NJPAC Presents Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist, and the Silk Road Ensemble

(Music) joins people together—there is no culture that doesn’t have music…It comes up during the important times (of) people’s lives. It expresses things. …..it is very ephemeral, but its effect is generally always about something bigger than yourself.”  Yo-Yo Ma – Harvard Political Review

 “Uninhibitedly joyous!” The Los Angeles Times

 “…a roving musical laboratory without walls” The Boston Globe

Yo-Yo Ma, child prodigy cellist and songwriter returns with his Silk Road Ensemble to NJPAC

A celebration of music, crisscrossing centuries, continents and cultures!
Composed of virtuoso musicians, composers, arrangers, visual artists and storytellers from over 20 countries, Yo-Yo Ma’s exuberant Silk Road Ensemble was founded by him in 1998 to explore and celebrate cultural, artistic and intellectual traditions drawn from the ancient trade routes, The Silk Road (that were for centuries central to cultural interaction originally through regions of Eurasia connecting the East and West).

Yo-Yo Ma attended the Juilliard School, New York and continued to excel throughout his adult life, producing more than 75 albums and winning 18 Grammy Awards.

“As musicians, we transcend technique in order to seek out the truths in our world in a way that gives meaning and sustenance to individuals and communities. That’s art for life’s sake.”  Yo-Yo Ma, The Nancy Hanks Lecture, 2013

The organization’s vision is to “connect the world’s neighborhoods by bringing together artists and audiences around the globe.” Since founding the Silk Road Project, Ma has served as its artistic director.

“I realized that everything I practice in music, and this is true of all the performing arts, involves the four qualities necessary for success in the workforce of the 21st century: collaboration, flexibility, imagination, innovation.” – Yo-Yo Ma

“Yo-Yo Ma’s grandly all-encompassing world music band that seeks to find meeting points for musical traditions from China to Europe (to the USA), has proved to be the ever-curious cellist’s most valuable project” writes The Los Angeles Times.

In 2000, Ma was given the opportunity to expand his audience beyond his wildest dreams: Film director Ang Lee asked him to play on the sound track for the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which went on to become an astounding success, winning four Academy Awards in 2011—for best foreign-language film, art direction, cinematography and, most importantly for Ma, best original score.

“All the things I love about life outside music have to do with people, and playing the cello allows me to fulfill all those interests through music. – Yo-Yo Ma

For more information on the April 8, 2018 concert and tickets, visit http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/yo-yo-ma-and-the-silk-road-ensemble

Grammy Nominee Celtic Woman New Live Show, ‘Homecoming’

Celebrating Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, Celtic Woman combines finest musical talent with epic stage productions to present a unique, inspiring live experience. From the debut, Celtic Woman has touched the hearts of a huge global audience.

Now, with Homecoming, Celtic Woman brings the next chapter of an extraordinary musical journey. It’s a universal celebration of life. It’s traditional, it’s contemporary. It’s yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a world-class performing collective, Celtic Woman celebrates Ireland’s rich musical and cultural heritage, while continuing its remarkable 12-year-legacy of introducing some of Ireland’s most talented singers and musicians onto the world stage.

Celtic Woman featuring the angelic voices of Susan McFadden, Mairéad Carlin, Éabha McMahon and the breathtaking Celtic violinist Tara McNeill, accompanied by a full ensemble of musicians and dancers — will embark on a four month tour.  The 90-city trek will take Celtic Woman across the country before wrapping on June 17 in Rosemont, IL.

About Celtic Woman

Following its debut on PBS in 2005, Celtic Woman has achieved massive success encompassing twelve chart-topping albums, nine DVDs and nine public television specials leading to sales of over ten million albums, with platinum success in nine countries. Each of the twelve CDs—including 2016’s Voices of Angels—has reached #1 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. The group has been named Billboard Magazine’s #1 World Albums Artist six times.

Celtic Woman received its first-ever Grammy-nomination in the World Music category for its 2016 release Destiny. As a touring powerhouse, the group enthralls audiences of all ages.

For more information on the Saturday, March 24, 2018 concert at NJPAC and a complete tour schedule and ticket information, visit www.CelticWoman.com.

Mike Marino: Make America Italian Again Tour With Special Guest Jon Bramnick, NJ’s Funniest Lawyer!

Busy stand-up comedian Mike Marino – affectionately known to his fans as “New Jersey’s Bad Boy” – brings his hysterical and insightful take on the Italian-American experience to NJPAC with his new tour, Make America Italian Again!

A native of Jersey City, Mike Marino’s material is largely inspired by his own life, from his Italian family roots to his edgy observations about everyday life. His riotous approach to stand-up has taken him from The Tonight Show to sitcoms (including appearances on hits like Frasier and Becker) to major comedy clubs, theaters and casinos from New York to Los Angeles, and around the world. He’s also been a highlight of Montreal’s Just for Laughs Comedy Festival for seven years in a row.

In 2008, Marino was inducted into the New Jersey Comedy Hall of Fame, and in 2015 he was awarded the USO Bob Hope Comedy Award for his regular performances for the U.S. military. He currently appears on his own DDV Radio show, Live from My Mother’s Basement, and on a new web series, A Marino Moment in History Only on YouTube.

Jon Bramnick holds the title “Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey” after winning contests sponsored by the bar association at Rascals Comedy Club. Jon Bramnick is the New Jersey Assembly Minority Leader. Assemblyman Bramnick was elected by his colleagues in January 2012 to serve as the Assembly Minority Leader, making him the highest-ranking member of the Republican Caucus in the Assembly.

The performance takes place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM.

For more information on the 3 events or to buy tickets, visit www.njpac.org or the box office or call 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722).

For more information on the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), visit www.njpac.org or call 888.go. NJPAC (888.466.5722).

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