Aretha Franklin News

The Philly POPS announced its TOPS of the POPS 2019-20 season today, February 14, 2019.

Popular saxophonist Kenny G returns to the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as Pacific Symphony's guest artist for the "Valentine's Day with Kenny G" concert, led by guest conductor Albert-George Schram. After Pacific Symphony opens the show with lush love themes by Puccini, Offenbach and Gottschalk, including Richard Rodgers' "My Funny Valentine," Kenny G will perform his greatest hits. 

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, will open its 18th edition with the world premiere of the HBO Documentary Film The Apollo. Helmed by Academy and Emmy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams, The Apollo chronicles the unique history and contemporary legacy of the New York City landmark, the Apollo Theater. The film will debut at the iconic theater itself on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 and later this year on HBO. The feature-length documentary weaves together archival footage, music, comedy and dance performances, and behind-the-scenes verité with the team that makes the theater run. The Apollo features interviews with artists including Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, and Jamie Foxx. The documentary is produced by Lisa Cortés, Nigel Sinclair's White Horse Pictures, and Williams. The 2019 Tribeca Film Festival runs April 24-May 5.

Hollywood icon John Cusack comes to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts for a special screening of the iconic film “Say Anything…” on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 pm. Following the screening, there will be a live conversation with audience Q&A. Tickets are on sale to members now and go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 15 at 10 am.

Casting has been announced for the UK Premiere of Off-Broadway smash-hit musical comedy The Marvelous Wonderettes, being produced at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, from Tuesday 9 April until Sunday 12 May 2019, with Press Night on Thursday 11 April 2019 at 7.30pm.

Nicole Vanessa Ortiz, fresh on the heels of starring in Spamilton and Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, makes her Feinstein's/54 Below solo concert debut in Becoming Her: A Diva's Tribute-a musical salute to chart-topping divas, on Thursday, March 7 at 9:30pm (doors open at 8:45pm).

Back by popular demand, KINGS AND QUEENS OF SOUL: A TRIBUTE CONCERT TO THE PIONEERS OF SOUL MUSIC will be performed exclusively April 7th at 3:00pm. Powerhouse vocalists will include Jacqueline B. Arnold (Moulin Rouge, An Evening With Phyllis Hyman), Anthony Wayne (Tootsie, Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, City Center's A Chorus Line), Durrell Wells, Recording Artist Annette Taylor, model and singer Ryan Love (A Soulful Christmas), Burgandy Williams (X Factor UK, 2018), Lady Pepper (A Soulful Christmas), Milah Jae, Vincent Hale (A Soulful Christmas), Kareema Khouri (Queens of Soul) and many more surprise guests as well.

Five-time Grammy Award-winner Michael McDonald performs at the Majestic Theatre (224 E. Houston St.) in San Antonio, TX on July 10, 2019 at 8PM. Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 15 at 10AM.

National Geographic Global Television Networks President Courteney Monroe announced today at the network's TCA presentation that Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize award-winning playwright of 'Topdog/Underdog,' will be executive producer and showrunner for GENIUS: ARETHA FRANKLIN. This upcoming season will be the first-ever, definitive scripted miniseries on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul.

The Brooklyn-based and highly-regarded Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation will be contributing to several major Black History Month Celebrations throughout the Tri-State area this month, highlighted by the return of 'The HBCU SHOW,' an original play which will be a featured as part of the 'Onstage @ the Weeksville Series' February13 -15, 2019 at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. Written by Kofi Osei Williams, Executive Director of Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, 'The HBCU Show' follows six adolescents from Brooklyn, NY, growing up with adversities and trying to live up to the society around them and recounts their personal stories of participating in a Historically Black College & University Tour.

The Brooklyn-based and highly-regarded Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation will be contributing to several major Black History Month Celebrations throughout the Tri-State area this month, highlighted by the return of 'The HBCU SHOW,' an original play which will be a featured as part of the 'Onstage @ the Weeksville Series' February13 -15, 2019 at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn. Written by Kofi Osei Williams, Executive Director of Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, 'The HBCU Show' follows six adolescents from Brooklyn, NY, growing up with adversities and trying to live up to the society around them and recounts their personal stories of participating in a Historically Black College & University Tour.

The Green Room 42 Presents Rachel Ulanet (Broadway's Beauty and The Beast, Lovemusik, and King David) in her solo show, Keep Me Searching, Friday March 1, at 7PM.

'NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN' showcases the life and music of songstress Nina Simone and the testimonies of three different women, after the 1963 bombing of the 16th Baptist Church, in Birmingham, Alabama. It depicts the women diverse struggles that unite them together, at a time of civil unrest and racial disparity.

Britain's finest songwriters and session musicians present a sophisticated masterclass in melody, when The Definitive Burt Bacharach Songbook comes to The Epstein Theatre on Sat 20 July in a wonderful production honouring the music of Burt Bacharach. 

Multi-GRAMMY®-winning artists and current GRAMMY nominees Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town have been announced as hosts of the 2019 MusiCares®Person of the Year tribute concert honoring Dolly Parton on Feb. 8. GRAMMY winner Yolanda Adams, current GRAMMY nominee Jon Batiste, past GRAMMY nominee Cam, current GRAMMY nominee Brandi Carlile, GRAMMY winner Jennifer Nettles, and current GRAMMY nominee Margo Price will join the performance lineup at the star-studded annual fundraiser for MusiCares, the signature health and human services charity founded by the Recording Academy. Previously announced performers include Leon Bridges, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood, Miley Cyrus, Lauren Daigle, Vince Gill, Don Henley, Norah Jones, Shawn Mendes, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Katy Perry, Linda Perry, P!NK, Mark Ronson, Mavis Staples, and Chris Stapleton. GRAMMY winner Dolly Partonwill close the evening's performances. Greg Phillinganes will be the musical director.

Music's Biggest Night just got a whole lot bigger, as a fresh batch of artists have been added to the already stellar lineup for the 61st GRAMMY Awards. Current nominees Chloe x Halle, GRAMMY winner Lady Gaga, GRAMMY winner Mark Ronson, and GRAMMY nominee Travis Scott are set to perform on Music's Biggest Night. Additionally, current nominee Dua Lipa will perform with GRAMMY winner St. Vincent. In what is sure to be a GRAMMY Moment to remember, GRAMMY winners Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, and past GRAMMY nominee Andra Day will honor the legendary Aretha Franklin.

Music Director Thierry Fischer and President & CEO Paul Meecham today announced the Utah Symphony's 2019-20 season, with highlights including multimedia concert experiences featuring the twelve movements of Messiaen's Des canyons aux toiles (From the canyons to the stars), the release of Berlioz and Prokofiev recordings on the Hyperion Records and Reference Recordings respectively, and a celebration of Beethoven's 250th birthday in 2020. Additional highlights include the return of American composer Andrew Norman to present three of his orchestral works and work with young Utah musicians in his second year as Composer-in-Association; a gala concert with violinist Joshua Bell celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Utah Symphony's first-ever performance, which took place on May 8, 1940; and a tribute to Hispanic Heritage that includes music by Latin-American composers conducted by guest artist Carlos Miguel Prieto. For a complete schedule of performances, click here.

A beloved, award winning veteran of the NYC music scene, Rob Kevlin has wowed audiences everywhere from Swing 46, the Metropolitan Room, the Master Theatre, and Carnegie Hall.  Now, 'It's a New Day' for the multi-talented singer and performer, who makes his highly anticipated debut at Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, on Friday, February 22, 2019.

Singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald is set to hit the road this summer for a co-headlining U.S. tour with R&B legend Chaka Khan. Tour highlights include performances at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and Chicago's Ravinia Festival. Prior to the start of the tour with Chaka Khan, McDonald will headline a number of venues including the Fountainebleau Hotel in Miami and Family Gras in New Orleans (alongside John Oates and Brett Eldredge); see below for a complete list of dates. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets in select markets before the general public from now through February 7 at 10 p.m. local time.

Come out and enjoy a great event with some of the funniest comedians on the East Coast while honoring a fallen hero.