This Thanksgiving weekend, a cultural icon and comedy giant is making a triumphant return to the theater stage. On Friday, November 27, 2026, legendary comedian Sinbad will take the stage at Oakland’s historic Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts for Thankful—a headline event celebrating resilience, brotherhood, and the enduring power of laughter.

Following a stroke in 2020 and years of dedicated recovery, Sinbad has been steadily paving his way back to doing what he loves most. After a series of sold-out club performances across Southern California, the beloved entertainer is ready for his return to full-scale concert venues.

“I am looking forward to performing in Oakland. It has been a long road. Sometimes it feels like I am coming home when I come back to the Bay Area. I’m excited to be back on stage on November 27, 2026, at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts. I’m not done yet.”

— Sinbad

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Thankful is more than a comeback show; it is a testament to community and brotherhood. Behind the event is Brother to Brother, a coalition of five successful Bay Area industry veterans who have rallied together to support Sinbad’s journey:

• Tony Spires: Filmmaker, recording artist, and founder of the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival.
• Marcus King: Entertainment producer and longtime manager who guided Jamie Foxx to an Academy Award.
• Henry Royal: Tour manager for legends like Prince and Lionel Richie, and supporter of Feeding the Unhoused of Oakland.
• Erroll Jackson: Film/TV producer and national live-event promoter.
• Derrick Williams: Global film, TV, and live event producer (Sarah’s Oil).

Together alongside producers DNA Media Group, the team is bringing Sinbad home to the Bay Area stage—not as a third-party fundraiser, but as brothers standing united.

The event will also serve as a official benefit for Brother to Brother, an Oakland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting African American men of all ages in their spiritual growth, mental wellness, and physical health.

A Historic Venue for a Historic Moment

Held in the Calvin Simmons Theater inside the newly revitalized Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts, Thankful joins a stellar lineup of historic moments at the venue this year—including the 40th Anniversary of the Bay Area Black Comedy Competition & Festival, Jamie Foxx’s Hulu special taping, and an intimate evening with Chaka Khan.

Event & Ticket Information

For additional festival and organization details, visit BlackComedyCompetition.com and Brother-to-Brother.org.