The Lewes Public Library presents SummerScape 2026, featuring twelve live performances in our outdoor pavilion beginning June 3rd. All events start at 7:00 PM.

Tonight's performance is Soul of Langston: An Evening with Langston Hughes.

Poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist Langston Hughes comes to life like never before in this exciting original one-man show from Daron Stewart. From busboy and poet to “Harlem’s Wonder,” Langston Hughes became a leading voice of the Harlem Renaissance and an enduring force for civil rights. His famous “I too sing America . . . I too am America” statement is the heart of Daron Stewart’s performance, which also poses the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?”

Washington, D.C.-based Stewart has performed on stages across the United States and abroad. His credits include national and independent film work, television hosting, VOG at the Kennedy Center, and numerous stage performances. Soul of Langston has been staged nationally for festivals, schools, colleges and universities, churches, and conferences. Join us for a journey into the bittersweet wit and wisdom of Langston’s poetry, the tragedies and triumphs that constructed his life, and the worldwide impact of his literary accomplishments.

This program is part of Lewes 250, a commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, honoring our town’s rich past and bright future. Lewes 250 brings neighbors, visitors, and local organizations together in celebration of the “First Town in the First State.”

New this year:

No registration required! First come, first seated.

Open seating under and around the pavilion, and on the grass. Plenty of room for all!

Guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, or borrow one of the library’s folding chairs. Note: To help maintain clear sightlines for all, guests with higher-backed chairs are kindly asked to sit toward the back of the pavilion.

Picnics are welcome!

In case of inclement weather, the performance will be in the large meeting room of the library. That decision will be made by 1:00 PM the day of the scheduled event and posted on the library’s website and social media (Facebook and Instagram). Seating in the large meeting room will be first-come, first seated in chairs we will provide.

SummerScape 2026 Schedule

Wednesday, June 3 | Between the Earth and Sky: Irish Songs, Stories, and Dances
Wednesday, June 10 | From the Fields to the City: A Blues Journey 
Wednesday, June 17 | Soul of Langston: An Evening with Langston Hughes
Thursday, June 18 | Singers+Songwriters Presents Bruce Songs
Wednesday, June 24 | Singers+Songwriters Presents I’ve Lived Country Music Featuring Bobby Tomberlin
Wednesday, July 8 | The Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe 
Wednesday, July 15 | Delaware Shakespeare Presents Embers of Freedom: Independence through the Eyes of Many
Wednesday, July 22 | Jake’s Americana Bluegrass Band
Wednesday, July 29 | African Drum Circle with Mister Boom Boom
Wednesday, August 5 | Singers+Songwriters Presents America Sings Broadway
Wednesday, August 12 | A Spanish Evening with SonDeBaril Flamenco
Saturday, August 22 | First State Ballet 

Thank you to the generous sponsors who made this series possible:

Jack Lingo, REALTOR and Browseabout Books
LPL Braithwaite Endowment Fund and M&T Charitable Foundation
The Inn at Canal Square and Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA)

DDOA is a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on DelawareScene.com.