From the South Orange Village:
Today, the Township of South Orange Village unveiled new branding for “South Next” — its annual three-day festival of creative collisions in arts, music and ideas that returns to South Orange Village Center from June 17 – June 19, 2016.
[Editor’s note: The festival, formerly known as South by South Orange or SOxSO, needed to change its name after a gentle remonstration from another festival with a similar name.]
In its second year, South Next features panels, musical performances and community participation to showcase and engage local creative talent and bring the theme, “Create and Collide,” to life.
“I was thrilled at the success of the event this past June,” says Stephen Schnall, South Orange Village Trustee and the event founder. “More than 700 people attended last year, and we received overwhelmingly positive feedback when we surveyed festival goers. Many of our performers and sponsors are returning, and we expect to attract new partners who support our mission and want to be affiliated with our fresh and exciting brand.”
“The festival’s rebranding is edgy and provocative, and it successfully reflects the festival’s core idea of bringing together local artists, musicians, and thinkers to creatively collide,” continues Schnall.
At South Next, “The Village is the Venue,” taking advantage of the dynamic, walkable and compact South Orange Village Center. Venues and partners include the South Orange Performing Arts Center (a returning sponsor), restaurants, bars, parks and public spaces to engage the region’s vibrant, creative community. Successful sessions from last year included “Historic Preservation vs. Growth,” “Age-Old Storytelling vs. Digital Media,” and “Teching Ball,” a three-floor performance and art extravaganza which filled SOPAC’s grand space with creative collisions (and cocktails).
Once again, an affordable all-access wristband will be the best way for festival-goers to experience the full three days of programming. “Year one was better than we could have imagined,” says Schnall. “I’m incredibly excited to see what our community can come up with in year two and I invite everyone to join us as we see what happens when we create and collide.”
Interested sponsors, presenters and performers should contact Stephen Schnall at sschnall@southorange.org.
