Regina Belle Lights Up the Stage at SOPAC Tonight

Former Englewood resident and Grammy Award-winner, Regina Belle, comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center tonight, May 29, 2015 for an 8PM performance. The four-time Grammy and Academy award-winning New Jersey native achieved worldwide acclaim for her duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World," from Disney's 1992 animated feature Aladdin.

Tickets are still available for her SOPAC concert by calling the box office at 973-313-2787 or by visiting www.sopacnow.org.

With hits like the R&B single "Ooh Boy," smooth jazz favorites such as "Make It Like It Was," and gospel greats including "God is Good" and "Make an Example Out of Me," Belle's career has been blessed with longevity beyond the original spotlight in which she first appeared. From her studies at the Manhattan School of Music to her break-through audition for The Manhattans, from strolling the red carpet at award ceremonies to walking across the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences stage to receive her long-awaited degree this past weekend, Regina Belle has stood her ground through faith, hard work and God-given talent.

Through the years, the singer has had one platinum and two gold-selling albums in addition to performing with a host of renowned artists including Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Johnny Mathis, and Stephanie Mills. In the past decade, she has somewhat returned to her roots, expanding on the gospel repertoire she began with as a young musician growing up in the Baptist churches of Englewood and Patterson, New Jersey.

Not only is Belle a life-long learner and performer, she is also a testament to the healing powers of faith and good doctors, having been diagnosed and treated for a brain tumor in 2009. Her latest album, Higher (2012), speaks to her journey, delivering the message, "music helps people get to a special place...that place is a closer walk with God, one that is sweeter, deeper, richer and higher!"

Although now residing in Atlanta, Georgia and serving as minister of music at New Shield of Faith Christian Ministries with her senior pastor husband and former NBA player, John S. Battle III, also a Rutgers grad and Scarlet Knight, Belle returns to the tristate area to perform later this month. You can hear her beautifully sensuous voice and a collection of hit songs in the soul, jazz and gospel genres at the South Orange Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 29th at 8PM, where she promises to transport you to "A Whole New World" one more time.

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.

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