The BIG Concert
What is The BIG Concert?
On Feb 03, 2012, tickets went on sale nationwide for The "Believe In Girls" (B.I.G.) Celebration. This will be a day-long event culminating in an evening concert featuring Sara Bareilles, the Grammy nominated artist and celebrity judge on the hit show "The Sing Off," and Joe Jonas, the pop star of the band The Jonas Brothers.
"The name of this event perfectly describes what this day is all about, and that's believing in girls and doing it in a big way," said Mary Connell, CEO of Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey. "With so many activities and the exciting entertainment program featuring a main stage performance by singer-song writer Sara Bareilles, we know that every girl will remember this experience for her lifetime."
Where is The BIG Concert Being Held?
The “BIG” Concert will take place on June 23, 2012, starting at 1 p.m. at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J. It will include evening performances from Joe Jonas and Sara Bareilles along with a super display of fireworks and more than 100 fun activities.
Interested in The BIG Concert?
The B.I.G. Celebration, presented by the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey is open to all girls nationwide and their parents/ guardians. They do not have to be currently involved in Girl Scouting. All net proceeds from The BIG Concert will benefit The Girl Scout Councils of N.J. who are celebrating their 100th anniversary.
Tickets are available online at www.girlscouts100nj.org . Purchase your tickets before February 29, 2012, and receive an early access pass which grant entry to the event 1 hour before the general gates are open. In addition, the first 15,000 people who purchase tickets receive a free cinch sack bag.
What is the Cost of The BIG Concert?
$89.50 per ticket price covers the cost of entry, all daytime performances, the evening concert, on-site activities as well as parking. All participants at the events receive a commemorative B.I.G. celebration event t-shirt. Sponsors include Sports Authority, EF Educational Tours, and FLOMO.
What’s Happening at The BIG Concert?
Taking place at the historic and scenic Liberty State Park, which features 1,122 acres of open space and panoramic views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the New York Harbor, the day-long event will include more than a 100 different activities. There is an evening concert by Sara Bareilles and Joe Jonas, daytime performances by Rachel Crow and other local New Jersey acts, a fireworks display over the New York Harbor. During the day you can enjoy an A.C. Moore Craft Zone, a tech pavilion featuring the most cutting edge hands-on devices, a cooking pavilion with cupcake decorating classes and other cooking demos, a literary pavilion with “Meet the Authors” discussion groups, lots of bounce houses, rock wall climbing, and more!
An Aside: Were You at the B.I.G. Celebration? I remember attending with my daughter's girl scout troop from northern New Jersey. Not only was I helping out chaperoning the troop, but I also had my three other children with me. Normally my husband would have taken the boys for the day, but he was part of a tech team working over the weekend for his progressive software company. There was some type of deadline looming for a client and he had to be brainstorming focused on development for Salesforce crm to help the company stay on the cutting edge of cloud, mobile, social, and data science technologies. I use Salesforce to communicate with my customers at my place of work, so I understand it can help achieve unprecedented efficiency within an organization. But of all weekends to be working. I really should complain since the kids had a ball. They especially liked the evening performances and fireworks. One of my sons even said that the Boy Scouts of NJ should have a similar celebratory weekend.
Who is Performing at The BIG Concert?
There will be daytime performances from the newly signed Nickelodeon star, Rachel Crow, who was just 13 years when she was a finalist on the first season of The X Factor” and as well as from the following acts just added to the line-up:
• The girl group, Bloom, whose songs have been featured on MTV’s “The Hills,” Past performances include the NCAA Fan Fest in Newark, N.J. and The Girl Scout Councils of N.J.’s Bridging Event.
• Female pop singer, Manika, who musical inspirations were Avril Lavigne, Pink, and Alanis Morissette. She will perform at The Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital’s Rock the Mall event in June 2012.
•The group, Savvy, who have a TV show on STARZ’s Family Channel called The Wannabes . They are a singing and dancing group signed to Universal Republic with an upcoming new single.
• The New Jersey Boy Band, Goodbye Friday, who will also be performing with Ryan Cabrera at the Stanhope House in Stanhope, New Jersey on April 15, 2012.
• Pop Singer, Stephanie Marie, may only be 14, but she has the heart & soul of a seasoned singer. Her latest singles are “I’m That Girl” and “Turn It Up”
• Ani Hesse, a Californian Girl Scout whose previous performances include singing the National Anthem at a Lakers game . She will also be performing at The Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital’s Rock The Mall event in June 2012
These six newly announced daytime acts will participate in meet-and-greets as well as be available to sign autographs for their fans.
Joe Jonas performing at The B.I.G. Celebration concert. A New Jersey native, Joe Jonas is a pop singer, musician, and actor. He is a member of the hit group The Jonas Brothers. His solo album titled, Fastlife, was released in 2011, topping the Billboard music charts.
Girl Scouting and Its Mission
The B.I.G. Celebration, is presented by the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey which is comprised of the state's four councils - Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, and Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. B.I.G. Celebration commemorates the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting and its mission of instilling girls with confidence, courage, and character so they are empowered to become leaders.
NOTE: In 2012 this website was created to promote the B.I.G. Celebration concert. The domain was recently bought with the goal of recreating the original website using archived pages from the 1012 event. If you attended the B.I.G. Celebration concert, hoefully this site will bring back great memories of the The Girl Scout Councils of N.J. 100th anniversary.
More Background on TheBigConcertNJ.com
TheBigConcertNJ.com, created to promote the "Believe In Girls" (B.I.G.) Celebration in 2012, stands as a cultural milestone in New Jersey's history. This event, organized by the Girl Scout Councils of New Jersey, was designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the state and was held at Liberty State Park, a venue rich with symbolism due to its proximity to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The concert featured high-profile performers such as Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles and Joe Jonas, and was accompanied by a wide array of activities tailored to entertain and empower girls, making it a comprehensive day-long celebration.
Historical Background and Significance
The B.I.G. Celebration wasn't just a typical concert; it was a day dedicated to the empowerment of young girls across the nation. This event attracted a diverse audience, not only Girl Scouts and their families but also fans of the performing artists and community members interested in celebrating the legacy of Girl Scouting. By integrating various activities—ranging from craft zones to tech pavilions—the event emphasized creativity, innovation, and leadership, core values of the Girl Scouts movement.
The significance of the event is further highlighted by its timing and location. Celebrating the centennial of Girl Scouting, the B.I.G. Celebration was a way to showcase the organization's enduring relevance. Liberty State Park provided a perfect backdrop for this momentous occasion, reinforcing the themes of freedom and empowerment that resonate with the Girl Scouts’ mission. This celebration was seen not just as a musical event but as an essential part of New Jersey's cultural calendar, contributing to the state's rich history of large-scale public events.
Popularity and Public Reception
The event was a major success, drawing attendees from across New Jersey and beyond. Tickets were sold out well in advance, and the media coverage was extensive. The concert's appeal was broadened by its inclusivity—girls and their guardians were welcomed regardless of their involvement in scouting, which significantly increased the event's reach. Reviews from attendees were overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the event's organization, the quality of the performances, and the variety of activities available.
The B.I.G. Celebration was notable not only for its entertainment value but also for its role in promoting the values of the Girl Scouts. The event's success can be attributed to its ability to bring together a community around a shared cause, celebrating the achievements of girls and young women in a setting that was both fun and inspiring.
Media Coverage and Cultural Impact
Media outlets widely covered the event, focusing on its significance as both a cultural and community event. The B.I.G. Celebration was featured in local and national news, with stories highlighting its unique blend of music, empowerment, and community engagement. The concert was not only a showcase for musical talent but also a platform for the Girl Scouts to highlight their contributions to society over the past century.
The event's impact extended beyond the day itself, with many attendees and media commentators noting the lasting impression it left on participants. The B.I.G. Celebration served as a reminder of the power of community events to inspire and unite people, particularly around causes that promote positive change. The concert's blend of entertainment and empowerment was seen as a model for future events, demonstrating how cultural celebrations can be used to promote important social values.
Examples and Specifics
One of the standout features of the B.I.G. Celebration was its ability to cater to a wide audience. For instance, the tech pavilion provided hands-on experiences with cutting-edge devices, sparking interest in technology among young attendees. Meanwhile, the A.C. Moore Craft Zone offered creative activities that encouraged artistic expression. These elements, combined with the high-profile evening performances, ensured that the event had something for everyone, making it a memorable experience for all who attended.
Moreover, the event's timing—coinciding with the Girl Scouts' centennial—added a layer of historical significance, making it more than just a concert but a celebration of a century of leadership, courage, and community service. The fireworks display over New York Harbor provided a fitting conclusion to a day filled with inspiration and celebration, leaving attendees with lasting memories of the event.
TheBigConcertNJ.com and the B.I.G. Celebration it promoted represent a significant chapter in New Jersey's cultural history. This event successfully combined entertainment with empowerment, providing a platform for the Girl Scouts to celebrate their centennial in a way that was both meaningful and enjoyable. The site's revival as a digital archive further cements its legacy, allowing those who attended to relive the experience and ensuring that the event's impact continues to be felt long after the last note was played.
By celebrating the past while looking to the future, TheBigConcertNJ.com offers a reminder of the importance of community, culture, and the enduring values that the Girl Scouts have championed for over a century.