Queen Latifah Visits Newark Music Fest To Celebrate Summer's End

NEWARK, NJ — Musician, actor and producer Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens popped up at a Newark nonprofit’s festival last weekend, helping Brick City revelers to celebrate the end of summer.

Appearing at the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District’s (LPCCD) “The Soul of Lincoln Park” this past weekend, Latifah – a Newark native – danced on stage and lent support to the city’s #BackTogetherAgain campaign as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

It isn’t the first time in recent history that Latifah has been spotted around Newark. In March, she took a break from filming her show, “The Equalizer,” to get a COVID-19 vaccine at the county clinic at Essex County College.

• See related article: Queen Latifah Gets COVID Vaccine, Films 'The Equalizer' In Newark

Meanwhile, the festival also saw extra star power from hosts Tobias Truvillion and Alex Hill, as well as Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who gave messages about coronavirus vaccines, mask safety and COVID-19 testing.

Like many other festival organizers in the age of the coronavirus, LPCCD planners had to dial back the number of vendors to allow for social distancing at this year’s celebration. Altogether, a “few thousand” loyal fans danced in the park, while more watched virtually via livestream, the nonprofit said.

The day-long experience served as a kick off to LPCCD’s abbreviated festival season due to the ongoing pandemic.

• See related article: Newark Nonprofit Hopes Bar Crawl Can Boost Nightlife Economy

The LPCCD said the event was a hit, largely thanks to its performers:

“Openers DJ Shawn Lover and Music Producer, Songwriter, & DJ Wil Milton set the tone for Soul In The Horn with DJ Natasha Diggs which featured live horn instrumentation as part of the set. Taking it home were Studio 54’s Kenny Carpenter, Kenny Bobien and headliner Alan King of Chicago’s Chosen Few.”

The mini-fest included local food trucks such as Afro Taco and The Original Golden Brown, as well as other local artisans and vendors.

The weekend continued on Sunday, when an event dubbed "Peace In Lincoln Park" hosted nearly 300 participants. Organizers said:

“Known as ‘Peace In The Park,’ South Mountain Reservation’s long running meditation and wellness series, created by MED Ed and Zeal Cre8tive Studio LLC, is popping up in Newark’s Lincoln Park. The special edition entitled “Peace In Lincoln Park” was by meditation guru and Newark Hip Hop artist BRICK CITI BUDDHA and featured meditation, yoga, live music, vegan food, performances and local businesses.”

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