By Mabel Pais

“Today, Women@NJPAC is focused on supporting the vital work of the Arts Center — and amplifying the voices of women in our communities, in the arts, in the social justice movement, and in the corporate world.”

 “The ‘Spotlight Gala’ is not only an opportunity for us to raise funds for NJPAC’s award-winning programs for children and families, but also to spread the word about our work supporting all women, and lifting up the next generation of fierce, creative and effective leaders.”-Faith Taylor, President – Women@NJPAC

NJPAC invites you to its annual SPOTLIGHT GALA where a galaxy of singing stars in “Perfect Harmony” join Women@NJPAC to illuminate the evening with the broadcast airing on NJ PBS (New Jersey’s public television station, and MyNJPBS.org/live) on October 2 at 7 PM EDT.

The stars include Broadway’s Kelli O’Hara, jazz vocalist Bobby McFerrin, jazz vocal group Manhattan Transfer, a cappella ensembles Take 6 and Naturally 7 and modern-day doo wop masters Under the Streetlamp will appear during an exhilarating night of performances that celebrate the power of vocal music. Toby and Leon G. Cooperman, and the Cooperman Family, will be honored with the NJPAC ‘Founders Award’ during the Gala, acknowledging their contributions in the fields of medicine, education and the performing arts, and their founding gift toward the construction of the new Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center — a purpose-built new home for the Arts Center’s arts education and community engagement programs, scheduled to open in 2024. “For years, the Arts Center’s Spotlight Gala has been our way of celebrating the beginning of our season, of saying ‘thank you’ to all our supporters and audience members, and of ensuring that our work in arts education and community engagement can thrive and grow,” says John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “Although the Arts Center is now beginning to reopen for in-person performances, I’m so pleased that this year we will once again take our biggest party of the year virtual and share our exciting Spotlight Gala concert with arts lovers across the state through our ongoing partnership with NJ PBS.”

EVENTS OF 2021

Some of the many programs hosted or made possible by Women@NJPAC this year:

A “Leading Ladies” virtual panel discussion featuring the powerhouse team of women behind the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund, an initiative that raised millions of dollars to keep New Jersey’s arts organizations alive in the wake of coronavirus.

The third annual “Gathering of Givers,” Women@NJPAC’s celebration of the power of women in philanthropy, which this year focused on women’s contributions to rebuilding communities after the pandemic, featuring Lara Abrash, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte & Touche, and Joanne Lin, Principal, Newark Venture Partners, among many other women executives.

“She Did That: Black Women in the Workplace,” a part of the Arts Center’s “PSEG True Diversity Film Series,” which highlighted the growing impact of African American women executives and entrepreneurs. The launch of Women Leaders @ Work, a new series of virtual events, co-sponsored by Executive Women of New Jersey, that explores the impact of women who are advancing organizations large and small. The first event in the series, Women in the Boardroom, focused on women who are taking leadership roles in corporate and nonprofit boards.

A virtual edition of the Women@NJPAC annual ‘Spring Luncheon,’ which offered a fascinating conversation with fashion icon Norma Kamali, and an appearance by Tony Award winning Broadway powerhouse, Laura Benanti;

Plus, hundreds of students in NJPAC’s arts training programs received scholarships from Women@NJPAC to continue their studies.

WOMEN@NJPAC & The Spotlight Gala

Women@NJPAC, a “sisterhood for good” was established in 1994. The annual Spotlight Gala is organized by Women@NJPAC, the Arts Center’s longtime advocacy organization.

The organization was started by nine women. This small band of women has now grown into a powerhouse of fundraising and “friend-raising” that today numbers thousands of members. Over the past 27 years, the Women@NJPAC has become an organization that not only supports the work of the Arts Center but serves as a networking venue par excellence for New Jersey women, and a funder with a particular focus on issues impacting women and girls. Women@NJPAC annually hosts multiple events on and off the Arts Center campus. It has grown into an organization of thousands of executives, artists, activists, mothers and change-makers devoted to advancing the performing arts, amplifying the philanthropic work of its members, and helping NJPAC deliver on its mission as an anchor cultural institution. For more information, visit njpac.org/support/women-at-NJPAC

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CELEBRATE NATIONAL HISPANIC MONTH WITH LATIN ICONS!

By Mabel Pais

SEE TITO NIEVES, ARTURO O’FARRILL, EDDIE PALMIERI,LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE, LATIN FREESTYLE + HIP HOP,

GILBERTO SANTA ROSA, ELIZARDI CASTRO

The National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. During this month, heightened awareness is given to histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. NJPAC pays tribute to and celebrates Latin culture with live music from a line-up of Latin superstars.

Salsa Meets Jazz Starring TITO NIEVES, ARTURO O’FARRILL BIG BAND and EDDIE PALMIERI salsa orchestra

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.

To learn more and for Tickets, visit njpac.org/event/salsa-meets-jazz

LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.

For more information and Tickets, visit njpac.org/event/los-tigres-del-norte

Latin Freestyle + Hip Hop (90’s Dance Star Studded Dance Concert)

Friday, October 22, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.

To learn more or for Tickets, visit njpac.org/event/the-90s-all-star-dance-concert

GILBERTO SANTA ROSA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.

To learn more and for Tickets, visit njpac.org/event/gilberto-santa-rosa

ELIZARDI CASTRO

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021 at 8:00 p.m.

The Town Hall at 123 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036

For more information and Tickets, visit ticketmaster.com/law-disorder-an-evening-with-comedian-new-york-new-york-11-27-2021/event/0300585B3561359F

 COVID SAFETY RULES

For COVID Safety Rules, visit njpac.org/visit/covid-health-and-safety

NJPAC

To learn more about NJPAC, visit www.NJPAC.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)

 Follow NJPAC Online:

Website:     njpac.org

Twitter:      @NJPAC

Instagram:   @NJPAC

Hashtag:     #NJPAC

Facebook:   facebook.com/NJPAC

YouTube:     NJPACtv

Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:

Website: njpac.org/takeastand

Hashtag: #NJPACTakeAStand Youtube: Standing in Solidarity playlist

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