.png)
SOPAC's 2017 Gala to Honor Local Luminaries This Fall
By: BWW
News Desk Oct. 28, 2017
Deputy Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly, Mila M. Jasey of the 47th Legislative District, South Orange community leader and businessman Matt Glass, and philanthropist Patti Donovan will be honored for their outstanding contributions to the success of SOPAC and local New Jersey communities overall.
"We are delighted to be honoring these three wonderful people," raved SOPAC's Executive Director Mark Packer. "They have made such meaningful contributions to SOPAC and our communities through the years. Their impact is incalculable."
The evening includes cocktails, passed hors d'oeuvres, dinner stations, and dessert. Honoree tributes, silent and live auctions, and entertainment by Grammy Award-winning talent Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks will make the evening festive for all in attendance.
The iconic performance space, located at One SOPAC Way in the heart of the South Orange Village, will host the party in its theatre, loft and lobby areas. For more information or to buy tickets visit www.sopacnow.org/support/gala/ or call (973) 313-2787.
ABOUT THE HONOREES:
MILA M. JASEY, Assemblywoman 27th Legislative District
Deputy Speaker Mila M. Jasey was first elected in 2007 and is serving her fifth term representing 14 towns in Essex and Morris Counties. During the Assemblywoman's tenure dozens of bills in which she has been a lead sponsor have been signed into law by three governors. These measures address the prevention and treatment of traumatic brain injury among student athletes, creation of the TBI Task Force, the NJ HERO Act promoting organ donation, the Mortgage Stabilization and Relief Act, the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Act, creation of solar renewable energy programs, the Traders to Teachers Act, the Vet-Teach Act, and the PMI/PSI Act to address the shortage of math and science teachers in N.J. She is also a lead sponsor of the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act.
The Assemblywoman has built a reputation as a leader in the area of education and has an extensive record of community service. Assemblywoman Jasey received her B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and her master's degree from the Pace University School of Nursing. She is a former public health nurse.
MATT GLASS, South Orange Community Leader
Matt Glass and his wife Jennifer moved from New York City to South Orange in 2005. The couple founded Eventage in 1998 and have grown it into a nationally recognized event marketing agency that produces large-scale events for corporations and nonprofits across the country. Mr. Glass got his start in events at Macy's in 1992 and eventually served as Production Manager for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 4th of July Fireworks, Flower Show and Miracle on 34th Street, Santaland. Eventage's company client base has grown to include iconic events like the TCS New York City Marathon and the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, as well as brands such as Royal Caribbean and M&Ms.
Mr. Glass's local contributions include serving as Vice-President of Main Street South Orange and Chair of the South Orange Village Center Alliance, a special improvement district. His event and branding expertise can be seen in the organization's most visible campaigns such as Play Day: Come Play in the Street!, Everybody Belongs Here, Live Music Capital of North Jersey and Hometown Holiday, where he has taken photos of families with Santa at the firehouse for many years (Macy's is never far from his heart). Matt also lends his time and energy to The Achieve Foundation, Columbia High School's theatre program and several other Village organizations and departments.
PATTI DONOVAN, Philanthropist
Ms. Donovan has always been interested in music, the arts, gardens and education. She has made significant contributions to Colgate University where she received the Maroon Citation in 2009 for her work completed there. She is also involved with the efforts of St. Lawrence University to link talented and passionate students and recent graduates with North Country public interest and non-profit organizations.
This spring, Ms. Donovan was instrumental in SOPAC's presentation of Broadway star and Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara. In addition to her generous local support of SOPAC, she is also an avid supporter of Greenwood Gardens, a 28-acre public garden surrounded by 2,100 acres of the South Mountain Reservation within the Essex County Park System. Ms. Donovan's generosity extends to the Newark Boys Chorus and Spectrum 360, which serves children, adolescents, young adults and adults on the autism spectrum with behavioral related disabilities.
Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks brand of Jazz-age Swing will lift you out of your seat with an electrifying performance like no other. Grammy Award winner, New York native and multi-instrumentalist Vince Giordano has played Town Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Newport Jazz Festival and the 92nd Street Y for the past four decades. He has appeared in films such as The Cotton Club, The Aviator, Finding Forrester, Revolutionary Road, and HBO's Boardwalk Empire.
To buy a journal ad, to donate an auction item, or to become a sponsor for the October 28, 2017 SOPAC Gala, email SOPAC Gala Coordinator Shana Teitelbaum at Shana@sopacnow.org or call (917) 414-9720.
Since 2006, SOPAC has been serving as a premier performing arts center in the region. SOPAC offers innovative artistic and cultural experiences for diverse audiences in an intimate, inviting environment. The premier arts center hosts a variety of live performances, community events and education programs for all ages. To further expand its offerings, SOPAC has a partnership with the Juilliard School of Music to present Juilliard @ SOPAC-a series featuring upcoming musicians from the acclaimed conservatory. SOPAC is home for Seton Hall University Arts Council's performances, including Classical Concert Series, Jazz 'N the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre productions. American Theater Group is SOPAC's theatre company in-residence. For more information, visit SOPACnow.org.
Videos
