Celebrating the town’s dedication to the arts, the festival hopes to attract more than 1,000 residents to enjoy performances, workshops, panel discussions, and other activities.
The festival kicks off at 11 am with a Community Sing-Along featuring songs from around the world and performances by New Jersey-based female drummers Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song, kid-pop artist Rebecca Frezza, and South Orange’s Peri Smilow.
In the afternoon, attend a film workshop and screening with film editor Tim Squyres, whose resume includes Rachel Getting Married. View the award-winning film, followed by a Q&A and film editing workshop with Squyres. Later, catch up with a pair Columbia High School’s 1993 grads—television and film star Zach Braff and Extra correspondent AJ Calloway—at an artist talk hosted by NY1’s Budd Mishkin.
Of course, the big event of the evening is SOPAC’s annual Spring Gala (tickets range from $75 to $300) which features performances by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Lauryn Hill, Broadway stars including Christine Ebersole, Kelly Bishop, and Christiane Noll, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, SOPAC’s residence dance company Lydia Johnson Dance, comedienne Jessica Kirson, and many more.
At the concert, SOPAC will also present its Spring Gala Honoree awards, including the Jonathan Felsman Spirit Award, as a tribute to South Orange resident Jonathan Felsman, who showed an incomparable commitment to the arts in his hometown up until the time he lost his battle with cancer last year.
“Small Town, Big Talent” benefits SOPAC and its artistic and educational programs. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 973-313-ARTS or visit sopacnow.org.