A House Called Zanzibar will mark the legendary venue’s 47th anniversary with archival photography, short films and live programming during the 2026 Newark Arts Festival.
A new multimedia project exploring the legacy of Club Zanzibar will take place during the Newark Arts Festival this week.
A House Called Zanzibar: Where Do You Go When The Party’s Over? runs from October 7th through 11th at More More Now Records and studio space The Atelier, combining archival photography, a series of short films and an art installation focused on the history and continuing influence of the Jersey Sound.
The project is presented by Newark-born artists Ashley Younniä and nii.a.k, in collaboration with curator Andrece Brady and A Journey Through House. It marks 47 years since Club Zanzibar was established in 1979, initially as Abe’s Disco at the Lincoln Motel. The venue became an important space for Black nightlife and a key site in the development of the Jersey Sound.
The exhibition features photographs by Vincent Bryant, who documented Club Zanzibar as its in-house photographer, alongside video, sound and vinyl. Its title references Archie Bell & The Drells’ “Where Do You Go When The Party’s Over?,” a track associated with Zanzibar resident DJ Tony Humphries.
The programme includes a community salon today, examining the evolution and preservation of the Jersey Sound, with contributions from Younniä, nii.a.k, Abigail Adams, Chris Flowers and Nadus.
Tomorrow, a large-scale projection featuring Bryant’s photography and excerpts from the project will be shown on the façade of 47-49 Halsey Street. The following night, an official afterparty will take place at Newark Culture Club, with Younniä, nii.a.k and DJ Punch Zanzibar, the last resident DJ at Club Zanzibar.
The programme concludes on October 11th with an artist talk and book signing featuring Bryant and former Zanzibar photographer Larkie Rucker, moderated by Brady.
Club Zanzibar closed in 1993, but its influence on house music and New Jersey’s club scene has continued to reverberate internationally. The Newark Arts Festival project aims to document that history while considering how the communities and sounds that emerged from the club can be preserved for future generations.
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