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Stevie fans, clear your calendars and maybe start doing some light vocal warmups in the shower. On November 8, Symphony Space is throwing the doors open for "Wall to Wall Stevie Wonder," a full-day, absolutely-free marathon celebrating one of the most joyful, genre-hopping geniuses in American music. It runs 2pm to 10pm at Symphony Space’s Peter Jay Sharp Theater on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and you can swing through for a set or park yourself there like it’s your own personal Soul Train soundstage.
The format is deliciously extra in all the right ways. Instead of a simple tribute show, this thing unfolds in four chapters, each highlighting a different dimension of Wonder’s universe. It kicks off with spirituals and love ballads, leaning into gospel roots, big-hearted ballads and harmonies that may make you briefly consider texting your ex. That segment features the Songs Of Solomon Inspirational Ensemble, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet with vocalist Marcelle Davies-Lashley, plus Guinea-born singer-songwriter Natu Camara. DJ Vicky Casis bridges the afternoon into the next era: Stevie as conscience-of-the-country firebrand.
Social justice Stevie takes the mic for round two, spotlighting the activist who turned funk into protest fuel. Rap artist JSWISS joins DJ Vicky Casis, bassist Kyle Miles and vocalist Amma Whatt; vocalist Claudia Acuña teams up with Natu Camara; Broadway talent Jared Wayne Gladly steps in; and Hybrid Movement Company adds contortion and acrobatics. Then, DJ Spinna, practically synonymous with Wonder fandom, drops a set to launch Stevie Reimagined.
The third stretch leans into poetry, global rhythms and soulful innovation, with spoken-word artist JRose performing an original poem, Kim Hill bringing velvet-raw soul and artists from The Soapbox Presents lifting the energy skyward. DJ Spinna returns to keep the room moving before the finale turns the dial to pure-hit ecstasy.
The closing block, The Hitmaker, goes for the big ones. Jazz pianist Matthew Whitaker, who opened Wonder’s Apollo Theater Hall of Fame induction at age 10, leads things off. Expect original choreography from Havanna Fisher paired with Myles Josephh’s a cappella vocals and a close-out blowout from Craig Harris & The Nation of Imagination.
“To use Nina Simone’s quote, ‘An artist’s duty is to reflect the times,’” said curator Monique Martin in an official statement. “Stevie Wonder’s music is timely as well as timeless.”
Symphony Space executive director Kathy Landau added, “We throw open the doors and invite all to join us.”