The Things Around Us is part concert, part storytelling, poetry, comedy and wholly existential thought in a lighter more approachable contemporary format. Ahamefule J. Oluo is a storyteller with a sense of humour as well as a musician. The Things Around Us layers stories of being human from Oluo’s encounters and relationships with members of his community with sound created by looping tracks he creates in the moment. I found The Things Around Us to be a quick 90 minutes immersed in stories and sound, which felt very therapeutic.
In some ways, The Things Around Us is a simple and direct show, […]just a performer and an audience in a room, experiencing sounds, words, and lights. That’s it. Which means that the space contributes significantly to our shared experience. The Emerson Paramount Center’s Robert J. Orchard Stage is one of the most beautiful venues in the country. It takes my breath away. I’m so grateful to ArtsEmerson for bringing this show to Boston and I’m counting down the days until opening night when I can share this space with you.
The Things Around Us is music with the lyrics separate. You get to digest the story without trying to decipher lyrics, and then listen to music that washes over you. At some points you may be feeling the sharp sting of a relatable part of one of the stories and it will smart as the music gives you the space and vibrations to process that tidbit. There are stories of love and loss. There are stories of transformation, regret, and hope. The stories are neither big nor dramatic, yet the characters are a little of both. They could be your neighbour or the person you see across the bar on a regular basis. At moments, you think back to your own life at various stages or in certain times and places. The story may hit a chord for you and the music gives you space to think about it and revisit those moments. You reflect on your own existence.
The connection between Olou’s stories, his music and human nature makes for an evening worth seeking out and participating in. The Things Around Us is only in Boston through this weekend. So hop to it!
Dates:
February 20 – 22, 2026
Venue:
Emerson Paramount Center: Robert J. Orchard Stage
Performance Schedule:
Saturday, February 21, 2026 2:00PM ET
Saturday, February 21, 2026 8:00PM ET
Sunday, February 22, 2026 2:00PM ET
Ticket Information:
Tickets for The Things Around Us may be purchased 24/7 at ArtsEmerson.org, or by calling 617-824-8400 (Tue-Sat from 12:00PM ET – 6:00PM ET). The Paramount Center Box Office (559 Washington Street, Boston) is open for walk-up service Thu-Sat from Noon – 6:00 PM ET. Tickets start at $27.50. Groups of 10+ attending a performance save up to 30%.
Recommended for Ages 13+
Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission
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