UAB Center for the Arts Presents 2026 Arts Block Party feat. Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience

Mark your calendar for September 18 at 5 p.m. and join us for the biggest arts celebration of the season! The UAB Center for the Arts Block Party is a free, family-friendly evening filled with music, art, food, and fun for all ages. 

Enjoy local food trucks, creative vendors, live DJ music, giveaways, and interactive experiences throughout the evening. The galleries at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts will be open for guests to explore, while ArtPlay and AEIVA offer hands-on activities for kids and adults alike. Plus, enjoy a free outdoor concert with Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience. Come celebrate the arts with us under the sun and stars!

About Terrance Simien: 

At 7 p.m., two-time Grammy Award-winning artist Terrance Simien takes the stage, bringing more than 40 years of powerful, high-quality performances rooted in Black American zydeco traditions. An eighth-generation, multicultural and multiracial, French-speaking Louisiana Creole, Simien blends infectious rhythms, soulful vocals, and deep cultural storytelling into performances that move audiences across generations and borders. Leading a dynamic intergenerational band of veteran masters and rising Gen Z musicians, Simien delivers a live experience that honors tradition while pushing the music forward — making every performance both a celebration and a cultural statement. The Zydeco Experience band: Danny Williams, Stan Chambers, Ian Molinaro-Thompson, Noah Boshra, Robbie Wallace. 

“A Zydeco Master” – Rolling Stone

Plan Your Visit 

Bring your friends and family, and enjoy an unforgettable night celebrating creativity and community. There’s something for everyone — and plenty of reasons to stay all evening. 

Admission is free. All are welcome.