SOPAC to Welcome Rock Group The Weight This Spring

The Weight, the re-imagined band of legendary rock group The Band, will perform Saturday, May 13 at 8 p.m. at South Orange Performing Arts Center.

The Weight is dedicated to honoring the legacy of The Band and comprised of former members and those who have worked closely with The Band over the decades. Audiences will enjoy an unforgettable performance and hear timeless hits like "The Weight," "Up On Cripple Creek," "Ophelia," "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Rag Mama Rag" and so many others. The Chicago Sun Times proclaimed "The Weight carries on where The Band left off."

The Band was a group that was a constant turnstile of talent and energy. The original framework of The Band began in 1958 with Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks. Eventually Ronnie Hawkins left, and the remaining Hawks, after numerous lineup changes, became the band famously known as The Band. The original lineup consisted of Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson. They released their breakout record Music From Big Pink in July of 1968.

The Band enjoyed decades of success, collaborating and performing with legends like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. Throughout the years The Band had several brief hiatuses, each time reforming with a slightly different lineup. Current Weight band member Jim Weider joined The Band lineup in 1983 and stayed with The Band until their final studio release in 1998.

The current line-up of The Weight is former Band vocalist/guitarist Jim Weider, former Levon Helm band member Brian Mitchell, Band songwriter and Rick Danko group collaborator Marty Grebb, Albert Rogers from the Jim Weider band, and newest member Michael Bram who has most recently toured with Jason Mraz for the past seven years.

The Weight will play the South Orange Performing Arts Center on May 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27-$38. They can be purchased at www.Sopacnow.org/the-weight or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

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 University Theatre productions. SOPAC also presents performances by its theater company in-residence, American Theater Group. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.

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