'A JAZZY NUTCRACKER', MATISYAHU, FESTIVAL OF LIGHT and More Set for SOPAC, Beginning Tonight

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) has announced its December 2014 events. Scroll down for details!

Unless otherwise noted, all performances take place at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), 1 SOPAC Way, South Orange, NJ, 07079. Tickets: To purchase tickets, contact SOPAC at 973.313.ARTS or visit SOPACnow.org.

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SAT 12/06 at 2PM & 7PM - GRAHAM LUSTIG'S A JAZZY NUTCRACKER

Kids 'N Family, Dance, Jazz

Tickets: $15-$30

Graham Lustig's A Jazzy Nutcracker is 'Jumpin' with Jazz' in his adaptation of the timeless holiday classic performed by the diverse and talented dancers of Lustig Dance Theatre. It's a swinging 60s London Christmas with melodies that will set your feet tapping, colorful sets that will enchant you, and vibrant costumes that will engage you. A space-age battle scene, a local marching band, 30 young community dancers, and a dancing Santa Claus spend a night discovering the secrets of "Drosselmeyer's" magical department store and add to the spectacle of Klara's enchanting transformation! Composer Paul Undreiner has woven a delightful score that echoes the original and is played live by a jazz sextet. Come and be transported into the fresh, fun and imaginative world of A Jazzy Nutcracker!

SUN 12/07 at 3PM-SEASONAL SWING WITH THE JUILLIARD JAZZ ENSEMBLE, FEATURING VOCALIST ALICIA OLATUJA

Jazz

Tickets : $25

The Juilliard Jazz Ensemble lights up the stage once again at SOPAC, with an exciting performance of swinging holiday classics. This year's performance will also feature renowned vocalist Alicia Olatuja, praised by The New York Times for her "strong, lustrous tone."

Founded in 2001, the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble enters its 13th season led by newly-appointed Director, alumnus Wynton Marsalis.

FRI 12/12 at 8PM - GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA,"IN THE CHRISTMAS MOOD"

Jazz

Tickets: $30-$45

It's time to get 'In the Christmas Mood' as the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra breaks open the vault of holiday music. You'll hear the Miller Christmas classics "Jingle Bells" and "Sleigh Ride," as well as popular Glenn Miller favorites such as "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," "American Patrol," "Little Brown Jug" and "Tuxedo Junction." With its unique jazz sound, The Glenn Miller Orchestra is the most popular and sought after big band in the world today! The orchestra was formed in 1956 and has been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world.

THUR 12/18 at 7:30PM - MARILYN MCCOO AND BILLY DAVIS, JR., A SOLID GOLD CHRISTMAS

Soul, R&B, Jazz

Tickets: $48-$75

Celebrate in a soulful way with a "Solid Gold Christmas," featuring Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. This dynamic musical duo has enjoyed monumental success through the years as recording artists, performers, and authors. Receiving seven Grammy Awards and earning fifteen gold records, Marilyn and Billy will set your hearts on the meaning of the season with their harmonized Christmas classics. As lead vocalists of one of the top singing groups of the late 60's and early 70's, The 5th Dimension, they recorded such classics as "Up, Up & Away," "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," "Wedding Bell Blues," "One Less Bell To Answer," and "Stoned Soul Picnic" to name a few.

FRI 12/19 at 8PM - CHERISH THE LADIES, " A CELTIC CHRISTMAS"

Irish, Christmas

Tickets: $30- $40

The Ladies perform classic Christmas carols in their signature arrangements highlighting unique Celtic instrumentation, beautiful harmonies and spectacular step-dancing. A wonderful Christmas program complete with full band and traditional Irish step dancers.

FRI 12/26 at 8PM - MATISYAHU, FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

Reggae, Rap, Alterative Rock

Tickets: $38-$48

Matisyahu first made a name for himself with his album Live at Stubbs, and Youth quickly followed. Both albums subsequently went Gold and Youth was a Grammy Award-nominee for Best Reggae Album. In 2009, Light reached #1 on the Reggae Albums chart and stayed in the top spot for 34 weeks. His fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, also debuted at #1 on the Reggae chart, marked his relocation from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, and found him working with Dr. Luke protégé KoOoL Kojak. Akeda, Matisyahu's fifth studio album released earlier this year, was recorded in Brooklyn's Studio G and produced by Dub Trio's Stu Brooks. Matisyahu states, "This record and period of my life deal with madness, listening for and following the inner intuitive voice, a small still sound. This record deals with love, with feelings of brokenness and humility, with humanity, struggle, and sacrifice."

SAT 12/27 at 8PM- Jay and the Americans

Oldies, Pop

Tickets: $39-$59

Very few bands have ever reached the musical heights of Jay and the Americans. >From 1962- 1971, this group charted an unprecedented "12" top 10 records. With three original band members, Sandy Yaguda (aka Deane) founding member, Howie Kirschenbaum (aka Kane) original member, and Marty Kupersmith (aka Sand- ers), original member, plus the addition of "Jay" Reincke, the third Jay and probably the best yet, .. they have recreated the authentic sound of all of . . their great hits that everyone remembers. "This Magic Moment," "Cara Mia" and more!

WED 12/31 at 9PM Average White Band

Funk, Soul

Tickets: $58-$78

Celebrate New Year's Eve with one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music and enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at intermission.

Though best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength actually lay in their consistently accomplished songwriting, stretching across several gold selling albums and multi-Grammy Award nominations for the legendary Atlantic Records. Somewhat incongruously, given their Scottish roots, the six piece took the influences of their R&B heroes - people like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Donny Hathaway and others - and developed their own 'authentic' sound which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the U.S. and elsewhere. While a good number of cuts - "Cut The Cake" and "Let's Go Round Again" - became hit singles, many other album tracks, such as "Schoolboy Crush" and "Stop The Rain" became much sampled grooves. Many more tunes, such as "Cloudy," and "A Love Of Your Own" - amongst many others - stand alongside some of the finest soul album tracks ever recorded.

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.

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