and musical journeys. Here, she explores abstract sound-collage, hip-hop, jazz, neo-soul, Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and more. The through-line here being for Nikara — it’s all dance music. Her vision is cohesive but eclectic — just like how people’s identities are a product of their varied heritage and associations. Join us at Harlem Stage for an evening of rare and exceptional talent.

This program is supported, in part, by, public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

FREE EVENT —-> RSVP HERE!

Presented by MLK Saratoga as part of our 2023 Dr. King Celebration Weekend

Before the show at 6:30 join us for a special pre-show interview with Nikara. Learn about her life, music and latest album "Black Wall Street" which came out on November 12th. Interview included in ticket reservation.

“Songs are the soul of a movement.” Music and song give expression to pain and grief as well as joy, hope and the resilience of the human spirit. It has been three years since we have gathered in person for this annual tradition. We want to come together to grieve and heal, learn and grown, connect and celebrate. MLK Saratoga is honored to present Nikara Warren and Black Wall Street as part of our 2023 Dr. King Celebration Weekend.

Vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator Nikara Warren is reimagining vibes. She is taking her instrument to the people with her infectious compositional sense, her post-modern patchwork of influences and cultural signposts, and her fearless musicality. Her bold quest comes from being well-versed in the vibraphone lineage, but seeking to adventure beyond it.

Today, Nikara celebrates Black excellence in music with her triumphant debut album, Black Wall Street. The provocative and evocative title commemorates the horrific Tulsa massacre when white mobs in Tulsa, Oklahoma attacked Black residents and their destroyed homes and businesses. It’s a day that has cast a dark shadow on Black achievement, though Nikara prefers to honor her Black ancestries’ splendor with a joyous celebration of cultures, genres, identities, and resilience.

The 10-album explores topics of race, gender, body positivity, personal-revelation, and acceptance. These weighty subjects are contextualized within a feel-good sensibility. “There is so much pain associated with the Black experience and within Black music. It was important to me to offset this by expressing joy, and making the music fun,” Nikara notes.

Stream this show live at caffelena.tv!

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