SOPAC is back! At the start of February, the South Orange Performing Arts Center hosted its first full-capacity concert in The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall in nearly two years due to Covid-19 closures and Hurricane Ida recovery. SOPAC has announced a lineup of 40+ exciting mainstage shows coming up in 2022!
See a hip-hop violinist, a social justice-focused choir, a British Invasion tribute band, acoustic singer-songwriters, artists that are partners in life and on the stage, and two amazing world music experiences that expose people to Ukrainian folk music melodies and a celebration of the Hindu holiday of Holi.
Upcoming Shows
^ Red Baraat performing
FEBRUARY
Colin Quinn: The Last Best Hope Tour
FEBRUARY 25
Tickets: $33-$48
Comedian, actor, and author Colin Quinn has become one of the most beloved voices in comedy. He often focuses on the roller coaster ride that American politics and culture has historically been. On the heels of his HBO Max special and new book, Quinn cracks up audiences on his latest tour.
The Brit Pack
FEBRUARY 26
Tickets: $25-$35
Embark on a musical tour of British Invasion bands as The Brit Pack authentically replicates the sounds of The Beatles, Oasis, Duran Duran, and more.
MARCH
Kindred The Family Soul
MARCH 4
Tickets: $42-$77
Married couple Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon are known for music that comes directly from the heart. The duo co-writes relatable and mature R&B songs that are rooted in traditional Soul and Gospel.
Son Volt
MARCH 9
Tickets: $34-44
Son Volt is an Americana Rock band that also infuses Folk, Country, Blues, and Soul into their sound. Their songs often seek out the ghosts of America’s discordant or forgotten past.
Read More: Meet Husband + Wife Bluegrass Singers Based in Montclair
Resistance Revival Chorus
MARCH 10
Tickets: $29-$39
The Resistance Revival Chorus is a collective of more than 60 womxn and non-binary singers, who have joined together to breathe joy and song into the resistance and to uplift and center women’s voices.
Red Baraat Festival of Colors
MARCH 11
Tickets: $25-$35
Red Baraat Festival of Colors is an immersive experience celebrating the spirit of the Hindu holiday of Holi. Led by dhol player Sunny Jain, the group has drawn worldwide praise for merging North Indian Bhangra with elements of Funk, Go-Go, Rock, and raw Punk energy. SPIN Magazine calls the group “a knitted blend of poly-rhythmic panache exploring what it means to communicate music between individuals and across cultures.”
Damien Escobar: Breakthrough
MARCH 31
Tickets: $38-$58
This violinist sits at the intersection of hip-hop and classical music with a sophisticated, edgy style and an unstoppable swagger.
APRIL
Marc Broussard
APRIL 1
Tickets: $35-$45
Marc Broussard’s signature “Bayou Soul” style and rich voice are influenced by his Louisiana roots and musical father, a guitarist for the Soul band The Boogie Kings.
DakhaBrakha
APRIL 2
Tickets: $29-$42
A sonic feast as well as a visual spectacle, the award-winning, thunderous theatrical quartet blends ancient Ukrainian Folk melodies into a subversive musical tapestry that embraces indie-rock, pop, hip-hop, the avant-garde, and traditional instrumentation from around the world.
SFJAZZ Collective
APRIL 7
Tickets: $58-$78
The SFJAZZ Collective is an award-winning supergroup comprised of eight of the finest performers/composers at work in jazz today.
See More: A Guide to Trivia + Game Nights in Essex County
Shovels & Rope: The Manticore Tour
APRIL 8
Tickets: $29-$39
Shovels & Rope channel Country, Folk, Bluegrass, Americana, and Blues through a nervy Indie Rock prism. Partners musically and in life, this duo composed of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst combines threads from their solo careers in the harmonious music they mix together.
The Milk Carton Kids
APRIL 9
Tickets: $35-$45
With pure tones, entwined acoustic guitars, and rootsy songwriting, The Milk Carton Kids weave a captivating spell. The harmonious sound of the twice Grammy Award-nominated Indie-Folk duo has earned them comparisons to Simon & Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers. Their engaging live shows have a touch of comedy with Smothers Brothers-esque banter.
Suzanne Vega: An Evening of New York Songs & Stories
APRIL 21
Tickets: $39-$195 (VIP Packages Available)
The Grammy Award-winning artist with her restrained Folk-Pop sound celebrates her career-spanning live album, An Evening of New York Songs & Stories, in an intimate concert.
JUNE
Bria Skonberg Quartet
JUNE 11
Tickets: $29-$39
Described as “one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation” (Wall Street Journal) and “the shining hope of hot jazz” (New York Times), triple threat trailblazer Bria Skonberg is a force to be reckoned with. This multi-award-winning trumpeter, singer, and composer makes her SOPAC debut combining her signature sound of fiery trumpet playing and smoky vocals. She blends jazz, blues, and beyond with storytelling and adventurous concoctions of classics and soulful originals.
^ Resistance Revival Chorus
What to Know Before Visiting
Situated in a lively part of town, there are tons of restaurants and bars within walking distance to enjoy dinner and drinks before and after a show. Even more convenient, the NJ Transit train station is adjacent to SOPAC, perfect for commuters.
Catch these shows at The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall South Orange Performing Arts Center located at One SOPAC Way, South Orange.
