Newark Celebrates Music by Welcoming the GRAMMY Museum Experience to the Prudential Center!
By Shelley Bromberg, msbrom.com. Photos by Love Imagery
What do Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Sarah Vaughn, and Frankie Valli all have in common?
They’re all celebrated musicians, they’re all from New Jersey, and they’re all part of the new GRAMMY Museum Experience at Newark’s Prudential Center!
On October 19, 2017, to celebrate the opening of this interactive museum, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on the venue’s front steps, located at 165 Mulberry Street in downtown Newark.
Before the ceremony begins, we catch up with some attendees and guests who — in addition to several high-profile movers and shakers in the music industry — include Brandon Ellsworth, a vocal music teacher at Arts High School in Newark, who was invited to attend along with his students.
Ellsworth reveals that being able to attend this ceremony with his students “is an exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” as many of his students plan to pursue careers in the music business.
We will later hear from many behind bringing this museum to Newark that one central purpose of the GRAMMY Experience is to reach kids through the arts, some who may never get a chance to formally study music, but who can be inspired by the interactive exhibits.
When we take our seats, we notice the outdoor stage is filled with musical instruments. It’s set up in front of the building’s backdrop which is decorated in large black and white photographic prints of famed GRAMMY winners including New Jersey’s own Bruce Springsteen, as well as Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift, and others.
Soon, we are treated to a powerful and lively pre-show performance by the New Hope Baptist Choir. Singing with feeling and emotion, they inspire the audience with their talent and pure soul.
It’s only fitting that this Newark church is represented here today, as its congregants have included a long line of GRAMMY winners: Whitney Houston; her cousin Dionne Warwick; and her mother, today’s featured performer, Cissy Houston.
The choir belts out three high energy numbers — all accompanied by a choir member who expresses her profound passion for the music through her lively and invigorating dance moves.
Kristine Johnson, New Jersey resident and Emmy-nominated national news anchor for CBS, kicks off today’s festivities declaring, “You’re in for a treat!”
Johnson then introduces the one-and-only Cissy Houston, backed up by the dynamic New Hope Baptist Church Choir.
Ms. Houston delivers a soulful rendition of “I Believe,” a song originally perfomed by music’s “King” — Elvis Presley.
As she sings the touching lyrics — “I believe above the storm the smallest prayer can still be heard/I believe that someone in the great somewhere hears every word” — her soulful voice resonates through the crowd and into the audience’s minds and hearts.
For her efforts, she receives a standing ovation.
Next up at the podium is Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Baraka says he is thankful that Newark, a city rich in musical history, has been selected to house this jewel in the GRAMMY crown. He expresses extreme confidence that the infusion of music and art into the area will continue to revitalize the city.
Another representative for the city is Margaret El, Special Assistant for the Arts for Newark Public Schools, who quips, “There are so many musical greats from Newark — Sarah Vaughn, Melba Moore, Frankie Valli, Whitney Houston — you have to wonder if there’s something in the water!”
Josh Harris and David Blizer, founders and owners of the Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils hockey team, take the stage together.
Mr. Harris describes himself as “an avid lover of music” who encourages his own children to pursue the arts. He is excited to bring quality entertainment to Newark, and believes the museum’s exhibits have the potential to not only inspire thousands, but also to draw kids in to move them up in their life stations, thus improving the quality of their lives.
Mr. Blitzer concurs by revealing that the museum is not just a walking tour. Rather, it’s highly interactive — so much so that he had difficulty getting his own kids away from the exhibits and out of the museum when it was time for them to leave!
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy and Chair of the Los Angeles GRAMMY Museum Board of Directors, explains to the crowd that this museum is the GRAMMY’s “first East Coast outpost” — as there are also museums in Los Angeles and Nashville, in addition to a GRAMMY Museum in Cleveland, Mississippi, with a special emphasis on music of the Delta.
Portnow contends that Jersey music fans in particular will be delighted to encounter the GRAMMY Museum Experience here in Newark where there is a focus on performers from the New Jersey area.
Bob Santelli, a New Jersey native and founding executive director of the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles, invites the public to experience the museum by going beyond the traditional artifacts and trying out the various interactive exhibits it features.
For example, he notes, participants can rap with Newark emcee Wyclef Jean or take a drum lesson from Springsteen’s longtime E Street Band drummer, Max Weinberg.
Next up at the podium is Patricia Houston, sister-in-law of Whitney Houston and executor of her estate, who says her family is honored to be a part of Newark’s new GRAMMY experience.
Patricia recalls that Whitney strived to be the best artist she could be and she impacted lives through song.
As she speaks, one is easily transported back in time to some of Ms. Houston’s most glorious, defining moments in music history — for example, when her one-of-a-kind voice took the world by storm with her passionate and patriotic rendition of the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXV, or when she belted out her show-stopping performance of “I Will Always Love You” at the 36th GRAMMY award ceremony in 1994.
And, without a doubt, Houston is well-represented here at the museum, as one of the exhibits includes a choir robe she wore when she performed with the New Hope Baptist Church, in addition to the white dress she donned at the 1994 GRAMMY award ceremony when she won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “I Will Always Love You.”
At the conclusion of the performances and speeches, special guests are excited to offically open the GRAMMY Museum Experience by cutting the ribbon!
Included in the fanfare are GRAMMY award winners Dionne Warwick and her maternal aunt, Cissy Houston.
Afterwards, participants and audience members are invited to explore the GRAMMY Museum.
Next to an enormous multi-colored kaleidoscopic rendition of a GRAMMY, we have an opportunity to interview three-time GRAMMY nominee, Raheem DeVaughn, an R&B singer and songwriter who hails from Newark. DeVaughn — who tells us he is “all for empowering youth” — is an example of one of many local artists who is giving back to his community. In fact, DeVaughn’s non-profit foundation, Lovelife, has already helped to send nine students to college and his work with major institutions has also helped to feed Newark’s homeless.
We also catch up with ribbon-cutting guests Darnell Robinson of Tenafly and Wincey Terry of Union, who find themselves singing and dancing together at one of the museum’s most popular stops — the Ray Charles and The Raelettes’ karaoke exhibit.
After the pair’s fun and lively impromptu performance, the two strangers chat and are astounded to find out the other is also involved in the music industry!
Robinson is the grandson of Sylvia Robinson, founder of Sugarhill Records, the first hip-hop record label, and Terry is a NJPAC teaching artist and vocalist who can be heard singing back-up on Monie Love’s single, “It’s a Shame.”
“Music brings out the best in people!” exclaims Robinson.
We also meet Mah-laz-eah, a senior at Arts High School in Newark, who — along with her friends — tells us how much she enjoyed the Ray Charles and the Raelettes’ interactive exhibit.
Commenting, “It made me feel like I feel when I’m on stage — like I’m really performing!” Mah-laz-eah says she plans to study music after graduation adding, “If I keep going, I can wind up here myself!”
Music lovers from New Jersey and elsewhere will not be disappointed viewing another GRAMMY Museum exhibit entitled, “And the GRAMMY Goes to…” It features outfits and collectibles that span the decades that honor GRAMMY nominees and recipients.
For example, the exhibit contains Amy Winehouse’s famous black, ruffled short and sleek dress, which is positioned next to Rihanna’s orange top with dangling frills.
Fans of Alicia Keyes, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez will be thrilled by the stunning displays showcasing these music divas’ GRAMMY attire, which also includes an outfit worn by Gloria Gaynor whose 1980 GRAMMY winner became a mantra for women around the globe when she sang, “I Will Survive!”
The GRAMMY men represented have artifacts which are equally as cool and star-studded. For example, Usher’s velvet and violet two piece combination includes metal arm rings that adorn the sleeves and shoulders, whereas Justin Bieber’s classic collared gray jacket featues zippers running down the middle and sides.
Nearby, the Kanye West display showcases his marching band-inspired red and white jacket with his bold initials embroidered on the front. The outfit immediately brings viewers back to the 2006 GRAMMY Awards ceremony when “Gold Digger” was nominated for Record of the Year and won an award for Best Rap Solo Performance.
After taking in so many intruiging GRAMMY Museum’s exhibits, we head back outside to take in even more live music performances!
One of these includes singer/guitarist Brandon “Taz” Neiderauer from the Broadway sensation, School of Rock, who — along with his back-up band — treats audience members to an outrageous jam session.
The crowd soaks in this talented young musician’s dazzling Hendrix-inspired performance as they soak in the sun, making it a perfect way to wrap up this tune-filled day.
And, after all, isn’t that what the GRAMMY Museum Experience is all about?
The music!
The GRAMMY Museum Experience is located inside the Prudential Center at 165 Mulberry Street in Newark, NJ. Ticket prices vary from $9 to $12. For tickets and information, please visit grammymuseumexp.org.
