“The Rumble in the Jungle,” Closed Circuit TV
at Newark Symphony Hall, May 20, 1974

Muhammad Ali’s and George Foreman’s boxing match in Kinshasa, Zaire on May 20, 1974, is among my most memorable visits to Newark Symphony Hall. In those days, when closed circuit broadcasts of major sports events were available in public domains, Symphony Hall was such a place in Newark. I remember the evening as if it were yesterday. The Hall was packed, mostly with young and middle-aged black men, except for the small contingent of my white faculty colleagues from Rutgers who accompanied me. Like me, they were rooting for Ali over Foreman.

There was a palpable excitement in the grand auditorium, as most of the assembled wanted Ali to prevail over the more favored Foreman. The pre-fight hype only added to the excitement and, I now remember, to the anxiety. What would the world look like if Ali lost the fight, which was the first major heavy weight boxing match in Africa, the home of my forebears? It was more than a fight; it was an important moment in modern African and African American history.

The main auditorium, where the closed circuit broadcast was set up, was a beehive of frivolity, style, and tension. I remember feeling as if I was at a very important event and indeed I was. The assembled had no idea what would happen. Would Ali, then a metaphor for black male defiance, elegance under pressure and sheer athletic talent, prevail over George Foreman, who in the minds of many in auditorium was, quite simply, a brute? At the time, we didn’t know.

Early on in the fight, as I recall the second round, the screen went blank. The audience went from stunned to angry, understandably so. I was angry, too. My white colleagues were, shall we say, concerned: “Clem, what is going on? I don’t know,” I said, “but I sure hope the feed comes back soon.”

It did, just as it became certain that Ali was putting in place one of the greatest strategies in history of boxing, Ali’s rope a dope. Toward the end of the fight, in the eighth round, George Forman’s formidable strengths gave way to Ali’s cunning expertise. Foreman punched himself out and Ali knocked him to the canvass. The audience roared its approval, brotherly hugs all ‘round. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. My Rutgers colleagues, who probably had never been in a predominantly black audience before, where equally ecstatic and, perhaps, relieved that the evening turned out so well.

Newark Symphony Hall is a space for such memories, those enriched by the pivotal events that give meaning to our lives spent amidst our fellow citizens having fun, enjoying the rituals of public life.

─ Clement Alexander Price
Board of Governors Distinguished Service Professor of History
Rutgers University (Newark, New Jersey)

I was a young child, and every Saturday during the Children's Concert series my mother would take a group of us (my classmates for a music experience through the Kearney Elementary School) to "the Mosque."

She was a great patron of the arts, and she was also very strict. We always had to dress up (circa 1956 for a few years) in fine clothes, we could not talk during a performance, we could not leave the theater -- even for the bathroom unless we were ill -- and we were NEVER allowed to eat in the theater! Once the performance was over, we could buy all the junk food we wanted, and eat it in the car on the way home. I always bought a Sugar Daddy pop! It was a splendid time in my life. I hope the other grown and old children remember the same experience. I have never forgotten those lessons, and am truly disappointed in the lost manners for concerts. Now, when we go, everyone is in whatever they want to wear - mostly casual clothes, people chew on things and rattle papers, people talk loudly over the music, and children are up and down throughout the performances. Oh, for the good old days of respect.

I mostly remember how beautiful the building was, how special I felt to be at the concert, and how amazing live music sounded. It carved my way through life.

─ Leslie Schwarz (York, Maine)

My "Best Memories" of the Terrace Ballroom dates back to the 1960's and the annual "Scotchmen" dances. People came from all over the tri-state area to eat, drink, dress, dance and sweat. I mean, we had a party! We danced until our clothes and bodies were soaked with perspiration -- until two o'clock in the morning. Every year it was a "Sho-Nough" party!

─ Eugene Brown (West Orange, New Jersey)

I love the historical posters on display in the Mosque Theatre, so rich with history and memories. I was so taken by a poster of the show, "Keep 'em Laughing" from the '20s, with Molly Picon as an added attraction. I had only heard that name from my grandparents, who I had grown up with in Brighton Beach. They used to love Molly and they would always smile at the mention of her name - it brought a smile to my face to relive that wonderful memory, and I thank you for displaying these wonderful visuals.

And I thank you for adding another wonderful memory with the event honoring Dorthaan Kirk and Jazz Fridays. Keep up the great work you are doing at Newark Symphony Hall.

─ Vickie Smith, Account Executive, WBGO Jazz88FM (Newark, NJ)

I remember being a young girl... I may have been seven or eight-years-old and a member of the Tiny Tots Choir of Peaceful Zion Baptist Church in East Orange. My choir director took a group of us to Symphony Hall to see a performance. I don't even remember what it was... I just know it was singing and dancing. I believe it was classical. I just remember how it made me feel to see those performers onstage and I knew that is what I wanted to do. I later attended Arts High School and eventually joined the cast of MAMA I WANT TO SING and performed on that very stage with my family and friends looking up from those very seats watching ME!!! It's a moment I've never forgotten.

─ Sharlene Nelson (Newark, NJ)

My loving memories of Newark Symphony Hall: when I was a little child and Santa Claus used to come there and they would give out toys to kids. That was the best back in the ‘70s. Now, back in the ‘90s when me and my husband and friends came to see beaut shop 3. Since then just about every show that comes there I try my best to make it. But Christmas most of all. I can’t never forget that would always be in my memories.

─ Jacqueline Williams Parker (Paterson, NJ)

My favorite memory was when Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn performed “A House is Not a Home” in 1982. It was the best concert I ever saw. When Cheryl Lynn came out [of] the house and walked down the stairs you could feel the music through your chairs.

─ Clara Sharif (Newark, NJ)

I love Symphony Hall. I've been to so many concerts and plays. But what I most love about it is that I got to perform on the stage where so many of my favorite artists played. In 2005, I was in a play called "Who's Gonna Save Me, It's Time To Tell Your Secret". Oh my God, I was so happy to be on that stage. I will someday be back performing in concert once I get a record contract. It will be the first place I perform. But, I also was in the Terrace Ballroom in a talent showcase.

─ Kinova Alphonse (Newark, NJ)

I remember in 1969 when Zachary used to have a show on Channel 13 at Symphony Hall. My cousin and I cut school and took the "13 Broad" from Irvington to downtown Newark. We got on camera because we wore shirts that said "1969," my cousin wearing a t-shirt saying “19” and me “69”. The show aired and, of course, we watched it at home and got caught cutting school by our parents who also viewed us on TV. I was 16 years old!

─ Donna Luciano (Berkeley Heights, NJ)

Couldn't tell us nothin', we had it goin' on. It was snowing, and we were worried the show would not go on. We were young and our parents gave permission for us to go to see Sly and the Family Stone. It was an adult adventure and it made us feel special to be going to such a well-known establishment. Of course I had a new outfit. I remember the excitement and the anticipation of sitting in the audience breathlessly waiting. He was late. However, the show went on. My favorite songs were sung, we were up dancing (I wasn’t a screamer, so I was probably singing loud) and enjoying being there. I believe it was not a very long show. However, it did not matter to me. These memories are still within me and I attribute who I am today - my family, especially my godmother, exposed us to these types of excursions into the art and entertainment world. These are the type of memories I wish for our young people.

─ Valerie Kelly (Irvington, NJ)

I really enjoy coming to the different shows there at Symphony Hall. It is good to be able to go to your own neighborhood to a show instead of going to New York for a Broadway play. I enjoyed seeing “His Women His Wife,” “Why Did I Get Married,” “Women and Golddiggers” and I am looking forward to seeing many more plays.

─ Danielle McMillian-Best (Newark, NJ)

I have so many wonderful memories of performances at Newark Symphony Hall.
The concerts and shows are fantastic, keep them coming. Meeting the cast, taking pictures, purchasing souvenirs having cocktails, mingling with others and running into friends and co-workers I didn't know were coming was as complete surprise. I can also reminiscence attending the dances given by the social clubs at the Terrance Ballroom [and] the groups singing their songs while we danced the night away.

─ Michele Martin (Bayonne, NJ)

I have been to every concert and I have been to every comedy show and I been to all the gospel plays they ever had. But when I was 10 I got a chance to go to the concert that The Boys was performing I got to meet them because they pulled me up on stage. It was the best experience I ever had and that was the reason I always made sure I went to every show and had great seats all the time. If they ever leave Newark it will be a great part of history lost. Newark Symphony Hall is Newark. Without it Newark will never be the same.

─ Resheda Burks (Irvington, New Jersey)

Thank you, on 11/22/09, my cousin, my husband and I were at Symphony Hall to see Blue Magic, Ray, Goodman and Brown, put on a wonderful show. I was blown away. Blue Magic's “What's Come Over Me” is stuck in my mind, Black Ivy’s “Don't Turn Around” has brought back so many memories. I hope you continue to bring back those memories by having more shows like this.

─ Linda Stephenson (Montclair, New Jersey)

My father was supervisor at the Mosque Theatre and Symphony Hall from the '60s thru the '70s and was good friends with Moe Septe. My brother and I used to usher with all our friends at Symphony Hall and we saw acts like Bob Dylan, James Brown, Helen Reddy, the Dave Clark Five, Sammy Davis, Jr., Paul Winchell with Jerry Mahoney and Nucklehead Smith. (I actually remember as a child sitting on the stage with Paul and he introduced me to his 'puppets'.) I met Peter, Paul & Mary backstage, the Beach Boys, Jay Black from Jay & the Americans, Marcel Marceau, Sly & the Family Stone, Temptations, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn. We even have a picture of my father from a newspaper article and picture when the Rolling Stones were there and my father, Seymour Winter, helped the police pull women from the stage. I have so many memories of Symphony Hall. We used to play backstage and run up to the balconies on the big marble staircase, and the red carpeting! I met Dustin Hoffman there once in the lobby.

─ Gail Winter Lieberman (Wellington, Florida)

On Thanksgiving weekends my late girlfriend and I would travel to the Hall with our children to see Kool and the Gang. I thought that was their home; it was the safe place to be for our families from Rahway.

─ Bernice E. Young (Rahway, New Jersey)

My memory was when my older brother graduated from Malcolm X Shabazz and walked across this very stage. Also when Cory Booker came to speak to the class of 2010 and we all had fun in learning together.

─ Angel Gray (Newark, New Jersey)

I really look forward to the Mother's Day concert events every year. I don't have to worry about where I'm going because I already know. Keep them coming!

─ Cheryl Weston (Staten Island, New York)

In 1967, my dancing school, "Perry and Keller" in Vailsburg, used Symphony Hall as its recital venue.  I was 5 years old and, in the middle of a dance performance, my tap shoe came flying off of my foot. My Mom watched with tears in her eyes as I sat down on the great stage, tied the shoe (with the deliberateness of an inexperienced child), stood up and got right back in step. She said I received a rousing round of applause!

─ Patti Kolln (Glen Ridge, New Jersey)

The Mosque Theater was where I first experienced the beauty of a symphonic orchestra.  I was in the fourth grade on a class trip to see the NJ Symphony and was very impressed by the beautiful building and the wonderful music being played on the stage. I am 55 years old now and will never forget that day as it marks a pivotal moment in my life.  I realized there was something called "the theatre."

─ Debbie Strong (Newark, New Jersey)

Seeing the Temptations [on] my 13th birthday in 1969. Man, that was great. They were there with the Stylistics and a couple other groups.

─ Kenneth Petty (Summerville, South Carolina)

The concert featuring the O'Jays with Levert and the Rude Boys. Gerald walking up the aisle and I was so upset that I didn't have a camera. Aaron Hall from Guy was in the audience. The concert with Patti LaBelle.  She always puts on a spectacular show.

─ Delores Gibson Ford (Jersey City, New Jersey)

It was back in the days when Amiri Baraka was known as Leroy (Leroi) Jones, the Humanitarian Contributions at Symphony Hall, Newark, NJ presented Issac Hayes, the black Moses of the music world. Isaac Hayes was a bad asssss in his pink robe, suede vest, tights and gold chains! The Isaac Hayes Movement is our hot buttered soul, to be continued for our day will come.

─ Moses M. Ballon, Jr. (Jersey City, New Jersey)

The show was Ashford & Simpson with special guest Michael Henderson. During the show, Michael Henderson did a duet with a young lady whose name escapes me, his show was awesome. When Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson hit the stage, Valerie started out by commending Michael Henderson on his performance and said that Nick and she would have to work their behinds off to top it.

─ Moses M. Ballon, Jr. (Jersey City, New Jersey)

My favorite memory is when I played Symphony Hall when I was younger. There is a music school not too far on the block where Washington Park is and I used to go to the school. I took violin lessons and we had a recital there.

─ Eva Faulk (Morganville, New Jersey)

Where shall I start? 1. Our graduation class was the first. Central High School, June 13, 1977. 2. Many dance recitals of Marie Wildey School of Dance. 3. Concerts, concerts, concerts and plays. Luther, Patti, Tyler Perry, etc.

─ Monique Perkins (Newark, New Jersey)

I was in a full body cast from neck to hips and it was very difficult to sit and enjoy the show, until an usher was nice enough to allow me to stand in the isle near the front of the stage to see the concert. The Persuaders were singing “I Am Comin’ Home To You” and I didn’t realize one of the singers noticed me. During intermission time he came to see me from back stage before signing autographs and he kissed me, gave me a free tape, as well sang the chorus of “I Am Coming Home to You” and as well told me he hope I felt better and enjoyed the rest of the show. I felt so good that I actually had a sway to my walk and was able to sit awhile to see the [finale] of the show. I as well got back my self esteem and the pain seemed as if it disappeared even if only for one night. I still have much love for the Persuaders and through the love I received I was inspired and I have since got rid of the body cast and now walk and sit with a new attitude.

─ Elaine Jefferson (Paterson, New Jersey)

Well, I have two memories of Newark Symphony Hall. The first is going on a class field trip in the ‘60s to see Duke Ellington and, to my surprise when we arrived at the venue, Mr. Ellington was hanging out in the vestibule shaking our hands as we came in. He was such a pleasant man. Then, watching him play the piano live. The second is going my first Will Downing concert in the late ‘80s. I have always been a fan of his and when he came to Symphony Hall I had to be there. I am also a basketball fan and at that concert I sat right behind Bernard King. I got two treats that night for the price of one.

─ Sylvia Porter (Bloomfield, New Jersey)

My fiancé and I had a wonderful time in March listening to Blue Magic, The Whispers, etc.  It was truly an extremely wonderful experience.  I would recommend Newark Symphony Hall to anyone.

─ L. Womack (Plainfield, New Jersey)

My fondest memories are always going to see a gospel play whether it is Tyler Perry or David E. Talbert. I like the fact that the people who show up for the plays or musical event are always pleasant. So far I haven't seen anyone get out of hand or anything like that. And seeing the oldies but goodies like Blue Magic. Every time I go to the Newark Symphony Hall for any event it is always a memory for me. So, since I can't really pick one great memory, I will just say every time I go there is a memory to me.

─ Monique Adams (Jersey City, New Jersey)

My girls and I went to see "Men, Money and Golddiggers." I must say it was funny, and we were able to relate to some of the situations, in one way or another. It is surely a must see!

─ Monique Adams (Jersey City, New Jersey)

My greatest memory was going to see James Brown with my mother at Symphony Hall. Now mind you this was in the late ‘60's early ‘70's. I was a teenager and my mother use to take my sister and myself to see James Brown. He sure knew how to put on a show. He came out singing “This is a Man's World,” then the band would play. I remember Masceo playing his horn, we're going to have a funky good time. Then James would do his dancing, he was all sweated up, they would bring him his cape and lead him off the stage. I remember those days. I loved to see him perform. We had so much fun hanging out with my mom at Symphony Hall. This is my memory.

─ Lauren Smith (East Orange, New Jersey)

My best memory was when I saw the hardest working man in show business, the late Mr. James Brown in 1975. I was 13 years old. I will never forget that day. My mother and her best girlfriend took me and her daughter (who I am still best friends with today) to see this wonderful performer. We were so excited and could not sit down the entire concert. To this day, we still talk about that show and how we had such a wonderful time!

─ Sharon Perry (South Plainfield, New Jersey)

Several years ago I was invited to one of Tyler Perry's Madea plays. What stood out the most for me was the fact that me being a plus-size woman the sitting was accommodating. The young lady that had invited me purchased tickets for seats on the ground floor (I don’t [know] the proper name for the seating area). I was very impressed.

─ Donna Samuels (Trenton, New Jersey)

I remember the colorful, reviving gospel concerts that the Newark Symphony Hall has managed to bring to a city anxiously awaiting a wake-up call. I enjoyed local talent as well talents from a world away - Lee Williams and the Canton Spirituals is what comes to mind. I remember parking only feet away from the door and being sprinkled by a light rain as I ran to find a seat inside. Like the rain, the music massages my tired muscles and made me feel inspired.

─ Monica Lester (Newark, New Jersey)

I remember in the late eighties before my husband and I were married, we use to come to "The Hall" to see the Whispers and Angela Bofield and the Whispers and Phylis Hyman. We've seen the Temptations, Blue Magic, The SOS Band and many of the Ebony Fashion shows. We've attended my now brother-in-law’s high school graduation in 1983. My best memory is when I myself performed on stage when I attended Marie Wiley Dance School in many of the recitals that were held there. It felt great being in the dressing rooms, standing back stage waiting to go on and finally on stage performing in the bright lights and a dark audience (so as to not make us too scared). Boy what such great memories!

─ Monica Lester (Newark, New Jersey)