By Mabel Pais

TOO BIG FOR ONE CITY.

TOO BIG FOR ONE WEEKEND.

THE FESTIVAL ONLY NEW JERSEY COULD CREATE: NORTH TO SHORE June 2023

NJPAC produces first-of-its-kind celebration of music, technology, comedy, and film over three jam-packed weekends in June 2023.

Watch the promo video – youtu.be/u8o8pcvbspA

Listen to the announcements of the Governor & First Lady Tammy Murthy: youtu.be/yJtrwwZnJU0

Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy took the stage at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall, earlier this year, alongside NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, and Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small to announce the North to Shore Festival, an extraordinary three-city celebration of arts and technology launching on June 7.

This inaugural, month-long festival will showcase the talent, diversity and creativity this great state has to offer. Hosted by three incredible and unique cities, Atlantic City (June 7–11), Asbury Park (June 14–18) and Newark (June 21–25), the North to Shore Festival will bring together 50+ venues for an unprecedented celebration of Jersey-wide excellence, aligned with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision for a festival worthy of the Garden State’s legacy in the arts and innovation.

“Today, we are thrilled to announce North to Shore — New Jersey’s first multi-city festival celebrating the very best of music, comedy, film, and technology,” said Governor Phil Murphy.

“This superstar event, held over three weekends in June, will attract folks from all over, creating another great reason for tourists to visit the Garden State as well as opportunities for local businesses in three of our iconic cities to shine. These festivals will generate economic activity and have a significant impact on our region and we look forward to shining a light on the diversity, creativity, and energy that makes New Jersey unique this summer.”

“Beyond our global superstar headliners, North to Shore will also showcase the headliners of tomorrow. From producers to artists, filmmakers to comedians, this month-long celebration will also serve as an opportunity to elevate dozens of local performers and talent,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “We look forward to sharing New Jersey’s exceptional culture with the rest of the country and enjoying a festival that will undoubtedly be like no other.”

From concerts, to comedy, to movies, to presentations from leaders in tech and business, North to Shore’s offers it all. Best of all, the festival will also feature New Jersey’s homegrown talents who deliver their own brand of artistic excellence in the Garden State all year round.

NJPAC will produce this three-weekend extravaganza in collaboration with partners including Montclair Film, Newark International Film Festival, Tech United/Propelify and MediaSense.

Music and comedy programming will be produced in collaboration with a cohort of other presenters, including SJ Presents, Madison Marquette, Live Nation, Platinum Productions and Absolutely Live!

For cinephiles, a North to Shore Film Pass offers access to multiple screenings. Technology enthusiasts can use a Tech Pass to take in every one of the demonstrations of New Jersey’s newest inventions from its next generation of Edisons, with a focus on those developing sustainable, Earth-friendly new innovations.

“Newark has a long history of launching brilliance into the world. It’s the birthplace of passionate artists of every stripe, stellar innovators in industry and science, celebrated intellect in education and philosophy, and valiant hearts spearheading social progress,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “With so much celebrity and inventiveness, Newark’s vitality makes it the premier location for hosting North To Shore June 21-25.

“Asbury Park has a prolific arts scene — and while we are best known for our musical history, we are also home to a wealth of creators in all art forms including film, dance, theater and the visual arts. Asbury Park’s creative spirit and diverse talent makes us the perfect place to show off both local artists and artists from around the great State of New Jersey,” said City of Asbury Park Mayor John Moor.

“As I like to say, ‘We Live, We Lit, We Outside!’ in Atlantic City and this festival proves it,” said City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “We have such a rich history when it comes to arts and entertainment in the great City of Atlantic City. Not only is our city a prime location for filming award-winning productions, but our legacy is built upon groundbreaking artistry. We are honored to be chosen by Governor Murphy as one of the hosts of the North to Shore Festival and cannot wait to welcome even more diverse talents to our beautiful city this summer.”

The North to Shore Festival is expected to both shine a spotlight on the state’s artistic and technological prowess, and boost its economy at the start of the summer season.

“This festival aligns with Governor Murphy’s mission to make New Jersey the best state in the nation to live, work, and play all while providing an economic boost to Newark, Asbury Park, and Atlantic City, by attracting visitors, generating spending, and showcasing the strength of New Jersey’s arts, culture, and innovation scenes,” said The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan.

“The diversity, the excellence, the breadth of artistic disciplines, the fun – North to Shore is a festival experience entirely unique to the combination of creativity, imagination and talent only present in New Jersey,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC.

TICKETS

Tickets for the North to Shore Festival are on sale at NorthtoShore.com. For the latest updates on festival concerts, screenings and more, follow the Festival on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

(More to come in coming weeks).

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STRONGER TOGETHER: THE POWER OF ASIAN AMERICAN & BLACK UNITY

By Mabel Pais

Over the last few years the United States has been ignited by a wave of social justice activism. Protests in support of Black Lives Matter and against hate crimes targeting Asian Americans have been widely covered in the media, but what often remains out of the spotlight are the Black and Asian community leaders who rally for one another. Strong multicultural and multigenerational activism is at the core of realizing a better future.

During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, let’s highlight important intersections between the Stop AAPI Hate and Black Lives Matter campaigns. The panel curated by the Fordham University AAPI Alumni Affinity Chapter will discuss the value and challenges of coalition building, and will share their suggestions for uniting all people.

PANELISTS

Kwan-Lamar Blount-Hill

assistant professor of criminal justice, arizona state university

Don Kao

director, cpc project reach

Victoria Pratt

executive director, odyssey impact

Kim Tran

author; activist

MODERATOR

Radhika (Krish) Sehgal

clinical psychologist; dei speaker/trainer

Discussion Guide

https://www.njpac.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/American-Revolutionary-Discussion-Guide.pdf

 

How to participate:

Register at https://njpac.tfaforms.net/145?id=a2F8X0000087HnKUAU

Watch ‘American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs’ for free at home.

Join the team for a virtual panel discussion on Monday, May 22, at 7PM.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

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 The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)