Mel C. News

Carnegie Hall opens its 2016-2017 season on Thursday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. with a gala concert featuring exquisite dance music performed by the dynamic Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela and Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. The program features Ravel's La valse and Stravinsky's Le sacre du printemps as well as selected dances from around the world.

On September 15, Music Director Michael Krajewski and the Philly POPS orchestra return to the Hyatt at the Bellevue for the Fourth Annual POPS Ball.

After several years of growth and financial success, the Philly POPS has made a significant investment in its programming, production, and contributed revenue departments with new hires, as well as promotions in the education and communications departments.

Tickets are now on sale for American Composers Orchestra's (ACO) 40th Anniversary Season, under the leadership of Artistic Director Derek Bermel and Music Director George Manahan. This season includes eight world premieres by a diverse set of composers performed by ACO at Carnegie Hall and Symphony Space, and continues the orchestra's commitment to serve as a catalyst for the creation of new orchestral music, providing unprecedented opportunities for American composers to create new work and for audiences to discover it. Founded in 1977, ACO remains the only orchestra in the world dedicated exclusively to the creation, performance, preservation, and promulgation of music by American composers. To date, ACO has performed music by 800 American composers, including 350 world premieres and newly commissioned works. ACO takes its commitment to fostering new work beyond the stage in its annual Underwood New Music Readings for emerging composers, now in its 26th year in New York, and through its program EarShot, the National Orchestra Composition Discovery Network, which brings the Readings experience to orchestras across the country in partnership with American Composers Forum, the League of American Orchestras, and New Music USA.

FRIGID New York @ Horse Trade in association with Hard Sparks will present the World Premiere of J.Stephen Brantley's THE JAMB, directed by David Drake, tonight, September 1, through September 17 at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery) with performances Today through Saturday at 7pm.

Complete casting has been announced for the new musical NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, featuring the Broadway debuts of 24 cast and creative team members, including Josh Groban* as 'Pierre' and Denee Benton* as 'Natasha.'

The Chiara String Quartet (Rebecca Fischer and Hyeyung Julie Yoon, violins; Jonah Sirota, viola; Gregory Beaver, cello) will perform all six of Bela Bartok's string quartets by heart, or from memory, a feat never attempted before, at National Sawdust (80 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY) on August 30 (Quartets Nos, 1, 3, and 5) and 31 (Quartets Nos. 2, 4, and 6) at 7pm.

We have some creative and delicious snacking recipes that are perfect for back to school lunches, after school snacking and busy weekends.

NEW YORK THEATRE BALLET Announces 2016-17 Season New York Theatre Ballet announces the 2016-17 season, which will include repertory performances throughout the year.

The Apollo Theater announced today that it will hold auditions for its legendary Amateur Night show, now in its 82nd year, in multiple cities this Fall.

Mirror Visions Ensemble (MVE) today announces concerts and programming for its 25th anniversary season.

Philadelphia chanteuse Julie Charnet brings her blend of jazz and swing to the Ethical Society of Philadelphia and other venues.

THE OCEAN GROVE CAMP MEETING ASSOCIATION (OGCMA) will present its annual Sacred Masterwork concert on Sunday, August 28th at 7:00pm at The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. This year's free concert is Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio "Elijah." OCGMA's Director of Music Ministries, Jason C. Tramm, will conduct the Great Auditorium Choir and guest soloists Monica Ziglar (soprano), Martha Bartz (Mezzo-Soprano), Ronald Naldi (tenor) and Justin Beck (Bass-Baritone), accompanied by the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra and OGCMA's Gordon Turk, Organist-in-Residence. The Great Auditorium is located at 54 Pilgrim Pathway in Ocean Grove, NJ, and is handicapped-accessible. 

To mark the on-sale date for tickets to Elvis: The King's Songbook, local singer and guitar player Billy Brown will be singing the King's tunes all over Philly! The POPS and Billy will make stops in University City, Center City, Penn's Landing, Northern Liberties and end the day in true Elvis fashion: at Parx Casino!

The KlangVerwaltung Orchestra has been recognized for its superlative technical skill, ability to interact like a chamber music ensemble, vibrant orchestral color, and lively stage presence.

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS heat up the Los Angeles County Arboretum on August 20th with an evening solely devoted to one of America's most beloved musical icons for Cole Porter Night.

The Chiara String Quartet (Rebecca Fischer and Hyeyung Julie Yoon, violins; Jonah Sirota, viola; Gregory Beaver, cello) will perform all six of Bela Bartok's string quartets by heart, or from memory, a feat never attempted before, at National Sawdust (80 N. 6th St., Brooklyn, NY) on August 30 (Quartets Nos, 1, 3, and 5) and 31 (Quartets Nos. 2, 4, and 6) at 7pm.

A play about a spiritual retreat in which DeBonis' character and five others are largely silent resonates with poignant statements about the human condition.

Unexpected Stage Company's Today, July 29 performance (7:30p) of 8 STOPS will benefit Red Wiggler Community Farm, with half of all ticket sales for that evening going to support this local non-profit.

The Philly POPS Festival Brass will perform at the Union League steps for the final day of the Democratic National Convention as part of the DNC Host Committee's Avenue of the Arts performance series today, July 28 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.