June 12, 2026

Join us to celebrate SOPAC’s 20th Anniversary on Friday, June 12 as we honor two decades of extraordinary performing and visual arts right in the heart of downtown South Orange. We’re throwing open the doors and activating the entire building into one lively and unforgettable party that salutes our past, energizes our present, and sets the stage for the future.

$175Performance TicketIncludes Max Weinberg’s Jukebox Performance and Afterparty
Full Event TicketsTickets for the full evening are SOLD OUT, but we hope you’ll join us for the Max Weinberg’s Jukebox Performance and Afterparty with a $175 ticket. If you are interested in attending the full event, please contact Molly Marinik, Director of Development, at molly@sopacnow.org or 973-712-4102.
Evening’s Events

5–6PMCocktail Hour
6–8PMDinner featuring comedian Liz Glazer as MC
8–9:30PMMax Weinberg’s Jukebox Performance
9:30–11PMVenue-Wide Afterparty

Cocktail Attire — Dress to Celebrate

✦ More performers to be announced soon!

Max Weinberg's Jukebox

Just finishing a sold out US tour with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, legendary Rock And Roll Hall of Fame drummer Max Weinberg brings his Jukebox band to SOPAC on June 12th.

The audience will pick the set list from over 300 classic rock hits from the Beatles, Stones, Tom Petty, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Cheap Trick, and of course Bruce and the E Street Band, and Max and his incredible musicians will play them exactly as you remember them.

Join us in raising a glass to three steadfast partners who have been with SOPAC since the beginning!

Anthony J. Leitner

Tony Leitner served on SOPAC’s Board of Governors for over ten years, 6 years as Chair. During his tenure as Chair, he renegotiated the original financial relationship between SOPAC and the Village of South Orange. He also strengthened the relationship with the Village by codifying participation of Village Trustees in SOPAC’s governance. This new partnership between SOPAC and the Village was a key factor in assuring SOPAC’s long term financial viability by making it possible for SOPAC to receive grants from the New Jersey Council on the Arts and to attract other foundation support. He was also instrumental in strengthening SOPAC’s relationship with Seton Hall University, an original contributor to SOPAC’s construction.

Since his retirement from the Board, he and his wife Jennifer have continued to support SOPAC and to attend SOPAC events.

Seton Hall University

Seton Hall is one of SOPAC’s earliest and most steadfast partners. One of the country’s leading Catholic universities, Seton Hall has been inspiring great minds to greater purpose since 1856. Home to nearly 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 rigorous majors, Seton Hall’s academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, US News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek. Seton Hall, which embraces students of all religions, prepares its graduates to be exemplary servant leaders and caring global citizens. Its attractive main campus is located in suburban South Orange, New Jersey, only 14 miles to New York City, offering a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. A new independent economic analysis of the University found that Seton Hall provides a significant impact on New Jersey’s economy, totaling over $1.6 billion annually and creating and sustaining nearly 10,000 jobs. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is prominently located in downtown Newark. The University’s Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses Seton Hall’s College of Nursing, its School of Health and Medical Sciences as well as the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Our outstanding faculty and values-centered curricula prepare students to grow into well-rounded professionals who lead with purpose by engaging the mind, heart and spirit. For more information, visit www.shu.edu.

South Orange Village

South Orange Village is a vibrant, diverse, and historic New Jersey community where “City Sense, Village Vibe” comes to life every day. With its walkable downtown, iconic gas-lit streets, distinctive housing stock, and deeply engaged residents, South Orange offers a welcoming, compassionate, and culturally rich environment just minutes from New York City.

Governed by an elected Mayor and Village Council, the Village is fully committed to fostering community connection, embracing innovation, and celebrating the arts as a cornerstone of civic life. That spirit is reflected in its enduring partnership with the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC), which opened in 2006 as part of a transformative redevelopment effort. Today, SOPAC stands as both a cultural anchor and a powerful economic engine—bringing energy, creativity, and vitality to the heart of the community.

$175Performance TicketIncludes Max Weinberg’s Jukebox Performance and Afterparty

Full evening packages are sold out. To inquire about availability for the full event, please contact Molly Marinik at molly@sopacnow.org or 973-712-4102.
$500Catalyst Ticket1 ticket to Full Evening’s Events
$1,000Luminary Ticket1 ticket to Full Evening’s EventsPreferred SeatingQuarter-Page Program Ad
$2,500Changemaker Package2 tickets to Full Evening’s EventsVIP SeatingHalf-Page Program Ad
$5,000Innovator Table8 tickets to Full Evening’s EventsPreferred SeatingHalf-Page Program Ad
$10,000Visionary Table8 tickets to Full Evening’s EventsVIP SeatingFull-Page Program AdSOPAC Memberships for Everyone in Your Party
$20,000Leadership TableUp to 16 tickets to Full Evening’s EventsVIP SeatingFull-Page Program AdSOPAC Memberships for Everyone in Your Party
Become an Underwriter
Make your mark on this unforgettable evening by supporting a key element. To reserve, please contact Director of Development Molly Marinik at molly@sopacnow.org or 973-712-4102.

Gala 20 Underwriting Opportunities

$5,000Final FlourishAfter Party Sponsor

Recognition or logo throughout the afterpartyMention in Gala journalTable for 8 guests included

$4,000Vintage VanguardWine Sponsor

Recognition or logo at bars and tablesMention in Gala journal2 tickets to full evening included

$3,000Tribute TrailblazerJournal Sponsor

Prominent recognition or logo in Gala journalVerbal recognition from the stage2 tickets to full evening included

$2,500Signature SipSpecialty Cocktail Sponsor

Recognition or logo at bars and cocktail stationsMention in Gala journal2 tickets to full evening included

$2,500Selfie StationPhoto Booth Sponsor

Recognition or logo on photo booth signageMention in Gala journal2 tickets to full evening included

$2,000Creative CanvasSignage Sponsor

Prominent recognition or logo in main lobby and LoftMention in Gala journal2 tickets to full evening included

$1,750Stylish StemsFloral Sponsor

Recognition or logo on floral displays throughout the eventMention in Gala journal1 ticket to full evening included

$1,000Festive FavorSold Out

Recognition or logo on swag bag insert materialsMention in Gala journal1 ticket to full evening included


Advertise in the Journal
All Gala attendees will receive a 20th Anniversary Gala journal to take home. Ad specs include full page (5.5 x 8 in) for $600 and half page (5.5 x 4 in) for $300. To purchase an ad, please contact Development Associate Kriti Venkat at kriti@sopacnow.org or 973-913-8532.

Donate to the Gala
Can’t attend the event but want to show your support? Want to give an additional donation in support of SOPAC’s biggest fundraiser of the year? All gifts go a long way, and are extremely appreciated.
Make a Donation
Honorary Co-Chairs

Sheena CollumSheena Collum
Aida JonesAida Jones
Douglas NewmanDouglas Newman

Host Committee

Paul BartickLinda BeckMarc ChalomJeremy DobrishRandall HaaseMichael and Marlene KaruTatiyana LoftonJeremy MossEve PetersonTom HutRev. Dr. Terry L. RichardsonSharon SchwarzDan StankusAdena Traub
Gala 20 Sponsors

Seton Hall University
Winchester Gardens
PSEG, First Baptist Church, Post Polak
The Slevin Group, Jen Greenberg Group, Nisivoccia
Village Marketplace, Weichert Commercial Brokerage Team Williams

Know before you go

AccessibilityEvery patron belongs here. Learn how we can make your visit seamless.
Plan your visitIn the heart of South Orange Village, steps from dining, transit, and more.
Getting HereDirections, parking, and transit, all in one place.