FORT WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 14, 2026 – Electric Works is re-energizing a beloved downtown
concert series with a new name and home beginning later this month.
Rock the Plaza, the longstanding free concert series created and managed by the Allen
County Public Library (ACPL), will relocate to Electric Works and be known as Rock the
Works moving forward. Concerts will continue to be free and outdoors, with performances
taking place at Weigand Yard outside Union Street Market. With abundant indoor space in
addition to Weigand Yard, hosting the series at Electric Works also ensures performances
will not be canceled or postponed because of inclement weather.
Officials from Electric Works, ACPL and Visit Fort Wayne (VFW) were joined by Kyle Haller,
the longtime organizer and creative force behind Rock the Plaza, to announce the move
and updated name of Rock the Works at a musical performance on campus yesterday as
part of VFW’s annual Be a Tourist event. They also announced two Rock the Works
performances still to come in 2026 – Alicia Pyle and the Locals on Sept. 27, and the Todd
Harrold Band on Oct. 11.
“We are thrilled to carry this downtown entertainment institution forward as Rock the
Works,” said Kelly Geiser, owner and director of venue operations for Four-Thirty Venue
Group at Electric Works. “Kyle Haller and the Allen County Library team have built
something incredibly special over the years for Fort Wayne, and we can’t wait to honor and
build on that history as we carry it forward.”
After nearly two decades and almost 300 concerts as one of Fort Wayne’s favorite summer
traditions, Rock the Plaza put on what organizers thought would be its final performance in
July. Electric Works officials reached out to event organizers in the hopes of keeping the
series alive by relocating it to Electric Works.
“Electric Works will make the ideal new home for Rock the Plaza,” Haller said. “It’s a
campus with creativity and culture at its heart, and it provides the perfect canvas for its new
future as Rock the Works.”
“Rock the Plaza has created countless memories over the years and has played an
important role in supporting local musicians and bringing our community together,” added
Susan P. Baier, executive director of the Allen County Public Library. “It’s very exciting for it
to find a new home and future at Electric Works where it will continue bringing music and
connection to the community.”
Information on the upcoming Rock the Works performances are available at the Electric
Works website.
About Electric Works
Electric Works is a mixed-use district of innovation, energy and culture, developed as a
public-private partnership between Ancora Partners and the City of Fort Wayne, Allen County,
and the State of Indiana. A redevelopment and adaptive reuse of the former General Electric
campus, the first phase of Electric Works includes more than 730,000 square feet of space and
offers office, innovation, education, healthcare, retail, entertainment, residential and community
uses to create new opportunities for inclusive economic growth. For more information, visit the
Electric Works website at fortwayneelectricworks.com.