Dinah Washington News

Newly opened in October 2016 the Blue Note Napa is a jazz club/gourmet restaurant venue occupying the first floor of the historic Napa Valley Opera House.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season next month with 13 amazing productions from Broadway Tony winners to red hot rockers, from delightful children's shows to jazzy multimedia presentations.

There's not much one can say when you look at the resume of Ben Vereen. I have to admit I thought the email to interview Mr. Vereen was a hoax or a vile trick someone was playing on me. Now the reason I say this is because he is one of my idols and reasons I studied musical theatre in college and left to go to NYC to work professionally. We are familiar with his work with Bob Fosse as the Leading Player in PIPPIN and as Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR but Mr. Vereen still continues to give us the ole razzle dazzle on the stage and on the screen. He's starred in 9 Broadway shows, has received the coveted Antionette Perry Award (The Tony), a Drama Desk Award, and a Prism Award. Nominated for an NAACP Image Award, starred in 30 plus movies and television shows, and has a huge crossover career. Ben Vereen hit the scene in Martha Graham's PRODIGAL SON in 1965 and he's been working ever since. I had the esteemed pleasure to sit and talk about his illustrious career and the current projects he's working on currently.

While tickets to many of the major shows and concerts during the Kravis Center's 25th anniversary season go on public sale on October 1, eager entertainment fans can start buying tickets to 13 of the Center's earliest presentations starting onSeptember 9 at 10 am.

'Broad: A term originated in the 1930s meaning woman. Less respectable than 'lady,' but much more respectable than 'bitch.' Broad: An independent, aggressive, assertive woman, usually in show business. Broads sing loud, are sarcastic, and are in your face. Broads are generally moderately attractive or better, never seen without their best dresses and perfect makeup, and they know how to compete and win in a man's world.' This is how Lesli Margherita began her one-woman show at Birdland Jazz on July 25, the second of a two-performance return engagement at the club. Reading from a music stand so as not to mince words, Margherita recited the dictionary definition of her show's eponymous moniker, because if nothing else, through Broad, Margherita wanted to make sure her audience understood one thing: Broads like her will never be deterred.

For Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, July is heating up with music legend David Crosby, ground-breaking fusion artist, Robert Glasper, chart-topping funk and R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne and multi-platinum vocalist Joan Osborne.

SPARKLE & CIRCULATE with JUSTIN SAYRE - the official monthly podcast of the International Order of Sodomites - has posted its new episode, which features an interview with Robert W. Richards.

Artists have been added to the schedule for Lincoln Center Out of Doors, one of the country's longest-running, free, summer outdoor festivals which opens its 46th season on July 20.  The popular festival will fill the plazas of Lincoln Center with a diverse range of music, dance, spoken word, and family events, featuring dozens of U.S., international, and local artists through August 7.

Reji Woods, a Lancaster area stage and song fixture, has a full plate this summer, with his PORTRAIT OF A LADY series and two summer shows in Philadelphia and Vermont. He talks about producing and performing at the same time.

Formed by bandleader Evan “Bibs” Palazzo and lead singer “Miz Elizabeth” Bougerol, The Hot Sardines' sophomore studio album, French Fries & Champagne, will be released June 17

After its recent sold-out run at the Carver Community Center, Divas of Eastwood - 'a celebration of the Chitlin Circuit' - returns to the Carver on March 4th for three nights to offer up another selection of familiar songs by some of San Antonio's finest singers and performers, including Danielle King and Alisa Claridy.

Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Tim Evans announce E. Faye Butler in Concert. This one-night-only concert event will be held at 7:30pm on February 8, 2016 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

Get set for a high-octane ride with thrilling choreography, rockin' tunes and explosively colorful costumes - plus some really cool hairdos - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, presents HAIRSPRAY - The Broadway Musical, now through February 21, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a stunning first look at the cast in action below!

Get set for a high-octane ride with thrilling choreography, rockin' tunes and explosively colorful costumes - plus some really cool hairdos - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, presents HAIRSPRAY - The Broadway Musical, tonight, January 20, through February 21, 2016.

After a sold-out engagement last February, renowned San Francisco Bay Area jazz vocalist, Paula West, returns to Feinstein's at the Nikko for a four-week engagement - February 11 - March 6, 2016.  Known for her rich, powerful contralto voice, West will present an all-new show featuring an eclectic range of songs by Bob Dylan, Glen Campbell, Pearl Bailey, Ethel Waters, and more!  Accompanied by her four-piece band, West will take San Francisco audiences on a musical journey through the ages.  Tickets for Paula West range in price from $40-$60 and are available now by calling 866.663.1063 or visiting www.ticketweb.com. 

Get set for a high-octane ride with thrilling choreography, rockin' tunes and explosively colorful costumes - plus some really cool hairdos - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, presents Hairspray - The Broadway Musical, January 20-February 21, 2016. Check out a first look at the characters below!

Get set for a high-octane ride with thrilling choreography, rockin' tunes and explosively colorful costumes - plus some really cool hairdos - when the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora, presents HAIRSPRAY - The Broadway Musical, January 20 - February 21, 2016.

What happens when you put Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson and Gladys Knight together in the same room for a day? Well you certainly get some great nostalgic music that's for sure. Originally presented in 2001, Dynamite Divas will also feature Divas from the past such as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nina Simone, December 12, 2015 - January 24, 2016.

The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is pleased to welcome Champian Fulton, The Brandon McCune Trio, The Chris Gillespie Trio, and Tony DeSare to Bemelmans Bar for Sunday night residencies throughout the winter 2016 season. Featuring top artists from the worlds of jazz, cabaret and Broadway alongside special unannounced guests, Sunday nights at Bemelmans Bar have become a favorite spot for a wide range of performing musicians across the city. Additionally, the classic watering hole has drawn crowds consisting of socialites, politicians, movie stars and moguls for?more than five decades. More information on acts performing this winter can be found below.

Last night, November 13, 2015 at 8:00PM, The New York Pops, led by Music Director Steven Reineke, will continue its 33rd season at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with SOPHISTICATED LADIES, featuring Montego Glover, Capathia Jenkins, and Sy Smith. Go inside the after-party with us through the photos below!