originally published: 09/09/2022
(NEWARK, NJ) -- Every summer for twenty-five years New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has celebrated summer with its annual summer concert series known as Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City. NJPAC presents FREE; world-class performances merged with culture and the arts on the NJPAC campus for the entire community to come together to dance, listen, eat, and meet new friends.
Horizon Foundation Sounds of The City 2022 took place Thursday evenings from July 14 through August 25. This year drew an incredible crowd of over 15,500 people who took to the campus with their chairs and attended the weekly concerts by superstars including Brenda K. Starr, Jon B., Treach From Naughty by Nature, Milo Z, Digital Underground, and musical legends, The Dazz Band. Music fans danced weekly this summer to soulful R&B grooves and hip-hop rhythms while exploring the activities like food trucks, vendors, immersive art displays, and so much more.
Over the past 25 years, Sounds of the City has attracted music fans from Newark and beyond to celebrate the thriving city's swiftly growing arts and entertainment scene, from music and theater to visual arts and poetry. The event allows the public to discover Newark's incredible array of unique and creative new restaurant scenes and local businesses.
The series showcased homegrown talent through performances by some of the shows' local opening acts. Visitors learned about the NJPAC Arts Education Program, a premiere learning experience for (Age range) to find their voices and share their stories through the performing and visual arts.
Performers were overwhelmed and moved by the positive feedback from fans that attended the Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City 2022 at NJPAC.
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"My experience at NJPAC was amazing," said Brenda K. Starr. "There was an awesome crowd singing and dancing, and everyone enjoyed a great night. The band had such an awesome time as well. It felt like everyone united, and music provided a sense of solace and back to normalcy. Thank you, NJPAC!"
Offered New Jersey native Treach: "There is no greater experience than performing at home. The fans' love is unconditional."
"The venue was fantastic, the staff attentive, and the crowd engaging," added Bobby Harris, leader/founder of the Dazz Band. "All three elements made for a perfect night."
Many partner organizations ran information tables and talks on various issues, including Newark's service organizations and resources, voter registration, wellness, and more.
The partners were Newark Arts Council, Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, Haas Media / Newark Penn Station, GreenLight Fund Greater Newark, Newark NAACP (Voter Registration), Newark Fire Department and the Newark Story Bus.
Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City annual lead sponsor is Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey with additional sponsors RWJ/Barnabas and Mars/Wrigley.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, N.J., is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, which have reached almost 2 million children, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted more than 10 million visitors since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is the philanthropic arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Its mission is to make New Jersey healthier by supporting non-profit organizations that expand access to health care, remove barriers to good health and increase opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who they are or where they live. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. For more information, please visit community.horizonblue.com.
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