New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

SOPAC presents its inaugural SOPAC Pride Weekend

originally published: 04/05/2023

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- In partnership with North Jersey Pride, the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) presents its inaugural SOPAC Pride Weekend on Friday, June 9 – Saturday, June 11, celebrating SOMA’s robust LGBTQIA+ community. The weekend exclusively features LGBTQIA+ artists, including TikTok comic sensation Jessica Kirson, “far-ranging sonic nomad” (Chicago Tribune) singer-songwriter AKENYA, and DJ Ryan The Person.

“As Executive Director of SOPAC and an out and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I’m proud to be part of this movement and this moment,” Stephen Beaudoin said. “At SOPAC, we want Pride to be radically joyful, thoughtfully inclusive, and always oriented in the direction of community, celebration, and love. Our first ever SOPAC Pride Weekend signals the beginning of our ever-expansive commitment to community, creativity, and connection.”

Tickets for Pride Weekend events are available for purchase online.

Stand-up comedian and South Orange native Jessica Kirson kicks off Pride Weekend on Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm. Racking up over 50 million views on social media, Kirson’s vulnerability and silly characters brought her wide appeal to a multigenerational audience. Kirson was awarded “Best Female Comic” by the MAC association in New York City and received the prestigious Nightlife Award for “Best Stand-up Comedian.” In her spare time, Kirson is a regular contributor to The Howard Stern Show, where she produces and stars in prank calls.

The weekend continues with The Night Before Pride Party at SOPAC on Saturday, June 10, featuring singer-songwriter AKENYA in her New Jersey debut, and DJ Ryan The Person. A Chicago native, AKENYA has collaborated with some of the top artists from the city, including Smino, Saba, and Chance the Rapper. Her music is a distinct blend of jazz, hip-hop, soul, pop, classical and world music.  




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info



SOPAC Pride Weekend concludes with a Tony Awards Viewing Party on Sunday, June 11.  SOPAC invites all Broadway lovers to don their red carpet best and experience the 76th Annual Tony Awards on SOPAC’s Mainstage.  This event is free (with a suggested donation of $15), and friends and supporters of North Jersey Pride receive exclusive early access to tickets.   

"We’re thrilled to partner with SOPAC for this special Pride weekend,” North Jersey Pride Executive Director CJ Prince said. “SOPAC is demonstrating its commitment to providing safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ artists and performers to tell their stories, while also creating opportunities for engagement, dialogue and education around LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equality. It’s so critical for our LGBTQIA+ youth to be able to see themselves on stage and to know that community organizations like SOPAC support them—this Pride weekend lets them know they are seen and celebrated.” 

SOPAC Pride Weekend events: 

Friday, June 9 at 8:00pm - Jessica Kirson; SOPAC Mainstage. Stand-up comedian and South Orange native Jessica Kirson is a powerhouse on stage!  Winning the coveted Nightlight Award for “Best Stand Up Comedian” in New York City, she’s a hilariously relatable performer of sheer silliness, vulnerability, and ridiculous characters.  Don’t miss your chance to laugh the night away with Kirson as part of SOPAC’s first ever LGBTQIA+ Pride weekend!  TICKETS: Start at $27, available here.

Saturday, June 10 at 9:00pm – 2:00am - The Night Before Pride Party with Akenya and DJ Ryan The Person; SOPAC Loft. Let’s get this party started! Join us in the Loft at SOPAC at 9:00pm for a special performance from R&B artist AKENYA, followed by a fabulous night of great music provided by DJ Ryan The Person, starting at 10:00pm.  Ring in the start of North Jersey Pride’s Festival in style. Grab your friends, throw on your rainbow gear, and dance the night away. The first 75 tickets receive a complimentary beverage. (Cash bar for all other beverages.) TICKETS: $30, first 75 tickets sold include a complimentary beverage, available here

21+ event.

Sunday, June 11 at 7:00pm - Tony Awards Viewing Party; SOPAC Mainstage. From dazzling performances from the 2022-2023 nominees to moving acceptance speeches, the Tony Awards is every theater kid's (and adult's!) Super Bowl. SOPAC hosts a 76th Annual Tony Awards watch party on their state-of-the-art full stage projector in a 439-seat theater. There will be many photo ops, including a special Pride backdrop. Enter your award predictions to win an exclusive prize. During the commercial breaks, enjoy Broadway trivia games, karaoke, and so much more with the soon to be announced host(s).  Friends and supporters of North Jersey Pride receive exclusive early access to tickets, so act fast and secure your seats today! TICKETS: Free, suggested donation of $15. Further information found here.

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is located at One SOPAC Way in South Orange, New Jersey.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Hatch, a Free Family-Friendly festival, to Take Place May 17 in Frenchtown

(FRENCHTOWN, NJ) -- The Hatch, a free family-friendly festival featuring colorful costumes, upbeat musical performances, and a community procession, returns to Frenchtown for the sixth time on Saturday, May 17, 2025.



George

George Street Playhouse's 2025 Gala Benefit features performances by Ariana DeBose, Andre De Sheilds, Roger Bart, Tyne Daly and Bobby Conte

(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- George Street Playhouse presents their 2025 Gala Benefit on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4:30pm, beginning with a champagne reception and dinner at Stage Left/Catherine Lombardi followed by a cabaret and awards presentation at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. The gala celebrates the 90th birthday of former Governor of New Jersey, Thomas H. Kean, and salutes former Artistic Director David Saint for his 27 remarkable years of artistic leadership.



Famous

Famous Oyster Schooner A.J. Meerwald Returns to Mercer County May 14-18

(TRENTON, NJ) -- From May 14-18, 2025, New Jersey's Official Tall Ship, oyster schooner A.J. Meerwald, will be anchored at The Docks on the Delaware River next to Waterfront Park in Trenton. The ship’s visit was arranged by The Bayshore Center at Bivalve and the Mercer County Park Commission. The ship is 115 feet long and 70 feet tall with two masts and three sails.



52nd

52nd Annual St. George Greek Festival takes place May 15-18 in Piscataway

(PISCATAWAY, NJ) -- The 52nd Annual St. George Greek Festival takes place May 15-18, 2025. This Central Jersey tradition kicks-off New Jersey's "Greek Festival Season" lasting from May until October at Greek churches throughout the State. St. George, Piscataway Festival is synonymous with "philotimo" the Greek ideal of welcoming everyone to explore Greek culture through homemade food, good music, traditional dancing and cultural tours.



Old

Old York Cellars and Black & Western River Railroad Add Four Additional Dates to 2025 Hunterdon Wine Express Schedule

(RINGOES, NJ) -- With tickets selling briskly for the 2025 Hunterdon Wine Express, Old York Cellars and Black River & Western Railroad have added four new dates to the 2025 schedule, June 21-22 and July 26-27. Three of the original dates have already sold out and a few more are close to selling out completely.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


NBPAC

NBPAC Lecture Series: Culinary Conversations with Chef Alexandra Guarnaschelli

Monday, May 12, 2025 @ 7:30pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: community


 

Tuesday

Tuesday Night Book Club - Hernan Diaz, Trust

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 @ 7:30pm
VIRTUAL
category: community


 

Author

Author Paul Bomba talks about "No Lifeguard on Duty"

Thursday, May 15, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Avon Marina
2 Main Street, Avon-By-The-Sea, NJ 07717
category: community


 

MMA

MMA Pro League

Saturday, May 17, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ 07008
category: community


 

360

360 Allstars

Thursday, May 22, 2025 @ 7:30pm
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: community