Local non-profit, Jersey City Theater Center (JCTC), will host its annual Holiday Celebration and fundraiser on Dec. 16 at the historic White Eagle Hall at 337 Newark Ave. from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The JCTC is a 501c3 not-for-profit founded in 2006 by Olga Levina, a theater and dance professional and Ben LoPiccolo, an award-winning real estate developer. It’s mission is to address and explore important and socially relevant topics through performing and visual arts.
The fundraiser will feature performances by international club music legend Janice Robinson and Grammy award-winning music producer and remixer DJ Hex Hector alongside some of Jersey City’s musicians and artists, according to a JCTC press release.
The yuletide bash, catered by Ruth Chris Steakhouse, will raise money for the nonprofit and for the first time, the JCTC will also present its Community Service Awards recognizing individuals whose service has strengthen the Jersey City arts and artist community.
This year’s honorees will be Councilwoman Mira Prinz-Arey, Gaye Dunstan, and Gillian Sarjeant-Allen.
Prinz-Arey and Dunstan will be recognized for Lincoln Park Live, a Summer Music series that brings free concerts to Lincoln Park in the West Side Neighborhood of Jersey City and Sarjeant-Allen has led the I Love Greenville Community Partnership, a revitalization project in the Greenville neighborhood of Jersey City.
“The women JCTC are honoring this year have consistently done meaningful work in Jersey City, making a positive impact and enhancing our quality of life,” said JCTC’s Artistic Director of Olga Levina. “At the JCTC Holiday Celebration, we are marking both the completion of a year of ambitious programming and announcing some of the amazing theatre and arts events we have planned for 2020. But we are also taking this opportunity to honor these women who’ve demonstrated how the arts empower communities and inspire us all.”
A night to remember
The JCTC Holiday Celebration not only allows attendees to be patrons of the arts but the party offers dancing, entertainment, gourmet food, open bar, and celebrity guests.
This year’s performers include Janice Robinson, who gained worldwide success in the 1990s fronting the Italian house group Livin’ Joy before beginning her solo career in 1999.
Born in Garfield, New Jersey, Robinson was responsible for such hits as Dreamer which hit #1 in the UK charts and other international hits including Children, Sweetest Day of May, Don’t Stop Movin, and Nothing I Would Change.
In addition to touring as the opening act for Tina Turner, Robinson experienced a resurgence in recent years with Dreamer ’05 – a remake of her massive hit reaching the top five of the Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart.
Her career went on semi-hiatus, as she returned to New Jersey to raise her two children and care for her elderly parents. But in 2018, she returned to the spotlight with a performance of her classic Livin Joy single as a contestant on the first episode of the new season of X Factor UK.
DJ Hex Hector, who won a 2001 Grammy as Best Remixer will also perform.
The native New Yorker has an international following for House & Trance recordings and sizzling remixes for such artists including Shakira, Toni Braxton, and Jennifer Lopez.
DJ Hex Hector will be spinning sounds during the JCTC Holiday Celebration as well as collaborating with Janice Robinson for an exclusive performance.
Rounding out the evening will be performances by Jersey City-based musicians and artists as well as previews of the upcoming 2020 JCTC season.
The evening will also include a silent auction in which attendees will not only be able to bid on original art, and Jersey City business gift certificates, but also an autographed guitar donated by Gene Simmons of Kiss.
Attendees can purchase either a General Admission ticket for $150 or a VIP ticket for $250.
A VIP ticket includes access to the VIP Section at White Eagle Hall and admission to an exclusive VIP Reception from 6 p.m. to –7 p.m. which includes a meet and greet with major JCTC donors, entertainers, and special guests.
For tickets or additional information, visit www.JCTCenter.org.
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