Collage of creative artwork (Credit: Courtesy njpac.org)
By Mabel Pais
WHAT: HOPE IS AN ACTION: PHOTOVOICE 2025 WHEN: Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6-8 PM Remarks: 6:30 PM WHERE: NJPAC, Victoria Theater Lobby, 1 Center Street, Newark COST: Free
Join NJPAC for the opening reception of ‘Hope is an Action: Photovoice 2025,’ featuring work from participants from The Pride Center and WOWCommuniTEA Center at NJCRI. The free event includes remarks from featured artists.
Photovoice is a program that employs photography, discussion, writing and displaying creative work with the aim of empowering people to advocate through sharing their lived experiences. These photographs will serve as a focal point for discussions about issues of primary concern to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community.
For more information, contact artsandwellbeing@njpac.org
RSVP
RSVP is required to attend. RSVP @(njpac.org/event/photovoice-exhibition-opening-reception-2025/#register)
Refreshments will be served.
New Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)
The New Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare, research, and support services to under-served communities. Founded in 1988, NJCRI specializes in HIV/AIDS care, primary and preventative healthcare, LGBTQ+ services, behavioral health, and harm reduction programs.
With a mission to promote health equity, NJCRI offers free and confidential HIV testing, STI (sexual transmitted infection) screenings, PrEP/PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) access, transgender healthcare, substance use counseling, and housing assistance. Their holistic approach ensures that individuals receive not only medical care but also mental health support, case management, and community resources to improve overall well-being.
Committed to innovation and advocacy, NJCRI continues to expand its services, empowering individuals to take control of their health and live healthier lives.
KEN BURNS, renowned American documentary filmmaker, in ‘An Afternoon with Ken Burns’ will discuss his new six-part, 12-hour documentary, ‘The American Revolution’ at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark, NJ on Wednesday, September 17 at 1:30 PM. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy will attend and introduce Burns at the event.
This is a collaboration of Governor Phil Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, together with RevolutionNJ – New Jersey’s official partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area – commemorating America’s 250th anniversary.
‘An Afternoon with Ken Burns’ (njpac.org/event/an-afternoon-with-ken-burns) will feature a sneak preview of clips from the upcoming six-part documentary series, as well as a discussion moderated by journalist Brian Williams. Burns will be joined by co-director Sarah Botstein and film advisor/historian Dr. Christopher Brown from Columbia University. The audience will include one thousand-plus students from across the state.
In the morning, Burns and representatives from PBS Learning Media, the network’s education arm, will meet with teachers and students to discuss the materials that will be distributed to middle and high school teachers as part of the outreach and engagement for the film and the country’s 250th anniversary next year.
The surrender of Gen Burgoyne (Credit: Courtesy, Yale University)
The American Revolution, available on PBS starting on November 16, 2025, examines how America’s founding turned the world upside-down, reshaped a continent, and inspired democratic movements around the globe. New Jersey, known as the ‘Crossroads of the American Revolution,’ is featured prominently as its pivotal role in the nation’s founding, in the series.
“As we highlight New Jersey’s contributions to the American Revolution ahead of our nation’s 250th anniversary, it is an honor to welcome renowned documentarian Ken Burns to the Garden State for an exclusive preview of his latest project, ‘The American Revolution,’” said Governor Murphy. “This special event, hosted at the historic NJPAC and moderated by acclaimed journalist and New Jersey native Brian Williams, will be a memorable afternoon of history and storytelling. We encourage everyone — especially parents, teachers, and students — to join us on September 17th for this unique opportunity to explore our state’s rich history.”
“Hosting this event on National Constitution Day underscores the importance of history, public media, and education in maintaining our forefathers’ dream of a healthy and robust democracy,” said Lieutenant Governor Way, who oversees the New Jersey Historical Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State. “We are thrilled to welcome acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns to New Jersey and to explore the Revolutionary ideals that have made this country what it is today.”
“For the last nearly ten years, I along with my co-directors, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt and our incredible team, have been working on a six-part, 12-hour series on the American Revolution. New Jersey stands at the very center of that story, known as the crossroads of the American Revolution, it was the site of many battles and scrimmages, and played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of the war and the future of our nation,” said Ken Burns. “On Wednesday, September 17th, I’ll be in Newark at NJPAC for a special afternoon event. We’ll screen a sneak preview of the American Revolution, and I’ll be joined in conversation by Sarah Botstein, historian Christopher Brown of Columbia University, and moderator Brian Williams. We will be joined by more than 1,000 students from every part of the state. I hope you’ll come, too. I look forward to seeing you there.”
“For decades Ken Burns has explored the richness of American history through unforgettable films that have been used in classrooms all over the U.S.,” said Sara Cureton, executive director of the New Jersey Historical Commission. “This is why we decided to tie this event with our Revolutionary Schools programming. Our goal is to provide both students and educators with new ways to understand New Jersey’s Revolutionary history.”
The Declaration of Independence (Credit: Courtesy, Yale University Art Gallery)
“As the crossroads of the American Revolution, New Jersey experienced more battles and skirmishes during the Revolutionary War than any other state,” said Carrie Fellows, executive director of Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. “From the Crossing of the Delaware, to the Battle of Monmouth, to the signing of the Treaty of Paris, New Jersey played a critical role in America’s War for Independence, and we look forward to having these stories shared by an esteemed documentarian.”
In collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), workshops will be provided to high school students from around the state on the morning of September 17, 2025. During this time, students will learn more about New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution and prepare for the afternoon’s event. Simultaneously, teachers will be invited to learn more about the programs and resources provided by RevolutionNJ and PBS Learning Media to bring instruction about our nation’s 250th anniversary to their classrooms.
The much-anticipated series, which has been in production for eight years, was directed and produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, and David Schmidt and written by longtime collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward. The filmmakers and PBS scheduled the broadcast for 2025, the 250th anniversary of the start of the war, which began in the spring of 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence.
The film will premiere on Sunday, November 16, 2025, and air for six consecutive nights through Friday, November 21, 2025, on PBS stations nationally. The full series will be available to stream beginning Sunday, November 16, 2025, at PBS.org and on the PBS App (pbs.org/pbs-app).
TICKETS
Nearly 50% of tickets have already been committed, primarily to students and their chaperones for the afternoon event.
Tickets are available to the general public.
An optional luncheon with Ken Burns will precede the event for an additional cost. For more information about tickets and pricing, visit njpac.org/event/an-afternoon-with-ken-burns.
KEN BURNS
Burns has produced some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, with over 40 films ranging from topics such as baseball to The Civil War to the life of Leonardo da Vinci. His films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including 17 Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and two Oscar nominations. Learn more at kenburns.com.
RevolutionNJ
Created through state legislation in 2018, RevolutionNJ is a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution Association to plan the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in New Jersey. For more information on RevolutionNJ, visit revnj.org.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
Learn more at njpac.org
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine)
(Center) Rishab Sharma as a young boy. (Credit: rishabsharma.com.)
By Mabel Pais
RISHAB RIKIRAM SHARMA is the sitarist who is redefining Indian Classical music for a new generation. On his ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ global tour, sitarist, music producer and composer, and health advocate Rishab stops at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Saturday, September 13 at 8 PM to delight his audience.
The youngest and last protégé of the legendary Ravi Shankar, he is one of the most compelling and culturally relevant voices in music today. Rishab Rikihiram Sharma is a fourth-generation sitarist from the revered Rikhi Ram family of instrument makers, great-grandson of Rikhi Ram Sharma.
Born in Delhi, Sharma picked up the sitar at the tender age of ten and began performing at thirteen. At seventeen, he moved to New York to study music production and economics.
He’s been cited as, “getting Gen-Z excited about the Sitar” by Vogue India, blending Indian ragas with hip-hop and cinematic scores alongside a mission beyond the stage which is setting him apart.
RISHAB’S JOURNEY
Rishab Sharma with his sitar.(Credit: njpac.org.)
Rishab founded ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ after his own personal struggle with grief, anxiety and depression. During the recent Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020 Rishab Rikiram Sharma experienced profound grief following the death of his grandfather. For a time, he left the sitar behind. But after turning to therapy and slowly reconnecting with the instrument, he discovered something powerful: music could heal — not just him, but others too.
Sharma began performing live on socials, in between songs talking about his loss and mental health. “It became this virtual room where everyone came together for each other, to share our grief,” says Sharma. “I started calling these sessions ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ (SFMH) because I was using my voice — the sitar — to talk about mental health.” “People think I’m doing something new,” Sharma says. “But I’m actually going back to ancient Indian traditions—because they have real, time-tested healing power.”
In his ‘Sitar for Mental Health’ performance Rishab uses the sitar to promote mental well-being around the world. In this performance, he blends Indian classical music with mindfulness and sound therapy to reawaken and reenergize your soul and promote calmness. It has since become a global movement.
That movement became the foundation for ‘Sitar For Mental Health’ — an ongoing global concert and conversation series at the intersection of Indian classical music, emotional wellbeing, and collective healing.
Sharma combines live sitar and surbahar, guided breathwork, and ancient raga therapy practices in an immersive two-hour experience that resonates across cultures, generations, and spiritual traditions.
His openness about his mental health journey — and how the sitar helped him find his way back — has struck a chord with fans around the world. Rishab creates a space for vulnerability, using his platform not just to perform, but to encourage others to talk about what they’re going through. Beyond music, he’s a driving force for global mental health awareness, fostering a community of musicians dedicated to both artistic innovation and mental well-being.
RECENT RELEASE
Sharma’s latest single, ‘The Burning Ghat,’ a haunting, reverent ode to the eternal cremation flame of Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is his most introspective work to date. Blending traditional Indian instruments with electronic textures, the track draws on Sharma’s spiritual journey — from the sacred ghats of India to the fires of Burning Man, where grief and transformation are equally ritualized.
“From the dust storms of Burning Man to the sacred silence of Varanasi’s ghats, my journey has been one of sound and spirit. ‘The Burning Ghat’ is not just a track — it’s the resonance of a New India, where ancient wisdom meets modern expression. Channelling the teachings of my Guru, Ravi Shankar, and weaving them through the fabric of contemporary music production felt like stepping outside my body and into something far greater. This piece is my offering to the eternal flame of Manikarnika Ghat—a fire that has given salvation to countless souls. I believe this is the most honest and transcendent music I’ve created so far.”
Listen to it – youtu.be/iChaC_Trtto?list=RDiChaC_Trtto
In an age of noise and distraction, Rishab Sharma stands apart as a true visionary — a rare artist who fuses deep-rooted classical mastery with a fearless sense of emotional honesty. His music doesn’t just entertain; it offers stillness, clarity, and connection. Through delicate ragas, meditative textures, and a mission rooted in healing, Sharma is bringing the ancient power of Indian classical music to new generations seeking solace in a confused and fast-paced world. As both a torchbearer of tradition and a bold voice for mental wellness, he is redefining what it means to be a modern musician — one note at a time.
PERFORMANCES
Rishab Sharma is the first Sitarist to be invited to perform solo at the White House by US President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and VP Kamala Harris for the Diwali event hosted by the President.
Rishab stands as the only Sitarist of his generation to have performed solo, in front of a live audience of 60,000+ people at the NGR Stadium in Houston Texas, and 500+ million at-home live viewers.
Rishab has taken the “Sitar For Mental Health” tour worldwide in the last year covering multiple shows in India, the USA, Canada, and South America.
Rishab has performed at the Woodstock 50 Reunion (50 years of Woodstock Festival), paying tribute to the performance of the great Pandit Ravi Shankar.
PHILANTHROPY
Through Sitar For Mental Health, Rishab continues his mission to merge art and advocacy — offering cost-free music therapy online, collaborating with mental health experts, and reviving forgotten spiritual lineages through sound.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Rishab goes live weekly on Instagram and Clubhouse, entertaining audiences with reels that often reach millions of views. A master at blending modern music nuances with his classical foundation, Rishab has crafted a strong US network and garnered a substantial online following through platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Clubhouse. Learn more about Rishab Rikiram Sharma at rishabsharma.com.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
Asia Society celebrates two distinct traditions of Indian cinema this summer with PARALLEL DAYS/BOLLYWOOD NIGHTS; the last weekend of films featuring beloved popular Hindi-language cinema alongside landmark films in the arthouse ‘Parallel Cinema’ movement, which flourished from the late sixties to the early/mid nineties — highlighting both their vast differences and occasional connections.
In 1970 film scholar Arvind Mehta coined the term ‘Parallel’ to describe Indian film that set itself apart from the song-and-dance spectacles known and beloved around the world as Bollywood. In 1969 filmmakers Mrinal Sen, Mani Kaul, and Basu Chatterjee each released films that would come to be seen as the beginning of a movement; all presented unique auteurist visions without musical numbers, featured stories and characters immersed in regional specificity, and were funded by loans from the government’s newly formed Film Finance Corporation. Preceded figures like Ritwik Ghatak and to a lesser degree Satyajit Ray — who despite arguably being later influenced by the Parallel filmmakers was derisive of their efforts, many of which diverged from his brand of lyrical realism — these artists sought an escape from formula and new methods of working and expression.
Meanwhile, Bollywood continued its path to becoming one of the largest film industries in the world. In the years since 1947, it had become a powerful force in asserting India’s pluralistic national identity, and its influence stretched far into the Asian and Soviet worlds. Coupled with its familiar tropes and formulas is sometimes a profound sense of artistry and proficiency of craft.
Often framed in antagonistic terms, these two modes of filmmaking each offer their own distinct pleasures and rewards, and the connections between them — figures, influences, source material, themes — can’t be ignored. The last screenings this month are scheduled for August 22-23.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) continues to accept applications for the 14th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Solo vocalists from around the world are encouraged to submit their entries before September 2, 2025, by visiting SarahVaughanCompetition.com. In the Fall, the Top Five Finalists will be announced followed by a final competition and performance on the iconic NJPAC stage in Newark, New Jersey.
The Sarah Vaughan International 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. Gifted young contestants from around the world are evaluated on vocal quality, musicality, technique, performance, individuality, artistic interpretation, and ability to swing. For more information about The SASSY Awards, visit SarahVaughanCompetition.com.
ORIGIN
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.
JUDGES
On November 23, 2025, the finalists will compete at NJPAC 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. Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker, this special event will also include performances by the 2023 winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Tyreek McDole.
PRIZES
The first-prize winner of The SASSY Awards will receive a $5,000 cash award, second-place $1,500, and third-place $500.
PAST AWARDEES
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.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
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.
NJPAC brings diverse 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 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. Learn more about NJPAC at njpac.org.
The Indo-American Arts Council (iaac.us) hosts and presents the Erasing Borders Dance Festival (EBDF) on Saturday, September 20, 2025 and Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 6pm at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 W 55th St, New York, NY. The dance performances will be preceded by a lecture at the New York Library for the Performing Arts. The performances will be succeeded by a panel discussion at Barnard College (more details below).
The Erasing Borders Dance Festival, New York’s premier Indian dance festival, in its seventeenth annual edition will include performances by eminent Bharatanatyam artists and several US based dance companies.
PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE DAY 1
WHAT: Fourth annual Dr. Sunil Kothari Honorary Lecture
The New York Public Library (NYPL) will be leading a discussion with Priyadarshini (who studied in depth the art of abhinaya from the master inheritor of the rajadasi tradition, Kalanidhi Narayanan). She shares how human emotions are interpreted and transformed from everyday reality to stylized yet accessible aesthetic form.
WHEN: Thursday, September 18, 2025 @ 6PM
WHERE: Bruno Walter Auditorium
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023 DAY 2
WHAT: School: Nrithyanjali School
Guru: Ramya Ramnarayan/Bharatanatyam student group
Trina Sarkar: Odissi solo
Kalanidhi: Kuchipudi group
Chitresh Das Dance Company: Kathak group
Priyadarsini Govind: Bharatanatyam solo
WHEN: Saturday September 20, 2025; 6-8PM
WHERE: Ailey Citigroup Theater Day 3
WHAT: School: Odissi Dance Company
Guru: Aparupa Chatterjee/Odissi student group
Pranamya Suri: Kuchipudi solo
Rovaco Dance Company / Rohan Bhargava: Group contemporary
Preeti Vasudevan: contemporary solo
Rama Vaidyanathan trio: Bharatanatyam
WHEN: Sunday, September 21, 2025; 6-8PM
WHERE: Ailey Citigroup Theater Day 4
WHAT: Panel Talk – Senior Curator: EBDF & Professor: Dance at Barnard College, Uttara Coorlawala with students at Barnard College, Columbia University with some of the Artists
WHEN: Monday, September 22, 11:40AM – 1 PM
WHERE: Barnard College, Columbia University, Room TBATHE ARTISTS
PRIYADARSINI GOVIND is one of the foremost Bharatanatyam dancers in the world today. Trained by two stalwarts, Kalaimamani S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai and Padma Bhushan Smt. Kalanidhi Narayanan, Priyadarsini has imbibed this art form from the best. With her natural aptitude for abhinaya coupled with her passion and dedication to her art, Priyadarsini has become a flag bearer of Smt. Kalanidhi’s padam repertoire and has been performing in prestigious venues all over India and the globe, taking Bharatanatyam to many major International and national Festivals as a soloist.
She is also actively engaged in creating new repertoires for dance and teaching. She served as the Director of the Kalakshetra Foundation between August 5 th, 2013 and June 19th , 2017 and is the founder and director of NavaDarshana – an initiative that teaches dancers to view dance holistically.
RAMA VAIDYANATHAN is one of the foremost Bharatanatyam dancers of her generation. She trained intensively under the legendary dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy and the celebrated Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan. In a performance career spanning more than 40 years, Rama has developed her own individual style without forsaking the core principles of her dance form. Her technique is grounded, and yet there is a fresh approach to the innumerable dance compositions that she has added to the Bharatanatyam repertoire.
Having performed at every major dance venue in the world, she has been awarded with the titles “Kalaimamani” by the Govt of Tamil Nadu and “Kalashree” by the Govt of Kerala. Other notable awards are the Kumar Gandharv Puraskar from the Madhya Pradesh Government, Nadanamamani from Kartik Fine Arts Chennai, Vani kala Sudhakara from Tyagabrahma Gana sabha Chennai, Nritya Choodamani from Krishna Gana Sabha Chennai and the Nritya Kalanidhi from the Music Academy Madras. Rama is also the recipient of the Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Puraskar.
As the President of Ganesa Natyalaya New Delhi, she has been actively engaged in teaching for more than 25 years. Rama balances a hectic performance schedule while conducting workshops and master classes all over the world, inspiring a whole generation of dancers. Learn more at ramavaidyanathan.com.
SANNIDHI VAIDYANATHAN learned Bharatanatyam from her grandmother Padma Bhushan Saroja Vaidyanathan and her mother Rama Vaidyanathan. Apart from traveling within India, Sannidhi has performed at various venues in the United States, Canada, France, Spain, the United Kingdom and Singapore.
DAKSHINA VAIDYANATHAN BAGHEL has undergone rigorous training at Ganesa Natyalaya under the able tutelage of her grandmother Guru Dr. Saroja Vaidyanathan (Padmabhushan awardee) and her mother Guru Rama Vaidyanathan. She was awarded the CCRT (Centre for Cultural Resources and Training) scholarship by the Department of Culture Government of India in 2003 and then again in 2014, the Kalpana Chawla Award in the Young Achievers’ category in 2005, the Nirbhaya Puraskar by Oyss in 2015 and Natya Ratna by Trinity Arts Chennai in 2015 for her contribution to Indian Classical Dance.
TICKETS
Tickets to see one or all the performances can be purchased online at iaac.us/erasing-borders-dance-festival-2025.
Experience the magic of the Erasing Borders Dance Festival by reserving your tickets for this unforgettable two-night celebration. The Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC)
The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk, and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. It works cooperatively with partners around the United States to broaden its collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Its focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform, and produce their work here. For more information, visit iaac.us.
Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
CHANDRIKA TANDON, 2025 Grammy Award-winner for her album ‘Triveni’ and two-time Grammy Award-nominee, gives us ‘Divine Ecstasy,’ with an ensemble of instrumental and vocal musicians. She will unveil her August 2025 release, ‘Soul Ecstasy,’ with songs from her other albums, for an evening of storytelling, chanting, and audience participation. The performance showcases various chants in the Vedic tradition blending Indian classical music with diverse world influences. More than a concert, experience a profound connection with your innermost self, fellow seekers and the divine essence that binds us all. Her passion for fostering emotional well-being is focused on emanating love, joy, and transcendence through her music and artistry.
The event takes place at The Town Hall – 123 West 43rd Street, New York City on Saturday, September 20 at 8 pm. Doors open at 7 pm. This is a co-presentation of the World Music Institute with The Town Hall.
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, NYU’s 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 CNBC’s ‘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
For tickets to experience Chandrika Tandon at The Town Hall, visit ticketmaster.com/event/030062E7B5BD0CC3.
Tickets are available on a tiered basis. VIP tickets include artist meet-and-greet and preferred seating. Service charges are additional.
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.
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, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine.
BATTERY DANCE celebrates its annual art of dance in its home community of New York City this August, in partnership with Battery Park City Authority (BPCA).
Dance @ The New Wagner Park, Saturday, August 9 at 7pm
On Saturday, August 9, Battery Dance Company celebrates the re-opening of Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park. A medley of dance companies will present a 1-hour program opened by Indigenous performer Marie Poncé, followed by tap-dancer John Manzari with a live band. Battery Dance presents ‘Frontiers’ by Turkish-Dutch choreographer Rutkay Özpinar and Limón Dance Company caps off the evening with the classic work ‘A Choreographic Offering’ created by José Limón in 1964.
BATTERY DANCE FESTIVAL
August 12-16 brings the 44th Annual Battery Dance Festival enlivening Rockefeller Park with a rain date on August 17. New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival brings together eight diverse dance companies from around the world coupled with a dynamic roster of eight New York-based companies. The free series of events celebrates the universal language of dance with a mix of performances, workshops, and immersive experiences for audiences of all ages.
The five-night performance line-up features a plethora of premieres and several performances featuring live music. Crowds of over 12,000 in-person and over 35,000 virtual viewers typically flock to the Festival each summer, with audiences glorying in the opportunity to experience dance against the spectacular water, sky and cityscape backdrop.
“Battery Dance stands committed to providing the enlightenment and transcendence of dance free to the public despite the shattering of precedents we had taken for granted. We prevailed through Superstorm Sandy’s flooding of lower Manhattan, the financial crisis of the 2008/09 recession, and the attacks on the World Trade Center,” said Jonathan Hollander, artistic director of Battery Dance. “Thanks to our partners at Battery Park City Authority, our sponsors and donors, and the dancers and staff and Board of Battery Dance and all the participants who join us in the timeless pursuit of community gathering and beauty, we are prevailing again!”
“For more than a decade our beautiful public spaces have played host to the beauty of the Battery Dance Festival, and we’re honored this year to host events both as part of Wagner Park’s reopening celebration, and in Rockefeller Park for five more fantastic evenings of dance,” said BPCA President & CEO Raju Mann. “A neighborhood favorite and staple of Battery Park City’s summer programmingcalendar, the Festival provides New Yorkers a front-row seat to world-class talent, and we thank our partners at Battery Dance for this enduring partnership.”
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Dance @ The New Wagner Park, Saturday, August 9 at 7pm
Battery Dance performs in this celebratory night of dance alongside Marie Poncé, The Limón Dance Company, and tap dancer John Manzari & Band in celebrating Wagner Park’s reopening.
Battery Dance Festival: Tuesday, August 12 – Saturday, August 16 at 7pm
Tuesday, August 12: John Manzari & Band, excerpts of Recenter (USA); Pace University Dancing to Connect conducted by Robin Cantrell (USA); Battery Dance, Sense of Belonging, a world premiere by Faizah Grootens (USA); Faizah Grootens, While You’re Here (Netherlands), Bulareyaung Dance Company, Colors (Taiwan)
Wednesday, August 13: UNARTE, Verso Roto (Spain -World Premiere); Theater Plauen – Zwickau Ballet Ensemble, Eden (South Korea/Germany); Bulareyaung Dance Company, Colors (Taiwan); Faizah Grootens While You’re Here (Netherlands), Platforma 13, Balkan Ballerinas (Romania – U.S. Premiere)
Thursday, August 14: Kar-mel Small, La Manta de Reina (USA); Theater Plauen – Zwickau Ballet Ensemble, Eden (South Korea/Germany); Platforma 13, Balkan Ballerinas (Romania – U.S. Premiere); UNARTE, Verso Roto (Spain -World Premiere); Buglisi Dance Theatre, Sospiri (USA), Battery Dance, Empty Hand by Damani Pompey (USA – World Premiere)
Friday, August 15: India Day – SHAKTI, Divine Energy
Dashamahavidya – Nandanik Dance Troupe, Pittsburgh (Credit: Arindam Sen)Sonali Skandan, Durga (Credit: Anushila Shaw)Subhajit Khush Das (Credit: Pratyush Roy Choudhury)
India Independence Day – celebrates SHAKTI – Divine Energy
Odissi: Bijayini Satpathy Dance Collective (Bangalore/New York), ‘Lāsya: Lathika & Mahamaya’ performed by Ariaki Dandawate and Malavika Singh, choreographed by Bijayini Satpathy
Uday Shankar Style: Subhajit Khush Das (Kolkata), untitled – world premiere
Bharatanatyam: Sonali Skandan (New York), ‘Durga’ choreographed by Sonali Skandan and Maya Kulkarni
Bharatanatyam: Malini Srinivasan & Dancers (New York), ‘Being Becoming’
Program subject to change.
Battery Dance Festival
New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival was established by Battery Dance as the Downtown Dance Festival in 1982. Originally envisioned and conducted as an “art in the workplace” series, the festival brought hundreds of free noontime dance performances to lower Manhattan public spaces including South Street Seaport, One Chase Plaza, City Hall and for many years, the World Trade Center Plaza. When Superstorm Sandy flooded lower Manhattan in 2012, Battery Park City Authority offered Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park as an alternative site and the Festival refashioned itself into a nighttime event beginning in 2013. With the need to conduct an extensive resiliency plan, Wagner Park was decommissioned in 2023 and the Festival relocated again, this time to the lawn at Rockefeller Park where it continues this year. Learn more at batterydance.org/battery-dance-festival.
Battery Dance
Founded by Jonathan Hollander in 1976 in lower Manhattan, Battery Dance now serves as one of America’s leading cultural ambassadors, connecting the world through dance. With its exceptional team of dancers who also serve as teaching artists and choreographers, the Company pursues artistic excellence and social relevance, creating vibrant new works, performing on the world’s stages, presenting dance in public spaces, serving the field of dance with low-cost studios in its home in Tribeca and teaching people of all ages with special attention to the disadvantaged and areas of conflict.
Battery Dance is committed to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of its home community in New York City, extending programming throughout the U.S., and building bridges worldwide through international cultural exchange with programs in 75 countries to date. Learn more at batterydance.org
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Business, Health and Wellness, and Cuisine)
Rumor has it that Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are rekindling something special. After years of undeniable chemistry and quiet speculation, the two are said to be reconnecting behind closed doors, with meetups in London and Los Angeles, Star Magazine reported. What’s turning heads even more? This alleged renewed closeness began not long after Jolie’s legal tensions with ex-husband Brad Pitt intensified. While nothing’s confirmed, the idea of two of Hollywood’s most private stars finding solace in each other is enough to spark headlines.
The two Hollywood icons have been keeping their connection under wraps. While Depp is open to where it might lead, Jolie is said to be more guarded, taking things slowly, the Star Magazine report added.
According to a source, Depp has “carried a torch” for Angelina Jolie for six years.“Many people believe that Angie is the reason Johnny fell so deeply for estranged ex-wife Amber Heard. She resembled Angie in certain ways,” an insider was quoted as saying in the report.
Whether it’s timing or fate, their alleged affair seems to be stirring up emotions that may have never truly faded.
The report claims that things are “stuck in first gear.” Depp may be all in, but Jolie is keeping a gentle emotional distance.
They have been close friends over the years. Angeline Jolie had hired Depp’s divorce lawyer Laura Wasser during her troubles with Brad Pitt, according to The Sun.
Jolie has never hidden her admiration, she once confessed she had a crush on his Edward Scissorhands character and called him the “coolest thing” long before they worked together.
The two Hollywood biggies worked together in the 2010 film The Tourist where Depp plays a con artist pretending to be an American traveler and Jolie took up the role of his love interest.
The trailer for ‘Metro In Dino’ is out now. This marks the return of director Anurag Basu with the final chapter of his much-loved hyperlinked storytelling trilogy. After ‘Life in a Metro’ and ‘Ludo’, Basu brings the film showcasing contemporary bittersweet relationships, highlighting different shades and emotions of love.
Set in the heart of a bustling city, the trailer shows four different couples across different age groups. It highlights how love finds its way even in the middle of the hustle and chaos of city life, facing its own challenges, and painting an everlasting ‘everything comes together at the end’ picture.
The trailer begins with Aditya Roy Kapur and Sara Ali Khan sharing a cab ride. Though they start as just friends, their bond slowly turns into love. Other couples are also shown, revealing their past and present struggles. All of them are going through difficult phases in their relationships. Meanwhile, the film’s song, by Pritam, has already caught the audience’s attention and is getting great love from fans.
According to the filmmakers, ‘Metro In Dino’ isn’t just a film, it’s an emotional tribute to the people and feelings that often get left behind in the fast life of the city. Whether it’s about love or discovering yourself, the trailer shows relatable stories.
Backed by Bhushan Kumar’s T-Series and Anurag Basu Productions, the film features a stellar ensemble cast including Anupam Kher, Neena Gupta, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Fatima Sana Shaikh, and Ali Fazal. The film is all set to release in theatres on July 4, 2025.
Spend an uplifting Sunday afternoon with the nationally acclaimed Gospel sensation CARLA HARRIS (from Montclair) at the Victoria Theater – Lizzie & Jonathan Tisch Stage, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 8th, at 3:00 p.m.
Carla will perform a selection of her favorite music genres—including jazz, country, and gospel—to benefit the YMCA of Newark & Vicinity and the Primary Care Scholars Program of Hackensack Meridian Health Medical School. She has previously sold out prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater with her stunning voice and inspiring message.
Carla’s gospel albums include ‘O This Is Christmas,’ ‘Unceasing Praise,’ ‘Joy Is Waiting,’ and ‘Carla’s First Christmas.’ Aside from her musical career, Carla Harris is a renowned international public speaker and a senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley. She recently served as Vice Chairman, where she focused on enhancing client connectivity and revenue generation for the firm.
With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, she has extensive knowledge in various industries, including technology, media, retail, telecommunications, transportation, industrial, and healthcare. Carla is known for her motivating presence and leadership skills.
In August 2013, President Barack Obama appointed her to chair the National Women’s Business Council. Carla has been recognized in several prestigious lists, including Fortune Magazine’s “50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America,” Fortune’s Most Influential List, U.S. Banker’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance,” Black Enterprise’s “Top 75 Most Powerful Women in Business,” and “Top 75 African Americans on Wall Street.” She is also featured in Essence Magazine’s “50 Women Who are Shaping the World” and Ebony’s “Power 100.” Her work has been highlighted in notable publications such as the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Money, and Barron’s.
Learn more at carlaspearls.com.
TICKETS
To purchase tickets to witness Carla Harris’ soulful music, visit NJPAC.org or the NJPAC Box Office or call 888.GO.NJPAC.
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DODGE POETRY HOSTS UNDOCU POETS PAST & PRESENT
By Mabel Pais
WHAT: UNDOCUMENTED FUTURES
WHEN: June 2, 2025 @ 6 PM
WHERE: VIRTUAL (ON ZOOM)
Undocu Poets (Credit: njpac.org)
The Dodge Poetry Foundation in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts ‘Undocumented Futures,’ a virtual event on June 2, 2025, at 6PM (EST).
The event features four past and current recipients of the ‘Undocupoets Fellowship’ — blu, Wo Chan, Claudia Rojas and Georgia Russell. This program celebrates the organization’s decade of literary activism and the recent publication of ‘Here to Stay: Poetry and Prose from the Undocumented Diaspora’ and imagines what the future of the literary landscape entails for poets writing from the undocumented experience.
Fellows will read their poems with pauses between rounds for spontaneous and spirited conversations about topics their work inspires. The program will conclude with curated readings from other poets in the undocumented diaspora, hosted by Undocupoets co-organizers Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Janine Joseph and Esther Lin.
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
One Center Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)
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. NJPAC brings diverse 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 has attracted nearly 10 million individuals (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.
Follow NJPAC Online:
Website: njpac.org
Twitter: @NJPAC
Instagram: @NJPAC
Hashtag: #NJPAC
Facebook: facebook.com/NJPAC
YouTube: NJPACtvn
Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:
Website: njpac.org/takeastand
Hashtag: #NJPACTakeAStand
Youtube: Standing in Solidarity playlist
The Dodge Poetry Foundation
The Dodge Foundation envisions a just and equitable New Jersey where people of all races and communities have equitable access to opportunities to thrive.
Through grants, capacity-building, and other critical investments, the Dodge Foundation resources changemakers to transform New Jersey into a just and equitable state.
The Foundation focuses its time, resources, and energy on the issues of economic equity and justice. Its goal is for communities across New Jersey to have abundant resources and opportunities to thrive. It is particularly focused on:
Housing equity
Economic security and mobility
Community infrastructure (safe, healthy, thriving neighborhoods)
Policy and advocacy
While the Foundation does provide support to statewide organizations, it is particularly focused on five communities across New Jersey: Atlantic City, Camden, Newark, Paterson, and Trenton.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
THEME: LAUGHS AND JAMS ‘PRUDENTIAL NORTH TO SHORE’ June 2025
2025 North to Shore Festival Logo.
By Mabel Pais
The ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’ produced by NJPAC with Prudential Financial as title sponsor, is primed to return this June featuring ‘Laughs and Jams’: A star-studded lineup of musical superstars and world-class comics.
‘Prudential North to Shore Festival’ will return in June 2025, building on the momentum of two extraordinarily successful festivals in 2023 and 2024, with an expanded lineup that runs from June 14 through June 29.
Watch a NJEDA preview video of the Festival – youtu.be/f79GiHpcAQk
Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy in 2023, this year’s festival returns with a special focus on comedy and music – ‘Laughs and Jams.’
In its first two years, the festival brought in more than $25 million for ticketed events and has drawn a total audience of over 500,000 to more than 650 shows in 250 venues in Newark, Asbury Park and Atlantic City, making it New Jersey’s largest summer arts festival.
Prudential Financial returns as the festival’s title sponsor, as part of the Newark-based company’s celebration of its 150th anniversary. There are additional NJ sponsors.
North to Shore Full Line Up: CITY and DATE
ASBURY PARK
Asbury Park’s ‘Grasser’ Rock Band performs at ‘Asbury Lanes.’ (Credit: njpac.org)
June 14: Eggy at Wonder Bar.
June 15: Los Angeles League of Musicians (LA LOM) at Wonder Bar.
June 16: “Happy Mondays” (lineup TBA) at Wonder Bar.
June 18: Motion City Soundtrack at Stone Pony.
June 19: Steel Pulse at Stone Pony.
June 19: Asbury Jams: Delicate Steve at Wonder Bar.
June 19: Locals Showcase (lineup TBA) at Asbury Lanes.
June 19: Locals Showcase (lineup TBA) at House of Independents.
June 20: Crumb, Kassie Krut at Stone Pony.
June 20: Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones at Asbury Lanes.
June 20: Cults, Zzzahara at House of Independents.
June 20: The Parlor Mob at Wonder Bar.
June 21: Lawrence, Allen Stone at Stone Pony.
June 21: Stars at Asbury Lanes.
June 21: Brenda K. Starr at House of Independents.
June 21: The Smithereens with Marshall Crenshaw at Wonder Bar.
June 21: “Asbury Underground” at various locations.
June 22: Slightly Stoopid at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 22: Larkin Poe, Zach Person at Asbury Lanes.
June 22: Locals Showcase: Penelope Road at Wonder Bar.
June 23: “Happy Mondays” (lineup TBA) at Wonder Bar.
June 25: Moon Hooch at Wonder Bar.
June 26: Jack’s Mannequin at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 26: Asbury James: Basic at Wonder Bar.
June 27: Streetlight Manifesto at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
June 27: Ripe at Asbury Lanes.
June 27: John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band at Wonder Bar.
June 28: Fantastic Cat, John Gallagher Jr. at Wonder Bar.
June 29: George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic, Living Colour at Stone Pony Summer Stage.
ASBURY PARK COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 19: Sense of Belonging at Asbury Park Carousel
June 19: Springwood Avenue Sounds at Blackbird Commons
June 19: She’s NorMale at House of Independents
June 20: Ryan Gregg at Asbury Lanes
June 20: The DTS at Asbury Lanes
June 20: Paint on Pine at Pine Street between 2nd and 3rd Ave
June 20: Memory Palace at The Asbury Carousel Building
June 20: Soul in the Park 3 at GotPicz Photography Studio
June 21: Juneteenth Family Arts Festival at Springwood Avenue Park
June 21: Print-a-Palooza at 808 Springwood Ave
June 21: Cazzeek Brothers at Springwood Park
June 21: SOULCASE Community Night at Konscious Community Center
June 21: Dance is Life at Asbury Park Boardwalk Carousel Building
June 22: Newark Pride, INC. at Wonder Bar
June 22: Georgies Community Cookout at Georgies Bar
June 22: Funk Fest at Rbar
June 22: Sound Bytes at Salvation Army Asbury Park
June 22: Heaven vs Hell at Good Hope Annex
June 22: Lens on Asbury Park at GotPicks Photography Studio
ATLANTIC CITY
June 14: Books on the Move: Alvin Ailey at Kennedy Plaza
ATLANTIC CITY COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 14: Bash at Back Sov at Sovereign Avenue Skatepark Back Sov
June 14: Orange Loop Block Party at Cardinal
June 15: Global Grooves at O’Donnell Memorial Park
June 21: FREE: Atlantic City Artists at Historic Gardner’s Basin
June 26: FREE: R&B Society at Historic Gardner’s Basin
August 23: John Brancy at the Celebrity Theater at the Claridge Hotel
September 6: Atlantic City Latino Festival at Showboat at the Boardwalk
October 4: Mary Cross’ Phyllis Hyman at RESORTS Casino Hotel
October: AC Pride TBA
November 1: Dia De Los Muertos at Noyes Arts Garage
November 7: ARTerriors TBA
1/17,2/14, 3/14, 4/11, and 5/15/2026: AC Jamming at Gin Rickey’s Bar
RED BANK
June 21: moe. at Count Basie Center for the Arts
NEWARK
June 17: String Cheese Incident at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 18-20: Black Creative Economy Summit at Symphony Hall.
June 19: Natalia Lafourcade at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 20: Hot 97’s Summer Jam at Prudential Center. Lineup TBA.
June 20: Third Eye Blind, Stars at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 20: Two Funny Mamas featuring Sherri Shepherd and Kym Whitley at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 21: Kumail Nanjiani at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 22: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at Prudential Center.
June 22: Bassem Youssef at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 22: Bob Summer at NJPAC
June 23: Food Insecurity Panel at Chase Room at NJPAC.
June 26: Stone Temple Pilots, Parlor Mob at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 26: Newark International Film Festival: Tate Brothers Panel Discussion
June 27: Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, Pete Davidson at Prudential Center.
June 27: Joey Diaz at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 27: Nicole Byer at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 27: New Jersey Symphony at Branch Brook Park. (free)
June 27: Sounds of the City: Felix Hernandez’s Rhythm Revue Dance Party at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
June 27: Newark International Film Festival: Acting class with Tobias Truvillion.
June 27: Newark International Film Festival: “Hip Hop to Hollywood,” Dupré “DoItAll” Kelly & Friends.
June 28: L.L. Cool J’s Rock the Bell Festival at Prudential Center. Lineup TBA.
June 28: Josh Johnson at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 28: Rosebud Baker at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 28: Sounds of the City: Big Daddy Kane at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
June 28: Yogi Fest by Tye Daye at Lincoln Park.
June 28: Newark International Film Festival: Acting class with Morocco Omari.
June 28: Newark International Film Festival: Acting Class with Wendy McKenzie.
June 29: Gregory Porter at Prudential Hall at NJPAC.
June 29: Martin Amini at Victoria Theater at NJPAC.
June 29: Sounds of the City: Lettuce at Chambers Plaza at NJPAC. (free)
NEWARK COMMUNITY EVENTS
June 25: Love Out Loud at Dutch’s Lounge @ Tryp Hotel
June 25: The Woman at the Well at First Presbyterian Church of Newark
June 26: Newark Grounds Night Fest at Mulberry Commons Park
June 26: Respect The Mic at Newark Stage
June 26: Broadway in the Bricks at Newark Public Library
June 26: Drunk Black History at ES550
June 27: Lyrics Matter at The Vault
June 28: Soul-O at NJPAC
June 28: Carrie Jackson at Clement’s Place
June 28: Tropical Noise Fest at Lua Lounge
June 28: Jazz and Joy at Clement’s Place
June 28: Jazz and Jamming at Clement’s Place
June 28: Maurice Chestnut for Big Daddy Kane at NJPAC
June 28: P.Genz for Big Daddy Kane at NJPAC
June 29: Gail Campbell for Lettuce at NJPAC
June 29: Segdrick Marsh for Lettuce at NJPAC
June 29: Rest Fest at Newark Museum of Art
June 29: Taste of the City at Ferry Street
June 29: Down in the Ro’ at Adega Bar and Grill Rooftop
MONTCLAIR
June 26-29: Montclair Film events at Clairidge Theater.
All events are subject to change.
TICKETS
For the latest updates, new concert listings, and tickets, visit northtoshore.com.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
Learn more at NJPAC.org.
Prudential North to Shore Festival
Learn more at northtoshore.com.
Earlier articles on the Festival can be read in issues dated March 14, April 25 and May 2.
(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Education, Business, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
(center – in red blouse) Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D. meets with faculty and students at Janki Devi Memorial College (for Women), Delhi University. (Photo Credit : shu.edu)Mary Kate Naatus at the Taj Mahal, India (Photo Credit: Courtesy shu.edu)
By Mabel Pais
MARY KATE NAATUS, Ph.D., (shu.edu/profiles/naatusma), assistant provost and dean of Continuing Education and Professional Studies (shu.edu/continuing-education) at Seton Hall University was chosen as one of ten senior United States university administrators to participate in an immersive two-week program under the Fulbright-Nehru Education Administrators Seminar in India in March 2025.
This prestigious seminar, granted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, recognizes Naatus’s commitment as a distinguished higher education administrator to advancing international education and fostering global partnerships.
The IEA (International Education Administrators) Fulbright-Nehru Seminar, designed and administered by the U.S.-India Educational Foundation, provided U.S. higher education leaders with immersive exposure to India’s higher education system. Organizers explained, “This unique opportunity brought together higher education leaders from across the United States to explore India’s academic landscape, fostering meaningful dialogue on potential collaborations.” The cohort visited approximately 14 universities and colleges in Mumbai, Coimbatore and Delhi. The administrators engaged with Indian academic leaders, administrators and education experts, delving into the latest trends and developments in Indian higher education.
Katia Passerini, Ph.D. (shu.edu/provost/passerini-biography), Seton Hall provost and senior executive vice president, said, “Mary Kate exemplifies Seton Hall’s commitment to fostering a global mindset and creating opportunities for cross-border collaboration. Her participation in the Fulbright-Nehru Seminar strengthens our university ties with Indian institutions and furthers our mission of preparing students to be leaders in a globally interconnected world.”
Naatus highlighted that the program connects senior U.S. higher education administrators with Indian universities, private-sector leaders and government agencies to explore India’s higher education landscape and provide insight into academic structures, policy frameworks and cultural dynamics to foster global collaboration.
Through site visits and discussions in Mumbai, Coimbatore and Delhi, participants explored India’s evolving higher education landscape and identified avenues for international collaboration. Key institutional visits included the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Kumaraguru College of Technology (Coimbatore), Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai) and O.P. Jindal Global University (Sonipat, Haryana – Delhi National Capital Region). The U.S.-India Educational Foundation’s meticulous planning ensured that participants gained deep insights into India’s government policies, educational priorities and opportunities for partnership, ranging from virtual exchanges and student mobility to joint research and degree programs.
“The insights I gained from this prestigious Fulbright Seminar will directly inform Seton Hall University’s ongoing efforts to expand academic collaborations with Indian institutions, attract top international students and foster a globally connected campus. These initiatives align with the university’s broader strategy to develop joint academic programs, enhance faculty research partnerships and strengthen cross-cultural learning opportunities,” Naatus noted. “Seton Hall University looks forward to building on the relationships forged through this Fulbright experience and deepening its commitment to internationalization, with India as a key partner in its global engagement strategy.”
Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D
Naatus is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, business and global service. Her faculty role at Seton Hall University is professor, Department of Marketing (shu.edu/marketing), Stillman School of Business (shu.edu/business). Her current research interests include socially responsible marketing, business education, social media and small business marketing. Prior to her arrival at the university in January 2023, she served as professor and dean of the Guarini School of Business at Saint Peter’s University.
The Fulbright Program
Learn more about the Fulbright Program at fulbrightprogram.org
The U.S.-India Educational Foundation
Learn more about the Foundation, visit usief.org.in
Seton Hall University
One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856. Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous majors, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall’s 58-acre main campus is located in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, only 14 miles from Manhattan. The University’s nationally ranked School of Law is located in nearby Newark, N.J. Our new Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus, situated in the towns of Clifton and Nutley, N.J., opened in July 2018. The IHS campus houses Seton Hall’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences, as well as the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
(Mabel Pais writes on Education, Business, The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, and Cuisine)
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THE ARTISTS
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.
Chandrika has received numerous awards, including the Gallatin Medal, NYU’s 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.
