SOPAC presents the Blind Boys of Alabama on Thursday

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 10/13/2026

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The Blind Boys of Alabama come will perform at South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Showtime is 7:30pm. Only a handful of tickets remain.

Some artists have long careers; The Blind Boys of Alabama have a legacy. With six GRAMMY Awards, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Endowment for the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award, and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, they are among the most decorated and beloved acts in American music history. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the classic Stevie Wonder album & More!

Gospel That Knows No Boundaries: The Blind Boys have always refused to be confined by category. Their remarkable interpretations range from traditional gospel favorites to spiritual re-imaginings of songs by Prince, Tom Waits, and Eric Clapton, and their collaborators read like a who’s who of American music, including Bonnie Raitt, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, and Béla Fleck.

A Living History of American Music: Their 2024 GRAMMY winning album Echoes of the South is a portrait of perseverance and devotion, released in honor of lost bandmates and a recently retired leader, and rooted in the group’s enduring mission: “As long as everybody gives all that they have to give and we sing songs that touch the heart, we’ll live on forever.”

A Performance That Stays With You: A sold-out Australian tour, a show-stopping performance alongside Sir Tom Jones at Bluesfest Byron Bay, and a rehearsal video that racked up 750,000 views in 48 hours are just the latest proof that the Blind Boys still command every room they enter. Seeing them live is not just a concert. It is a genuine, full-body experience of joy, spirit, and hard-won grace.

New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info

There are few opportunities in life to witness living legends doing what they were born to do. This is one of them.

A limited number of tickets are available for purchase online. SOPAC is located at One SOPAC Way in South Orange, New Jersey.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center curates a distinctive lineup of exhilarating and expansive performances, bringing exceptional artists and unforgettable experiences to audiences in the greater South Orange/Maplewood region and contributing to the economic and social vibrancy of its highly diverse community.

SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming setting. The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall is a 439-seat mainstage theatre with superb acoustics, sight lines, and seating. SOPAC offers a rare connection between artists and audiences—where every seat feels close to the stage and every performance feels personal. Guests experience the excitement of seeing world-class performers in a space that creates the feeling of exclusive access, where artists share their work, stories, and passion in a way that larger venues simply cannot replicate. Artists acknowledge that the atmosphere encourages conversations with audiences. The Loft at SOPAC is a 2,185 square-foot multi-purpose space used for performances, rehearsals, classes, and special events.

The unique architecture of SOPAC’s building, which includes a stunning 3-story glass-enclosed atrium, is also home to the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, where exhibitions showcase the work of local, regional, and nationally recognized visual artists, providing free access to the visual arts for residents and visitors throughout the year. Beyond the building, SOPAC co-produces local events such as South Orange Summer Nights and serves students and schools through its arts education residencies.

SOPAC is invested in arts education and creating meaningful opportunities for students of all ages to experience, participate in, and connect with the arts. SOPAC serves students and schools in our region through a School Performance Series, performing Arts Residencies, and an annual juried art exhibit entitled INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition. SOPAC also collaborates with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts each year to host the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competitions. With its artistic partnership with SOPAC, the Seton Hall University Arts Council presents a diverse range of events at SOPAC with seasoned professionals, students, and faculty. Through these collaborations, SOPAC continues to expand access to the arts and create opportunities for learning, connection, and discovery across generations.

SOPAC opened its doors in 2006, born from a shared vision of the South Orange Village Trustees and Seton Hall University to create the artistic destination of the community and the centerpiece of an ambitious redevelopment plan. More than 2 decades later, SOPAC continues to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the region, an economic driver for the community, and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.