- By Mabel Pais
The 2026-2027 season of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s (NJPAC) Standing in Solidarity (https://www.njpac.org/series/standing-in-solidarity) series launches on September 28, 2026. This month’s conversation features GEN-Z IMPACT ON VOTER RIGHTS.
Standing in Solidarity is NJPAC’s ongoing series of monthly conversations built around issues of social justice and equity. Most of these programs include a screening of a socially-engaged documentary paired with a thought-provoking, post-screening talk by a panel of activists, academics, nonprofit leaders and others deeply engaged with the topic.
EVENT DETAILS
TOPIC: VOTE IRL (in real life) GEN-Z IMPACT ON VOTER RIGHTS
WHEN: September 28, 2026 @ 5PM
VENUE: NJPAC’s Chase Room
Resource tables @ 5PM
Panel conversation @ 6PM
RSVP
RSVP is required. RSVP @ https://njpac.org/event/ce-vote-irl/#rsvp
The upcoming midterm elections are crucial in determining which party controls Congress, and Gen-Z voters (ages 18 – 29) could have an outsized impact IRL (in real life) on the results.
A panel of young leaders will express their political participation, the hot button issues driving some to the polls — and the barriers keeping others away. What is at stake this November, in New Jersey and across the country?
The Newark NAACP and the Divine Nine — the nine African American fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council — are curating this first Standing in Solidarity program of the new season. All panelists represent the Divine Nine and their ongoing commitment to community progress.
FILM
This month’s conversation is inspired by the film, “Conscience of the Congress,” the untold story of the Congressional Black Caucus. A link will be sent in advance to watch at home. Following the panel conversation, attendees will participate in facilitated small group discussions.
OPENING
In partnership with Dodge Poetry, the program will open with Brian Acosta Arya. Also known as Brian The Motel Guy, Acosta Arya is a New Jersey–bred artist, content creator and motel manager whose storytelling has attracted over 1 million followers. He is also a host of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
To make your voice heard, information on voter registration and polling sites, plus other resources, will be available from partner organizations starting at 5PM.
A special stroll performance led by the Divine Nine will take place at 5:30PM.
PANEL
Moderator
A’Dorian Murray-Thomas: The conversation will be moderated by A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, Vice President of the Essex County Board of County Commissioners and Founder and CEO of SHE Wins, Inc.
Panelists
Wilbert “Wil” Davis: Lawyer at DLA Piper and member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity, Inc.
Anthony Gray: Federal Consultant and member of Mu Gamma Gamma Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Ever Mack: Digital Research Analyst at ISD US and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Beta Alpha Omega Chapter
Jaylen Smith: New Jersey Collegiate Representative of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Standing in Solidarity
For information on the full season, and recordings of past events, visit Standing in Solidarity (https://www.njpac.org/series/standing-in-solidarity).
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NJPAC INVITES THE PUBLIC TO EXPLORE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN JAZZ, LEGACY, EMOTION & COLOR
- By Mabel Pais
Everyone is invited to explore the connection between jazz, legacy, emotion and color at a special community workshop, where everyone can take part in the creation of a new mural that will be installed in the Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center on NJPAC’s campus when it opens in 2027.
Event Details
WHAT: CITY IN NOTES – A COMMUNITY MURAL MAKING EVENT
WHEN: Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 6:30PM
WHERE: Clement’s Place, 15 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Artists and Public Art
How does jazz make you feel? What does it help you see?
Artist and landscape architect Haemee Han — one of 13 artists and artist collectives creating site-specific pieces to be displayed across the new NJPAC campus (https://njpac.org/publicart) — seeks community involvement in the design of her more-than-100-foot mural, which will be featured in the second-floor corridor of the Cooperman Center.
Han has created oversized scores of three songs by Newark jazz icons Sarah Vaughan, Woody Shaw and Wayne Shorter. At this event at Clement’s Place, Han and Wayne Winborne, Executive Director of the Institute for Jazz Studies at Rutgers University-Newark, will be in conversation about music, memory, history and the creative process.
Then, guests will take part in a live, participatory art-making process — listening to Woody Shaw’s “The Moontrane” in real time and placing stickers on the score at the moments in the song that evoke an emotion. Different sticker colors will represent different emotions, from joy to sorrow.
Light bites and refreshments will be served.
For more about the public art at NJPAC initiative, visit njpac.org/publicart.
RSVP
RSVP at https://njpac.org/event/city-in-notes-a-community-mural-making-event/#rsvp
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), a nonprofit arts organization, is a collaborative leader in Newark’s cultural and civic life, a catalyst of the city’s revitalization and a champion of its artistic spirit. The Arts Center produces and presents world-class performances by music, dance, spoken word poetry and comedy artists, and hosts insightful conversations with creators and changemakers, on its own stages and in venues across the region.
Through real estate development, NJPAC advances Newark’s economic growth and cultural vitality. In addition, the Arts Center collaborates with local partners to deliver social impact initiatives that nurture the well-being and creativity of the communities it serves. These offerings include arts education and career development opportunities for students and educators, programs that support community health and well-being through the arts and free creative experiences in neighborhoods across Newark and throughout the state.
NJPAC has attracted more than 13 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997. Visit https://njpac.org for more information.
One Center Street
Newark, New Jersey 07102
njpac.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722)
Follow NJPAC Online:
Website: njpac.org
Twitter: @NJPAC
Instagram: @NJPAC
Hashtag: #NJPAC
Facebook: facebook.com/NJPAC
YouTube: NJPACtv
Follow NJPAC’s Standing in Solidarity Series Online:
Website: njpac.org/takeastand
Hashtag: #NJPACTakeAStand
Youtube: Standing in Solidarity playlist
Mabel Pais writes on Education, The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Business, and Cuisine.
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