Emeline Michel Haiti's Queen of Creole Song

THU, MAY 22 at 7:30PM

Emeline Michel is full of surprises — and she’s unveiling them all on the SOPAC Mainstage! The internationally acclaimed singer, master entertainer & artistic ambassador presents a lively set that bonds traditional Haitian rhythms from Compas, Twoubadou and Rara with duly influenced and ever-expanding Pop, Jazz & Blues styles. Don’t miss this exhilarating performance that invites listeners to get up on their feet and participate in a live experience that will leave you tapping and clapping for more — get your tickets today!

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West Orange High School & SOPAC present AileyDance Kids Residency Finale

FRI, MAY 30 at 7PM

Celebrate the next generation of dancers at the West Orange High School AileyDance Kids Residency Finale! Through a special partnership with SOPAC, these students have trained under Ailey Teaching Artist Za’eed Eure, exploring the expressive movement of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This performance is a culmination of their journey, showcasing ensemble works and choreography inspired by Ailey’s legacy. Join us for an evening of passion, creativity, and dance!

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Dead on Live Grateful Dead ’71 - ’72

SAT, MAY 31, 2025 AT 7:30PM

The sound, style & synchrony of the Grateful Dead lives on at SOPAC! The deadicated artists of Dead on Live return to the Mainstage to recreate, note for note, instrumental nuances, lush harmonies & signature phrasing of America’s lyrical vagabonds, leaving plenty of room for jamming. This event presents music from beloved live era releases of 1971-1972, featuring favorites from Skull and Roses, Jerry’s first solo release Garcia, classic album Europe 72, and more. The artists perform “Wharf Rat,” “The Wheel,” “China Cat Sunflower/I Know You Rider” (in its entirety!), “Mexicali Blues,” and “One More Saturday Night” as they were recorded. Ain’t no time to hate — barely time to wait — get your tickets today! 

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Momentum Dance Academy Presents: Momentum in Motion

SUN, JUN 1 at 12PM & 4PM

This milestone event marks an exciting moment for Momentum dancers. In their inaugural recital, they take the stage to showcase their passion, dedication, and artistic growth. Dance is more than just movement — it is an expression of energy, emotion, and storytelling. Momentum in Motion embodies the spirit of progress, celebrating each dancer’s journey from their first steps in the studio to this unforgettable performance under the spotlight. Combining ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, and tap, Momentum dancers bring the stage to life with exhilarating choreography, breathtaking technique, and heartfelt performances.

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Laughs in the Loft Stand Up for Pride!

This event is eligible for the new
SOPAC Loft Multibuy Package.

WED, JUN 4, 2025 at 7:30PM

It’s “a comedy cure for the midweek blues!” (Baristanet)  Hosted by comedian Joe Larson, Laughs in the Loft features stand-up comics from SOPAC’s own South Orange-Maplewood community, Brooklyn & beyond. Each Laughs in the Loft event features a variety of comics in a New York City-style showcase. SOPAC announces talent approximately two weeks prior to each show. You never know who might drop in! Intended for mature audiences. Recommended for ages 18 and up. No drink minimum.

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An Evening with Avery*Sunshine

FRI, JUN 6, 2025 AT 7:30PM

2025 Grammy Award-winner of Best Progressive R&B Album, Avery*Sunshine delights audiences across generations with her intimate storytelling, soul-driven originals, dynamic vocals & mastery of phrasing. This season, she brings her energetic ensemble to the SOPAC Mainstage! An internationally acclaimed artist, Sunshine performs celebratory music that draws from Neo-soul, R&B, Gospel, Funk & more! Don’t miss this uplifting set live at SOPAC! 

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Joe DeRosa

SAT, JUN 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM

SOPAC welcomes the Mainstage debut of award-winning comic Joe DeRosa! Many know Joe from his recurring appearance as Dr. Caldera on Better Call Saul, and his six top-ten charting stand-up albums, as well as his regular performances on TV, film & radio. But to experience his live comedy is to experience the artist at his rawest, realest, and most acerbic. Don’t miss this brilliant comic live at SOPAC!

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SOPAC Celebrates Share The Love with Darlene Love

THU, JUN 12 at 7PM

Join us for a special fundraising evening honoring SOPAC’s role as the cultural anchor of South Orange & beyond —bringing world-class performances, transformative arts education, and meaningful community connections to our region. Featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legend, Darlene Love & an Exclusive VIP Reception 

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Cabaret in the Loft Presents: Once Upon a SLAY A Disney Drag Spectacular

FRI, JUN 13 at 7:30PM

Step into a world where fairy tales sparkle with sass and your favorite characters get a fabulous, glitter-drenched makeover! Once Upon a Slay is a magical Disney-inspired drag extravaganza that brings iconic princesses, villains, and heroes to life with fierce performances, powerhouse vocals, and plenty of pixie dust. This show is a celebration of queerness, nostalgia, and pure theatrical joy.

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Skerryvore

SAT, JUN 21, 2025 at 8PM

SOPAC welcomes the Mainstage debut of Skerryvore! Bonding traditional Scottish sounds, contemporary influences, and global appeal, Skerryvore delivers thrilling live performances throughout the world. Three-time winners of Scotland’s Live Act of the Year award, this explosive ensemble has reinvented the traditional Scottish scene for a modern, multicultural audience. Vocals, bagpipes, fiddles, accordions, and whistles create dazzling melody lines and harmonic pads alongside a driving rhythm section. Seven albums into a thriving and prolific career, Skerryvore shares music informed by wide ranging influences, creating a live experience at once thoroughly traditional and entirely contemporary. 

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Songwriters by the Sea A 15th Series Anniversary Concert

FRI, JUN 27th at 7:30PM

Songwriters By The Sea brings together Vonda Shepard, Nicole Atkins, Joe D’Urso, Jake Thistle, and Joe Rapolla, for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling in a Nashville-style singer-songwriter circle. With Shepard’s soulful ballads, Atkins’ hypnotic blend of pop and soul, D’Urso’s Americana roots, Thistle’s modern pop-rock sound, and Rapolla’s Nashville-inspired melodies, the performers create a rich tapestry of musical styles.

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South Orange Summer Nights Autumn Jones Presented by SOPAC & South Orange Village

At Floods Hill in Meadowlands Park

WED, JUL 30 at 7:30PM

Don’t miss the captivating performance of Autumn Jones, a Maplewood-based singer-songwriter whose original music has earned her wide acclaim. With poetic lyrics, melodic and dynamic vocals, and deep-pocket phrasing, she creates songs that resonate deeply with audiences. Known for her emotional storytelling and incomparable voice, Autumn is a true local gem gaining national recognition for her artistry.

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Casey Abrams and Friends ft. Dylan Chambers & Hunter

THU, SEP 11 at 7:30PM

Join Casey Abrams & Friends—featuring American Idol finalist Casey Abrams, pop-soul sensation Dylan Chambers, and acclaimed vocalist Hunter—for an unforgettable journey through 60 years of iconic music. Casey’s genre-blending artistry, Dylan’s funk-infused pop, and Hunter’s soulful, throwback-inspired vocals create a dynamic and thrilling live experience. Together, they deliver a genre-spanning celebration that honors musical legends while showcasing the next generation of star performers.

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Joshua Radin

THU, OCT 16 at 7:30PM

A Joshua Radin concert offers more than music—it's a heartfelt, communal experience led by an artist who values connection over spectacle. Whether you're drawn to soul-stirring lyrics, acoustic elegance, or the warmth of a storyteller, his shows leave a lasting impression.

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Beatles vs. Stones A Musical Showdown

FRI, DEC 12 at 7:30PM

The British Invasion brought us the two most popular rock groups of all time, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, as well as the liveliest debate in rock history - which band is the greatest? These two legendary bands will engage in an on-stage, mash-up duel featuring internationally renowned tribute bands, Abbey Road and Satisfaction - The International Rolling Stones Show.

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