Josephine Baker News

Well, it's that time of the year again--time for a look-back on what was worth making note of during the calendar year that's about to come to an end. It's from a totally personal, subjective point of view, of course, but frankly that's the way opera-lovers always seem to like it, n'est-ce pas? The productions worth noting come from places big, small and in-between, from composers old as the hills to freshly minted or somewhere in between (likewise the performers), from traditional or boldly modern to simply stand up and sing.

92Y announces a Valentine's Day concert with Dee Dee Bridgewater, NEA Jazz Master, triple Grammy Award winner, Tony Award winner and UN Ambassador. A singer who can expertly channel Ella, Billie, and Josephine Baker, Dee Dee is also an original and captivating song stylist. She comes to 92Y with her trio on Sunday, February 14 for an unforgettable evening of romantic standards and celebration of love.

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents the December Panel: What It Means to Be a Producer (and Why I Do It) on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 7:30pm (networking at 7pm) at Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Polaris North, 245 W. 29th St. 4th floor, NYC, 10001. This panel is free for TRU members; $12.50 for non-members in advance ($15 at door).

Experience Paris from the 1920's to 1960 as we pay tribute to African American culture in Paris. Art, Literature and Music were all a part of this important movement. Hear the music of Bricktop, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt and others who made or sustained their careers in the City of Light.

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present VIVIAN REED in an encore performance of her centennial tribute to entertainment icon Lena Horne on Today, October 20 at 7:00 PM. The evening is back by popular demand after the first show at the venue on Horne's birthday this summer. 

Honoring the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the beginning of the Weimar Republic (1918-2018)   International chanteuse Adrienne Haan will be featured in a Joseph Barry Production, Voluptuous Weimar-A Tribute to Berlin's Golden Age.  Haan's performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the beginning of the Weimar Republic with musical selections that characterize Berlin during the 1920's and early 30's as a time of change.  The program under the musical direction of  pianist Richard Danley includes Spoliansky's, It's All a Swindle, Hollaender's Falling in Love Again, Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz and Porter's Night and Day. Ms. Haan will perform with the Grammy-award winning 1920's Big Band, Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks. 

Vincent Victoria Presents, the small theater organization in Houston, Texas that prides itself on doing good work on a small budget and dedicated to recreating forgotten historical moments from African American History onstage, recently took matters into their own hands because of the unfortunate shortage of theater reviewers in the city, and asked audience members to submit their own thoughts and reviews of the World Premiere period drama 'Mr Booker T. at the Door'. The idea is similar to what travelers do on Trip Advisor when reviewing a Hotel and restaurant diners do on on YELP

THE GREEN ROOM 42 will present VIVIAN REED in an encore performance of her centennial tribute to entertainment icon Lena Horne on Saturday, October 20 at 7:00 PM. The evening is back by popular demand after the first show at the venue on Horne's birthday this summer. 

Paris Noir : Concert celebrates Black Culture in Paris; meet Josephine Baker's private secretary

Experience Paris from the 1920's to 1960 as we pay tribute to African American culture in Paris. Art, Literature and Music were all a part of this important movement. Hear the music of Bricktop, Josephine Baker, Eartha Kitt and others who made or sustained their careers in the City of Light.

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Theo Croker Quintet, Anita Gillette, Jay Leonhart, and more!

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with Dee Dee Bridgewater with the Theo Croker Quintet, Kevin Eubanks Quartet, Anita Gillette, Ron Carter's Great Big Band, Quartet and Golden Striker Trio, Alan Broadbent Trio, Capathia Jenkins & Louis Rosen, Jay Leonhart, Pasquale Grasso Trio, Ken Peplowski with Special Guest Sinne Eeg, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

Honoring the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the beginning of the Weimar Republic (1918-2018)   International chanteuse Adrienne Haan will be featured in a Joseph Barry Production, Voluptuous Weimar-A Tribute to Berlin's Golden Age.  Haan's performance celebrates the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and the beginning of the Weimar Republic with musical selections that characterize Berlin during the 1920's and early 30's as a time of change.  The program under the musical direction of  pianist Richard Danley includes Spoliansky's, It's All a Swindle, Hollaender's Falling in Love Again, Berlin's Puttin' on the Ritz and Porter's Night and Day. Ms. Haan will perform with the Grammy-award winning 1920's Big Band, Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks. 

Theater Resources Unlimited (TRU) presents its annual free introductory panel Thursday, September 20, 2018: WHO IS TRU? A Free Introduction to Our Community and Programs at 7:30pm (doors open for networking at7pm) at The Playroom Theatre, 151 W. 46th Street, 8th fl., NYC. This panel is free but please reserve using the bright red reservation box athttps://truonline.org/events/who-is-tru/, or call at least a day in advance (or much sooner) for reservations: 212-714-7628; or e-mail TRUStaff1@gmail.com.

The story of French-born American dancer, singer, actress and comedian Josephine Baker (1906-1975) who conquered the world with her art and talent, despite criticism of her rebellious and liberal lifestyle. It is this woman and artist that the musical show intends to present to the public. On stage, wild dance, sensuality and debauchery. Outside of it, the struggle for racial equality, the defense of miscegenation and harmonious coexistence among peoples.

NAPA, Calif., Aug. 22, 2018 PRNewswire emBRAZEN winestake inspiration from extraordinary women of the past who dared to shatter convention. Available nationwide, the trio of California wines, including a Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Red Blend, each feature a historic female pioneer who defied convention and sought to bring about positive change in the world. The labels come to life through augmented reality driven by the Living Wine Labels app, as each heroine shares her personal story.

Bringing together some of today's most remarkable ballet talents, Daniel Ulbricht's Stars of American Ballet returns to Jacob's Pillow, appearing in the Ted Shawn Theatre August 22-26. A principal dancer with New York City Ballet since 2007, Ulbricht is lauded as "one of the best male ballet dancers in New York" (Dance Magazine). As Artistic Director, curator, and performer, Ulbricht brings a unique vision and perspective to performance. With a cast highlighting 14 powerhouse dancers of New York City Ballet, this collective celebrates the legacy of choreographic legend Jerome Robbins with a program of his masterpieces on the occasion of his centennial, augmented by two Robbins-related PillowTalks.

Before former President Barack Obama lived in the White House, before Entertainer Sammy Davis Jr became the first African American to sleep in the White House as a guest in 1972, Educator and Civil Rights leader Booker T. Washington became the first black person ever to dine inside the Executive Mansion as a guest.

Samuel French announces that award-winning playwright and cabaret artist Charles Busch (The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, Psycho Beach Party, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom) has happily stepped in for the previously announced Lauren Yee (The King of the Yees, The Great Leap, The Hatmaker's Wife) who had to recuse herself due to a scheduling conflict.

The Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival, the nation's premier short play competition, takes place August 21-25 at The Vineyard's Dimson 15th Street Theatre. Chosen from over 850 submissions from the U.S. and abroad, 30 finalist plays and musicals, each running 10-30 minutes in length, will be presented. The Saturday, August 25th presentation is the culmination of the week-long festival at which the Samuel French staff will choose the winning six pieces for licensing and publication in an anthology.