Concerts at the Elma Lewis Playhouse in Franklin Park

Elma Lewis was one of Boston’s most revered cultural icons. In the 1950s, she founded the Elma Lewis School for Fine and Performing Arts, where thousands of African-American children and adults learned cultural history, explored their creativity, and cultivated their artistic skills. In the 1960s, Miss Lewis and her students cleared an overgrown area in Franklin Park where the Overlook Shelter had burned and then erected the Playhouse stage to create an open-air performance venue.

From 1966–1978, Playhouse events were held every single night from July 4th through Labor Day. Musical legends like Duke Ellington, Olatunji and his drum of Africa, the Billy Taylor Trio, and Odetta, graced the Playhouse stage.

Today, the Franklin Park Coalition carries on the legacy of Miss Elma Lewis and her students by organizing the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park. They host local artists Tuesday nights in the summer.

Children’s shows are in the morning at 11:00am. Evening concerts start at 6:00pm.