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SOPAC’s Spring Gala Was Social Event of the Year

SOPAC’s Spring Gala, Co-Chaired by Sam Joseph of ReMax /HGTV  and Angela Burt-Murray of Essence, Was Social Event of the Year

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Hosted By April Woodard of TV’s Inside Edition, The All-Night Affair on June 7 Featured Grammy Artists Angie Stone, Phoebe Snow and Ryan Shaw

For its annual spring fundraiser gala, SOPAC (South Orange Performing Arts Center) hosted the social event of the year in South Orange, New Jersey, on Saturday, June 7. The sold-out, all-night affair featured an outdoor pre-reception held on the grand plaza, electrifying concert performances from three Grammy Award-recognized artists and a post-performance dance party in The Loft at SOPAC with DJ Alchemy and catering by Restaurant MC of Millburn.

Some of the guests included:

 

The spectacular summer evening kicked off as guests left their vehicles with valet attendants provided by Advanced Parking Concepts.  Cameras flashed and pedestrians stopped to watch as the fashionable gala attendees made their way past the luxurious Audi A8, on display courtesy of DCH Millburn Audi, to walk down the red carpet into the tropical-themed pre-show reception.  Held under white canopies, the space was decorated with beautiful floral arrangements and lush, potted trees.  Guests sampled delicious hors d’ouevres and quenched their thirst with palate-pleasing red and white wines provided by Beringer Wines and specialty cocktails from sponsor Rain Vodka including the red Cosmic Rain (a new take on the Cosmopolitan) and the blue Tropical Rain, which seemed to be everyone’s favorite considering the tropical heat wave!

Next was an amazing concert in SOPAC’s intimate theater hosted by “Inside Edition’s” April Woodard.  This year’s gala, “A Night of Vintage Soul,” saluted American soul and R&B singers Angie Stone, Phoebe Snow and Ryan Shaw, all Grammy Award-recognized artists.  Shaw, who recently performed at 2008 Grammy Awards and is currently opening for Van Halen, had the crowd on its feet immediately with his infectious energy and electric songs including his hit “Do the 45” and a cover of “Try A Little Tenderness.”  Snow, whom after almost 20 years off the circuit, is touring again reminded the appreciative audience just why she is so beloved by musicians and music-lovers alike, particularly when she sang “Two-Fisted Love” and her iconic hit single, “Poetry Man.”.  Stone closed the night in commanding fashion with her recent hits “Baby” and “Sometimes” and her gem, “Wish I Didn’t Miss You.”  To close, she invited the crowd to join her in a surprising, fun, sing-a-long finale of Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “Joy and Pain.”

After the concert, revelers headed upstairs to the spacious Loft at SOPAC, which was outfitted like one of the area’s hottest dance clubs.  DJ Alchemy fired the crowd up and kept them grooving on the dance floor, even playing a special requested tribute to Prince to mark his 50th birthday. Guests enjoyed tempting desserts from David Burke and Marc Cooperman’s hip Restaurant MC of Millburn, including their famous cheesecake lollipops with raspberry whipped cream, and Rain Vodka cocktails and Beringer Wines.  Around 1 a.m., guests, who had arrived as early as 6:30pm, began leaving SOPAC with summer-themed gifts, complimentary coffee from Starbucks and memories of a great night.

SOPAC Executive Director Ondine Landa Abramson, who conceived of the concert line-up, was thrilled. “The evening could not have gone better for our patrons and SOPAC. It was a beautiful night with delicious food and drink and an incredible concert experience. We’re just so delighted that all of these patrons came out to show their support for SOPAC and to celebrate the achievements of Season 2. This was the biggest event for SOPAC so far, but we have much more in store for Season 3!” Season 3 begins in September.

WaMu and The Wilshire Grand Hotel were additional SOPAC gala sponsors.