The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is proud to announce the premiere performance of a Haitian artist on the SOPAC stage.
Emeline Michel is internationally acclaimed for fusing pop, jazz, blues, and traditional Haitian rhythms into deeply moving, joyful music delivered with a charismatic live show.
“SOPAC continues serving as a welcoming home to cultural communities from SOMA and beyond,” said SOPAC Executive Director, Lana Rogachevskaya . “We are incredibly excited to welcome Emeline Michel as the first Haitian artist to headline our season in SOPAC’s nearly 20-year history. This performance is a wonderful way to honor and celebrate the vibrant Haitian community in Essex County and beyond.”
A master entertainer, Michel has shared her message with audiences for more than 20 years, including appearances at Carnegie Hall, The United Nations, Montreal International Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz Fest, and MTV’s Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief.
“I’m thrilled to be performing at SOPAC for the first time,” said Ms. Michel, “The stage is sacred for me, it’s like there’s this full circle with the audience and myself. For some reason I have a weakness for small audiences instead of the 10,000 people I sometimes play for. You can see every face and I love the intimacy of it.”
Hailed by the New York Times as a “diplomat of music” and “the dancing ambassador with a voice serene and warm like the breeze,” hers is a cherished voice for social issues surrounding women and children worldwide. One of her most recent albums Quintessence captures the reverence and gratitude for the present moment, showcasing Michel’s virtuoso vocal, singing in Creole, French, and English, with finger-picked guitars, soulful backing vocals, a children’s choir, Haitian percussion, lush strings, playful trumpet, and accordion lines.
“I’m very happy for SOPAC! Being here for so many years it is my duty to present SOPAC to my community with a great Artist like Emeline Michel to wake up the spirit of my Haitian community,” said SOPAC House Manager, Larousse Pierre, “Based on what is going on now in Haiti right now, I went above and below to make this concert a big success. I want to have a SOLD OUT SHOW, nothing more will make me happier.”