The Indian Panorama

Tag: Ras J. Baraka

  • N2S 2025 RETURNS THIS SUMMER FOR THIRD YEAR:THE FEST ONLY NJ COULD HANDLE

    • By Mabel Pais

    THEME: LAUGHS AND JAMS

    ‘PRUDENTIAL NORTH TO SHORE’ June 2025

    (Left to right) – Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Asbury Park Mayor John Moor; NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber; Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO, Community Foodbank of NJ; Charlie Lowrey, Chairman and CEO Prudential Financial; First Lady Tammy Murphy, Governor Phil Murphy (Credit : Jeremy Smith / NJPAC.org)

    The ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’ produced by NJPAC and with Prudential Financial as title sponsor, returns 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.

    N2S 2025 ANNOUNCEMENT

    The lineup was unveiled on March 4 during a press conference at NJPAC’s iconic Prudential Hall, where festival organizers, supporters and arts and entertainment fans gathered to learn more about this year’s format.

    “Now for a third summer, we can come together again to celebrate the qualities that make New Jersey an epicenter for diversity, creativity, and innovation,” said Governor Phil Murphy. ‘Prudential North to Shore’ is more than a festival — it’s a showcase of everything that makes this state unique, welcoming, and an ideal stage for talent and the arts.”

    Then, for two consecutive weeks, comedians of all stripes and musical acts will perform in venues across Asbury Park and Newark. At the same time, free community events will welcome festival-goers with a taste of the rich and varied arts and culture scene that thrives in each city.

    “In just three short years, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ has become the premier showcase of our state’s incredible depth of talent,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “I cannot wait to enjoy all the festival has to offer alongside visitors from around the region and from all over the country.”

    “The breadth of experiences ‘Prudential North to Shore’ offers is unlike that of any other festival in the nation,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “We’re excited to offer something this year that is focused, bold and more Jersey than ever. Laughs and jams —comedy and music — will provide fans with unforgettable, life-enhancing experiences and the kind of joy we all need and deserve.”

    “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with NJPAC and return as the title sponsor of ‘Prudential North to Shore Festival,’” said Lata Reddy, senior vice president, Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial and chair of The Prudential Foundation. “For 150 years, Prudential has been a rock for millions of people around the world, helping them build financial security and live better lives longer. That path starts in our local communities, and we’re excited to help bring North to Shore’s economic engine and boost the creative economy back to our hometown of Newark and across New Jersey.”

    PERFORMERS

    Stone Temple Pilots (Credit : Jeremy Smith / NJPAC.org)

    This year’s lineup will include Bleachers; George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic; Gregory Porter; Jack’s Manequinn; Jon Stewart, John Mulaney, and Pete Davidson; Josh Johnson; Lawrence; Natalia Lafourcade; Slightly Stoopid; Stone Temple Pilots; Streetlight Manifesto; The String Cheese Incident; Third Eye Blind; Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and many others.

    Two of the festival’s most anticipated events — LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells and HOT 97 Summer Jam — will bring the energy and impact of hip-hop to ‘Prudential North to Shore’ at Newark’s Prudential Center.

    LL COOL J’s, Rock The Bells (Credit : Jeremy Smith : NJPAC.org)

    ‘Rock The Bells,’ the premier hip-hop festival experience, will take over with exclusive live performances, a fan fest, and immersive brand activations that celebrate hip-hop’s past, present, and future.

    ‘HOT 97 Summer Jam’ will showcase the hottest names in hip-hop today, delivering another powerhouse live music experience.

    PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS REWARDS

    ‘Prudential North to Shore’ has again collaborated with advisory groups in Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark to provide ‘Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards.’ Through this program, the festival awards local artists, arts organizations, nonprofits and small businesses with up to $10,000 each to self-produce performing and visual arts events during the festival. This year, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ will kick off year-round community programming in Atlantic City starting on June 14.

    A full list of the Prudential North to Shore Community Arts Awards recipients can be viewed @ northtoshore.com/community-arts-grants.

    Additionally, select Community Arts Awards winners will be offered the opportunity to perform as opening acts for headliners appearing at mainstage and club venues in Asbury Park and Newark, giving them an unprecedented opportunity to connect with new fans.

    The ‘2025 Prudential North to Shore Festival’ is also supported by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA).

    “As part of Governor Murphy’s vision to promote arts and culture as a driver of economic growth and community development, the NJEDA is committed to showcasing the strength of New Jersey’s booming arts and innovation sectors to the rest of the world,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “We are proud to partner with Prudential North to Shore for this year’s festival, which will attract thousands of attendees to some of the state’s most iconic cities and support local restaurants, businesses, hotels, and main streets during the heart of the summer season.”

    NJPAC is producing this multi-city celebration with leadership support from Prudential Financial, the festival’s title sponsor for the second consecutive year. The Arts Center is also collaborating with several partners in New Jersey.

    GROWING HEALTHY PANTRIES

    A portion of all ticket sales will directly benefit Growing Healthy Pantries – a partnership between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, FoodBank of South Jersey, Fulfill, Mercer Street Friends, Norwescap and Feeding America, which addresses food security statewide and supports 1,000 food pantries across the state’s 21 counties. 

    “Beyond just providing emergency food to feed our neighbors in need for today, New Jersey’s food banks are also working to address the long-term causes and consequences of food insecurity, including lack of access to healthy options,” said Elizabeth McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. “Growing Healthy Pantries is one critical way that we’re promoting nutrition, choice, and dignity at pantries across the state to address hunger as a health issue. We’re so grateful to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, NJPAC and Prudential North to Shore Festival for their continued commitment to our shared mission.”

    NEWARK: POWERHOUSE OF CREATIVITY

    “Newark is long known to be a powerhouse of creativity, teeming with artistic expression – and exactly the kind of city perfect for hosting ‘Prudential North to Shore,’” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “I am so excited about the incredible lineup coming here this year, and I look forward to celebrating this festival with neighbors who already love our city and visitors who soon will!”

    ASBURY PARK: DNA OF MUSIC AND ARTS

    “Music and the arts are woven into the very DNA of Asbury Park, and ‘Prudential North to Shore’ is the ultimate celebration of that artistry and spirit,” said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor. “This festival not only spotlights the incredible talent that thrives here but also reinforces Asbury Park’s legacy as a cultural and economic engine in New Jersey.”

    ATLANTIC CITY: CREATIVES & COMMUNITY GROUPS

    This year, in Atlantic City, ‘Prudential North to Shore’ community events will be produced throughout the year, extending the celebration’s impact on creatives and community groups.

    N2S PARTNERS

    Producing Partners for this year’s ‘Prudential North to Shore’ include Montclair Film; Madison Marquette; Newark International Film Festival; SJ Presents; New Jersey Symphony; and Live Nation.

    Prudential North to Shore Festival

    For the latest updates, new concert listings, and tickets, visit northtoshore.com 

    The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

    The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, 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 more than 12 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.

    Prudential Financial

    Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for 150 years. For more information, visit prudential.com

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

  • POETRY, A CATALYST FOR SOCIAL CHANGE?

    • By Mabel Pais

    The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation (Dodge Foundation), the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka on January 24, 2024 announced plans for the 2024 Dodge Poetry initiative – a new collaboration that celebrates poetry as a catalyst for communities to advance social change.

    Guest speakers featured John Schreiber, CEO of NJPAC; Tanuja Dehne, President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Ysabel Gonzalez, Poetry Creative Officer at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

    The event featured special poetry performances by Poet and Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who recited his poem, ‘Digging Max,’ paying homage to his late father Amiri Baraka, a legendary poet and playwright who worked with Max Roach. Then, a surprise poetry performance by the legendary ‘The Last Poets,’ ABIODUN OYEWOLE, BABA DON and FELIPE LUCIANO, who continue the legacy of ‘The Last Poets’ who originally formed in 1968 in Harlem, New York.

    The event also included an exceptional performance by Poet and Pulitzer Prize Winner TYEHIMBA JESS, a champion for Black voices in the literary arts. He is the Board President of Cave Canem, an organization committed to cultivating Black poets’ artistic and professional growth. Tyehimba Jess performed his poem, ‘A Black Man’s Prayer,’ a profound poem about peace.

    Watch a surprise poetry performance by the legendary ‘The Last Poets,’ Umar Bin Hassan, Abiodun Oyewole, and Baba Don, who continue the legacy of ‘The Last Poets’ and who originally formed in 1968 in Harlem, New York – youtu.be/B3DY7ClAbQA

    For the first time, Dodge Poetry will expand beyond its biennial poetry festival (which has been headquartered at NJPAC since 2010) to include poetry programs in Newark throughout the year including NJPAC’s Horizon Sounds of The City.

    (left to right): The Dodge Foundation, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka announced major expansion of Dodge Poetry program that will take place throughout 2024 in Newark, New Jersey, L to R John Schreiber, CEO of NJPAC; Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka; Dave Rodriguez, NJPAC’s Executive Producer; Last Poets, Umar Bin Hassan, Abiodun Oyewole, and Baba Don, Ysabel Gonzalez, Poetry Creative Officer at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Tanuja Dehne, President and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; and Poet and Pulitzer Prize Winner Tyehimba Jess. (Photo : Courtesy NJPAC)

    These Dodge Poetry events will have three goals to: 1) mobilize communities and fuel movements for social change; 2) amplify poet activists who challenge and reframe existing narratives and norms; and 3) create spaces for empathy, healing, and repair for individuals who have experienced systemic racism.

    Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka shared, “Because poetry impacts hearts so directly, it has great power to transform communities, and give rise to social change, hope, and healing. This year-round poetry program about to ripple through Newark will realize one of my greatest wishes for the city, and I thank the Dodge Foundation and NJPAC for making this happen.”

    Building on 40 years of poetry programming, the new collaboration between NJPAC and Dodge Foundation will extend the footprint of Dodge Poetry across the entire city of Newark. The events are designed to engage and activate residents, especially young people and community partners, and to highlight the intersection of poetry and social justice.

    The first initiative of this project happened on Friday, January 26th with ‘Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite’ performance in NJPAC’s Prudential Hall at 8PM , a celebration of the centennial of Max Roach — drummer, bebop pioneer, and civil rights activist — who explored social justice issues and racial inequality through the lens of jazz and poetry.

    Performers included Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who presented his poems by his father, Amiri Baraka (a long-time Max Roach collaborator) as well as his own writing; drummer Nasheet Waits (of Max’s percussion ensemble M’Boom); vocalist Cassandra Wilson; poets ‘The Last Poets,’ Sonia Sanchez and Saul Williams; saxophonist Ravi Coltrane; pianist Nduduzo Makhathini; and bassist Eric Revis. Advisory Committee member and past Festival Poet, Vincent Toro, opened the event.

    Dodge Poetry will culminate with the 20th celebration of the Dodge Poetry Festival, an event that has to-date engaged more than 150,000 people including 45,000 high school students, on Oct 17-19, 2024. The Festival will be hosted by the Dodge Foundation at NJPAC, which has welcomed poets and artists from across the United States to Newark every other year since 2010, and it will feature performances, readings, and special programs designed to build a community of poets and citizens mobilizing for racial and social justice, repair, and healing.

    “The Dodge Foundation has a long legacy of creating opportunities for people to explore and engage with poetry. Now, the reimagined Dodge Poetry will expand our ability to reach new places and people, and focus our programming on artists and activists who interrogate and address issues of social justice,” says Tanuja Dehne, President and CEO of the Dodge Foundation. “By holding these events and the festival across Newark, we will honor the city’s legacy and further amplify the voices and narratives of those who have been at the forefront of activism for racial justice.”

    “Ours is a city of the arts, a center of creativity where there are so many stories that need to be heard. Through this initiative, we look forward to sharing the aspirations and realities of all Newarkers” said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC. “All of us at the Arts Center are excited that the Dodge Foundation is collaborating with us on creating authentic, community-centric programs that spotlight poetry as a means to advocate for social justice and artistic expression.”

    To help shape and guide the events and strategy over the year, Dodge Poetry has convened an Advisory Committee of award-winning poets and activists: Sean Battle, CEO and Founder of EvoluCulture Ventures, a Newark-based integrated arts organization that holds space for artists and art lovers; Tamiko Beyer, a social justice communications writer and strategist with roots in radical queer organizing, racial justice organizing, and art activism; Naomi Extra, a poet, writer, cartoonist, and scholar with a PhD in American Studies from Rutgers Newark; Willie Perdomo, a two-time New York Foundation of the Arts Poetry Fellow and former NY state Poet Laureate;  and Vincent Toro, an award-winning Puerto Rican poet, playwright, stage performer, author of two poetry collections, and full time professor at Rider University.

    More information about Dodge Poetry, upcoming shows, and events can be found at njpac.org/dodgepoetry. The Dodge Poetry Festival does have an open submission process, and applications will be accepted for performance consideration beginning in mid-February.

    Mayor Baraka

    Ras J. Baraka is the 40th Mayor of the City of Newark.

    A native of Newark, whose family has lived in the City for more than 80 years, Mayor Baraka’s progressive approach to governing has won him accolades from grassroots organizations to the White House.

    Learn more at rasbaraka.com; #Believeinnewark; facebook.com/RasJBaraka

    The Last Poets

    The Last Poets was formed in 1968 in Harlem, New York. Before RAP knew its name, there was a group of ambitious young men who reflected the harsh spirit of their times and whose work remains prophetic and inspirational today. ‘The Last Poets’ started in the late sixties, speaking out as few other musical groups had, or have since, about racism, poverty, and other African American and societal concerns. Learn more at thelastpoets.com. 

    Tyehimba Jess

    Tyehimba Jess is a Pulitzer Prize winner and is a champion for Black voices in the literary arts and is the Board President of Cave Canem, an organization committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of Black poets. Learn more at tyehimbajess.net.

    The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation

    Established in 1974, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation envisions a just and equitable New Jersey where people of all races and communities have equitable access to opportunities to thrive. Learn more at grdodge.org.

    The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

    Learn more at www.njpac.org.

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