About this Event
Through interviews with DJs, dancers, emcees, and activists, the podcast sheds light on the stories and experiences of Black creatives such as DJ Jihad Muhammad, Kenny Bobien, Josh Milan, Kym Mazelle, and The Weather Girls, who have shaped this beloved musical genre. From the legendary Club Zanzibar in Newark to the present-day festival culture throughout the state, this limited series podcast is a window to the cultural significance of House Music as a self-sustaining Black community for the last four decades.
Sept 5
Ep 1: The House, Newark Built
Long before thousands danced in the park, a few local organizers sat down to write proposals and secure their own permits. Discover the hands-on labor, persistence, and local pride that built Newark’s second oldest House music festival from scratch.
Ep 2: Sacred Floors & Holy Sweat!
For local dancers, the dance floor is more than a party—it’s a safe space to heal, connect, and recover. Follow Newark House Heads who use movement as a daily practice for mental health, sobriety support, and pure joy.
Sept 12
Ep 3: Sound Architects
Behind every legendary night is a DJ guiding the room’s energy. Local DJs and music stewards share the craft, labor, and history of keeping Newark’s distinct sound alive across generations.
Ep 4: Queer Sanctuary
A celebration of the dance floor as a refuge where everyone can show up as their full selves. This chapter explores how Black LGBTQ+ organizers and dancers created lasting spaces of safety, love, and community care.
Sept 26
Ep 5: Behind the Len: From Vietnam to House Culture
Meet the military veterans who returned home, picked up cameras, and documented Newark’s House culture. A tribute to the local archivists who preserved decades of neighborhood memories from behind the camera.
Ep 6: Club Zanzibar
Step inside the legacy of Club Zanzibar, Newark’s legendary music sanctuary. Through oral history and vivid memories, storytellers honor the legendary club that gave birth to a global sound and a safe space for all.
Oct 3
Ep 7: Serving Our People
House music has always been about taking care of its own. Highlighting groups like Treehouse Care, this film shares how local organizers have spent four decades providing hot meals, clothing, and direct aid to neighbors in need.
Ep 8: Women of House
The series finale centers the dynamic women whose voices, leadership, and care built the foundation of global dance culture. Celebrate the mothers, vocalists, and organizers who sustain the scene on and off the stage.
Event venue & nearby stays
Newark Culture Club, 563 Broad Street, Newark, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.