Centenary Stage to Welcome Alice Tan Ridley, 7/19

With a star-studded concert series at Centenary Stage Company this summer, it is no surprise that they should now be celebrating the birth of a new Diva, Alice Tan Ridley. Audiences can spend an unforgettable evening with the singing sensation that People Magazine calls an "Amazing Vocalist" on Saturday, July 19th at 8 pm at The Lackland Center. Ridley embodies a rare combination of raw power, charm, sensuality, spirituality and funk. Like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Tina Turner, Ridley is a long lasting Goddess of Soul, with enough personality, talent, and funk to become an enduring performer.

Ridley started singing in the subways of New York to help support her family and the dreams of her daughter, Academy Award Nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe, star of the 2009 film Precious. Her legendary subway performances went viral and at the age of 58, Ridley took a leap of faith and auditioned for NBC's "America's Got Talent" in 2011. In just a few short minutes on the stage, Ridley boldly made herself known to the world when her phenomenal rendition of the Etta James classic, "At Last", wowed the judges, blew away the audience, and caused the entire nation to take notice. Now, Alice is finally living her dream as a touring performance artist, traveling the country with her 7-piece band, featuring rhythm and horn sections comprised of world-class musicians.

Tickets for Alice Tan Ridley are $27.50 for Adults and $20 for youth under 18. Other concerts in the Summer Jamfest include Night Fever: An Evening of the Bee Gees on July 26th, Good Vibrations: A Celebration of the Beach Boys on August 2nd, and Bobby Caldwell with his Big Band on August 9th. Other ticket prices are $35 for adults when purchased in advance. CSC's Summer Jamfest is sponsored by The House of the Good Shepherd.

With a reputation for being one of the best deals in the state, the Summer Jamfest is available to purchase as a Flex Pass to three events for $90.00. Prices for individual concerts increase by $5 on the day of the performance. Tickets are available online at www.centenarystageco.org, or by calling the box office at 908-979-0900. They may also be purchased through the CSC Box office at 715 Grand Ave., open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to each performance.

The Summer Jamfest Concert Series is made possible in part through the generous support of CSC Premier Sponsor Heath Village, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, Series Sponsor The House of the Good Shepherd and Centenary College in New Jersey.