Dionne Warwick To Be Honored At NJ Arts Icon Gala

HOLMDEL, NJ — Dionne Warwick will be honored at the inaugural New Jersey Arts Icon Gala at Bell Theater on Sunday, Sept. 22.

Beginning with a reception and auction at 5 p.m., the gala will host a concert featuring Warwick starting at 7 p.m.

The event is in support of the Axelrod Performing Arts Center and Bell Theater's cultural arts and education programs.

Deborah Cox, Michelle Williams, Nova Y. Payton, Remember Jones and Warwick’s granddaughter and singer Cheyenne Elliott will pay tribute to Warwick’s songbook while accompanied by the American Pops Orchestra, conducted by Luke Frazier. PBS will film the gala and broadcast it at a later date.

“As we continue to promote and celebrate the arts in New Jersey, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center is delighted to be hosting the inaugural New Jersey Arts Icon Awards Gala at our new Bell Theater and to be honoring one of our state’s musical legends, Dionne Warwick,” Axelrod Executive Artistic Director Andrew DePrisco said. “This collaboration with the American Pops Orchestra and PBS promises to be the starriest gala in the state this season!”

A native of East Orange, Warwick is a singer, actress and activist who has been performing for over six decades. Her vocal style has bridged gaps between pop, gospel, R&B and rock and roll, and has made classics of songs such as “Walk on By,” “I Say a Little Prayer” and “What the World Needs Now.”

In 2013, Warwick was inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame. In 2023, she was a Kennedy Center Award winner and in 2024, she became a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. In addition to these awards and recognitions, Warwick has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, five Grammy Awards and has won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

"I've always been inspired by the music of Dionne Warwick,” Deborah Cox, who will join Warwick at the event, said. “She is a true legend, inspiration and friend. I'm looking forward to paying homage to her during these special performances of her timeless music."

Alongside the celebrities joining Warwick on stage, twelve students from the junior division of Axelrod Performing Arts Academy's musical theater program will sing “That’s What Friends Are For” with Warwick at the event.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have our academy students perform with the legendary Dionne Warwick,” Mary-Kate Schmidt, the director of the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy said. “This opportunity allows them the chance to work closely with industry legends and gain invaluable insights into professional dynamics, stage presence and collaboration.”

VIP tickets for the event are $750 and include a pre-concert reception, priority seating and post-concert meet and greet with the artists. Premium tickets are $350 and include pre-concert reception, preferred seating and post-concert dessert reception. Standard tickets are $250 and include pre-concert reception.

To purchase tickets and learn more about the gala, you can visit the Bell Theater website.

Bell Theater is located at 101 Crawfords Corner Rd., Holmdel, NJ on the ground level.