By Mabel Pais

It’s time to set our sights on a cherished spring tradition — the Women@NJPAC Annual Spring Luncheon & Auction!

Join us alongside nearly 600 of New Jersey’s most dynamic women — from elected and philanthropic leaders to artists, activists, moms and managers — who return every year for this special event that uplifts and empowers all who attend.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ROBIN ROBERTS

Co-anchor, Good Morning America

Co-anchor of America’s top-rated morning program, Good Morning America, Robin Roberts has more than 30 years of experience as an author, producer, reporter and anchor in radio and television. Her on-air reporting has covered events from Hurricane Katrina to the inauguration of Barack Obama and the Academy Awards. As President of Rock’n Robin Productions, she oversees content and new business partnerships.

The 2024 Ronnie Goldberg Award for “outstanding contributions to women@njpac” will be presented to:

NANCY CANTOR

Chancellor, Rutgers University-Newark

We are delighted to honor Nancy Cantor, Chancellor of Rutgers University-Newark and a member of the NJPAC Board of Directors, as this year’s recipient of The Ronnie Goldberg Award. This esteemed recognition is in appreciation of her unwavering friendship and steadfast support of NJPAC’s mission.

Luncheon co-chairs:

Tammye T. Jones

community leader, philanthropist

Kerri B. Levine

vice president, the Fidelco Group

Your impact:

Proceeds from the Spring Luncheon support vital initiatives at NJPAC including Arts Education programs that nurture the whole child, Community Engagement’s ArtsXChange in the South Ward and a first-in-the-nation prescription program advancing health and well-being through engagement with the arts.

QUESTIONS:

For questions, please reach out to Stacey Joseph, Senior Manager, Development and Women@NJPAC Events, at sjoseph@njpac.org or call 973.353.7043.

———————————————

GARDEN STATE PREMIER YOUTH ORCHESTRA CELEBRATES 45 YEARS

By Mabel Pais

The New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS), a program of Wharton Arts, presents its 45th Anniversary Celebration Concert (njpac.org/event/nj-youth-symphony-45th-anniversary-concert) on Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 p.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark. Experience a grand celebration of the Garden State’s premier youth orchestra program as its three full symphony orchestras and Jazz Orchestra come together with alumni for a triumphant concert commemorating the 45th season.

Special guest stars George Marriner Maull of The Discovery Orchestra and jazz legend Rufus Reid join the jubilee led by NJYS conductors Dion Tucker, Mark Gunderman, Simon Lipskar, and Helen H. Cha-Pyo. The celebratory program features works by Holst, Copland, Rufus Reid, Valerie Coleman, James Ra, and Respighi.

Audience members are invited to take a sweeping look at the New Jersey Youth Symphony’s 45-year history and the road ahead.

Maestro George Marriner Maull said, “As founding Music Director and Conductor of the New Jersey Youth Symphony, nothing could make me happier than the celebration of the youth symphony’s 45th Anniversary—an amazing accomplishment in the lifespans of today’s nonprofits. The New Jersey Youth Symphony, a vital part of the Wharton Arts family, is now flourishing under the artistic leadership of Helen Cha-Pyo and her staff. It is flourishing beyond the wildest dreams of those of us—and there were so many during those first eighteen years beginning in 1979 — who planted and nourished this seed. Just gaze at and listen to what that seed has blossomed into…Happy 45th Anniversary indeed!”

 “As we commemorate the New Jersey Youth Symphony’s remarkable 45-year journey, this concert stands as a tribute to the unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and boundless passion of our young musicians, their families, our devoted artistic and administrative teams, and our invaluable community partners—including public school music educators, private teachers, and generous supporters,” said Helen H. Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor. “We are eager to present a concert with our honorees, Rufus Reid and Maestro George Marriner Maull, and NJYS alumni that honors our rich history while embracing an exciting future. We hope the audience enjoys the world premiere of ‘Ring O Bells!’ by James Ra, commissioned to commemorate the 45th anniversary, and we invite you to join us for this unforgettable musical celebration!”

Throughout the 2023-24 season, NJYS has honored its vibrant history and bright future with premieres of new compositions and beloved music from the inaugural season in 1979. For more information, go to NJYS.org.

TICKETS

Tickets are available at NJPAC.org. VIP Tickets can be purchased to get you premium seating and admission to the post-concert reception.

Support to NJYS is also accepted at NJYS45.givesmart.com (e.givesmart.com)

Wharton Arts 

Wharton Arts’ mission is to offer accessible, high quality performing arts education that sparks personal growth and builds inclusive communities to be accessible for all. Learn more at WhartonArts.org.

————————————————

AAPI HERITAGE MONTH HONORED

By Mabel Pais

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, The New Jersey Performing Center’s (NJPAC) ‘Standing in Solidarity’ focuses on the Asian American experience.

The event includes a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Far East Deep South,’ the PSEG True Diversity Film selection, about a Chinese American family’s search for their roots and the discovery of an immigrant community in the South in the wake of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

Also revealed in the film is how the Chinese American settlers developed a symbiotic relationship with their Black neighbors during the Jim Crow era and bridged racial and ethnic divides in tumultuous times.

This event is a co-production of NJPAC and the New Jersey Chapter of Ascend, the largest global network advancing Pan-Asian professionals in the workplace and corporate boardrooms.

Learn more about the moderator and panelists at njpac.org/event/pseg-true-diversity-film-series-presents-chinese-and-black-allyship-in-the-south

REGISTRATION

Registration is required. To register,  visit njpac.org/event/pseg-true-diversity-film-series-presents-chinese-and-black-allyship-in-the-south/#register

Learn more about the Moderator and Panelists at njpac.org/event/pseg-true-diversity-film-series-presents-chinese-and-black-allyship-in-the-south

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Social Issues, Cuisine, Spirituality, Health & Wellness, and Business)