SOUTH ORANGE MAYOR SHEENA COLLUM CALLS ON COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT SOPAC GALA 20 Landmark 20th Anniversary Gala on Friday to Feature Max Weinberg; Mayor Urges Residents to Invest in the Arts Institution That Defines South Orange

[South Orange, NJ – June 10, 2026] – South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum is urging residents and supporters to rally behind the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) ahead of its landmark 20th Anniversary Gala this Friday, calling the institution “one of the beating hearts of our community” and sounding a passionate call to action for sustained public support.

The Gala, headlined by legendary drummer Max Weinberg—fresh off a sold-out tour with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band—marks two decades of SOPAC’s cultural leadership in South Orange and the greater Essex County region. But Mayor Collum’s message goes beyond the marquee event.

“The arts are often among the first things cut, yet they are among the things that make a place feel alive,” said Mayor Collum. “SOPAC is so much more than a building or a stage. It’s worth fighting for.”

Twenty Years of Community Impact

In her remarks, Mayor Collum highlighted SOPAC’s measurable contributions to the region. The organization serves approximately 9,000 students each year from South Orange, Maplewood, and surrounding communities through its Arts in Education programs. SOPAC brings tens of thousands of visitors annually into South Orange’s downtown, supporting local restaurants and businesses, and has been recognized multiple times as New Jersey’s “Best Small Performing Arts Center.”

Mayor Collum also celebrated SOPAC’s newest community milestone: the return of movies to South Orange through a partnership with Box Office Cinemas, which she described as a cherished addition to the town’s civic life.

How to Support Gala 20

Gala 20 is the primary fundraising event that supports SOPAC’s operations, staff, artists, facility investments, and educational programming. The public is invited to participate in the following ways:

  • Purchase a performance ticket (starting at $150).
  • Bid on silent auction items.
  • Make a donation of any size.

Each contribution, at any level, helps ensure SOPAC continues to be a vital part of the community for the next generation of artists, audiences, and students.

“My hope is that, together, we can ensure not just another 20 years for SOPAC, but another generation of young people discovering the arts, another generation of audiences gathering together, and another generation proud to call South Orange home,” Mayor Collum said. “Not every community has a place like SOPAC. We do.”