Attend the Summermusik We Are One: Roots Festival at multiple venues in the greater Cincinnati area from March 12 through 16.
Summermusik will present the fifth installment of its We Are One festival series from March 12 to 16, 2026, featuring guest artist Babatunde Akinboboye, an operatic baritone who has amassed over 1 million followers on TikTok and Instagram with his exciting performances that blend hip-hop and opera (“hip hopera”). We Are One: Roots will explore the relationship between West African music and African American music in a series of three public performances and in-school workshops.
In partnership with Elementz, the festival will conclude with a music production competition and workshop for middle, high school, and undergraduate students. For the first time, the festival will implement a ‘Pay What You Decide’ model, ensuring that all can attend.
Public events will take place at Artsville in Madisonville, House of Joy Christian in Clifton, and Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Lincoln Heights. The Music Production Workshop and Competition Exhibition will take place at the Elementz headquarters on Central Parkway.
Tickets to We Are One: Roots
Single tickets are Pay What You Decide and range from $0 to $40, with a $3 ticketing fee.
An adult subscription to all three concert events is $105, representing more than a 12% savings, and no ticket fees.
We Are One: Roots Events
Owanbe
March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Artsville (Madisonville)
Let’s party! Owanbe is an extravagant Nigerian party highlighted by music, dance, and fashion. Join a Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra string quintet and performers from Bi-Okoto Cultural Center as we celebrate the music and culture of West Africa.
An Evening with Tunde
March 13, 7:30 p.m.
House of Joy Christian (Clifton)
Meet musical trailblazer Babatunde “Hip Hopera” Akinboboye for a special recital featuring Tunde’s innovative Hip Hopera compositions. With over one million followers on social media, Babatunde discusses how his music bridges diasporic traditions, fusing influences from his Yoruba heritage, Negro spirituals, and classical opera with modern hip-hop, while also exploring conversations about identity, innovation, and the future of classical performance.
Arrive early for a DJ set with Elementz Teaching Artist Jireh Burton from 6:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Roots with Babatunde Akinboboye
March 15, 7 p.m.
Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church (Lincoln Heights)
Babatunde “Hip Hopera” Akinboboye joins Summermusik’s resident ensemble, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, for the grand finale of We Are One: Roots! Explore both West African and African American traditions while honoring the legacy of Black musical innovation with spirituals, Babatunde’s “Hip Hopera”, and more.
Music Production Workshop
March 16, 4:30 p.m.
Elementz Cincinnati (Clifton)
Babatunde Akinboboye leads a conversation about music production. Students ages 12 to 22 are invited to apply to a music production competition, with the winning tracks receiving a performance by Babatunde at this workshop. For more details and to apply, use the link below. Applications are due Monday, February 9, at 5 p.m.
This event is free to attend; however, advance registration is recommended.
About Summermusik
Founded in 1974, Summermusik, with its resident ensemble, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, creates intimate and transformative experiences that connect the musically curious. Under the direction of Music Director Eckart Preu, Summermusik offers a vibrant musical experience in an intimate and informal setting for both seasoned and novice concertgoers. The Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra comprises 32 professional musicians, the ideal ensemble size for presenting orchestral works from the Baroque and Classical eras, as well as commissioned works by contemporary composers. Often, the ensemble shrinks down to as small as three musicians, which allows for flexibility and creativity in programming. The We Are One Festival series, launched in 2022, amplifies under-consulted voices by acknowledging historical and contemporary inequities and celebrating diverse cultures.
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