Aretha Franklin News

The Kimmel Center Cultural Campus is thrilled to kick off the 50th anniversary season celebration for its beloved Resident Company, PHILADANCO, The Philadelphia Dance Company, with a presentation entitled GENESIS, followed by a star-studded, VIP reception honoring the legacy of PHILADANCO Founder & Artistic Director Joan Myers Brown, with proceeds from the event benefiting PHILADANCO. The reception will take place in the Academy of Music ballroom, home of PHILADANCO's first Gala in 1972. Reception attendees include former PHILADANCO dancer and former Tony Award-winning star of Hamilton Leslie Odom, Jr., who will perform at both the GENESIS performance on October 5 and at the reception. Both Odom, Jr. and Broadway & television star Sheryl Lee Ralph will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 50th anniversary year.

Today theSpaceUK announces its 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Season with over 400 shows and the biggest new-writing programme at the Fringe. There's household names to hunt down an autograph from, award-winners with their eyes on another prize, up-and-coming companies back to make their mark, and plenty of debut performances.

Third Side Music has announced a partial catalog purchase of The Clyde Otis Music Group, strengthening the partnership which began as an admin deal in 2016.

KEVIN SMITH KIRKWOOD - who appeared on Broadway in the entire run of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots - will return to JOE'S PUB with CLASSIC WHITNEY: ALIVE! in a special celebration of 2019 World Pride 'The Rainbow Show' on Monday, June 24 at 9:30 PM. The night features a special performance recreating Whitney's appearance at 1999's Pride Dance and her live covers of tunes by the divas who inspired her and keep the LGBTQ community dancing (including Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, and Judy Garland).

On May 30, Vital Communities will honor Jarvis Green and other individuals and organizations that have contributed to the vitality of the Upper Valley at its eighth annual Heroes & Leaders dinner. This year's event, part of Vital Communities' yearlong 25th anniversary celebration, will be held at the Top of the Hop and Alumni Hall in Hanover.

Producer Colin Ingram (Ghost - The Musical) and the creators of the film Back To The Future, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, are delighted to announce that BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical will open at the Manchester Opera House on 20 February 2020 for a strictly limited 12-week season, finishing on 17 May, prior to transferring to the West End. The Box Office will open at 10.00am on Friday 24 May 2019.

The Apollo Theater today announced details for its 2019 Apollo Spring Gala, the historic Theater's largest annual fundraising event, taking place on Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. In honor of the Theater's 85th Anniversary, this year's gala theme is "Icons Revisited," which will explore iconic Apollo performers through the lens of contemporary artists.

The legendary Apollo Theater – the soul of American culture and a globally recognized national treasure – will honor the legendary and iconic Temptations with their induction into the Apollo's Walk of Fame. Otis Williams, founding and only surviving, original member of the Motown super-group, will accept the honor.

“We're packing so many hit shows in to the next six months, from world premieres to little gems of plays, comedy, music and opera – let us entertain you” says Julie Kelleher, Artistic Director of Cork's Everyman Theatre at the announcement of the theatre's programme for the next months.

Kevin Black, one of South Florida's best-known producer/director/choreographers, is once again collaborating with award-winning vocalist Mimi J to create a concert program that will appeal to audiences of all ages. The two have worked together several times developing shows that achieved great success - most notably On the Radio: Sounds of the 70s, which debuted at Stage Door Theatre in 2014, and eventually morphed into I Will Survive.  That show went on to play several other area venues. 

More than 1,000 graduates from 67 countries and 47 U.S. states received degrees today at Berklee College of Music's 2019 commencement. At the ceremony, Berklee President Roger H. Brown presented honorary doctor of music degrees to music icons Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, and Alex Lacamoire. Lacamoire, a 1995 graduate of the college, delivered the commencement address to the graduating class and an estimated audience of nearly 7,000 guests at Agganis Arena.

Little Steven and the Disciples Of Soul will celebrate Summer of Sorcery, their first new album of original material in 20 years, with a performance at the Beacon Theatre on Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30PM. Tickets are $45, $65, $75, $125 and will be available through Ticketmaster.com 866.858.0008 starting on Friday, May 10 at 12:00PM.   

Huntington Theatre Company board and staff are celebrating breaking their fundraising record at the Spotlight Spectacular gala, Monday, May 6. Held at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama, the gala brought in $1.3 million to support the Huntington's operations for the fiscal year, including its broad range of education and community outreach programs.

Next week, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

1969 marked a year that was full of both trepidation and excitement for Stax Records. Just one year before, the Memphis soul outlet ended its relationship with musical giant Atlantic Records, effectively leaving the label as an independent entity, without a music catalog (which had previously included a formidable collection of hits by Otis Redding, Carla Thomas and Sam & Dave, among others). Under the guidance of co-owner Al Bell, the label proceeded to rebuild and release an impressive collection of 27 albums and 30 singles in just a handful of months—a period known as “Soul Explosion.” The gamble paid off, and at the 1969 Stax sales summit—themed “Getting It All Together”—the label reaffirmed its place as a soul powerhouse. Craft Recordings celebrates the 50th anniversary of this prolific, make-or-break moment for Stax—and its enduring legacy—with a wide selection of physical and digital reissues. Additionally, Craft will pay tribute to the label throughout the year with a series of playlists, original content, contests and more.

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents A Decade of Soul. A classic Soul & Motown Tribute Revue on Wednesday May 15th. A Decade of Soul takes you back in time down memory lane to the decade of 1964 to 1973, performing classic platinum hits from not only the Motown label, but from every record label & genre of classic soul music.

Matthew Morrison and Shoshana been lit up the stage at the Strathmore's Annual Spring Gala in North Bethesda on Saturday. The evening started out with Shoshana Bean's jazz set which perfectly showcased her incredible voice. Bean's set included many songs from her 2018 album 'Spectrum' which she expressed was an album that was rooted in and inspired by music from her childhood. Bean opened her set with a song from this album entitled 'Remember the Day' - an electrifying jazz song which showcased Bean's exquisite voice and personality. She had the audience in the palm of her hand from the first note. Bean continued with songs from 'Spectrum' including 'I Wanna Be Around' and 'Strange Thunder.' Bean introduced her music director and producer David Cook who was on piano, and exclaimed to Cook that 'you're one of my favorite people to make music with.' The Bean and Cook pair made some exceptional music which resonated gracefully, throughout the beautiful Strathmore music hall.

The Ensemble Theatre Artistic Director, Eileen J. Morris, announces the theatre's 2019-2020 season including a commissioned world premiere and five regional premieres packed with drama, comedy and musical performances; and a series of alternative programing, youth initiatives, and fundraising events.

Next month, FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club & Private Event Destination, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond.

National and international recording artists abound this month at Blue Note Hawaii, bringing some of entertainment's most recognizable names to Hawaii's premier live music venue. The month kicks off with an exclusive pairing of two of the most innovative artists in the local music scene, Taimane and Tavana, in a Lei Day celebration, that is not to be missed. The incomparable Dionne Warwick is back by popular demand sharing hit after hit from her legendary career. Vocalist Ginai returns to Blue Note Hawaii presenting a showcase of young local talent, Erisan Awaya and Rachel Javier, in a tribute to Whitney Houston. Henry Kapono shares the next installment of his Artist 2 Artist Series with The Songs of C&K, featuring Kalani Pe'a, Josh Tatofi, Alx Kawakami, Blayne Asing, Paula Fuga, Starr Kalahiki, Tavana, Mike Love and Kimié Miner. Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz returns alongside guitarist Adam Hawley and bassist Chris Walker. Bringing everything that New Orleans and Louisiana music stands for, Davell Crawford and Charmaine Neville of the iconic Neville family grace the stage for one night only. A Bowie Celebration features alumni band members Mike Garson, Gerry Leonard, Mark Plati and Carmine Rojas along with vocalist Corey Glover and drummer Lee John, performing a mix of Bowie's hits and deep-cuts. Jazz fusion icons Spyro Gyra are back and local power couple Imua and Tiffa Garza share their unique blend of island music. J-Pop superstar turned jazz pianist Senri Oe performs with his trio featuring Henry Cole and Matt Clohesy live for one night only. Next up is 2018 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominees for Most Promising Artists Beat-Lele, followed by Canadian singer-songwriter Gino Vannelli. Hawaiian Music 105 KINE presents Willie K and crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop, Pink Martini triumphantly returns to the Blue Note stage. Be transformed by the amazing vocals of Lisa Fischer & Grand Baton for two shows only and the month rounds out with the very popular local band The Mana'o Company.