Matisyahu Coming to SOPAC, 12/26

Matisyahu ends his eighth annual Festival of Light tour with four intimate "unplugged" concerts beginning with his performance on Dec 26th at SOPAC. Three years ago the formerly Hassidic artist shaved his beard, two years ago he began taking his Festival of Light tour beyond the confines of New York, and this year he adds four "unplugged" dates just after Hanukkah at intimate venues along the east coast.

Joined by his long-time friend and guitarist Aaron Dugan, Matisyahu plays material which spans his ten year career as an American alternative rock musician known for blending Orthodox Jewish themes with reggae, rock and hip hop beatboxing sounds. The Festival of Light tour capitalizes on the "light amid darkness" theme of Hanukkah which also runs throughout the musician's life and work.

First, in 2004, there was Shake Off The Dust...Arise, replete with references to spiritual fire. In 2007, Youth received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album with lyrics such as "fan the fire for the flame of youth" and "focus your energy/into a laser beam/streaming shattered light/unites to pierce between the seams." Then Light reached #1 on the reggae album charts in 2009. In 2012, Spark Seeker marked a changed appearance and sound which was drastically different from the days of his first success but yielded a cross-genre appeal.

But with that success came controversy and the pain of loneliness and isolation brought on by the deep rejection from conservative Jewish backlash after consciously dropping the "external trappings" of his Hasidic faith: his beard and his kippah. As a result, Matisyahu put out Akeda, an album one could say is dedicated to exploring the depths of emotion and identity and finding a way back to the surface, from brokenness to wholeness, from dark to light, from winter into spring.

Whether celebrating Hanukkah or the solstice, the candles of the Menorah or the aurora borealis, audiences have the opportunity to welcome the light of the season with Matisyahu at SOPAC on December 26 at 8PM. Witness a musical artist up close and personal who is authentically dedicated to his journey and who embraces his own continual transformation amid the sacrifice and toll.

# # #

SOPAC programs are made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is a 501(c)(3)charitable organization.

About SOPAC

Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz N' the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in residence, Midtown Direct Rep, and its dance company in residence, Lydia Johnson Dance. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.