Aretha Franklin News

The Wick Theatre's 2016/2017 Season: THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG Starring Broadway's Andrea McArdle October 13 - November 6 A musical comedy by master of the genre Neil Simon, music by Marvin Hamlisch, and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. The hit musical about an established composer and his relationship with an aspiring young female lyricist. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully-but ultimately leads to conflict on the home front. Don't worry, there's a happy ending.

It is said that music never leaves the soul. No one knows this more than jazz vocalist and radio personality, Cres O'Neal. On Today, July 16, 2016, at 4 pm, Cres will make her long awaited return to the stage at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, New York, New York. Joining Cres will be Grammy nominated percussionist, Wilson 'Chembo' Corniel; award winning pianist, Dawrin Noguera; acclaimed bassist, Paul Beaudry; and acclaimed drummer, Willie Martinez.

Kristin Piacentile is currently starring as Janis Joplin in A Night with Janis Joplin at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY, where she portrays the legendary singer for three performances per week.

Some highlights of what's coming up this summer at Wolf Trap include: The Firebird (July 23); Star Trek Into Darkness with the NSO - and a pre-show Trek talk with Adam Nimoy (Leonard's son), Dave Zappone (For the Love of Spock), and Terry Farrell (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) along with several NASA staff (July 30); and the National Park Service Centennial celebration weekend, which features performances by Ricky Martin (August 24+25), Aretha Franklin (August 26), and Bonnie Raitt (Augsut 27). Scroll down for details! 

Well, yeah. I guess I am self-made. Because - thinking in terms of what my goals have been all my life - I've had very specific ideas around what I've wanted to do since I was about three. I can remember back to the day, the time of day, what I was doing, when the light bulb went off and I said to myself, "That's what I want to do." I pretty much focused on that. I said it on that day and I've gotten to the point where I'm in the middle of it happening. It's hinting towards what I see, what my goals have been. But it's not out of reach. It could happen. It's just a matter of putting the time into that and making it happen. It has happened already and now it's about allowing it to happen again and maybe getting more exposure to let it expand. My earliest inspiration is pretty much what helped shape myself into what I am. I can pinpoint who those people are and at some point I allowed it to… I let those landmarks inspire, I held onto them, and continued to step forward as the man. But it pretty much started with the Sonny and Cher show.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ The nation's best will be competing at the USA Track & Field Masters Championships at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI, Today through Sunday, July 14-17. Forty current world champions and approximately 100 defending US champions are among 1018 athletes who will take part in 2560 events, including 104 participants from Michigan in 187 events, with many Grand Rapids area stars.

Motown the Musical returns to Broadway tonight, Tuesday, July 12 at The Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41Street) for a strictly limited 18-week-only engagement through Sunday, November 13, 2016. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the original production below!

Beehive: The '60s Musical Sensation returns to Sierra Repertory Theatre's East Sonora stage this month, with six rockin' women, 40 outrageous costumes, a couple cases of hairspray and a decade worth of hot, high energy hits. The action-packed trip through the sixties plays July 22 through August 28.

'Legends in Concert", the original and world's greatest live celebrity tribute show, kicks off its first national performing arts center tour beginning October 2016. "Legends in Concert" will be presented for the very first time in Detroit at the Fox Theatre on Sunday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Barclays Center presents an evening with R&B super group, New Edition and multi-platinum hit-maker Babyface.

Following a three-and-a-half week summer concert tour of Austria and Italy, Electric Youth (EY) will perform two free outdoor concerts on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Norfolk Town Hill and on Wednesday, July 27, at 6 p.m. on Franklin Town Common.

Returning to Atlanta for two public performances, Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) will grace the stage at the Cobb Energy Centre on Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, July 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be priced from $79, $59, $49 and $29, plus applicable fees, and will be available online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-735-3000 or at the Cobb Energy Centre Box Office. There is also a student field trip performance on Friday, October 21 at 11 a.m. Reservations for this performance can be made at ArtsBridge.org.

Organizers of Time Inc.'s (NYSE:TIME) ESSENCE Festival today announced that world renowned television host, actress, producer, philanthropist and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey will appear at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans

Jennifer Hudson, who recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, has signed an exclusive contract with Epic Records. The news was announced by Epic Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid.

Old School Square has served for over 25 years as the gathering place for Delray Beach, and the 2016-17 Season will launch a new era of arts and entertainment for all ages.

Ardea Arts announces BOUNCE The Basketball Opera, their latest project in development. Showcase performances will take place at Paerdegat Park in East Flatbush, Brooklyn Today-Monday June 25-27, 2016 at 6pm.

Barclays Center presents an evening with R&B super group, New Edition and multi-platinum hit-maker Babyface.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Agatha Christie's Spider's Web, Agatha Christie's only comedy thriller, beginning performances July 12 in the Hubbard Theatre. The popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series returns to the Alley after a two-year break and offers a cool escape from the summer heat. The series is the perfect introduction to live theatre for first-timers.

Legendary trumpet player Wayne Jackson has passed away at the age of 74

Adelaide Festival Centre's Adelaide Cabaret Festival is excited to announce that Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton will be performing three shows in the Dunstan Playhouse across 18 and 19 June.