Saturday, December 17, 2011
In front of an audience, a very special moment happens.
Love was in the air during A Freddy Cole Holiday on Friday at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). Following the show’s intermission, Cole came out to start his second act. Before he began however, he asked a member of the audience, Linda Wilder, to join him on the stage. The confused Wilder came on to the stage and Cole informed the audience that “there was a young man who was in pursuit of her.” With that line, Michael Bollinger, Executive Director of SOPAC and Wilder’s longtime boyfriend, came out onto the stage and called her over to him. As tears started to flow from Wilder’s eyes, Bollinger got down on one knee. “Dearest Linda ‘Kitten’ Wilder, I would be honored if you would consider taking my hand in marriage,” …
Friday, December 16, 2011
The world-renown jazz man's quartet will treat a SOPAC audience to jazz and holiday standards.
Grammy-nominated singer and pianist Freddy Cole and his band will take the stage at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) Friday night for an evening of jazz, blues, swing and a few Christmas classics. The 80-year-old Cole is the younger brother of legend Nat “King” Cole and uncle of Natalie Cole, but one need only hear a song like “I’m Not My Brother, I’m Me,” from the 1990 album of the same name, to get an idea of how his spry wit, graceful piano playing and unique personality sets him apart from his talented family, and have made him one of the most respected singers in jazz. On Friday, Cole will be lending his raspy tenor to a repertoire of songs he likes to describe as “from Broadway to the blues” for its scope and cohesion…
Friday, November 18, 2011
A week long act culminates this Saturday.
Most acts that come to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), stop in for a day or two, do their show, pack up and off they go. That’s not enough for Drew “the Dramatic Fool” Richardson, he wants to really put on a spectacle. Despite his show being on Saturday, November 19, Drew the Dramatic Fool has been in the area for a week now. Since Monday, the silent comedian/magician/absurdist has met with students who share a love for theater from South Orange and Maplewood for a crash course in silent movie making. The end goal is to create a silent movie, starring the students, to show at Drew’s performance on Saturday. It’s a week long process to make the movie. Monday is spent watching silent movies; Tuesday is spent learning …
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South Orange Performing Arts Center
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Saturday, November 12, 2011
Prepare for a night of soothing melody and old school rhythm and blues with a group that has stood the test of time and remained prolific throughout their storied careers.
The popular R&B group, The Manhattans, are returning to New Jersey on Saturday for a concert at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). The group, known for their hit songs Kiss and Say Goodbye and Shining Star, will be bringing almost 40 years of experience to South Orange. In 1962, two Jersey City high schools (Lincoln and Snyder) contained a group of five young men who all loved to sing. Following graduation, these brave men put their passion on hold and put their country first. After serving in various branches of the military, singing was still what they all wanted to do. The original members of the group, Edward "Sonny" Bivins, Richard "Ricky" Taylor, Winfred "Blue" Lovett, George "Smitty" Smith, and Kenneth "Wally" Kelley…
Nancy Stone
12:29 pm on Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Diamond Wishes for a Happy and Glittering Life, Nancy and David Stone (NANCY AND DAVID FINE JEWELS, Millburn, NJ) more ›