Stevie Wonder News

MOTOWN is getting a new Smokey! Not only that, but the Daily Mail writes that the West End production of Motown the Musical is extending through October 2017. Obioma Ugoala will join the cast as 'Smokey Robinson' starting July 4, 2016.

Sunday June 12th marks the last of Interval Productions' current Made in LDN season, which launched at The Cockpit in March. The season has been designed to present new British Musical Theatre writing, curated and presented by Interval Productions' Creative Director, Tori Allen-Martin, and supported using public funding by Arts Council England. So far the Made In Ldn season has showcased work from twelve new writers and/or composers and now Declan Bennett joins the line up, performing in An Innocent Evening of Drinking, which is an exciting piece of new theatre that he co-created with Phil Griffin.

Long-time YES fans, rejoice! Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman have announced that after a hiatus of 25 years, they are to reform the definitive YES line-up as - Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman (ARW). The tour hits Atlanta on Monday, October 10 at 8:00 p.m.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) welcomes globally recognized hip hop soul artist Musiq Soulchild on Friday, June 10th at 8PM. See Musiq Soulchild in this much anticipated concert perform hits 'Love,' 'Half Crazy' plus his infectious hot new single 'I Do' from his recently released new album, Life On Earth. Musiq Soulchild has earned multi- platinum status with now seven albums released and over seven hit singles along with awards from Billboard, BET, ASCAP, BMI, NAACP, Soul Train, MTV, The American Music Awards and an impressive eleven Grammy nominations. This Philadelphia crooner who has not performed live in a long time and who has carved his own musical genre will perform live at NJPAC! A show not to be missed and will include guest performances by Lalah Hathaway and Raheem Devaughn. Be sure to reserve tickets at NJPAC.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722).

The ultimate '60s music battle!  Who will reign supreme in this amazing night of music?! Join the Motones and Jerseys for an evening of '60s song, dance and crowd interaction. At the end of the show, YOU decide the winner!

Norwegian artist Bernhoft will perform at Bowery Ballroom on Monday, May 23 at 10PM in celebration of his new EP Stop/Shutup/Shout It Out.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its June 2016 schedule, featuring: Bill Charlap Trio, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Arturo O'Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Mike Stern and Bill Evans Quartet, Bucky Pizzarelli, Ravi Coltrane, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella, Birdland Big Band, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more.

Destiny's Child's LeToya Luckett will take on the role of Dionne Warwick in an upcoming biopic. The legendary R & B singer announced the project today at the Cannes Film Festival.

20 FEET FROM STARDOM will screen at the Boulder Theater on June 3rd, 2016.

ABC announced today a new music series “Greatest Hits.” Each episode will highlight a five-year period celebrating the biggest hits from that time, hosted by Arsenio Hall and Kelsea Ballerini. Each week, iconic music artists, as well as today's music chart-toppers, will take the stage and perform the songs that defined the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. The six-episode series will feature special solo performances, never-before-seen duets and incredible tributes on “Greatest Hits,” premiering THURSDAY, JUNE 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.

Celebrating congregational singing and a cappella music in Christian worship, The Ascending Voice IV features three main evening concerts: Cerulean- Voices Extraordinary on Today, May 12 directed by Ryan Board; the grand Ascending Voice Festival Choir concert on Friday, May 13 directed by world renowned choral scholar Simon Carrington; and Grammy Award-winning sensation Take 6 on Saturday, May 14.

The Marcus Center Presents series, sponsored by Envoy Restaurant and Lounge, is excited to bring the two- mega groups, The Manhattan Transfer and Take 6, to the intimate Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall for The Summit Concert.  This one night only performance is on Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30 pm.  Tickets are $75 and go on sale on Friday, May 20 at 12:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at the Marcus Center Box Office at 929 North Water Street, online at Ticketmaster.com or MarcusCenter.org or by phone at 414-273-7206. Group are available for 10 or more by calling Group Sales at 414-273-7121 x210.

BroadwayWorld is excited to report that the multi award-winning Broadway hit musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical will make its Australian premiere at a newly refurbished Sydney Lyric Theatre from September 2017.

'...as Willie Dixon has said so many times, 'the blues are the roots, the rest of the music are the fruits.'

Martinis Above Fourth Table + Stage, in association with Chris Isaacson Presents, is thrilled to present Emmy Award-winner and Tony Award-nominee Liz Callaway as she makes her San Diego debut at MA4 to celebrate the West Coast release of her latest CD, The Essential Liz Callaway, tonight, May 10 at 8PM.

Chris Isaacson Presents has announced the engagement for Liz Callaway: THE ESSENTIAL LIZ CALLAWAY, coming to the Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Bl, Hollywood, Calif., for an exclusive, one-night-only engagement on May 9 at 8:30 PM, celebrating the West Coast release of her newest CD.

Producers Kevin McCollum, Doug Morris and Berry Gordy, and Broadway Sacramento, are proud to announce that MOTOWN THE MUSICAL will play at Community Center Theater for a two-week engagement May 18 - 29. Tickets start at $24 and are available now at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office, 1419 H Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 557-1999; they are also available at the Convention Center Box Office, 1301 L Street, Sacramento, or by calling (916) 808-5181, or online at Tickets.com. Sacramento Community Center Theater is located at 1301 L Street in Sacramento.

Maestro Luke Frazier and The American Pops Orchestra - Washington, DC's innovative hometown orchestra - are proud to present the closing concert of their successful inaugural season. MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY: A 60s Cocktail Party will debut at the George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium today, May 6th at 8:00 PM.

The New Stew is a 'super group' of a handful of fine musicians from all genres of music that features Corey Glover (Living Colour, Galactic) on vocals, Roosevelt Collier (The Lee Boys) on Lap Steel/ Pedal Steel, Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks Band, Royal Southern Brotherhood) on percussion, Dave Yoke (Susan Tedeschi Band, Dr. John, Scrapomatic) on guitar, Jared Stone (Stone's Stew) on drums, and Matt Slocum (Oteil and the Peacemakers, Col. Bruce Hampton & Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Lee Boys) on piano.

Billboard and dick clark productions announced today that renowned musical performer Celine Dion will be honored with the esteemed ICON Award at the "2016 Billboard Music Awards."