NEWARKARTISTS
TAKECENTERSTAGE

May 10, 2023

Media Contact:

Brian McDonough, 908-322-1100; bmcdonough@kesslerpr.com

NEWARK ARTISTS TAKE CENTER STAGE

AT THE INAUGURAL NORTH TO SHORE FESTIVAL

Dozens of new events added to the festival lineup, featuring the city’s rappers, poets, deejays, muralists, sculptors, actors, singer-songwriters, dancers and more

MAY 9, 2023 – Newark, NJ – A rock violinist who’s collaborated with the Rolling Stones. A Haitian-Jamaican performance artist. A singer who’s inspired by her Puerto Rican roots. A sculptor who creates three-dimensional work out of fabric and thread. And a team of poets who perform under the traffic lights on the busy thoroughfare of Springfield Avenue.

These are just some of the scores of artists who make their creative home in Newark, who will be showcased at more than a dozen new events added to the lineup for the inaugural North to Shore Festival weekend in Newark on June 21-25. Each event will highlight the work of at least one, and often many, creatives who keep the city’s arts scene humming all year long. These performances and events, many of them free, are made possible by grants offered by the North to Shore Festival.

These performers will join the Festival’s previously announced global headliners — including Halsey, Santana, Alanis Morissette, Stephen Colbert, Jazmine Sullivan, Marisa Monte, Bill Burr, Natalie Merchant and more — in making the first North To Shore Festival weekend in Newark the definitive celebration of the power of the performing arts and the creativity, diversity and innovation found in the Garden State.

Conceived by Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy, the North to Shore Festival will spotlight both the state’s cultural diversity and its technological innovation with three weekends of concerts, conversations, exhibits and more, one in each of three of the state’s most exciting cities: Atlantic City, Asbury Park and Newark.

NJPAC will produce this three-weekend extravaganza in collaboration with partners including Montclair Film, Newark International Film Festival, TechUnited/Propelify and MediaSense. Music and comedy programming will be produced in collaboration with a cohort of other presenters, including SJ Presents, Madison Marquette, Live Nation, Platinum Productions and Absolutely Live!

An extraordinarily diverse roster of artists from the city — from poets and sculptors to deejays and MCs — will be featured at Newark’s festival events.

“One of the central sources of pride and joy for Newarkers is the recognition that our city has

created, nurtured and attracted whole constellations of brilliant stars in the arts, entertainment,

literature, technology and innovation. Our free, forward-thinking creativity, and spirit-filled

expression is evidence of our optimism and desire to bring beauty and solutions into the world,” says Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

“It’s an honor to be able to showcase our rich tradition through comedy acts, hip hop, poetry, fine art, unique craft workshops and cultural experiences. Surely, Newark will have something for everyone at the North to Shore Festival.”

“A Jersey festival isn’t a Jersey festival unless it’s an authentic reflection of the artists who bring their creativity to work in this state 365 days a year,” says David Rodriguez, Executive Vice President and Executive Producer of NJPAC.

“We’re proud that this festival is a genuine microcosm of the special character of each of the cities that will be hosting this new celebration,” says Rodriguez.

Events produced by Newark awardees held during the festival weekend include:

  • Creatives + Filmmakers Happy Hour (June 21, 6-9PM, Cool Vines/LaunchPad, 625 Broad Street) Across two venues, this salon and happy hour will celebrate the opening of Newark’s North to Shore weekend with deejays, lighting panel discussions, short film screenings, trailer submissions and more. FREE
  • Hear + See: An Immersive Exploration of Art + Sound (June 21, 6PM, Akwaaba Gallery, 509 South Orange Ave.) Looking for stellar soulful music paired with exceptional visual arts? At this event, singer/songwriter Aja Moyé will perform originals and reimagined jazz, soul and R&B covers directly inspired by the pieces on display at Akwaaba Gallery.
  • Yendor Theatre Company Rodney M. Gilbert Memorial Salon & Lecture Series (June 22nd, 6PM, Express Newark, 54 Halsey Street) Be inspired, engaged and challenged when the Yendor Theatre Company Salon and Lecture Series takes on some of the biggest issues of our time. Using theater as a vehicle to engage in lively discourse around themes of identity and social justice, this series will have you thinking while also feeling inspired. FREE
  • Late Night Brick City Jam, CDRE Mural Release & Cocktails at All Points West Distillery (June 22, 9PM, All Points West Distillery, 73 Tichenor Street) A special night featuring live music, hand-crafted cocktails and the unveiling of a new mural by cdre.art, with performances curated by Brick City Jam, an artist-run music and graffiti collective that encompasses all five elements of hip hop.
  • The Other Side of Newark, presented by Wonda Music Inc (June 23, 5-8PM, Newark Symphony Hall, Terrace Ballroom, 1020 Broad Street) The youthful Newark hip hop collective, The Other Side of Newark, will perform songs from their new album, and preview their latest music videos. 
  • Newark Levels (June 23, 7-9PM, Equal Space, 89 Market Street. Floors 2-4) Vocalist Janétza Miranda, MC Mikee Mula and Haitian-Jamaican performance artist Sophia’s Daughter take you on an auditory tour of Newark’s music history — from hip hop and soul to jazz and R&B — across three floors of showcases at Equal Space.
  • Brick City Comedy Revue (June 23, 8PM, Kilkenny Alehouse, 27 Central Ave.) Brick City Comedy Revue, Newark’s premier comedy showcase, presents some of the city’s best comedians around, and they are pulling out all the stops for their special festival edition at Kilkenny’s. Janétza Miranda, a singer whose work is inspired by her Puerto Rican roots, is the evening’s musical guest.
  • party at bunkr. (June 23, 8PM-1AM, bunkr., 25 Halsey Street) Get down and dance it out in the studio space at bunkr. Support the local deejay scene and have a blast with like-minded creatives.
  • Index Art Center Presents Going Deep: Work and Process Presented by Three Artists (June 24, 12-5PM, 245 Halsey Street) Index Art Center presents Going Deep: Work and Process Presented by Three Artists, a three-person exhibition accompanied by in-depth artist presentations. Sculptor and fabric artist Patricia Dahlman, sculptor and printer Bisa Washington and photographer Stafford Woods will present their works and discuss their careers. FREE
  • Ironbound Arts on Ferry Street (June 24, 1PM, Ferry Street between Prospect Street and Fillmore Street) Newark’s Ironbound District is one of the city’s most diverse communities, a home to many music and dance traditions. For this celebration, Ferry Street, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, becomes “pedestrian only,” making space for street performances by musicians and dancers while still providing access to Ferry Streets cafes and watering holes. FREE
  • Newark Dances: A Choreographic Dance Festival (June 24, 1:30PM, Newark Public Library, 5 Washington Street) The city’s most talented local dance artists and choreographers offer an exciting array of dance performances, in styles ranging from tap and contemporary to hip hop and more. FREE
  • Vibes In The City: There’s No Place Like Home (June 24, 4PM, Jannah on Grafton, 29 Grafton Street) A one-of-its-kind concert event highlighting emerging talent from Newark and the surrounding area. Featured artists include rising hip hop star Samad Savage and hometown hero Broadway Blake, among many others.
  • Jersey Club 101 (June 24, 4-8PM, LOCATION TBD) Jersey Club, the raw, high-energy dance style cultivated by the youth of Newark, is celebrated at this event, designed to honor community dance leaders from the past and to give up-and-coming talent a chance to shine.
  • Hip Hop Meets Jazz Orchestra (June 24, 5PM, Harriet Tubman Park, Broad Street) A novel concert experience merging classical music, jazz improvisation and hip-hop beats, created by celebrated violinist Charisa the Violin Diva, who has challenged every preconception of what a contemporary violinist can do in her collaboration with artists as diverse as the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Patti Labelle, Misty Copeland, Savion Glover and Wynton Marsalis, presented in collaboration with The Newark City Parks Foundation
  • Akwaaba Gallery: NJ Group Exhibition (June 24, 5-9PM, Akwaaba Gallery, 509 S. Orange Ave.) Opening reception for Akwaaba Gallery’s group exhibition that highlights the works of a diverse group of New Jersey visual artists. FREE
  • Art-Official Intelligence (June 24, 5-10PM, BlkBoxNwk, Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective, 505 Clinton Ave.) Push outside of your comfort zone at Art-Official Intelligence, a multi-disciplinary interactive creative outlet. Cope Aesthetic, a hip hop/rock fusion band, plays rock, hip hop, funk and more at this incredible event. FREE
  • BrownMill Anniversary Block Party (June 24, 12-8PM, Halsey Street between Central Avenue and New Street) Newark’s iconic Halsey Street comes to life with the BrownMill Anniversary Block Party and Halsey Street Fest. This free outdoor event is a full day of cultural experiences, including children’s activities, that celebrate the community organizations, makers and businesses fueling Newark. Produced in collaboration with the Newark Alliance. FREE
  • PBNJ Presents Club Chronicles Livestream (June 24, 6 – 11PM, bunkr., Lower Level, 25 Halsey Street) PBNJ (short for Philly, Baltimore and New Jersey) showcases New Jersey’s hottest deejays and producers. Curated by club queen and producer UNIIQU3 (aka Cherise Gary), this event will shine a light on the artists blowing up the Jersey club movement.
  • You Got VERRRSED: NJ Poets vs NY Poets (June 24, 7-10PM, NJPAC Center for Arts Education, 24 Rector Street) Two teams of poets — one from New Jersey, one from New York — will go head-to-head at this performance combining a poetry slam with the competition of shows like MTV’s Wild ’N Out. The teams of poets will compete in a four-round competition; at the end of the night, the audience will decide with their cheers, claps and snaps which team will be declared the winner. Produced by Newark’s own EvoluCulture Ventures.
  • House The Gap (June 24, 8PM, Masonic Lodge, 31 Fulton Street) House The Gap pays homage to Newark’s house music culture. This event, presented by Thread, features local deejays and producers as well as workshops and mentorship sessions for aspiring music producers. In addition to the performances, there will be a panel of local house music experts and historians discussing the history of the genre.
  • Collar’d (June 24, 8-10:30PM, LOCATION TBD) What would happen if you woke up a different race? Check out the inventive and thought-provoking play Collar’d for a look at race through a fresh (and funny) lens. Presented by Unidentified Stages.
  • Chandelier (June 25, 12-4PM, Breya Nicole Knight Way, Corner of Halsey and Bleeker Streets) Walk the streets of Newark with Mia X and other Newark poets and artists who become a Chandelier and shine light in a public art demonstration honoring Breya “Blkbry Molassez” Knight, starting at Breya Knight Way, moving to the Magnitude and Bond Mural on Halsey and then heading up Springfield Avenue, performing at every red light. FREE
  • Carrie Jackson & Jazzin’ All Stars (June 25, 3PM, Weequahic Park, Elizabeth and Meeker Avenues) An Evening of Classic Jazz Under the Stars features an intimate musical performance by the Carrie Jackson Quintet, who’ll offer jazz favorites, soulful pop, blues and gospel. FREE
  • Down In The Ro, an Open Mic Series (June 25, 12PM, Military Park, 42 Park Place) An open mic experience, produced by Kween Moore, in collaboration with the Newark City Parks Foundation at Military Park. Show your talents and shine your light at this interactive event! FREE
  • Roc & The Collective: A Night of Soul (June 25, 9PM, BlkBoxNwk, 505 Clinton Ave.) An evening of original music, networking opportunities and relaxing vibes. Presented by Roc & The Collective Soul Sessions in collaboration with Artillery Creative Cannon, Brick City Jam and Chiffani Brands, the event features poetry, R&B, hip hop and soul music. FREE

All events are subject to change. Check local listings.

Leadership support for North to Shore has been generously provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, New Jersey Travel and Tourism, NJM Insurance, Outfront, PSEG and RWJBarnabas Health.

United Airlines is the Official Airline Sponsor for the 2023 North to Shore Festival.

Support for North to Shore in Newark is provided by, Newark City Parks Foundation and Newark Alliance.

Tickets for the North to Shore Festival are available at NorthtoShore.com. Get Festival updates most quickly on social media. Follow North to Shore on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

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About the North to Shore Festival

The North to Shore Festival, launched in 2023, features all the talent, diversity, and creativity that New Jersey has to offer, packed into three extraordinary weekends of performances, screenings, parties and conversations in three of the state’s most iconic cities. Hosted by Atlantic City (June 4–11), Asbury Park (June 14–18), and Newark (June 21–25), the North To Shore Festival will bring together events at 50+ venues for an over-the-top showcase of Jersey excellence, aligned with Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy’s vision of a celebration worthy of the Garden State’s long legacy of innovation in the arts, film and technology. For the latest updates and new concert listings, visit northtoshore.com.

About NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s Town Square, 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, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted 11 million visitors (including almost two million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.  Visit njpac.org for more information.