By Mabel Pais

About WANJPAC The Women’s Association of NJPAC(WA)is celebrating 24 years in 2018 and over $51 Million to NJPAC and its Arts Education program! Membership in the WAis a major opportunity to share in the excitement and energy of NJPAC and to participate in the ongoing renaissance of the City of Newark. It will also connect members with the metro area professional and civic-minded leaders to enjoy lots of opportunities for learning, inspiration, and fun. How WA Does It The Women’s Association of NJPACconnects women who are impassioned by the arts and who embrace the importance the arts play in children’s lives and in the brightness of their futures.  It serves as ambassador for the arts that assembles and engages women from divergent communities throughout the great state of New Jersey to support the cultural, educational, and artistic vision of NJPAC. The WAis 2,000 members strong. Many of the most influential and powerful women in the state lend their time, talent and treasure to the organization through vehicles like their annual Spotlight Gala and annual Spring Luncheon & Auction. WA’sstrategic moves have helped NJPAC to evolve and expand since its doors opened. Before the building was even open, the WA (first coined The Women’s Board Association), hosted their first Spotlight Galain a Continental Airlines hanger at Newark Airport starring the soulful legend Ray Charles.  The WA was formed by nine pioneering women—Joan Budd, Patti Chambers, Sally Chubb, Ronnie Goldberg, Sheila Labrecque, Gabriella Morris, the late Patricia Ryan, the late Phyllis Cerf Wagner, and, Diana Vagelos – in support of Governor Kean’s idea of building an arts center for New Jersey in Newark. Despite the skeptics, the nine women strategized how to introduce influential and prominent New Jersey women to the concept and help to raise the initial funds and friends needed to build NJPAC.  They recruited more dedicated women to join their efforts and soon, they established a Board of Trustees and an association of members. About NJPAC Vision NJPAC is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey–where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. Mission Present the world’s greatest artists in the State’s most spectacular setting Convene ongoing civic, social, cultural and intellectual exchanges Engage New Jersey’s diverse population Enhance and transform the lives of children and families through arts education Help drive Newark’s revitalization Arts Education The WA is downright passionate about Arts Ed.  It has raised over $1.5 Million for the program and continues to look for new and innovative ways to support the fourth largest program of its kind in the USA. It has funded hundreds of scholarships to eager and talented students. It has raised money for tap shoes, ballet slippers, dance studios, scripts, props, sets, summer musicals, hip hop classes, vocal training, and so much more! Why? Plain and simple—the arts transform lives. NJPAC’s schooltime performances, in-school residencies, and after-school arts training classes reach thousands. WA is confident that exposure to the arts early and often makes for better citizens down the road. When they hear a child singing in the shower, or drumming on his desk, or telling jokes to her friends…WA sees confidence boosting, talent budding, and character building. And that’s too hard to ignore.

Special Guest Valerie Simpson of Ashford and Simpson

VALERIE SIMPSON of Ashford & Simpson joins Cyrille Aimée, Southside Johnny, Raul Midón, Alice Smith, Bernie Williams as they perform songs made famous by Jazz Divas: Lena Horne, Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan.

The (WANJPAC or WA) Women’s Association of NJPAC’s Spotlight Gala 2018 kicks off NJPAC’s season and benefits NJPACand its arts education programs.

This signature event of the year of The WANJPAC is attended by over 1,000 of the State’s most high profile professionals and philanthropists.

Valerie Simpson, singer-songwriteris half of the songwriting/performing/producing entity formerly known as Ashford & Simpson. Their award-winning collaborations began four decades ago and she, along with her late husband Nick Ashford, have penned classic hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “You’re All I Need to Get By,” “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” and “Your Precious Love.”

Christian McBride, the multi-Grammy winner, NJPAC’s Jazz Advisor, directs the country’s biggest names in jazz. From “Stormy Weather” and “Strange Fruit” to “Summertime” and “Misty,” expect exciting and original renditions of numbers that will be forever associated with the voices of three legends known simply as Lena, Billie and Sarah.

Cyrille Aimée, a past winner of the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition at NJPAC, was a finalist in the 2010 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition. Her talents recently caught the attention of Stephen Sondheim, who cast her in a special Encore presentation at City Center.

Southside Johnny,the Godfather of “the New Jersey Sound” and the Asbury Jukes have become a staple in the New Jersey music scene having released twelve studio albums since 1976 and featuring a rotating group of members such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, and Steve Van Zandt.

Raul Midón, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist “plays with such freedom and joy that his hands smile,” writes the Huffington Post. His 2016 rendering of John Coltrane’s classic “Giant Steps” – which sees him fly through all 12 keys – has earned more than 1.2 million views via Facebook.

Alice Smith (“Fool for You,” “I Put a Spell on You”) is a passionate singer-songwriter who has an unshakable sense of self and the attitude to match. She was raised on a steady diet of gospel, pop, soul and go-go. Her sophomore album, She, is an intoxicating mixture of rock, pop and R&B.

Bernie Williams, retired New York Yankees center fielder and a four-time World Series Champion and five-time All Star, never gave up his passion for the guitar. His critically acclaimed debut album, 2003’s The Journey Within, featured fusions of jazz, rock and the tropical rhythms of his Puerto Rican heritage. He is a Latin Grammy nominee.

Christian McBride, six-time Grammy-winningBassist and His Big Band, host the performance tocelebrate the Music of Lena, Billie and Sarah.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

Event Link:
https://www.njpac.org/events/detail/celebrating-the-music-of-lena-billie-and-sarah

For more information on NJPAC or for Performance only tickets visit www.njpac.orgor the box office or call 888.GO.NJPAC(888.466.5722).

Concert only tickets are available.

For full Gala tickets and sponsorship, contact Sarah Rosen at srosen@njpac.org or call 973.297.5806 or visit wanjpac.org. Full Gala tickets include the performance as well as a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and a dessert extravaganza.

 The Gala Co-Chairs are Mindy A. Cohen, Vice President, Women’s Association of NJPAC and Kevin P. Conlin, Chairman, President & CEO, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey 

Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health

and Wellness, and Spirituality.