By Ilana Rapp
originally published: 10/17/2018
PHOTO: Pat Houston & Donna Houston present the Whitney! Exhibit at the Grammy Museum Experience Prudential Center.
Whitney Houston fans rejoice!
On Friday, October 19, 2018, the GRAMMY Museum Experience at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ opens its doors to Whitney!, the latest temporary exhibit in the Experience honoring the legacy of Newark’s own Whitney Houston.
It was quite a musical day at the media blitz event. Students from the Whitney E. Houston Academy of East Orange, NJ were bussed in to preview the collection of Whitney's artifacts on view, including stage costumes worn by Houston, scrapbooks from her early career and numerous awards and accolades Houston received throughout her career.
With microphones placed in a small room off the exhibit area, the students felt as if they were in a recording sound booth, and that's when magic filled the air. The students' started singing songs and their beautiful voices were a great compliment to the exhibit.
VIDEO: Students from the Whitney E. Houston Academy greet Pat Houston and Donna Houston at Whitney! -- the GRAMMY Museum Exhibit Prudential Center on October 17, 2018.
The exhibit is tastefully done, with items such as Whitney's high school diploma and her Bible, all placed behind glass. A short film with clips of Whitney's achievements, up to the Grammy Awards speech and prayer by LL Cool J the day after Whitney's death, is on a loop for easy viewing.
Whitney Houston's school diploma is on display.
One of the photos presented is of Clive Davis, the founder and president of Arista Records, to which Whitney Houston was signed. It was at Arista, under the guidance of Clive Davis, that Whitney flourished and became one of the biggest selling artists in music as we know it.
Pat Houston, the President of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, discussed the exhibit with New Jersey Stage:
What is it like for you to exhibit Whitney Houston's life? It must be hard.
No, it's not difficult. You're seeing all of her timeline in one place, and it's amazing to see -- from childhood to the day that she passed. You're seeing artifacts from when she was a young girl to a woman. It's amazing to see it all in one place AND in Newark, NJ, where she was born and raised. To celebrate her here at this particular time for her legacy is a wonderful feeling.
PHOTO: Bob Santelli, Founding Executive Director of the Grammy Museum, with Mama Lisa of The Green Planet band.
Bob Santelli, Founding Executive Director of the Grammy Museum, stood by one of the cases carrying Whitney's tour dresses as he spoke to us. The Whitney E. Houston Academy children's singing distracted Bob in the best of ways. With all smiles, Bob gave New Jersey Stage great insight to the programs offered by the Grammy Museum:
You went to Monmouth University so coming back to Jersey must be a lot of fun.
Yes, actually, I was born just a few miles from here in Jersey City, NJ and raised in West New York. Coming back to NJ and helping share the great stories of some of our greatest artists is not only professionally rewarding for me but personally as well.
Monmouth University, as well as 13 other universities are affiliated with the Grammy Museum. What comes with the affiliation?
When a university becomes a Grammy Museum university affiliate, it means that they have a tie to us now that is deeper, and hopefully mutually beneficial. Interns from different universities come to work at our museums, professors are allowed to use some of our archives and oral history programs in their classes, we run songwriting camps and we do education programs. They are able to take some of the exhibits if they have the actual space to do it. So basically we become first cousins. The hope is that the relationship is good for the faculty, the students, as well as for us because it keeps us connected to young people, and young people are the soul and breath of American popular music.
Is there a difference between today's youth versus 30 years ago?
The interesting thing about today's youth as opposed to 30 years ago is that they listen differently; they have music in their ears almost 24/7. My hope is that they listen more intently, more deeply, if you will, so that they can have a lifelong emotional connection to the music that they loved in their youth.
So that delves into understanding how music operates. On a technical basis, what would the perfect song be for you.
Wow, that's interesting -- to try to figure out one song that you can deconstruct and basically point out everything. I don't have one song, but I can tell you that I want to dance with somebody because of the kids singing in the background. I would say any song really. The goal is to be able to take any song and deliver to a young person, or even a fan, how that creative process resulted in this beautiful work of art, whatever song it may be. That's really our goal.
The Whitney! exhibit runs through June 2019 at the Grammy Museum Experience Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry St, Newark, NJ 07102.
About the author:
Ilana Rapp is a media-savvy Generation Xer with instinctive wit, quick humor and a taste for deep human emotions. As a former (child) actress with Broadway, film and television credits, she is adept at, well, lots of things. She blogged on The Huffington Post and writes entertainment pieces for New Jersey Stage, Casting Networks, Casting Frontier, GRAMMY.com, New Jersey Digest, NYCastings and Mupo Entertainment. She is a huge fan of the television show V. Ask her why her favorite number is 22. Follow Ilana on Twitter
@IlanaSpeaks22
Don Mclean & Lee Greenwood
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJTwo iconic singers perform their hits and celebrate America’s 250 birthday! Singer/songwriter Don McLean is best known for the classic hit “American Pie,” as well as “Vincent” and “Castles in the Air.” Country superstar Lee Greenwood has seven top charting singles, including “I.O.U,” “It Turns Me Inside Out,” and the patriotic favorite, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Song Of The Meadowlark
Sunday, November 15, 2026 @ 2:30pm
Highland Design Farm
159 Van Dyke Road, Hopewell, NJA meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry and live painting.
The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling
Wednesday, November 16, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJBlues guitar virtuoso Nick Moss and harmonica wizard Dennis Gruenling have been on a winning streak since they first joined forces in 2016. With relentless nonstop touring and the release of their Alligator Records debut, The High Cost Of Low Living, in 2018, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling has been playing for wildly enthusiastic fans and winning over critics and radio programmers worldwide.
Michael Mcdermott
Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJMichael McDermott’s brand of rock n’ roll brims with the kind of well-honed style and wisdom that can only come from a career on the road and a pedigree in the studio. Effortlessly blending natural folk sensibility, pop hooks, and honest rock, McDermott’s music is as much for the outcast as the congregation. It’s an exploration of the dark corners of life’s journey and it resonates middle class truths through the passionate filter of a kid that grew up on Chicago’s Irish South Side.
10,000 Maniacs
Thursday, November 19, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ10,000 Maniacs – 45 Years of Timeless Music
EVENT PREVIEWS
Forte Piano Music Company presents Exquisite Contrasts: Haydn & Schubert Piano Trios
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Forte Piano Music Company presents a Piano Trio Concert - "Exquisite Contrasts" - Haydn & Schubert on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 2:30pm. This program brings together two landmarks of the piano trio repertoire, revealing the evolution of the genre from the Classical era to early Romanticism.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Les Paul from Start to Finish" with Jim Wysocki
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Come to the Mahwah Museum on Sunday, November 15, 2026 for a discussion of a 29-year friendship, rare memorabilia, and the story behind Les Paul's home with Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki from his nearly three-decade friendship with legendary musician and inventor Les Paul. The event begins at 2:00pm.
Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition to take place on Sunday
(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- You can get your holiday shopping done on Sunday, November 15, 2026 when Anchor Rock Club hosts the Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market - Holiday Edition. The event runs from noon to 6:00pm.
Song of the Meadowlark takes place on Sunday in Hopewell
(HOPEWELL, NJ) -- Song of the Meadowlark takes place Sunday, November 15, 2026 at Highland Design Farm. This is a meditative rock odyssey weaving reimagined contemporary songs, stream-of-consciousness poetry, and live painting. Doors are at 2:00pm, showtime is 2:30pm.
Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Chris Smither
(AVENEL, NJ) -- Chris Smither will perform at the Avenel Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 7:30pm. Born in Miami, during World War II, Chris Smither grew up in New Orleans where he first started playing music as a child. The son of a Tulane University professor, he was taught the rudiments of instrumentation by his uncle on his mother's ukulele.
Rufus Wainwright to Perform with Princeton "Super-Orchestra" at McCarter Theatre
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, November 19, 2026 at 7:30pm, GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright takes the McCarter stage for one night only with the Princeton Playhouse Sinfonia, a dynamic new collaborative ensemble created specifically for this concert.
Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor
(PRINCETON, NJ) — The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Kate Taylor on Friday, November 20, 2026 in an evening of upbeat and bubbling song filled with enthusiasm and love. The concert takes place at Christ Congregation Church in Princeton. Showtime is 8:00pm. A livestream option is available as well.
Private Eyes Brings the Greatest Hits of Hall & Oates to the Strand Center for the Arts
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Few musical acts defined the sound of the late 1970s and 1980s quite like Daryl Hall and John Oates. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the Strand Center for the Arts will celebrate their extraordinary catalog when Private Eyes – The Premier Tribute To Daryl Hall & John Oates takes the stage for an evening of classic pop, rock, and blue-eyed soul. Showtime is 8:00pm.
NJPAC to Celebrate Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday with All-Star Concert on November 21st
(NEWARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) presents Ben Vereen's 80th Birthday Concert on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 8:00pm. This special one-night only celebration is part of NJPAC’s 2026 TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 6-22). Several of today's leading Broadway stars and vocalists unite for a spectacular birthday bash performance toasting the legendary actor/dancer/singer Ben Vereen who turns 80 on October 10, 2026.
Musicians on a Mission to Celebrate 16th Anniversary with Gala Concert at Jersey Shore Arts Center
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Musicians on a Mission (MOAM) will celebrate sixteen years of friends helping friends through music with a special anniversary gala and concert on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove.
