Summermusik will present the fifth edition of its “We Are One festival” series from March 12–16, 2026.

The festival will feature baritone Babatunde Akinboboye as its guest artist. Akinboboye, renowned for his “hip hopera” performances across TikTok and Instagram, will lead a series exploring connections between West African and African American music through three public concerts and in-school workshops.

He will perform at the House of Joy Christian on March 13 and then again on March 16 at Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church. The former concert will include a DJ set from an Elementz teaching artist while the latter will feature him alongside the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra will also perform on March 12, 2026.

Additionally, the festival also introduces a new music production competition in partnership with Elementz. Middle school, high school, and college students may submit backing tracks inspired by “Votre toast” from “Carmen.” Winning tracks from the two categories will be featured during the March 16 workshop at Elementz, with each winner receiving $250. Submissions close Feb. 9, 2026.

Community partners throughout the festival include Ijo Ugo Performing Arts, African Fabrics and Things, African Women Alliance, and Tabital Pulaaku Americas.

Read Related Stories

• One Ounce Opera Announces 7th annual Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera

• Washington National Opera to Present American Opera Initiative