NJPAC makes the holiday season come alive … before the curtain even rises!
With only a few days before Christmas, CeCe Winans lights up your holiday with joyful music. The 12-time GRAMMY® winner is the shining star atop the glittering tree of gospel. It’s impossible to count all the songs she’s gifted to us over the years: “Count on Me” from “Waiting to Exhale,” “Alabaster Box” and “Goodness of God” are just a few. And there’s nothing like her renditions of your favorite Christmas songs. Rejoice and feel the glory of this special time of year. Roman Collins will open the show.
Arrive at 6PM for pre-show drumming, dance and poetry experiences, exclusively for CeCe Winans ticket holders. Join professional artists for a drumming workshop and learn two joyous dance styles: West African and pageantry.
Then starting at 7PM be moved by captivating spoken word performances to witness a free liturgical dance prelude by DEW Ministries on Friday. Special thank you to Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral of Newark for providing a practice space for the prelude performer.
“What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” –nj.com
The New Jersey Symphony will present three performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The Symphony will perform all three parts of the oratorio (see program below).
Handel composed the famous oratorio in just 24 days. Messiah was premiered in Dublin, Ireland, in April of 1742. The performance of this masterpiece became an annual tradition in London after 1750 and has been performed countless times by orchestras and choruses around the world since.
PROGRAM
Princeton – Friday, December 19, 2025, 7:30 pm, Richardson Auditorium
61 Nassau Street , Princeton, New Jersey 08542
Princeton – Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7:30 pm, Richardson Auditorium
61 Nassau Street , Princeton, New Jersey 08542
Newark – Sunday, December 21, 2025, 7 pm, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
89 Ridge Street , Newark, New Jersey 07104
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition
Anthony Parnther conductor
Caitlin Gotimer soprano
Maria Dominique Lopez mezzo-soprano
Orson Van Gay II tenor
Shyheim Selvan Hinnant bass-baritone
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director
New Jersey Symphony
Pre-Concert performance
Preceding the performance on Friday, December 19, at 6:30 pm, the audience is invited to enjoy a festive array of holiday songs and carols from the Montclair State University Singers and Heather J. Buchanan.
American conductor Anthony Parnther is in his sixth season as music director of California’s San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and was recently praised as the “quintessential L.A. musician of our day” by the L.A. Times. As conductor of the Gateways Music Festival Orchestra, whose members hail from leading orchestras nationwide, Parnther led its sold-out Carnegie Hall debut, showcasing the world premiere of ‘I Can’ by five-time GRAMMY Award-winner Jon Batiste.
A master of multiple genres, Parnther has conducted many of the world’s preeminent artists, from Joshua Bell, Lynn Harrell, Jessye Norman, and Frederica von Stade to Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Avenged Sevenfold, Wu-Tang Clan, Metro Boomin, Rihanna, and more. Parnther’s recent conducting engagements include the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Sydney Symphony, and the Chineke! Orchestra (UK), with whom he debuted at the BBC Proms, and more.
Dedicated to amplifying traditionally underrepresented voices, Parnther has reconstructed and performed orchestral works by Margaret Bonds, Duke Ellington, Zenobia Powell Perry, Florence Price, William Grant Still, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. He also led LA Opera’s world premiere of Tamar-kali Brown’s oratorio ‘We Hold These Truths’ and Long Beach Opera’s revival of Anthony Davis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘The Central Park Five.’ For his extensive championing of works by Black, Latino, and women composers, Parnther was profiled in 2015 as a “Local Hero” by Los Angeles’ PBS SoCal/KCET. He was also featured in a New York Times profile for his New York Philharmonic debut.
One of today’s top film conductors, Parnther helms recording sessions for multiple international feature films and television series. Recent projects include ‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ ‘Encanto,’ ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts,’ and more. Learn more at anthonyparnther.com.
Caitlin Gotimer
“Caitlin Gotimer, in the title role, delivered an object lesson on the art of classical singing … negotiating the most intricate ornamentations and sustained, high-flung passages with equal agility … this soprano has yet to disappoint … displaying a voice of truly heroic proportions—seemingly with the greatest of ease, but the amount of talent and study involved in creating such an impression boggles the mind”
– OnStage Pittsburgh.
In the 2025-26 season, Ms. Gotimer reprises the title role in Tosca at the renowned Glyndebourne Festival under Robin Ticciati; she makes a thrilling debut at the Royal Danish Opera, singing Nedda in ‘Pagliacci’ under the baton of Giulio Cilona; makes her role debut as Cio-Cio-San in ‘Madama Butterfly’ with North Carolina Opera; and joins the roster at The Metropolitan Opera to cover Mimì in ‘La bohème.’ In addition to her concerts with the New Jersey Symphony, she also appears at the Megaron Mousikis in Athens for a special performance of Rufus Wainwright’s ‘Dream Requiem.’
Recent operatic credits include La Madre (‘La Fiamma’), Donna Anna (‘Don Giovanni’), and the title role in Silvana for Deutsche Oper Berlin; Nedda (‘Pagliacci’) for Pittsburgh Opera; Countess (‘Le nozze di Figaro’) at the Aspen Music Festival as a Renée Fleming Artist; She has also covered Musetta (‘La bohème’) at the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, the title role in ‘Suor Angelica,’ and Giorgetta in ‘Il tabarro’ in a high-profile production led by Carlo Rizzi for Opéra national de Paris.
Equally at home on the concert stage, Ms. Gotimer has performed Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with the Santa Fe and Idaho Falls Symphonies, Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ at Québec’s Festival Songe d’été en musique, and Bach’s ‘Missa Brevis’ with Binghamton University. Learn more at caitlingotimersoprano.com.
Maria Dominique Lopez
Praised as “a rich-voiced mezzo” (‘Operawire’) and “a real tour-de-force” (‘Splash Magazines Worldwide’), Mexican-American mezzo-soprano Maria Dominique Lopez has sung operatic roles and symphonic works throughout the US and Europe, in addition to recording vocals for independent films and major motion pictures (including the Golden Globe and Academy Award®-winning DisneyPixar film, ‘Coco.’
She has had recent stage appearances in various locations including Houston Grand Opera’s ‘Opera to Go!,’ Arizona Opera (Third Lady, ‘The Magic Flute’; Bonita, ‘Arizona Lady’), The Phoenix Symphony (Vaughan Williams’ ‘Magnificat’), Pacific Opera Project (Madam Flora, ‘The Medium’; Mercédès, ‘Carmen’; Musetta, ‘La bohème’), the world premiere at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts of Jenni Brandon’s ‘3 Paderewskis,’ the premiere of Mark Weiser’s ‘The Place Where You Started,’ and many more.
Ms. Lopez lives in the Los Angeles area and owns her own reiki healing practice, ‘Ascending Arts.’ She is a Senior Fellow in the Eric Fütterer Vocal Studio of Academy of Advanced Vocal Technique, and studies shamanic and energy practices with Shaman and Reiki Master, Jamie Jones. Follow her at tiktok.com/@ascendingarts.
Orson Van Gay II
Orson Van Gay II has captivated audiences in classical and contemporary opera and concert hall performances with his charisma and “fine heroic tenor” (San Francisco Classical Voice). He has garnered acclaim for roles in his home of Southern California and across the US, with Broadway World declaring, “his sound was fluent and his high notes golden.”
Recent opera appearances include the role of Raymond Santana in the world premiere of Anthony Davis’ ‘The Central Park Five’ (winner of a 2021 Pulitzer Prize) with Long Beach Opera. He made his debut in two roles with Pacific Opera Project as ‘The Athlete’ in the West Coast premiere of I Can’t Breathe and as Rodolfo in La bohème and more.
Mr. Van Gay has sung extensively with the LA Opera’s “Connects” series which explores the connections between music, wellness, and recovery.
Equally at home in the concert hall, he joined the California Philharmonic Orchestra in celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th anniversary, performing in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, “Chorale,” at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Mr. Van Gay has also appeared at Carnegie Hall in a recital with Wang Wei.
In December 2023, he released his debut classical album, ‘Colors of a Lyric,’ a curation of arias that capture the warmth and stratosphere of this rising star’s vocal spectrum.
Shyheim Selvan Hinnant
Hailing from Woodbridge, Virginia, Shyheim Selvan Hinnant is a multi-disciplinary artist who puts the “tone” in bass-baritone. As a singer, songwriter, actor, and electric bass player, he has dedicated his life to creating art and inspiring others.
Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Musical Arts degree from Yale University under the tutelage of mezzo-soprano Adriana Zabala. His favorite roles include Simone (‘Gianni Schicchi’), Figaro (‘Le nozze di Figaro’), and Colline (‘La bohème’). He recently completed a residency with Des Moines Metro Opera as an apprentice artist, where he premiered the role of Clarence in Damien Geter’s ‘American Apollo’ and covered the role of First Nazarene in Richard Strauss’ ‘Salome.’
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart (interior), Newark. (Credit: njsymphony.org)
As a commercial model and actor, Shyheim has worked for various clients including UNO!™, Facebook (Meta), Away Travel, AllBirds, and Intel. In 2022, Shyheim starred in Christian Osagiede’s short film ‘Hunted,’ which was a finalist in Dolby’s Finish the Script filmmaker competition.
In his free time, he writes alternative R&B music under the alias of Shy Lennox. His smooth sound and creative work have been increasingly recognized and featured in ‘AfroPunk,’ ‘Lyrical Lemonade,’ ‘The Commonwealth Times,’ ‘Ink Magazine,’ ‘RVA Magazine,’ and in various online publications. Shyheim’s debut single “afterblunts,” has gained over five million streams and over 50,000 monthly listeners.
Shyheim currently resides in New Haven, Connecticut where he sings as the bass-baritone section leader and soloist for The Congregational Church of New Canaan. He also teaches both virtual and in-person voice lessons and tutors music theory and mathematics. Learn more at orsonvangay.com.
Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan
Under the direction of Australian-born conductor Heather J. Buchanan since September 2003, the Montclair State University choral program has been recognized for successful collaborations with world-renowned artists and celebrated professional musicians in national and international venues, including Meredith Monk, Richard Alston Dance Company (UK), VOCES8 (UK), and Eric Whitacre. Montclair choirs appear regularly with the New Jersey Symphony and have won critical acclaim for their “heartfelt conviction,” “and vibrant sound,” being a “marvel of diction, tuning, and rhythm,” “eloquence” and for singing with the “crispness and dexterity of a professional choir.” Pianist Gregory Stout is the Montclair choral accompanist.
University Singers, Montclair’s flagship choir, is an elective mixed-voice ensemble comprising undergraduate and graduate students with a passion for choral singing. Previous New Jersey Symphony performances include Felix Mendelssohn’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 3, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘Requiem,’ the US premiere of Kate Whitley’s ‘Speak Out,’ and George Frideric Handel’s ‘Messiah’ annually since 2014. They recorded ‘Songs of Ascension’ with Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble on the prestigious European label ECM Records under legendary producer Manfred Eicher, which received a GRAMMY Award nomination in the Producer of the Year Category. Their solo recording ‘I Sing Because’ is available on Spotify and iTunes.
Established in 1908, Montclair State is a Research Doctoral Institution ranked in the top tier of national universities, with 13 degree-granting colleges/schools serving more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students. At Montclair’s John J. Cali School of Music, students study with a world-class faculty drawn from the finest musicians and scholars in the New York metropolitan area and beyond. Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities Dr. Heather J. Buchanan, a vibrant teacher, dynamic performer, and passionate health advocate for musicians, she is in demand as a guest conductor, somatic educator, and choral clinician in the US and abroad. Learn more at montclair.edu & facebook.com/heather.j.buchanan.7
New Jersey Symphony
New Jersey Symphony is a GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning orchestra. Under the direction of Music Director Xian Zhang, the Symphony performs more than 55 mainstage concerts across the state at venues in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Morristown, as well as at schools and public spaces statewide.
Programming at the Symphony reflects an unwavering commitment to diverse communities throughout the state, while providing students unparalleled opportunities to achieve musical excellence through its Youth Orchestra and other education programs.
In 2024, the Symphony announced it would continue to deliver its statewide activities from a new, permanent office, rehearsal, and concert space in Jersey City, set to open in 2026. For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit the website at njsymphony.org.
The Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) invites the community to its annual Holiday Cabaret, which, for the first time, will be held as a benefit to support PAS’ programs. The festive evening of performances takes place on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Wharton Black Box Theater, 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, with a pre-concert reception beginning at 6:00 p.m.
This year’s benefit celebrates 40 years of creativity, connection, and impact, featuring dazzling performances by Wharton Arts students and faculty. Guests will enjoy light fare, beer, wine, and soft drinks included with their tickets.
The evening will also include a silent auction and 50/50 raffle, with all proceeds supporting PAS programs. Kids of all ages can enjoy the festive lobby and photo booth, making this a fun and memorable night for the whole family. A silent auction will soon debut, offering a curated collection of local dining, bakery delights, premium wines, and rejuvenating spa packages.
40th Anniversary, PAS musicians. (Credit : whartonarts.org)
Debra Joyal, Performing Arts School Director said, “We are thrilled to invite you to our annual Holiday Cabaret, a dazzling evening of song and festive cheer. Come celebrate the season, our history, and the bright future of PAS as we toast to our 40th anniversary.”
“We are excited to mark this milestone year by turning the beloved Holiday Cabaret into a benefit,” said Nancy Tagle, Wharton Arts Director of Development. “We invite the community to join us as we raise our voices, and the curtain, for 40 more years of inspiration, artistic excellence, and growth.”
TICKETS
Single tickets and Family Four-Pack tickets are available. Sponsorships are also available, including premium seating. Proceeds will directly support Wharton Arts’ programs, scholarships, and mission-driven initiatives that provide transformative arts education to students of all ages.
WHARTON PLAYERS BRING BEETLEJUICE JR TO LIFE IN SPOOKTACULAR HOLIDAY PERFORMANCE
By Mabel Pais
The Wharton Performing Arts School (PAS) will present ‘Beetlejuice JR.,’ a frightfully funny musical based on the beloved film-turned-Broadway hit, December 5–7, 2025, at the Wharton Black Box Theater in Berkeley Heights.
Filled with outrageous humor, quirky characters, and high-energy musical numbers, ‘Beetlejuice JR.’ invites audiences into a supernatural comedy where the “ghost-with-the-most” takes center stage. The production is directed by Timothy Maureen Cole, with the show written by Scott Brown and Anthony King.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Performances will take place on
Friday, December 5 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: All performances will be held at the Wharton Black Box Theater, 60 Locust Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ.
“Creating Beetlejuice JR. with this cast has been a joyful burst of weirdness and creativity, said Cole. The Wharton Players have embraced the spooky, the silly, and the heartfelt, and we hope you enjoy this wonderfully strange and unusual show.”
TICKETS
Adult tickets are available. Students and seniors get a discount with a valid ID.
Tickets and additional information are available at WhartonArts.org or by calling (908) 790-0700.
The Wharton Arts School (PAS)
PAS is proud to be part of Wharton Arts, New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center, serving nearly 2,000 students each year through a wide range of programs. PAS has been nurturing artistic excellence and creativity in the community for 40 years. By offering programs in music and performing arts, the school empowers students to develop their talents, confidence, and lifelong appreciation for the arts.
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NJYS PERFORMS AT GALAXIES OF JOY: THE PLANETS IN CONCERT
By Mabel Pais
Wharton Arts’ New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS) invites the audience to journey across the cosmos at ‘Galaxies of Joy: The Planets in Concert’ on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. on the UCPAC’s Main Stage in Rahway, New Jersey.Led by Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Helen H. Cha-Pyo, this spectacular concert features Gustav Holst’s iconic orchestral suite, ‘The Planets,’ accompanied by stunning, high-definition NASA imagery from the NASA Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS). As the symphony journeys through Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and beyond, vivid visuals drawn from space telescope data and interplanetary missions will illuminate the music’s grandeur — transforming the concert hall into a breathtaking voyage through the solar system. (Video credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12880.)
Adding to the excitement, the program includes the world premiere of ‘PLUTO: The Gatekeeper to the Underworld’ by Oliver Kahng, a senior at Regis High School and a member of the NJYS Youth Symphony. Kahng’s original composition offers a contemporary continuation to Holst’s planetary suite, inspired by Pluto’s mythological and astronomical legacy.
“At this magical time of year, there’s no better gift to share with family and friends than ‘The Planets,’ one of the most beloved works in the symphonic repertoire, brought to life with breathtaking NASA visuals and the remarkable artistry of our NJYS Youth Symphony. This concert celebrates the wonder that connects music and imagination, featuring ‘Pluto,’ a new work by one of our own student composers. I invite you to join us on a truly inspiring journey through sound and creativity,” said Cha-Pyo.“Experiencing Holst’s ‘The Planets’ with NASA’s stunning visuals creates an unforgettable celestial journey,” said Executive Director Gina Caruso. “Premiering a new work by one of our own young composers makes the evening even more special, highlighting the imagination and creativity of our students at the New Jersey Youth Symphony.”
PROGRAM
What: ‘Galaxies of Joy: The Planets in Concert’
Who: NJYS Youth Symphony, conducted by Helen H. Cha-Pyo
When: Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: UCPAC’s Main Stage, Rahway, NJ
TICKETS
Adult tickets are available. Students and seniors get a discount. Purchase tickets at UCPAC.org.
New Jersey Youth Symphony (NJYS)
Founded in 1979, the New Jersey Youth Symphony is the premier instrumental ensemble program of Wharton Arts and a national leader in youth orchestral training. With 15 ensembles and nearly 600 student musicians, NJYS provides unparalleled access to musical excellence and community engagement through concerts, recordings, and international tours.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) launches a new public art initiative and its plan to commission 13 original artworks for NJPAC’s redeveloped campus in downtown Newark.
As part of a transformative redevelopment project that has redesigned the entirety of the Arts Center’s 12-acre campus, the initiative will bring more works of art to the already-vibrant streets of Newark’s downtown Arts and Education District.
The new neighborhood now under construction around NJPAC’s iconic theaters will include ArtSide, a 350-unit residential and retail development, and the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center, a three-story home for NJPAC’s Arts Education, community programs and rehearsal studios.
NJPAC public art initiative building. (Credit : njpac.org)
The new public artworks will enliven all these spaces with installations that reflect the rhythm, resilience and vitality of Newark’s communities. The project, called ‘Stories in Sound, Movement and Community,’ weaves together the three core elements of NJPAC’s efforts to bring communities together through the performing arts. Each new work will be site-specific and will offer an interactive experience that celebrates the city’s artistic legacy and contemporary expression.
“Newark’s art defines our community and serves as a shorthand for where we’ve been, who we are, where we’re going and what we want for ourselves,” says Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “It is a highly valued, cultural priority here, which explains why our city was ranked eighth in the nation in the 2024 Arts Vibrancy Index. NJPAC shares this creative lifeblood with us and continuously embraces each new cohort of artists and creators in its ongoing history. It is one of the many reasons we are so proud to have NJPAC at the heart of our downtown.”
PROCESS
NJPAC identified a number of core themes through community meetings, roundtables and surveys, reflecting widely shared and uniquely local perspectives on Newark’s identity. Each commission will explore how stories of the past, present and future are told through music, dance, spoken word and performance, highlighting Newark as a city that is constantly evolving.
“We want the visual arts to be an integral part of our new campus,” says John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “ArtSide and the Cooperman Center were designed to include spaces that would serve as frames for public works of art, like the archway over one of the new streets that crosses through ArtSide. NJPAC has not, until now, had a formal way to engage with the muralists and visual artists who are so vital to Newark, and we look forward to engaging with the city’s larger creative community through this project.”
INVITATION TO ARTISTS
NJPAC invites artists who live or work within its core audience zones (in and around Newark, and the greater New Jersey and New York markets) to submit proposals for these new pieces. The commissioned works will be installed across exterior and interior sites on the NJPAC campus, including in prominent public-facing locations that engage residents, visitors and audiences alike.
INFORMATION SESSION FOR APPLICATION
A virtual artist information session will be held on December 10, 2025, at 3PM to introduce the initiative and guide artists through the application process. Proposals are due by January 19, 2026, with selected works scheduled for installation beginning in summer 2026 and continuing through winter 2027. Full project briefs, submission details and the link to apply are available on NJPAC’s website at njpac.org/publicart.
NEWARK TODAY AND TOMORROW
Through this initiative, NJPAC reaffirms its commitment to contributing to Newark’s vibrant arts scene while creating meaningful opportunities for visual artists and designers to collaborate, imagine and inspire. Stories in Sound, Movement, and Community invites artists to explore how shared histories, familiar rhythms and new voices can combine to tell the story of Newark today, and envision the Newark of the future.
“At Project for Empty Space, we believe in the powerful impact of partnership. Our history of public art is built on collaboration — with peer organizations, culture workers and audiences alike,” says Project for Empty Space Co-Directors Jasmine Wahi and Rebecca Pauline Jampol. “We are honored to partner with NJPAC on this program, which will have a meaningful and lasting impact not only on their new campus but on the broader public art community and the residents of Newark and beyond.”
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC),
NJPAC located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is an anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.
NJPAC brings communities together both on and off of our campus – on stages, in schools and community settings – providing access to the arts for all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.
Through its extensive Social Impact programs, NJPAC leverages the arts to advance positive outcomes in education, health and well-being, civic engagement and community development. NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997. Learn more at njpac.org.
Project for Empty Space (PES)
PES (projectforemptyspace.org) is a multifaceted arts organization in Newark, NJ and Chinatown, Manhattan that includes Exhibitions, Artists Residencies, Public Art initiatives, subsidized Artist Studios, and Artist Professional Development/Granting opportunities. PES’s program centers social discourse, including narratives that have been historically and systemically erased. They strive to course-correct historic instances of forced marginality, inequity, and invisibility, supporting socially-oriented artists while maintaining a commitment to both reflecting on the past and envisioning new possibilities for the future. Learn more at projectforemptyspace.org.
WeShouldDoItAll (WSDIA)
WSDIA (wsdia.org) is a New York-based multidisciplinary design studio working across spatial design, branding, environmental graphics, exhibition design, and digital platforms. The studio explicitly rejects specialization, instead focusing on solving problems through whatever disciplinary lens best serves the work. WSDIA’s clients include Nike, Design Within Reach (DWR), Lincoln Center, Samsung, and cultural institutions including the Schomburg Center and Speed Art Museum. Learn more at wsdia.com.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for the festive holiday weekend of December 12-13, 2025 has back-to-back performances of Nimbus Dance’s ‘Jersey Nutcracker.’
Nimbus Dance brings its beloved, distinctly local twist on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet to audiences in Newark. With dazzling new sets and costumes, an expanded youth cast from across the state, and a statewide tour, this year marks a bold new chapter for Nimbus’ signature holiday production.
In a special guest appearance, Newark’s own Mayor Ras Baraka and his wife, First Lady Linda Baraka, will join the Dec 12th production in cameo roles as “The Boss Mayor” and “Mama Cannoli”.
(Read last week’s article on more information on Nimbus Dance’s 2025 ‘Jersey Nutcracker’)
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
KWANZAA FAMILY FESTIVAL AND ARTISAN MARKETPLACE returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC),the annual gathering of thousands for the Holiday Season. This takes place at 1 Center Street, downtown Newark on Saturday, December 20, 2025, 1-7:30 PM.
The festival, the Arts Center tradition lasting more than 26 years, includes family-friendly activities that embody the seven principles of **Kwanzaa (see below). Programming includes exquisite face painting, interactive storytelling, dance classes for all abilities and arts and crafts.
“‘The Kwanzaa Family Festival & Artisan Marketplace’ is NJPAC’s annual gift to the community,” says Eyesha Marable, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement. “In collaboration with our 80 engaged partners, we produce a day of creative, fun and joyous activities so that people of all generations can form meaningful holiday memories at the Arts Center.”
THE MARKETPLACE
The festival coincides with the Kwanzaa Artisan Marketplace, which will cover multiple floors of the Arts Center’s Prudential Lobby on Saturday, December 20, from 1 – 11 PM.
The Kwanzaa Artisan Marketplace is the destination for purchasing one-of-a-kind gifts from more than 20 local artists, designers and crafters. Specialty items for sale include natural beauty products, candles, crystals, African mud cloth, artwork, home decor, pet products and much more!
The weekend of the Kwanzaa Family Festival & Artisan Marketplace will also feature
· Holiday ceremonies such as a Kwanzaa candle-lighting and vibunzi (a tradition of honoring young people with a ear of corn, or fresh fruits and vegetables, to represent hope for the future)
· Kwanzaa-themed cookie decorating by The Cupcake Carriage
· Capoeira, salsa, Jersey club, soul line and West African dance and drumming classes
· A special film screening by the Newark Office of Film & Television
· Hourly performances by local dance troupes in the Prudential Hall Lobby, including a final share performed by participants in the festival’s dance and drumming classes. Dance groups include: Premiere Dance Theatre, Umoja Dance Company and Zawadi African Dance & Drum, Inc., Columbia High School’s Infinite Step team, Najah Riker’s soul line dancers and Solo Expressions.
· Fashion shows presented by Ancient African Formula and New Jersey Kids Fashion Week
· Storytelling led by the Beta Alpha Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Newark Public Library; Reading Partners and Source of Knowledge
· Arts and crafts workshops led by GlassRoots, The Newark Museum of Art, The North Jersey Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated,
· Creative Stuff, Children’s Kwanzaa Village, Mansa Arts Education, Trust for Public Land and AARP Chapter 5398 of The Newark University Area
· A Kwanzaa Memory Wall and panel discussion on grief and mourning facilitated by Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss
· Health screenings offered by Clara Maass Medical Center and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
· Vision screenings and vision loss simulations presented by Eyes Like Mine Inc.
‘CeCe Winans’ will perform at two ticketed concerts: on Friday, December 19, and Saturday, December 20, each day at 8PM. Ticket buyers for Winans’ Friday night performance will have exclusive access to a poetry reading before the show at 7PM and to the Kwanzaa Marketplace from 7 – 11 PM.
The ‘Blind Boys of Alabama’ will perform on Sunday, December 21, at 3PM.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by activist and author Maulana Karenga to offer people of African heritage a holiday that would celebrate their culture. Kwanzaa encompasses seven days dedicated to seven principles, also known as the Nguzo Saba. The **Kwanzaa principles are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). Each activity or event at NJPAC’s Kwanzaa Family Festival embodies one of the seven principles.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
NJPAC, located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is the most diverse performing arts center in the country, and the anchor cultural institution for both the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. It is an artistic, cultural, educational and civic center where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.
Another Kwanzaa dance. (Credit : njpac.org)
NJPAC brings communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC Arts & Well-Being develops initiatives and programs that amplify the health benefits of the arts and measure the impact of the Arts Center on community health and well-being.
NJPAC has attracted more than 12.7 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org for more information.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
Seventeen years after the 26/11 terror attack shook Mumbai, Amitabh Bachchan has paid tribute in a powerful new way by lending his voice as the narrator of a short film honouring the victims and heroes of the tragedy. The film, shared by Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, was unveiled on the anniversary of the attack. Akshay Kumar also joined in remembering the victims, posting a solemn message on social media.
The animated short, narrated by Amitabh, recounts how the barbaric attack failed to break the spirit of Mumbai or the nation. Sharing the film on Instagram, Amruta wrote, “A powerful video that was played at the ‘Global Peace Honours’. A tribute to the 26/11 martyr families and the victims of the Pahalgam attack, at the Gateway of India. It left the audience with goosebumps.” As India marked the 17th anniversary of one of its worst terror strikes, Bollywood celebrities came together to remember the lives lost on November 26, 2008, when Pakistan-backed LET terrorists stormed Mumbai, killing 166 people and injuring around 300.
Bollywood actor Celina Jaitly has filed a domestic violence case against her husband, Peter Haag, and sought Rs 50 crore for loss of earnings due to him. Jaitly and Haag got married in 2010 and have three children — Winston, Viraaj and Arthur.
Jaitly, known for her work in films like No Entry, Apna Sapna Money Money, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, Golmaal Returns, and Thank You, filed a petition in a Mumbai court on November 21, following which a notice was issued to Haag, an Austrian entrepreneur and hotelier. In her petition, Jaitly, 47, said that 48-year-old Haag is a “narcissist” and “self-absorbed individual” who demonstrates “no empathy” for her or their children.
She claimed she has suffered severe emotional, physical, sexual, and verbal abuse by her husband, because of which she was forced to flee her home in Austria and return to India.
The actor, represented by a team from law firm Karanjawala & Co., sought Rs 10 lakh monthly maintenance and urged the court to restrain Haag from entering her Mumbai residence. She also sought custody of their three children, who are presently living with Haag in Austria. She said that Haag, after they had children, “prohibited” her from working on various pretexts and “robbed her of her financial independence and dignity”.
She said she was only able to undertake “small projects with the permission” of Haag from time to time.
Her plea further said that Haag had filed a divorce application before a court in Austria in August this year.
Celina Jaitly and Peter Haag became parents to twin boys in March 2012. Five years later, she gave birth to a second set of twin boys, one of whom died due to a hypoplastic heart. The former Miss India and Miss Universe runner-up had also penned a long romantic post on social media for Haag on their anniversary last year.
“14 years ago today Peter Haag flew down to Mumbai for 8 hours only (he had an important meeting the next day) to meet my father and mother. I did not know he asked for their permission to propose to me… That very same night before departure, he proposed to me with a ring,” she wrote on Instagram.
She said he proposed to her at the same place where her mother had told her she would find her “right one”.
The skincare brand 82°E backed by Deepika Padukone has reported a sharp decline in revenue for FY25. According to the latest filings, revenue dropped to Rs. 14.7 crore, down from Rs. 21.2 crore in the previous year. On the bright side, the net loss has reduced significantly. While the company had posted a loss of Rs. 23.4 crore in FY24, the shortfall narrowed to Rs.12.3 crore in FY25. Financial statements show that total expenditure in FY25 was Rs. 25.9 crore a steep cut from Rs. 47.1 crore a year earlier. Marketing spend, in particular, was drastically reduced to Rs. 4.4 crore from nearly Rs. 20 crore in FY24. This suggests 82°E deliberately pulled back on customer-acquisition efforts after its previous heavy marketing push failed to translate into sustainable revenue.
Despite having leveraged Deepika’s massive social-media presence with the actress sharing personal experiences while promoting products the brand could not avoid the downturn.
82°E positions itself as a “luxury” skincare brand, offering products priced between Rs 2,500 and nearly Rs 4,000 mid-premium range, but below the territory dominated by established luxury players such as Estée Lauder.
In a fiercely competitive market where both emerging direct-to-consumer brands and longstanding luxury labels vie for customers 82°E now aims to cut costs further and ramp up sales efforts in a bid to return to profitability. The company has indicated as much in its latest filing.
The New Jersey Youth Chorus (NJYC), a program of Wharton Arts, invites the community to ‘The Light We Give: A Holiday Readings & Carols Concert,’ a concert woven with warmth and tradition. This will take place on Friday, December 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the Morristown United Methodist Church (50 South Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960).
Featuring two of the New Jersey Youth Chorus’ ensembles, Coriste, led by Trish Joyce, and Camerata, led by Dan Malloy, with accompanists Phillip Steffani and Andrew Macirowski, the concert invites the audience to reflect on the light we share with one another. Choristers will offer music and readings that honor the diverse traditions celebrated by the NJYC choral family.
The concert repertoire, inspired by Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas, include such pieces as ‘Aarti’ by Mishaal Surti, ‘Ocho Kandelikas’ by Flory Jagoda, ‘Kuumba’ by Zanaida Robles, ‘Carol of the Bells’ arranged by Peter Wilhousky, and ‘As It Fell Upon a Night’ by Katherine K. Davis.
Audience members are invited to join in several carols throughout the program, including ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful,’ ‘Deck the Hall,’ ‘Zol Zain Sholem,’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing.’ Choristers will take part in symbolic lighting rituals, including diyas, the menorah, the kinara, and the Advent wreath.
The concert concludes with a set of songs that explore connection and community. ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ along with ‘Touch Hands,’ by Abbie Betinis, are beautiful reminders of long-held traditions: “strong hands to weak, old hands to young, for who may say if ever this day many come to us again.” The program will come to a close with an excerpt from Maya Angelou’s ‘Amazing Peace,’ and a final shared carol, ‘Let There Be Peace on Earth,’ which shows that ‘the light we give’ can always illuminate the dark.
Wharton Arts Artistic Director & Principal Conductor Helen Cha-Pyo said, “This concert reflects the very heart of NJYC’s mission—using music to bring people together and to build a community rooted in care and belonging. That mission comes to life through the artistry and spirit of our remarkable directors and young singers. I warmly invite you to this meaningful concert and be part of this beautiful musical community.”
TICKETS
Tickets are available at NJYC.org. Adult prices are available. Students and seniors, with valid ID, get discounts.
Wharton Arts
Wharton Arts is New Jersey’s largest independent non-profit community performing arts education center serving nearly 2,000 students through a range of classes and ensembles. The 5 ensembles of the New Jersey Youth Chorus, an auditioned choral ensemble program for students in grades 3–12, encourage a love and appreciation of choral music while nurturing personal growth and creative development. Learn more at whartonarts.org.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
KATE KORTUM is winner of the 14th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC)TD James Moody Jazz Festival reached its finale with ‘The Sassy Awards’ of the competition on November 23, 2025 held at 3 PM.
Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker, ‘The SASSY Awards’ presented the Top Five Finalists on the iconic NJPAC stage in front of a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges: TONY-nominated singer/lyricist Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis, GRAMMY®-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming at NJPAC Christian McBride, and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer and co-host of WBGO Radio’s ‘Singers Unlimited,’ vocalist Janis Siegel.
Pulled from almost 200+ entrants from 27 different countries, these gifted young singers represented the next generation of great jazz vocalists. Ultimately, it was Kate Kortum who received the top honor and a $5,000 cash award. Kortum is originally from Houston, Texas, and currently resides in Harlem of New York City. She wowed the judges singing the famous blues song ‘Easy Come, Easy Go Blues,’ a raw and timeless ballad ‘You’ve Been There’ by David Ashley Trent, and ‘What a Little Moonlight Can Do,’ a song that Sarah Vaughan performed and recorded.
Hailed for her warm, distinctive sound that seamlessly blends the blues, bebop and Broadway, Kortum issued her debut album ‘Good Woman’ (2023) to critical and streaming acclaim, surpassing 3.5 million streams for its imaginative reworkings of jazz standards from a female perspective. Her sophomore release ‘Wild Woman’ (2025) followed, continuing her fresh, story-driven approach to bebop, blues and The Great American Songbook. A graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and the Juilliard School, Kortum has appeared at Mezzrow, SXSW, Birdland, Blue Note and Dizzy’s, collaborating with Peter Bernstein, Emmet Cohen, Bryan Carter, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
The Second Place honor and $1,500 prize went to Emma Smith (London, England). Third Place and a prize of $500 was awarded to Julia Moscardini (Buenos Aires, Argentina). Rounding out the Top Five was Diamond Princess Franklin (Philadelphia, PA) and Candace Jones (Hollywood, FL).
The SASSY Awards
The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, also known as ‘The SASSY Awards,’ is open to singers over the age of 18, of all genders and nationalities, from anywhere in the world, and not signed by a major label. Entrants are judged on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing.
What has become one of the top annual vocal competitions in jazz, ‘The SASSY Awards’ offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business—and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow.
Past winners include Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell,Laurin Talese, Samara Joy (GRAMMY® Award winner for Best New Artist 2023), Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, G. Thomas Allen, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Tyreek McDole, and April May Webb.
The competition recalls the humble beginnings of legendary jazz singer/NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) who, back in 1942, was a Newark teenager and winner of an amateur singing contest at the Apollo Theater. That memorable night helped launch the lifework of one of the most successful, influential jazz vocalists in the history of American music.
NJPAC has a long history of preserving and celebrating Sarah Vaughan’s music and impact. In 1999, NJPAC officially proclaimed the street in front of it as ‘Sarah Vaughan Way.’
TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®
For the 14th consecutive year, NJPAC’s TD James Moody Festival is sponsored by TD Bank, which has supported the event since its inauguration, ensuring that the event annually includes free community performances and educational events, as well as mainstage concerts showcasing jazz superstars.
NJPAC located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.
NJPAC has served more than 10 million visitors (including over 1.9 million students and families) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
NIMBUS DANCE (nimbusdance.org), this year, embarks on its first-ever New Jersey tour of ‘Jersey Nutcracker,’ bringing its beloved, distinctly local twist on Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet to audiences in Jersey City, Newark, and Elizabeth on several dates in December. With dazzling new sets and costumes, an expanded youth cast from across the state, and performances at the Nimbus Arts Center, Kean University, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), this year marks a bold new chapter for Nimbus’ signature holiday production.
Now in its 15th year, ‘Jersey Nutcracker’ delights audiences young and old with a quirky and lovable story of two Jersey kids and their city adventure — filled with magic, battles with bullies and rats, stories of friendship, and exceptional dancing. Audiences meet traditional characters like an exquisite Sugar Plum Fairy and her dashing Cavalier, along with locals like a corrupt mayor (modeled on NJ’s infamous political bosses like Jersey City’s Mayor Frank Hague); traditional toy soldiers become hip hop dancers, and the show stopping ‘Waltz of the Hipsters’ is led by a Bruce Springsteen-like principal dancer! Set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score with jazzy twists, Artistic Director Samuel Pott’s choreography is performed by Nimbus’ celebrated dancers alongside more than 100 of the state’s most talented youth performers from throughout the state.
With a libretto co-written by Alysia Souder and Pott, and animated projections by Jersey City artists Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger, ‘Jersey Nutcracker’ transforms the stage into an imaginative New Jersey landscape — parks, bustling streets, back alleys, sewers, and City Hall — infused with humor, heart, and holiday cheer. The 2025 production includes new costumes by LA Clevenson.
Samuel Pott, artistic director. (Credit for both: nimbusdance.org.)
“When young people see stories where they can recognize themselves and where they come from, a special connection happens that makes theater and dance come alive,” says Pott. “A family trip to the theater becomes an enduring experience that will stay with families for years to come.”
Praised by ‘Time Out New York’ as one of the “Best Christmas Shows in NYC,” Nimbus Dance’s ‘Jersey Nutcracker’ has performed to sold out audiences in Jersey City for 3 years in a row. Among the state’s leading theater producers the enthusiasm is palpable:
“Nimbus Dance’s Jersey Nutcracker is unlike any Nutcracker production we’ve seen before — perfectly blending outstanding dancing, hilarious comedy, and a meaningful story set right here in the Garden State,” says David Rodriguez, Executive Producer at NJPAC, “Nimbus has made a name for itself as one of the country’s most exciting new dance companies, and NJPAC couldn’t be more thrilled to showcase some of New Jersey’s top talent on our stages!”
Steve Cochran, Manager of Kean Stage at Kean University, says: “We are ecstatic to welcome Nimbus Dance’s ‘Jersey Nutcracker’ to Kean Stage this season. This production brings a fresh, local spirit to a beloved holiday tradition, and we’re proud to share its magic, artistry, and joy with our community. It’s a celebration of dance, storytelling, and togetherness — perfect for audiences of all ages.”
Nimbus Dance (nimbusdance.org) bridges the gap between world-class performance and community engagement by presenting work that challenges, speaks to, and elevates diverse audiences across the nation. Founded in 2005 by visionary Artistic Director Samuel Pott (former soloist with Martha Graham Dance Company), Nimbus stands at the forefront of excellence in the arts, civic engagement, and equitable impact. With a highly physical and visually engaging aesthetic, Nimbus’ international company of dancers “split the difference between traditionalism and modernism… A Nimbus Dance piece can pivot from ballet to Broadway to Beyoncé in a few beats.” (Tris McCall, ‘Jersey City Times’).
The company tours nationally impacting over 16,000 people annually; and collaborates regularly with some of the nation’s most storied arts organizations including the New Jersey Symphony, Boston Symphony, Gordon Parks Foundation, NJPAC, and heralded artists like Jason Samuels Smith, Qasim Naqvi, Pedro Giraudo, Nicola López.
Nimbus maintains its home base in Jersey City, NJ, at the Nimbus Arts Center, a 14,500 sq ft venue which supports interdisciplinary arts, incubates diverse arts entities, and houses Nimbus’ educational programs including the School of Nimbus. Nimbus recently opened a new 8,800 sq ft location in Summit, NJ, offering classes and performances, and fostering creative work. Nimbus produces the annual Acadia Dance Festival in Bar Harbor, Maine. Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
Experience the magic of this holiday season’s celebrations through spectacular concert performances and beloved holiday classics. This season promises to be filled with laughter, cheer, and the spirit of togetherness as the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) transforms into a holiday haven for everyone.
Embrace the holiday spirit with heartwarming entertainment that brings families together for unforgettable moments!
SCHEDULE, & MORE, AND TICKET INFORMATION
Rick Schular’s ‘ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE’: John Denver Christmas
Sunday, November 30th at 2:00 P.M.
Enjoy the nostalgic charm of John Denver Christmas a heartfelt tribute led by renowned performer RICK SCHULAR. Celebrate the season with ‘ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH EXPERIENCE’ at NJPAC playing in the Victoria Theater. A John Denver Christmas, a heartfelt tribute led by renowned performer Rick Schuler. This nostalgic concert blends John Denver’s greatest hits with timeless holiday classics, capturing the warmth and spirit of the 1970s.
Christmastime with TRISHA YEARWOOD with a Symphony
Friday, December 5th at 8:00 P.M.
Be captivated by the enchanting melodies of TRISHA YEARWOOD as she brings heartfelt warmth to the season with a magical evening of holiday music at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall, featuring songs from her brand-new album ‘Christmastime.’ Accompanied by a full symphony, Trisha’s powerhouse vocals and heartfelt style bring new life to festive favorites and soon-to-be holiday classics.
Get ready to relive the holiday magic as ‘ELF IN CONCERT’ brings the beloved film to life on the big screen at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall by the New Jersey Symphony. Watch Buddy the Elf’s hilarious and heartfelt journey unfold while a live symphony orchestra performs John Debney’s enchanting score in sync with the movie.
Celebrate the season with the Grammy-winning a cappella ensemble CHANTICLEER, as their exquisite harmonies fill NJPAC’s Victoria Theater with holiday magic. Known for their seamless blend and stunning range, Chanticleer brings centuries of music to life—from Renaissance madrigals to festive Christmas carols.
Internet sensation and pop culture icon TRISHA PAYTAS brings her one-of-a-kind holiday spectacle, ‘TRISHMAS LIVE!,’ to NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. Expect glittering musical numbers, outrageous comedy, and unforgettable surprises in this festive celebration that’s as over-the-top as Trisha herself. Get ready for an unforgettable experience with the cultural icon as she captivates audiences with her unique and magical holiday extravaganza!
Experience the magic of the holidays with Nimbus Dance’s ‘JERSEY NUTCRACKER’ at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater, in three performances. This vibrant reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet swaps snowy Russia for the streets of New Jersey, blending dazzling dance, humor, and heart. With stunning sets, animated projections, and a story full of local flavor. Audiences will be transported in a whimsical winter wonderland. This vibrant reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet swaps snowy Russia for the streets of New Jersey, blending dazzling dance, humor, and heart.
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION and a Hilarious Conversation with CHEVY CHASE
Thursday, December 18th, at 7:30 P.M.
The holiday season is a time for creating memories with family-friendly entertainment with a screening of ‘NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION’ and a special live conversation with comedy legend CHEVY CHASE and his wife Jayni at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from the beloved holiday classic, plus highlights from Chevy’s iconic career on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and Caddyshack which is sure to bring laughter and joy.
Don’t miss the soul-stirring holiday gospel sensation of CECE WINANS as she will perform for two nights to what will be a sold out audience, just days before Christmas, bringing the spirit of the season to life at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. The 12-time GRAMMY® winner fills the stage with her powerful voice, performing beloved hits and soul-stirring holiday classics with special guest Roman Collins.
NJPAC comes alive with free family programming and a spectacular holiday market with FREE interactive events for the entire family. Enjoy performances from local dance troupes, KWANZAA rituals, dancing and drumming classes, exquisite face painting, storytelling and more to enchant all ages! At the same time, local artists and designers will sell handcrafted clothing and hats, jewelry, candles, home decor, natural beauty products, crystals and more. The Marketplace will be open until 11PM.
COLIN MOCHRIE & ASAD MECCI STAR: ‘HYPROV: IMPROV UNDER HYPNOSIS’
Saturday, December 20th at 8:00 P.M.
‘HYPROV’ is IMPROV UNDER HYPNOSIS’ — For an extraordinary twist on comedy, don’t miss “Hyprov: Improv Under Hypnosis,” for and a one-of-a-kind comedy experience that’s so funny, it’ll have you asking: “Is it real?” Celebrity hypnotist ASAD MECCI starts the evening by hypnotizing 20 audience volunteers. Once their inhibitions are removed and their unconscious minds are awakened, they’ll star in an original improv show alongside legendary improviser COLIN MOCHRIE (Whose Line Is It Anyway?). Anything can happen when the volunteers let loose on stage.
Witness the unforgettable harmonies of the GRAMMY winning BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA who will bring their signature blend of soul, blues, and heartfelt harmonies of timeless Christmas favorites and songs from ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’ and ‘Talkin’ Christmas,’ at NJPAC’s Victoria Theater.
BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA singers. (Photo Credit : njpac.org.)
Step into a world of holiday magic with ‘LUCY DARLING OF THE HOLIDAYS’ at NJPAC’s Prudential Hall. Award-winning magician and entertainer Carisa Hendrix brings her witty, glamorous alter ego to life in a sparkling variety show filled with laughter, mischief, and a dash of holiday cheer. Joined by the delightfully musical Mark Ettinger, Lucy serves up a charming blend of comedy, music, and marvels sure to delight audiences of all ages.
The Indie Collaborative (indiecollaborative.com) is putting on a unique, family-friendly musical show celebrating the Winter holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, the New Year, the Chinese New Year, and the Winter Solstice. Top-notch artists spanning multiple musical genres will entertain and delight you.
Featuring Grammy and Emmy nominees and winners, top charting and multiple award-winning artists: Flor Bromley, Steve Elci, Joanie Leeds and Joya, Vivian Fang Liu, Grant Maloy Smith, Camille Harris, and music from the Bluestone Sisters. All backed by an all-star “house band” of Alex Otey (Trumpet), Christian Fabian (Bass), Christian Finger (Drums), Charu Suri (Piano), EJ Ouellette (Fiddle), Lou Caimano (Sax), and Ricky Persaud, Jr.
PROGRAM
WHAT: HOLIDAYS OF THE SEASON
WHEN: December 3, 2025, 7:00-8:30 PM EST
Doors open: 6:30 PM, meet-and-greet
WHERE: The Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center
111 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City, NY 10023
(Located in the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts – nypl.org – 212 870 1605)
Producers: Eileen Sherman and Grant Maloy Smith, The Indie Collaborative
‘Shayan’ Grammy winner Charu Suri with musicians. (Credit: charusuri.com)
By Mabel Pais
“SHAYAN is a love letter to the ancient ragas of India — not as performance, but as medicine. It is music that invites the world to pause, reflect, and rest.” – Charu Suri
CHARU SURI, Indian-born pianist and composer, received a GRAMMY® nomination for SHAYAN in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category of the 68th Grammy® Awards. The nominations were announced on November 7, 2025. The Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles at the Crypto (crypto-com/us) Arena.
The piano prodigy is known for weaving Indian ragas into her music. Suri made a historic fifth appearance at Carnegie Hall on July 25, 2024, becoming the first Indian jazz artist to do so. Charu has been making waves in the jazz scene, having performed over the past year in Italy, London, Blues Alley in D.C., Boston Jazz Festival and beyond. In 2024, she was awarded a Jazz Roads Grant to enable her to bring her unique sound to many venues across the United States.
“This new album by Charu Suri is without doubt something wonderfully special, from the genesis of genius to the world as a panacea of peace.” – One World Music
One of the few female jazz composers and pianists to emerge from India, Charu has blazed a new sonic identity and has performed in world-renowned venues from the GRAMMY® Museum, Lincoln Center, Birdland, NCPA Mumbai, and the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.
Her work has been performed by Yo Yo Ma, The New Jersey Symphony, Steve Gadd, John Patitucci, and Joe Lastie from Preservation Hall, among others. Her latest album, SHAYAN, topped the U.S. and World charts and her previous “raga jazz” album, RAGS & RAGAS, topped international jazz charts and reached #3 in the U.S. and #1 in India on iTunes.
She has won several awards including ‘Gold Entertainer of the Year’ from the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA), Intercontinental Music Awards, Global Music Awards and is a Governor of the Recording Academy, New York Chapter.
This is her first GRAMMY® nomination; she is also nominated as producer in the Global Music Album, Sounds of Kumbha by Siddhant Bhatia and is a pianist on the Children’s album, Herstory, by Flor Bromley.
Recently, she was elected Governor of the Recording Academy New York Chapter.
A Sonic Journey to Restore the Body’s Natural Rhythm
World Premier: August 22, 2025
GENRE: World/ Contemporary Instrumental
LABEL: Independent (Amala Records)
REPRESENTED BY: Quriosity
Acclaimed composer and pianist Charu Suri, often hailed as the Queen of Raga Jazz, presents her 5th album ‘SHAYAN’ – HARNESSES THE HEALING EFFECTS OF ANCIENT INDIAN RAGAS to help people sleep better, and gently return the body to its natural circadian rhythm. Inspired by the healing energy, this album is a meditative blend of traditional Indian melodies and serene global instrumentation. SHAYAN is a musical experience meant not for the stage, but for the soul — to be felt in bedrooms, healing centers, nursing homes, and anywhere rest is needed.
SHAYAN Track List
Shayan – [4:33] – Shayan uses raga Kalyani, the Eastern equivalent of the Lydian scale.
Mohanam Hymn [7:28] – Mohanam is a pentatonic Carnatic raga whose Hindustani equivalent is Bhupali.
Inner Peace [6:38] – Based on Raga Desh, an evening raga that is often associated with the monsoon season.
Raga Jog [8:44] – Raga Jog is a Hindustani classical raga, typically sung at the late night or early morning hours.
Nightingale [4:16] – Based on raga Bagesri, typically performed from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Raga Durga [4:49] – Raga Durga is a sweet Hindustani pentatonic scale sharing commonalities with Carnatic Shuddha Saveri.
Shayan Reprise [4:33] – A reprise of the title track, Shayan, based on Kalyani.
FEATURED ARTISTS ON SHAYAN
Jim Kimo West – Grammy® Winner, Guitar / Raniero Palm & the Venezuela String Recording Ensemble – Grammy® Winner, Strings / Ron Korb – Grammy® Winner, Flute / Max ZT – Grammy® Nominee, Dulcimer / Tess Remy-Schumacher – Cello / Premik Russell Tubbs – Flute / Anita Lerche – Vocals / Ravichandra Kulur – Flute / Siyer – Vocals / Haruna Fukazawa – Flute / Philip Vaiman – Violin / Mary Dawood Catlin – Vocals / Peter Sterling – Harp / Ramya Shankar – Ukulele
Key Credits
Producers: Charu Suri, Siddhant Bhatia, Tess Remy-Schumacher, Devan Ekambaram
Mixing Engineer: Siddhant Bhatia – Mastering Engineer: Lonnie Park
Recording Engineers: Chris Sulit, Christina Giacona, Patrick Conlon, Todd Catlin, Corey Miller
THE ROCK ORCHESTRA (the-rock-orchestra.com), that reimagines Rock and Metal with all the grace and power of Classical, will perform in New Jersey on November 29 and New York City on December 9, 2025. The New Jersey performance is at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC – njpac.org – 888 466 5722) and the New York City performance takes place at the Beacon Theater (214 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City – 888 729 4718). Each performance starts at 8 PM.
The Rock Orchestra, originating in the United Kingdom in 2020, was created by events impresario and producer Nathan Reed with a vision of reimagining Rock and Metal with all the grace and power of classical.
Complemented by a stunning gothic visual world, the Rock Orchestra breathes beautifully dark energy into your favorite songs and presents them in a wholly unique way.
With over 400 shows and half a million guests in only 4 years, The Rock Orchestra has quickly established itself as a mainstay for rock fans worldwide and calls itself home to a rotating collective of some of the world’s most talented musicians and vocalists.
Every show is a unique journey traversing the two greatest genres on Earth – in a way you’ve never seen before…. and it’s coming to a city near you.
HISTORY
2021 – The group’s first ever UK tour sold out under socially-distanced conditions. With 5 sold-out performances at the Clapham Grand performed to over 29,000 attendees.
2022 – Their Ireland tour sold out in 3 days: a sold out show at Brixton Academy. The group released ‘Chop Suey’ their first ever public media release and performed to over 62,000 attendees.
2023 – This was its sold out debut USA tour: a sold out show on NYC Broadway at the historic Palladium on Times Square.
2024 – The Orchestra released ‘Zombie’ – achieving 10 million streams within 2 months. It was set to perform 122 shows that year across the world performing across 10 countries. It performed to over 231,000 attendees.
2025 – This year the group is set to have the biggest worldwide tour to date, covering the USA, UK/Ireland and Europe across 200 shows.
The Rock Orchestra is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming experience for all customers. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the power of live music – no matter their access needs.
If you have access requirements, contact the venue directly to make arrangements, or if you prefer speak with the Rock Orchestra team by reaching out to info@the-rock-orchestra.com.
Considered the “older sister” to Radio City Music Hall, Roxy Rothafel opened the Art Deco Style Beacon Theatre in 1929 as an “international Music Hall” to present live entertainment, cultural, and popular events.
While it opened as a forum for vaudeville acts, drama, opera, and movies, some of the greatest names in rock and roll have played there, including the Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Aerosmith, Radiohead, and Queen. Even such luminaries as His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Bill Clinton acknowledged the Beacon, with the Dalai Lama choosing it as the site of his teaching classes in 1999, and Clinton ending his 60th birthday celebration with a private Stones concert.
Upholding the fine standards of quality musical entertainment, the 2,600 seat three tiered venue rightfully earned its title as a national landmark and a permanent spot on the National Register of Historic Places. A wondrous tribute to music in the city that never sleeps, the Beacon Theatre is a true representation of artistry in form and content.
TicketSales.com has the largest inventory of Beacon Theatre tickets, so keep checking for great deals on resale tickets.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Spirituality, Social Issues, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
Neil deGrasse Tyson. (Credit: neildegrassetyson.com)
Dr. NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON, much-admired American astrophysicist, planetary scientist, author, and science communicator, will return to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, November 30th, at 3:00 p.m.
This year, he will delve into a scientific analysis of iconic films such as Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, Mary Poppins, and 2001: A Spacedyssey.
Join Neil deGrasse Tyson at NJPAC as he examines the scientific inaccuracies and occasional truths portrayed in your favorite movies. Prepare for an experience that will inspire laughter, learning, and a new perspective on film. This will be an interactive exploration of the mysteries of our universe. As the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York City, Tyson excels in elucidating the power of science to clarify the complexities of our world and address some of our most pressing questions.
Expect an evening filled with laughter, thought-provoking ideas, and awe at the wonders of the Universe. Tyson, a world-renowned science communicator, has guided audiences on journeys from the nucleus of an atom to the farthest reaches of the Universe.
A New York Times best-selling author, his books are celebrated for their insightful and accessible approach to astrophysics.
This captivating lecture invites you to engage with some of the most intriguing questions being examined by today’s leading scientists. Embark on a voyage to the frontiers of the known — and the unknown — during this cosmically entertaining evening at NJPAC.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased by visiting NJPAC.org or the NJPAC Box Office or
“What the New Jersey Symphony has established, bringing music to the Garden State in schools and in six different cities, is a sincere accomplishment. And it’s never been better.” – nj.com
Buddy the Elf! spreads Christmas cheer quite like nobody else!
This holiday season, CineConcerts (cineconcerts.com) and Warner Bros. Discovery Global (warnerbros.com/experiences) brings us the timeless holiday classic ‘Elf in Concert,’ to NJPAC in Newark and Count Basie Performing Arts Center in Red Bank, December 6-7, 2025.
It will feature New Jersey Symphony performing every note from John Debney’s (The Passion of the Christ, Iron Man 2, The Jungle Book, Hocus Pocus) heartwarming score while the entire film is projected on a large screen. Directed by Jon Favreau (The Lion King, The Mandalorian, Rudy, Iron Man, Iron Man 2) and starring Will Ferrell the film is considered by many to be one of the best holiday movies of all time.
John Debney, composer and conductor explains, “I’m so thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment and CineConcerts on the upcoming ‘Elf in Concert.’ Writing the score was a true highlight of my career. Seeing the joy that the music and film brings to audiences each year is truly wonderful. ‘Elf’ has really become a modern classic and bringing this into concert halls worldwide is an absolute honor. I very much look forward to presenting this unforgettable concert experience to live audiences worldwide!”
STORY
In ‘Elf,’ Buddy was accidentally transported to the North Pole as a toddler and raised to adulthood among Santa’s elves. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, the adult Buddy travels to New York, in full elf uniform, in search of his real father.
PROGRAM
December 6, at 2 pm, at NJPAC in Newark
December 7, at 2 pm, at Count Basie Performing Arts Center in Red Bank
New Jersey Symphony
Conner Gray Covington – Conductor
TICKETS
For tickets and more information, visit njsymphony.org or call 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476).
The New Jersey Symphony is a GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning orchestra. Under the direction of Music Director Xian Zhang, the Symphony performs more than 55 mainstage concerts across the state at venues in Newark, Princeton, New Brunswick, Red Bank, and Morristown, as well as at schools and public spaces statewide.
Programming at the Symphony reflects an unwavering commitment to diverse communities throughout the state, while providing students unparalleled opportunities to achieve musical excellence through its Youth Orchestra and other education programs.
In 2024, the Symphony announced it would continue to deliver its statewide activities from a new, permanent office, rehearsal, and concert space in Jersey City, set to open in 2026.
For more information about the New Jersey Symphony, visit njsymphony.org.
Cineconcerts (cineconcerts.com) is one of the leading producers of live and digital music experiences performed with visual media, and continues to redefine entertainment. Founded by Producer/Conductor Justin Freer and Producer/Writer Brady Beaubien, CineConcerts will engage over 4.8 million people worldwide in concert presentations in over 3,000 performances in 48 countries through 2025, and recently launched CineConcerts +PLUS (cineconcertsplus.com) – a global digital network and app suite with hundreds of exclusive podcast episodes and produced content. CineConcerts continues to work with some of the most prestigious orchestras and venues in the world including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, and more.
Walter and Santa Claus chatting next to Santa’s sleigh. (Credit : njsymphony.org.)
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences (warnerbros.com/experiences) is a worldwide leader in the creation, development, licensing and operating of location-based entertainment based on the biggest franchises, stories, and characters from Warner Bros. world-renowned film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, Cartoon Network and more.
WBDGE is home to the groundbreaking locations of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal theme parks around the world, award-winning Warner Bros. Studio Tour locations in London, Hollywood, and Tokyo, the iconic Harry Potter New York flagship store, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, The WB Abu Dhabi, The FRIENDS Experience, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour and countless other experiences inspired by Harry Potter, DC, Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, Game of Thrones, FRIENDS and more. WBDGE is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Revenue & Strategy division.
John Debney
“If I’m doing my job well,” says Debney, “I need to feel it. I really try to make sure that whatever I’m doing — even if it’s a comedy — that I’m feeling it and feeling either humor or the pathos or the dramatic impact of what I’m seeing. That’s the way I approach it.”
John Debney is the ultimate film music character actor. In equal demand for family films such as ‘Elf,’ as he is for adventure films like ‘Iron Man 2,’ the Oscar-nominated composer also scored the powerful and poignant ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Debney is an agile jack-of-all-genres, composing for comedies (‘Bruce Almighty’), sci-fi action (‘Predators’), horror (‘Dream House’) and romance (‘Valentine’s Day’) with the same confidence and panache. Debney is also known for his work in such films as ‘Princess Diaries,’ ‘Sin City,’ ‘Liar Liar,’ ‘Spy Kids,’ ‘No Strings Attached,’ ‘The Emperor’s New Groove,’ ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ and ‘Hocus Pocus.’ Debney’s work also includes Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’ directed by Jon Favreau, Fox’s ‘Ice Age: Collision Course’ directed by Mike Thurmeier, and Twentieth Century Fox’s award-winning musical ‘The Greatest Showman’ starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron. Debney’s most recent films include ‘The Beach Bum’ starring Matthew McConaughey and directed by Harmony Korine, the Warner Bros. comedy feature ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ starring Rebel Wilson, Paramount Pictures’ family adventure feature ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold,’ and Bleecker Street’s biopic ‘Brian Banks.’ Upcoming for Debney is ‘Come Away’ directed by Brenda Chapman and starring Angelina Jolie.
The TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL will have its finale with the top five finalists competing at the 14th annual SARAH VAUGHAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ VOCAL COMPETITION, also called the ‘SASSY AWARDS.’ Pulled from almost 200 entrants from 27 countries, these gifted young singers represent the next generation of great jazz vocalists. On October 9, 2025 the top five finalists are Diamond Franklin (Philadelphia, PA), Candace Jones (Hollywood, FL), Katie Kortum (New York City), Julia Moscardini (Buenos Aires, Argentina), and Emma Smith (London, England).
On November 23, 2025 starting at 3 PM, the top five finalists will compete on the iconic New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Victoria Theater stage in front of a live audience and before a distinguished panel of judges including TONY-nominated singer/lyricist Ann Hampton Callaway, GRAMMY®-nominated trumpeter Jon Faddis, GRAMMY®-nominated jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, GRAMMY® Award-winning bassist and Artistic Advisor for Jazz Programming at NJPAC Christian McBride, and founding member of The Manhattan Transfer and co-host of WBGO Radio’s ‘Singers Unlimited,’ vocalist Janis Siegel. SASSY AWARDS COMPETITION
Open to singers over the age of 18, of all genders and nationalities, from anywhere in the world, and not signed by a major label, The SASSY Awards offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business — and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow. Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing.
2025 Finalists for Sassy Awards. (Credit : www.njpac.org)
Past winners include Cyrille Aimée, Jazzmeia Horn, Ashleigh Smith, Arianna Neikrug, Deelee Dubé, Quiana Lynell, Laurin Talese, Samara Joy (GRAMMY® Award winner for Best New Artist 2023), Gabrielle Cavassa and Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim, G. Thomas Allen, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso, Tyreek McDole, and April May Webb.
The divine Sarah Vaughan — Newark’s greatest musical gift to the world — got her start as the winner of a talent contest. NJPAC honors her legacy every year with the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, the only global jazz vocal contest of its kind, open to all genders and nationalities. This event offers outstanding jazz singers a one-of-a-kind platform for embarking on a career in the music business — and offers audience members a chance to discover the jazz stars of tomorrow.
For more information about The SASSY Awards, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com. PROGRAM HOST
WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker PERFORMANCE
This special event will also include performances by the 2023 winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Tyreek McDole. JUDGES Gary Walker – host Ann Hampton Callaway – judge Jon Faddis – judge Nnenna Freelon – judge Christian McBride – judge Janis Siegel – judge Tyreek McDole – vocalist PRIZES
The first-prize winner of The SASSY Awards will receive a $5,000 cash award, second-place $1,500, and third-place $500.
The Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition, also known as ‘The SASSY Awards,’ has become one of the top annual vocal competitions in jazz. The competition recalls the humble beginnings of legendary jazz singer/NEA Jazz Master Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990) who, back in 1942, was a Newark teenager and winner of an amateur singing contest at the Apollo Theater. That memorable night helped launch the lifework of one of the most successful, influential jazz vocalists in the history of American music. FINALISTS BIOS
Diamond Franklin is a classically-trained mezzo-soprano vocalist, actor, songwriter and recording artist specializing in jazz, opera, musical theater, R&B and gospel music. A Philadelphia native, Franklin has trained under world-renowned musicians Monette Sudler, Ruth Naomi Floyd and Angel Joy Blue, and has performed onstage with legendary artists Andrea Bocelli and Jon Bon Jovi. Franklin most recently starred as Alice 2 in Opera on Tap Philadelphia’s production of Alice Tierney in the 2025 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Learn more at diamondfranklin.com.
Candace Jones was born into a family of accomplished jazz musicians. Her early musical influences — ranging from John Coltrane and Sarah Vaughan to Stevie Wonder — shaped her into a vocalist with soul, sass and undeniable presence. By 18, she had already earned numerous honors from organizations such as the NAACP and the San Francisco GRAMMY® Choir. At 22, she became a weekly headliner at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem. Her stage career blossomed with lead roles in productions like ‘Dreamgirls,’ ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ and ‘Hair.’ You can follow her at instagram.com/candace_.jones.
Kate Kortum is a Houston-born jazz vocalist with a warm, distinctive sound that seamlessly blends the blues, bebop and Broadway. Kortum issued her debut album ‘Good Woman’ (2023) to critical and streaming acclaim, surpassing 3.5 million streams for its imaginative reworkings of jazz standards from a female perspective. Her sophomore release ‘Wild Woman’ (2025) follows, continuing her fresh, story-driven approach to bebop, blues and ‘The Great American Songbook.’ A graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and the Juilliard School, Kortum has appeared at Mezzrow, SXSW, Birdland, Blue Note and Dizzy’s, collaborating with Peter Bernstein, Emmet Cohen, Bryan Carter, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Learn more at katekortum.com.
Julia Moscardini, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is a singer who focuses on jazz and Latin American (especially Argentinian) music. In Buenos Aires, she studied with renowned local jazz musicians Mariano Loiácono and Ernesto Jodos, and since 2015 travels to New York annually to study with her mentor master Sheila Jordan and others. For the last 10 years, she has led her own group and has recorded two albums, ‘Stablemates’ (2019) and ‘Mood Indigo’ (2022). She will soon release a live record with pianist Ernesto Jodos. She performs at jazz venues and festivals across the country and abroad (Chile, Uruguay and Brazil) and has been on stage with Antonio Hart, Carl Allen, Cyrus Chestnut, and more. Anthony Wonsey, Lonnie Plaxico, Rudy Roystone, Russell Malone and Steve Davis. She teaches at the Escuela de Música Contemporánea (part of Berklee College of Music’s International Network) in Buenos Aires. Follow her at juliamoscardini.bandcamp.com/community.
Emma Smith is one of the most talked-about voices in jazz. She has collaborated with major artists including Michael Bublé, The Quincy Jones Orchestra, Jeff Goldblum and the Jeremy Pelt / Wayne Escoffery Quintet. Smith’s accolades include widespread success with vocal harmony groups. The Puppini Sisters, a four-year stint as a BBC Radio 3 broadcaster and resident vocalist with the ‘Ronnie Scott’s All Stars.’ Following a triumphant tour with Postmodern Jukebox, she was named Jazz Act of the Year at the 2024 Jools Holland Boisdale Music Awards, and was one of only two singers to receive the prestigious Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal. Her solo debut ‘Meshuga Baby’ was a breakout success and her new album, ‘Bitter Orange,’ is a bold, personal portrait of a self-making artist, determined to leave her mark on the world with elegance, honesty and heart. Learn more at emmasmithmusic.co.uk. TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®
For the 14th consecutive year, NJPAC’s TD James Moody Festival is sponsored by TD Bank.
To learn more, visit td.com/us.
Find TD Bank at facebook.com/TDBank and at instagram.com/TDBank_US. New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. Learn more at NJPAC.org.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
“I want my music to be a beautiful gift to the world.” — Chandrika Tandon
2025 Grammy Award-winner, CHANDRIKA TANDON, for her album ‘Triveni’ and two-time Grammy Award-nominee, will give us her ‘Divine Ecstasy’ concert. With an ensemble of instrumental and vocal musicians, she will also perform tracks from her newest album, ‘Soul Ecstasy,’ alongside songs from her other albums. This will be a memorable evening of storytelling, audience participation, and global music.
Chandrika Tandon and a band of 13 exceptional musicians will be performing at Symphony Space on November 21 starting at 8 pm, joined by the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of NYC.
For two decades, Chandrika has made ancient Sanskrit mantras and slokas accessible to wider audiences through her work with community and school choirs, including her current role as Artist-in-Residence for the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City. She has performed at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Music Hall, and Washington, DC’s National Mall.
Chandrika Tandon receives the Grammy Award in 2025. (Credit: www.chandrikatandon.com)
This video presentation features an engaging panel discussion led by Chandrika Tandon with scientists, artists, and cultural experts as we explore the intersection of science, sound, and song. Together, we will seek to uncover insights about where and how musical spiritual practices support the science of healing.
Participants include Lisa Sokolov, Dr. Concetta Tomaino, and Alexandre Tannous (read more about the panelists on the YouTube page).
PROGRAM
WHAT: DIVINE ECSTASY by Chandrika Tandon with song-and-music ensemble
WHEN: November 21, 2025 @ 8 PM; Doors open at 7 PM
WHERE: Peter Norton Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street, New York City
MUSIC
The New York Times wrote, Chandrika traveled an “unlikely path to become an internationally recognized Indian singer.” Her stated mission is to elevate human happiness through music and education – working on the dual prongs of emotional and economic well-being.
For two decades, Chandrika has made ancient Sanskrit mantras and slokas accessible to a wide audience through her work with community and school choirs, including her current role as Artist-in-Residence for the award-winning Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Her passion for fostering emotional well-being is focused on emanating love, joy, and transcendence through her music and artistry. Since 2005, under her non-profit music label, Soul Chants Music, Chandrika has released six albums – ‘Ammu’s Treasures,’ ‘Shivoham – The Quest,’ ‘Soul March,’ ‘Soul Mantra,’ GRAMMY® -nominated ‘Soul Call’ in the Contemporary World Music category, and GRAMMY® -winning ‘Triveni’ in Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant. Her music draws on ancient Vedic chants that have sound healing impact and melds it with Indian classical music, and has attracted a wide cult following.
She has conducted numerous benefit concerts on world stages to sold-out audiences, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Nassau Coliseum, Times Square, premier European venues, and Washington DC’s National Mall for hundreds of thousands of attendees of the World Culture Festival. She has been named the Young People’s Chorus of New York City’s 2024-2025 Artist in Residence.
BUSINESS and EDUCATION
Chandrika Tandon is a globally recognized business leader, twice nominated GRAMMY®-winning artist, and humanitarian. At the height of her business career, she re-evaluated her life and definitions of success, reformulating her business life to intentionally include music, service, and meditation.
Chandrika’s economic well-being efforts are focused on higher education – in particular STEM – where she brings to bear her considerable business experience as one of the earliest and youngest partners of McKinsey & Company, and founder and Chair of her advisory firm, Tandon Capital Associates. She chairs the Board of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, named after her family’s generous gift. This school has been a transformation success story, with a steady rankings climb, and proudly offers enhanced access to first-generation and women students. NYU Tandon is involved in world-class groundbreaking research in areas like cybersecurity and wireless. Chandrika is a Trustee of New York University, Chair of NYU’s Global Council, and a Trustee of NYU Langone Health. She is a Harold Acton Fellow at NYU and a Sterling Fellow at Yale, where she serves on the President’s Council on International Activities.
She is the founder and patron of Madras Christian College’s Boyd-Tandon School of Business, and her Foundation has established faculty Chairs at Yale and Harvard Universities. Chandrika is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Investment Committee and serves as a Governor of the New York Academy of Sciences.
AWARDS and HONORS
Chandrika has received numerous awards, including the Gallatin Medal, NYUʼs highest honor, the Walter Nichols Medal for leadership and integrity, and the Polytechnic Medal recognizing her contribution to science and engineering. She was inducted into the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AMACAD), and has received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and The Town Hall’s Friend of the Arts Award.
She was recently honored with the Ban-Ki Moon Award for Women’s Empowerment, Diwali at Times Square’s Woman of the Year Award, Maharishi International University’s Maharishi Award for the Area of Celebrations and Fulfillment, the Voice Foundation’s Voice Education Research Awareness Award, the ASCAP Foundation’s Champion Award, and the South Asian Council for Social Services’ Music for Healing Award.
Chandrika was named the inaugural Distinguished Alumnus of both the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and Madras Christian College (MCC), her two alma maters. She has also supported senior and community centers in several Hindu temples in New York.
PUBLICITY
She has been profiled in print, on radio, and television including in CNBCʼs ‘The Brave Ones’ series, the book ‘Indian Genius’ by Meenakshi Ahamed, and the book ‘From the Minds of Jazz Musicians,’ Volume II by David Schroeder.
TICKETS**
Tickets at several *tier levels are available.
*Tier 1 tickets include a VIP meet-and-greet with the artist.
Member prices apply.
Students and Seniors get a 15% discount by using the codes STUDENT2526 and SENIOR2526.
Please note: Tickets need to be collected at the Symphony Space Box Office, and you must present a valid student ID or an ID that verifies eligibility (seniors aged 65 and older).
Additionally, groups of 10 or more can enjoy a 10% discount per ticket, which must be purchased directly through the Symphony Space Box Office.
**Ticket prices do not include venue service fees.**
SACRED SOUNDS OF HEALING
The Sacred Sounds of Healing series highlights artists, cross-cultural collaborations, and interactive ancillary events that celebrate and promote the transformative power of music and sounds from diverse spiritual and ethnic traditions. This initiative aims to heal and foster peace, joy, and unity through the universal language of music.
This event is co-presented with The Town Hall. The Sacred Sounds of Healing series is made possible with the generous support of Chandrika Tandon.
World Music Institute
Founded in 1985, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the best in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world to enrich lives through the arts, promote awareness and appreciation of the world’s rich cultural traditions, and encourage cross-cultural dialog and exchange. WMI presents virtually and at venues throughout the city of New York and depends on public and private funding to accomplish its mission.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Spirituality, Social Issues, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
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