My fondest memory of Newark Symphony Hall is during the time when I used to go to see Bernie Mac when he came to Newark every year. That was also during the time when the original Def Comedy Jam was touring, and I frequented those shows also. I also remember seeing Tommy Davidson and was surprised that he could sing as well as he could.

I love to laugh, and I definitely got my fill during those times. Along with Bernie Mac and Tommy Davidson, I had the opportunity to see Arnez J, Ricky Smiley, Ms. Laura Hayes, Adele Givens. among others. Those were just times that I really enjoyed, and Newark Symphony Hall made it happen!

─ Rhonda M. Seeley (Newark, Maine)

Now, Newark has a reputation for being a tough place, even by those who live in Brooklyn and uptown Manhattan, so it was some anxiety that I jumped on the PATH train, and then boarded Newark’s city buses. What I saw and experienced when I finally arrived surpassed all expectations. First, Newark Symphony Hall is physically a very attractive setting, a very comfortable place to see a show. And, I loved the bar where you could have a few drinks while waiting for the show to start. But, what impressed me most was the friendliness of the people, how I was made to feel at home, to be part of the community, even though it was obvious that I originally came from another culture. While the Manhattans were performing, the woman beside me (I didn’t know her, she wasn’t part of our group) struck up a conversation and explained that the lead singer then on stage was her boyfriend and that she was the group’s business manager. When I explained that I had an incredible R&B record collection and had all of the Manhattan’s recordings from the late ‘60s, she asked if I had any 45s recorded by her brother, Tyrone Davis. So, sitting in the audience, not only did I experience one of the best entertainment experiences of my life, for a short period I came face to face with personalities that I only knew from publicity photos and album liner notes.

─ Brent Nosworthy (Providence, Rhode Island)

One of my fondest memories at Symphony Hall was when you had Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam there. It was a good show because a lot of the comedians were from Jersey and I didn’t know that this whole comedy thing started in New Jersey. I was proud because I been living in Connecticut for over forty years but I was born and raised in Newark and when there is a good concert at Symphony Hall I will come to Newark to see it because I love the vibes from Newark!

─ Byron Bobb (Windsor, Connecticut)

My first memory is of attending a puppet show in the fourth grade. Also taking in an Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe with my oldest daughter. Then there was a concert featuring the R&B group, The Boys. I fondly remember how much my daughter and others like her enthusiastically enjoyed the show.  I can't forget the Garden State Ballet training my youngest daughter was involved with. Newark Symphony Hall has been an icon that I hope will be around for many more years.

─ Carolyn James (Newark, New Jersey)

In the late 1950s, St. Peter's College of Jersey City held its Spring Concert at the Mosque Theater. Since it was an all-male college at that time, the female students of St. Dominic Academy were requested to serve as usherettes. As a junior in this high school, I volunteered and was selected to serve. Such glamour and excitement was anticipated and delivered! The men's choir was in black tie. The usherettes were in pastel gowns and white gloves to hand the programs to the audience. At that point in my life, the Mosque, of course, was the grandest venue I had ever seen and will never forget.

─ Rutherford, New Jersey

I've seen the Whispers, Blue Magic, and Phyllis Hyman and Tyler Perry plays. I've also been to parties. I had a good time. I love to see our people all dressed up and enjoying theirselves without violence. I really enjoy the oldies but goodies R&B shows, they bring back good memories. I wish they would give more, especially for Father's Day. They always have good shows for Mother's Day, but never for Father’s Day. I'm glad that Symphony Hall is still around.

─ East Orange, New Jersey

My first time ever going I was 10 yrs. old. My neighbor took my sister and me to see Gladys Knight and the Pips. That was around 1971 and the most amazing and exciting show ever. I still love Gladys and the Pips. And, as a teenager 14 yrs. old, I went to a Fashion Fair fashion show. It changed my life forever. I went on to do some local fashion shows and still to this day wear Fashion Fair cosmetics. Over the years I've been to concerts, comedy and plays and will always be a part of Symphony Hall forever and, also to add, I went to [the] hall that's connected to Symphony Hall; I remember the disco parties there also as a teenager. I can't recall the name, but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. Symphony is a landmark, please don't close it down. I look forward to bringing my daughter there to experience what I did at her age. Please get some old school artists: Tavares, Chi-lites, Stylistics, Blue Magic, etc. Peace.

─ Newark, New Jersey

I have many great memories at Symphony Hall in the Sarah Vaughn Theatre. From being a young teenager and seeing my first concert there with Queen Latifah and Big Daddy Kane to bringing my first group to see the Gospel Play “Mr. Right Know”. I love bringing groups to the theatre. It ensures that our culture is kept alive as well as it continually exposes the Arts to our communities!

─ Donna K. Williams DeVose (Orange, New Jersey)

I remember being young and naive and not being able to afford better seats, so my friends and I would wait for the lights to go out wait a little while and sneak down to empty seats in the orchestra section. Only one time did we get embarrassed and have to return to our original seats. The good ole days. When I became an adult in the working world after college, I knew right from wrong and would only purchase the better seats ... My first time at Symphony Hall was with a class trip as a youngster and all I could talk about for days to come was being there and always talking about the chandelier. I thought there was none bigger anywhere ... That was where I would always take a young lady on a date that would be memories ‘till this day. The shows at that time were so regular that I was always taking a young lady there.

─ Carlos Rodriguez (Newark, New Jersey)

I have so many memories of Symphony Hall. Meeting Walter and Scotty of the Whispers back in the Seventies was large for me, being that they were and still are my favorite performers. The thing that sticks out the most was how all the sharp dressers got "Fly" and showed off their outfits, men and the women. I'm talking about the "Seventies". Mohair and sharkskin suits, Parker alpaca sweaters, custom-made coats with mink collars, silk beaver hats and, don't forget, the Fly Gators. We had a fashion show included with the show. You always wanted to be the Flyest one there. Oh, I had the number [one] spot a few times. Great, great times.

─ Eddie Huff (Elizabeth, New Jersey)

My favorite memory at Newark Symphony Hall is in 1985. I had tickets to see the Whispers. It was Easter Sunday. They gave a magnificent performance. The show was wonderful. They gave out roses. I have never been to a show like that before. It brought tears to my eyes.

─ Linda Baker (New Brunswick, New Jersey)

It was at a Patti LaBelle show one year when she had invited her Uncle to meet her at the show. She was on stage looking in the audience and calling his name, but he wasn't there yet. So she gave the ushers instructions to bring her uncle to the front whenever he would arrive. She went on singing a couple of songs. Now she went on doing a few selections and between each song she would do a little talking. While talking there was some commotion going on in the back. Well low and behold it was Patti's uncle, who was drunk. Seeing that he was in this condition, she made a joke out of it and had him brought up to the stage. For fear of what he might get into, she had him sit in a chair on the stage to keep him out of trouble. Now you know Patti really gets into her songs and she had started singing "At Last", a slow song where she gets down on her knees. Well, when she did this, her uncle being drunk thought something was wrong. So he got up [and] staggered to Patti. To Patti's surprise, he got up and went over to her and put his arms around her to hug her and help her up and told her it's going to be alright. This scared Patti to death because her eyes were closed and she didn't know who had came and touched her plus she was really into her song. Well, she laughed and we all laughed and it was hard for Patti to get back into her singing because every time she would try, she would start laughing and getting on her uncle. Finally, she had to go to another segment of the show to make herself get back serious. It was a very good show as usual because Patti always goes the extra mile to satisfy her fans. That's my best memorable moment at Symphony Hall.

─ Paula McDougald (Old Bridge, New Jersey)

As a young boy in the 1960s, I often visited Symphony Hall (or was it still The Mosque?) to see the Johnny Cash Show whenever it was here. Johnny Cash was years away from his legendary 'Man In Black' persona but still a huge music star at the time. Though not usually in the best of shape, Cash usually had a pale red or blue light shining on him while on stage. Sometimes he could barely speak, never mind sing, but people still came to see him because he was 'The Fabulous Johnny Cash.' He even showed up a day or two earlier around 1965 before one Symphony Hall show to appear on Pete Seeger's 'Rainbow Quest' Show (PBS) which I think was also taped at Symphony Hall. Thanks to C&W radio station WJRZ, Newark was a pretty popular place for C&W and Folk music back then - a lot of it being performed, heard, and enjoyed 'live' at Symphony Hall.

─ Basking Ridge, New Jersey