Cab Calloway News

American Masters opens its 27th season with the story of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915-October 9, 1973).

Doc Scantlin and His Imperial Palms Orchestra will perform at McLean's Alden Theatre at 8 p.m.,Saturday, Feb. 23. Tickets are $30, $20 for tax district residents. The theatre is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue.

At last year's Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Awards, two of the big winners were T. Oliver Reid (photo left) for Male Debut and Eric Michael Gillett for Major Artist, Male (and both could very likely be MAC nominees again this year). Almost a year later, two of New York cabaret's leading men performed new shows one night apart at 54 Below; Reid on February 6 with Drop Me Off in Harlem, and Gillett the next night with Careless Rhapsody: An Evening Dedicated to the Lyrics of Lorenz Hart. Ironically, what the shows had in common--besides being a fairly good fit of material to singer--was that the majority of their sets featured songs written in the 1930s but in very different styles. With Reid it was the jazz, swing and blues of Harlem; with Gillette it was the romantic Broadway musical sensibility of Hart's lyrics (paired with the timeless melodies of Richard Rodgers). While neither Reid's 'Harlem,' nor Gillett's 'Hart' were stirring or spectacular shows, they were both solid and entertaining enough that both could be nominated for BroadwayWorld.com Awards in 2013.

On February 22, 23 and 24, the Houston Symphony invites audiences to Jones Hall for an evening of the music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel as performed by AJ Swearingen and Jonathan Beedle.

In celebration of Black History Month and as part of its year-round commitment to diverse programming, PBS today announced an on-air lineup commemorating the contributions of African Americans in music, dance, television and civil rights, providing an in-depth look at key figures and events that shaped black - and American - history.

With her tribute show to the music of Harold Arlen and Duke Allington, 'When Harry Met The Duke' is Rosemary Loar's creative foray back into the caressing arms of the Great American Songbook. If you consider that the contemporary cabaret scene in New York is 30 years on (since the opening of Don't Tell Mama in 1982 and the start of MAC in 1983), there have been likely been thousands of cabaret shows with GAS themes and the interesting new ideas may be down to a precious few. And Loar, who has been performing cabaret shows during that same time frame, has managed to come up with yet another variation and her erudite and accessibly sophisticated show goes down like a delicious vodka martini topped with a skewer of blue cheese stuffed olives.

The Palais Royale, South Bend, Indiana, is pleased to announce it has been selected as a 2013 reception and ceremony site winner in The Knot "Best of Weddings," a special section in The Knot magazine and on www.TheKnot.com Weddings from The Knot www.theknot.com, the number-one wedding resource that's most trusted by brides. The Palais Royale was also rated by brides as a 2011 The Knot "Best of Weddings" winner.

Tonight, January 6 between 8 PM-12 midnight The Big Broadcast celebrates forty years on WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org). Host Rich Conaty will mark the occasion by airing excerpts of an historic interview with Connie Boswell of the Boswell Sisters which hasn't been heard since 1974.

The first Wednesday of each month, Illegal Pete's will be presenting some of the finest independent bands and recording artists that the region has to offer. It's a night of comedy, music, friends and fun. The show will open with a top-notch comedian with great music following to round out the evening. A special night in the coolest showroom in town for only $10.00! Hosted each month by the clever Andrew Orvedahl, known as 1/3 of the buzzworthy comedy group The Grawlix, and creator of the monthly storytelling series, the Narrators.

On Sunday, January 6 between 8 PM-12 midnight The Big Broadcast celebrates forty years on WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org). Host Rich Conaty will mark the occasion by airing excerpts of an historic interview with Connie Boswell of the Boswell Sisters which hasn't been heard since 1974.

On Sunday, January 6 between 8 PM-12 midnight The Big Broadcast celebrates forty years on WFUV (90.7 FM/wfuv.org). Host Rich Conaty will mark the occasion by airing excerpts of an historic interview with Connie Boswell of the Boswell Sisters which hasn't been heard since 1974.

Okada Productions in collaboration with Yuji Takematsu present Kikki & Grandpa & Baby, a new musical written and directed by Yutaka Okada beginning January 5th at the Chernuchin Theater (American Theater of Actors 314 W. 54th Street). Music is by Shizuka Iwabuchi and includes traditional Japanese songs. Lyrics are by Yutaka Okada with additional lyrics by Julie Holtzman and Kuni Mikami. Musical direction is by Kuni Mikami.

The Omaha Community Playhouse recently cast the 1930s and 40s musical All Night Strut! A Jumpin' Jivin' Jam opening March 1, 2013 in the Hawks Mainstage, directed by Susan Baer Collins.

The GRAMMY Foundation® (www.grammyfoundation.org) today announced that 129 schools nationwide have been selected as GRAMMY® Signature Schools semifinalists (www.grammyintheschools.com) for 2013. Created in 1998, the GRAMMY Signature Schools program recognizes top U.S. public high schools that are making an outstanding commitment to music education during an academic school year.

The third season of Lincoln Center's White Light Festival continues in November with "The Spirit of the Body," a work by dancer/choreographer Malavika Sarukkai showcasing her exquisite interpretations of South India's classical dance, Bharatanatyam. Accompanied by four musicians from Madras, India, the performances are presented in the intimate setting of the Baryshnikov Arts Center.

Only the very best of the Great American Songbook will be featured as Closter, NJ residents, Francine Evans and husband, Joel Zelnik extend their run of "DESTINATION: Las Vegas - The Musical Journey" through December at Stage Left Studio, 314 W. 30 St/7 Ave/6th. floor, NYC.

Charismatic 23-year old Willy Moon, who recently signed with Island Records in the UK and Cherrytree Records in the US, has released a brand new single 'Yeah Yeah'.