Aretha Franklin News

Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winner Cynthia Erivo is set to star in the film adaptation of Carrier, the hit sci-fi-thriller podcast created by audio studio QCode and Dan Blank.  Erivo will reprise her role from the podcast. According to Deadline, Amblin Partners has acquired film rights to the podcast, and Blank will also write and direct the film.

The B.B. King Blues Band are thrilled to announce their new partnership with The B.B. King Estate. This joint venture now finds the two forces working together to bring the world The B.B. King Experience, the band's new working name. In addition to the upcoming world tour (dates listed below), the single 'Rock Me Baby' featuring George Benson, Tito Jackson and Claudette King will be released this summer.

The Orleans Showroom will bring celebrated entertainers to The Orleans Hotel and Casino in March, including the First Ladies of Disco featuring Martha Wash, Linda Clifford and Norma Jean Wright (formerly of Chic), southern rock band 38 Special, R&B and funk group Ohio Players and Grammy Award-winning country band Diamond Rio. March entertainment will also feature free live entertainment at Bourbon Street Lounge, Prime Rib Loft and Bailiwick All American Pub + Eatery throughout the month.

Incredible ensembles, global superstars, legendary instrumentalists and genre-bending up-and-comers make up the first wave of artists announced today for the 66th edition of Newport Jazz. Curated by Artistic Director Christian McBride and founder George Wein, the Festival takes place August 7-9 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino.

Incredible ensembles, global superstars, legendary instrumentalists and genre-bending up-and-comers make up the first wave of artists announced today for the 66th edition of Newport Jazz. Curated by Artistic Director Christian McBride and founder George Wein, the Festival takes place August 7-9 at Fort Adams State Park and the International Tennis Hall of Fame at the Newport Casino. 

One of the hottest American contemporary dance companies, Parsons Dance, will appear at Wharton Center on Saturday, February 22, for two performances, a sensory-friendly matinee and an evening performance. Parson's Dance is known for their energized, joyous, and athletic ensemble work, and Artistic Director David Parsons is heralded by The New York Times as a?oeone of the greatest movers of modern dance.a?? Tickets are available at the official source to purchase Wharton Center tickets online, whartoncenter.com; at the Auto-Owners Insurance Ticket Office; or by calling 1-800-WHARTON.

Get your first look at Cynthia stepping into the shoes of one of the world's most legendary artists in the first trailer for Genius: Aretha!

Legends in Concert is the longest-running show in Las Vegas history, and after 35 years is still voted the No. 1 tribute show in the city. The internationally acclaimed and award-winning production is known as the pioneer of live tribute shows, and possesses the greatest collection of live tribute artists in the world. These incredible artists have pitch-perfect live vocals, signature choreography, and stunningly similar appearances to the legends they portray. The McCallum Theatre presents Legends in Concerta?"The Divas, featuring tributes to Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, for two shows: at 3:00pm and 8:00pm, Thursday, Feb. 27.

The Marsh San Francisco presents GRANDMA & ME: An Ode to Single Parents, the highly anticipated new solo show by award-winning playwright and actor Brian Copeland (Not a Genuine Black Man, The Waiting Period, The Scion, The Jewelry Box). Copeland, whose critically-acclaimed Not a Genuine Black Man has earned the title of longest running solo show in San Francisco history, unveils a new work that examines the issues of single parenting, and asks what it truly means to be a father.

With the flamboyant style of Prince and a voice as mind-blowing as Freddy, this daring deviant riffs through 'RESPECT', breezes through 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and will leave you singin' in the 'Purple Rain'. It's all the queens and kings you love to belt along to, in a hilarious cabaret romp you'll be talking about for days. Will he have a coronation, or just a corona?

PEAK Performances presents two concerts by the United States' only professional piano sextet, Grand Band, a?oethe finest, busiest pianists active in New York's contemporary-classical scenea?? (The New York Times), who arrange and play six pianos in a circle. The unconventional ensemblea?"Erika Dohi, David Friend, Paul Kerekes, Blair McMillen, Lisa Moore, and Isabelle O'Connella?"engulfs the audience in the sonic intensity of four landmark contemporary works, including the iconic and massive Gay Guerilla by a?oebrazen and brillianta?? (The New Yorker) late minimalist composer Julius Eastman. 

For 7 years Schtick A Pole In It has owned the 4th Saturday in the East Village. It's the best and only Comedy and Pole Dancing show in the city.

What They Said About Love by Steve Budd is the fifth performance for Brian Copeland presents The Best of San Francisco Solo Series 2019/20 in partnership with The Marin Cultural Association at The Marin Center's Showcase Theater. This absorbing solo play will be presented on Sunday, February 23, 2020 (7pm) at The Marin Center's Showcase Theater.

a?oeVoices of Change,a?? an inspiring production featuring original choreography and live music, will be performed by the young talents of National Dance Institute's (NDI) Celebration Team on their third visit to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, March 8. The event takes place at 4 p.m. in NJPAC's Victoria Theater.

Actor / comedian Rhonda 'Passion' Hansome, (SiriusXM 'John Fugelsang's Tell Me Everything' podcast) celebrates Women's History Month with her funny friends: Shelly Colman (Newcomer National Grand Champion Ladies of Laughter Competition), Dara Jemmott (Brooklyn House of Comedy), Nancy Lombardo ( 'Saturday Night Live' / Toyota Comedy Festival), Robin Montague ('Gotham Comedy Live' / 'Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen') and a surprise or two at BMCC / Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers Street) in Manhattan with a night of standup comedy on Friday, March 6, 2020. Tickets for the 8pm show are $25 ($15 for seniors / students with ID) and for reservations and additional information, contact (212) 220-1460 or go to: www.tribecapac.org/.

Multi-genre musical experience We Shall Overcome comes to Pepperdine University at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts.

National Geographic, with Fox 21 Studios and Imagine Television Studios, announced today that Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated musician Raphael Saadiq has been tapped to serve as executive music producer on GENIUS: ARETHA. Saadiq is responsible for producing, arranging and recording all of the original song elements within the series featuring live performances. The score will be written and produced by multi-Grammy Award-winner and Academy Award nominee Terence Blanchard ('Harriet,' 'BlacKkKlansman').

National Geographic, with FOX 21 Studios and Imagine Television Studios, announced today that Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated musician Raphael Saadiq has been tapped to serve as executive music producer on GENIUS: ARETHA. Saadiq is responsible for producing, arranging and recording all of the original song elements within the series featuring live performances. The score will be written and produced by multi-Grammy Award-winner and Academy Award nominee Terence Blanchard ('Harriet,' 'BlacKkKlansman').

Season six American Idol finalist and recording artist Melinda Doolittle is set to return with her show Great American Soul Book to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood for one performance only on Wednesday, February 5, at 8:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents and Catalina.

Sting stopped by The Late Late Show with James Corden last night, where he performed 'The Last Ship' from the musical of the same name. He was joined on stage by cast members from the show's currently running national tour.