Ras Baraka

Taalam Acey's Spoken Word Apex Returns to NJPAC Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 23, 2024

Poet/Curator Taalam Acey honed his poetic skills growing up in Newark. Now known as “The Godfather of Spoken Word,” Acey triumphantly returns home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's (NJPAC) Victoria Theater on Saturday, August 24, 2024, to curate Spoken Word Apex, an illuminating night of poetry, visual arts and music, as part of NJPAC's Dodge Poetry series.

Newark Pride Launches 18th Annual LGBTQ Festival This Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 11, 2023

Newark Pride, Inc. has announced the 18th Annual Newark LGBTQ Pride Festival, taking place across New Jersey's largest city July 10th through the 16th, and this year's theme of “HUMAN First: Back to Basics” comes at a critical turning point.

Moody Jazz Festival At NJPAC Kick-Starts With Jazzmeia Horn, Fantasia, Savion Glover, and More!
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 8, 2022

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has announced the exciting line-up of the highly anticipated TD James Moody Jazz Festival. This year's program offers events combining jazz luminaries in collaboration with artists known for R&B, poetry, hip hop, and so much more. 

Chuck D. Speech + Rakim Share The Stage With Christian Mcbride At TD James Moody Jazz Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 14, 2022

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) welcomes Hip Hop icons Chuck D, Rakim and Speech to perform with jazz great Christian McBride at the 11th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 19 at 8 P.M.

Chuck D, Rakim And Speech To Perform With Christian McBride At THE 11TH ANNUAL TD JAMES MOODY JAZZ FESTIVAL
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 8, 2022

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) welcomes Hip Hop icons Chuck D, Rakim and Speech to perform with jazz great Christian McBride at the 11th Annual TD James Moody Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 19 at 8 P.M.

The 11th TD James Moody Jazz Festival at NJPAC Announces Artist Line-up
by Stephi Wild - Aug 16, 2022

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced the exciting line-up of the highly anticipated TD James Moody Jazz Festival. This year's program offers events combining jazz luminaries in collaboration with artists known for R&B, poetry, hip hop, and so much more.   

Photos: First Look at the World Premiere of TANISHA FORDHAM'S SNATCH YO' FREE
by Stephi Wild - Jul 28, 2022

TaNisha Fordham Productions in association with Enlightened Visions and the Mayor's Office for the city of Newark NJ is presenting the World Premiere of TaNisha Fordham's Snatch Yo' Free a new musical written, directed, musical production, musical composition by and starring TaNisha Fordham. Get a first look at opening night photos!

17th Annual Newark LGBTQ Pride Week Announces Week-Long Festivities, Parade & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 11, 2022

Newark Pride, Inc. has announced the 17th Annual Newark LGBTQ Pride Week, taking place across New Jersey’s largest city July 11th through the 17th. Newark Pride, Inc. works tirelessly and collaboratively to create engaging, safe, and empowering events for the members of the LGBTQ Community year round.

Photos: Cast And Creative Team Announced Tanisha Fordham's SNATCH YO' FREE New Musical, World Premiere
by Grace Cutler - Jul 3, 2022

Directed and produced by TaNisha Fordham in Association with TaNisha Fordham Productions, TaNisha Fordham’s SNATCH YO’ FREE is an unabashed celebration of who we already are regardless of what we will become.

NJPAC Hosts International Jazz Day With Free Performances By Student Musicians, Mayor Baraka, and More
by Stephi Wild - Apr 28, 2022

Co-produced by NJPAC, City Verses, and Jazz House Kids, this popular concert unites youth musicians from NJPAC's City Verses jazz and poetry initiative, NJPAC's Jazz for Teens ensembles featuring James Moody Jazz Orchestra and The George Wein Scholars Ensemble, JAZZ HOUSE Big Band, and local high schools.

Jazz Day Celebrations At NJPAC to Feature Mayor Baraka, 100+ Student Musicians and More
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 28, 2022

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center has announced a free musical celebration in honor of International Jazz Day 4/30 featuring performances by 100+ young New Jersey musicians with special guest Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. 

WHY IS WE AMERICANS? Comes to DVD and Digital
by Marissa Tomeo - Mar 19, 2022

Why Is We Americans? is set to be released on DVD and for digital purchase on April 12th for $24.95. The movie is executive produced by Ms. Lauryn Hill and Oscar®-nominated writer and filmmaker, Oren Moverman (The Messenger). This 2022 theatrical release arrives on DVD loaded with extras, including Q&A’s, deleted scenes, and more. The movie originally opened on January 14th at the IFC Center in NYC. Watch the trailer for the film below. 

Newark's Leading Poets Teach Free Virtual Poetry Workshops In Honor Of National Poetry Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 17, 2022

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center today opened registration for a free, virtual poetry workshop series to be held weekly during the month of April aka National Poetry Month.

Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Debuts NEW YORK MUSIC MONTH EXTENDED PLAY
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 11, 2021

The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment has announced that this year, New York Music Month will become New York Music Month Extended Play, a six-month mega-edition of this beloved program, launching January 11, 2021 and wrapping June 30, 2021.  

Jerry 'Wonda' Duplessis Joins Newark Symphony Hall's Board of Directors
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Dec 9, 2020

Newark Symphony Hall, one of New Jersey’s largest arts and entertainment venues, today announced that Newark Mayor Ras Baraka has appointed Grammy-winning record producer, Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, to the venue’s Board of Directors.

Crossroads Among National Arts and Cultural Institutions Screening JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2020

Crossroads Theatre Company is proud to be among the national arts and cultural organizations, theatres and museums around the country that are partnering with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) which is hosting a nationwide watch party of the documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble. 

The Van Wezel Announces Additional Virtual Performances
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2020

The Van Wezel has announced four additional digital presentations coming up in 2020, including something for everyone!

Arts Ed Newark Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
by Stephi Wild - Aug 24, 2020

Arts Ed Newark, formerly known as Newark Arts Education Roundtable, is celebrating 10 years of supporting arts education equity for all Newark youth. This year's celebration will be held virtually on Wednesday, September 16th, 2020 from 4  to 6 p.m. and is open and free to all.

NJPAC Presents PIONEERS OF PROTEST: CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF WOMEN VOTING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 5, 2020

A century after the ratification of the 19th Amendment, Women@NJPAC and Newark Council President Mildred C. Crump will bring together some of New Jersey's groundbreaking women leaders to celebrate this legacy, which started the journey toward full voting rights for every American, at Pioneers of Protest: Celebrating 100 Years of Women Voting.

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center Extends Campus Closure Through January 1, 2021
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 23, 2020

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) announced today that it will extend the suspension of its traditional presenting activities through January 1, 2021.