As the first awards season of the new decade approaches, it is imperative that we acknowledge how Newark, NJ has become one of the entertainment industry’s premiere locations to celebrate the arts. Aside from locally produced events like the Newark Arts Open Doors Festival and the Newark International Film Festival, the last decade brought about three major happenings to Brick City, namely Black Girls Rock!, the Grammy Museum Experience, and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Black Girls Rock!
When former DJ and model Beverly Bond branded Black Girls Rock! as a t-shirt slogan in 2006, the concept quickly developed into a mentoring program that promotes empowerment and self-worth amongst young women. The first Black Girls Rock! honors were awarded in 2008, but it was not until 2010 that Bond partnered with BET to bring the celebration to a national audience. In 2015, the decision was made to bring the star-studded award show to Newark and was presented in the 500-seat Victoria Theatre located inside the North Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). The night primarily highlights the accomplishments of Black women who have made noticeable impact in the fields of business, politics, fashion, film, and music. Some of the women that have been honored for their contributions include U.S. Representative Maxine Waters, actresses Angela Bassett and Regina King, and vocal powerhouse Mary J. Blige. What makes it even more special it that many of the city’s most influential women are invited to attend the event and afterparty, which only furthers the mission of the Black Girls Rock!Foundation to celebrate Black female excellence at all levels in all places. Last year’s broadcast garnered nearly 30 million views–a record for the network. This fall will mark the fifth consecutive year that the televised ceremony will take place in Newark.
Grammy Museum Experience
The Greater Newark Area has produced many legendary musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Gloria Gaynor, and the late great Whitney Houston, so when it was announced in February 2017 that the Grammy Museum had partnered with Prudential Center to develop its first official east coast outpost there were hardly any objections. Since its opening in October 2017, the 8,200 square foot location has hosted exhibitions dedicated to the legacy of several megastars both past and present. No matter which season you choose to visit, you will find an array of rare iconic artifacts like clothing from the Michael Jackson estate, interactive video displays about Grammy history, and could possibly attend a live event featuring celebrity guests. The Experience also offers tours and workshops for schools, organizations, and social clubs. Though it hasn’t even reached its 3-year anniversary, The Grammy Museum Experience has quickly become one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city.
MTV Video Music Awards
The MTV Video Music Awards (also referred to as the “VMAs”) first hit the scene in 1984 and were created to honor the best of the best in the music video medium. For nearly 35 years the beloved “moonman” awards were presented in metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Las Vegas, but on August 26, 2019 we witnessed one of music’s most exciting ceremonies take place right in the heart of downtown Newark at the Prudential Center. The energy in the city was certainly heightened by the expected pomp and circumstance that comes with most major award ceremonies; however, it was the anticipated celebration of Jersey artists like Queen Latifah, Naughty By Nature, Wyclef Jean, Lord of the Underground, Red Man, and Fetty Wap that brought the local morale to an all-time high. The red-carpet pre-show event that was held outside the 19,500-seat arena, in what’s known as Championship Plaza, was a sight to behold as a plethora of stars attempted their best avant-garde couture looks in honor of Missy Elliot–the night’s recipient of the coveted Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. From red carpet arrival to late night after parties, social media was on fire with geo-tagged pictures and videos lending the city an enormous spike in visibility not experienced on a typical Monday. There is no word whether the VMAs will be returning to the Prudential Center this year, but if there was ever any question about the great City of Newark’s ability to host events of this magnitude then the execution of last year’s production providesan affirmative answer.
These types of events provide both economic and social benefits. As local business owners are expected to feel a measurable increase of traffic while community members are afforded opportunities to participate in experiences of which they once would have had to travel far and wide. Though the congregation of several high-profile celebrities and various production teams can temporarily have a negative impact on any city’s operation, Newark is fully prepared to be the amongst the top-tier locations for all things entertainment and hopefully will be for years to come.
