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The day before the concert, it was announced that due to the weather forecast predicting heavy rain, the Friday night concert hosted by J.D. Williams with Brick City Soul Collective performing, and Faith Evans headlining, would be moved from Military Park to Newark Symphony Hall. Tickets would be free and available on a first come, first served basis.
Crowds began filling the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall at 5pm and DJ Felix Hernandez Rhythm Revue began playing his set of funk, classic House, and R&B at about 5:45. All things considered, it was a smooth transition from the outdoor venue to the indoor concert on the other end of Broad Street.
J.D. Williams came out and got the crowd ready for the night’s performances. First up: Brick City Soul Collective. The band played an awesome set and made time for some tributes to musical greats that passed away this year including Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire and, of course, Prince. And in a tribute to the very much alive Stevie Wonder – whose birthday was the day before – the band played his hits too.
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Then Faith Evans happened. It’s safe to say that most people in the audience didn’t know that Faith grew up in Newark as a child. But they left Newark Symphony Hall with a bit more hometown pride due to Faith’s exuberant performance. She not only sang her impressive list of hits – flawlessly – but she also brought out Lil Cease of Junior Mafia and up and coming Paterson, NJ rapper Cancun. The crowd sang along to every one of Faith songs and she made sure she didn’t leave without taking them to church! Safe to now say, she closed the show with a thousand new “faithful” fans.
