Celebration Arts

Celebration Arts amplifies the rich tapestry of the Black experience through the transformative mediums of theater, music, and dance. Through performance and storytelling, we empower, educate, and celebrate our vibrant culture.

James Wheatley, Celebration Arts Founder, 1998. UNCLE BENDS: A HOME-COOKED NEGRO NARRATIVE
Credit: Larry DaltonOriginally the Celebration Dance Company, founded in 1976 by James Wheatley, Celebration Arts became a 501c3 organization in 1986. For more than 30 years, Celebration Arts has continued to be a cornerstone of music, dance, and theater for the Sacramento region's African American community, bringing Black artists and stories to its stage at 2727 B Street.

At our core, Celebration Arts is an educational organization, not just a theater. While our actors and production volunteers hone performance skills, our patrons enjoy a show and have a learning experience about the people and events that have shaped the Black experience in America. Many of these stories are not taught in school or readily known.

In the past few months, patrons have learned the story of Thurgood Marshall, from his early days memorizing the constitution as a punishment in elementary school to advocating for Black soldiers in Korea during the Korean War as a young lawyer to his eventual rise to becoming the first Black Supreme Court Justice in our production of THURGOOD. Imani Waweru and Xzavier Beacham, 2024. ZORA & LANGSTON.
Credit: Angel Rodriguez Loza

Patrons also learned about the fiery friendship and its ultimate demise between Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, two of our literary icons in ZORA & LANGSTON. During the Harlem Renaissance, audiences learned how Black artists navigated demanding relationships with patrons to fund their work. They also learned about the last living enslaved person at the time, Cudjoe Lewis, and the Dahomey tribe in Africa.

A Celebration Arts experience is truly a unique experience in Sacramento theater. It's theater for everyone told through the Black experience!

Kids' Time Company, 2024. AALIYAH & AMIR'S AWESOME ADVENTURE. Credit: Jonathan Martinez

Celebration Arts also provides educational programs for children through Kids' Time and dance training for teens, adults, and seniors. Funding received for the Big Day of Giving will directly help bring expanded programming to Sacramento area schools, administrative support, and building maintenance, including new carpets, tech equipment, and other tools to further enhance the Celebration Arts experience.

We thank you in advance for your continued support.

Please consider making recurring donations by selecting the pledge option during checkout or you can avoid fees by donating directly to us through our website!