Aretha Franklin News

New work from local and visiting companies, prestige touring productions, live music, comedy nights and world premieres, it's difficult to know where to begin when looking at the exciting new brochure for Cork's Everyman Theatre. Speaking at the Launch of the Spring/Summer Season 2019, Artistic Director Julie Kelleher, invited audiences to the beautiful Victorian Era Theatre in the heart of Cork City with the words “Let us entertain you in 2019.”

Steely Dan alumnus and former The Doobie Brothers' frontman Michael McDonald is the latest iconic artist to be featured on the fourth season of public television's critically acclaimed conversation series Speakeasy. The five-time GRAMMY Award winner is joined by the co-producer of his 1993 album Blink of An Eye, Russ Titleman to discuss McDonald's storied career, how he got his start, and his legacy.  Speakeasy airs on Public Television and public television's WORLD Channel. Air dates and times are available at www.speakeasytalks.com.

One of the UK's greatest voices, Ruby Turner, heads to Theatre Royal Winchester on Sunday 17 February. Known for her long established collaboration with Jools Holland, Ruby can breathe life and meaning into a song whether it is a passionate soaring ballad or a soulful up-tempo groove.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. It's that time of year again. It's time for the most highly anticipated and largest Black History Month celebration in Los Angeles, if not, the largest in California.

The McCallum Theatre presents Catskills on Broadway on Friday, February 22, at 8:00pm. The Catskills Mountains of New York, the cradle of American humor, launched the careers of many of our greatest comics. In this new version of the 1991 Broadway hit, Freddie Roman, Sarge, and Mark Schiff will have you laughing at good old-fashioned comedy that brings back the golden years of the Catskills. Freddie Roman, creator and star of Catskills on Broadway, adopted the attitude that if Broadway couldn't come to the mountains, he would take the mountains to Broadway. Catskills on Broadway was a new format for the Broadway community and the production earned Freddie acclaim and a stint on the Tony Awards broadcast.

Nearly 90 years ago, on the final Saturday in 1929, a group of 51 men and women took the stage at Central High School and gave Grand Rapids the best Christmas present of all, the gift of music.

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 Paley Center for Media will present Shaping Our Nation's Story: African- American Achievements in Television Presented by Citi from February 1-28. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Motown and the 100th birthday anniversary celebration of Jackie Robinson, this monthlong celebration will take place at the Paley Center's locations in New York City and Beverly Hills and will feature an interactive exhibit, family craft activities, education classes for high school students focusing on the civil rights movement, and screenings that take visitors on a nostalgic journey through the most significant African-American moments in television. 

The 2019 Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival features an extraordinary roster of twenty-two musical groups, highlighted by the festival debut of Grammy award winning artist Norah Jones, and the return of jazz legend George Benson and festival favorite Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Back by popular demand is also Los Van Van 50th Anniversary, Django Festival All-Stars with Edmar Castañeda and Grace Kelly, Joshua Redman Quartet, and James Carter Organ Trio. Fifteen emerging artists making their Saratoga debuts include Kandace Springs, Donna Grantis, Joey DeFrancesco Trio, Mercy Project which features Jon Cowherd, Brian Blade, John Patitucci, and Steve Cardenas, Antonio Sanchez & Migration, and Cha Wa. The festival will also feature a record number of groups led by women artists, highlighted by Allison Miller, Veronica Swift, Ruthie Foster and Youn Sun Nah.

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

The New York Pops today announces its 2019-2020 season of performances in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall.

The Houston Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada announced today details of the 2019−2020 season, which marks Orozco-Estrada's sixth year as music director. This season is characterized by in-depth explorations of the works of some of the greatest composers with the superb musicians of the Houston Symphony, crowned by a two-week-long Schumann Festival, the likes of which is seldom seen in the United States. This is a unique opportunity to experience the scope of Robert Schumann's music, and to get a glimpse inside the mind of a creative genius.

The Philly POPS and the University of the Arts announced today a joint partnership to create The Philly POPS/UARTS High School All-Star Big Band. This band will be comprised of students selected for their demonstrated excellence in jazz performance. Applications are now being accepted and select students will be invited to audition. The HS All-Star Big Band will consider students in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey, and the Baltimore and Washington DC areas for membership.

The UK and European Premiere of Off-Broadway smash-hit comedy musical The Marvelous Wonderettes has announced its creative team. The show is 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.

The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) will host a gospel performance by the Como Mamas today, Jan. 29, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hoffman Auditorium on USJ's West Hartford campus at 1678 Asylum Ave.

The Winter Park Playhouse continues to delight audiences with its new 2019-20 Series of professional Mainstage musicals.

Cheryl Albright, a renown singer and actress in the Rhode Island community, has been sharing her stunning gifts here for many years at community events, along with concert and stage performances.

By overwhelming demand, a second show has been added for Raffi at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Saturday, June 1 at 4 pm. Tickets are now on sale.

The University of Virginia is bringing to its campus and surrounding Charlottesville community the awe-inspiring and healing production of Healing Through the Sound of Music's multi-award winning 60-minute One-Woman Stage Play, 'The Fannie Lou Hamer Story, 'Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired,'' by dynamic performer Mzuri Moyo Aimbaye.  Charlottesville is the first stop of Aimbaye's 2019 National Tour Commemorating Women of Civil Rights and Social Justice. The performance will be open to the public at Old Cabell Hall Auditorium, McIntire Department of Music on January 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Acclaimed multi-genre recording artist Damien Sneed released a new full-length recording titled 'Damien Sneed: We Shall Overcome' on LeChateau Earl Records on January 18th. The inspiring new project is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, and all other digital retail outlets everywhere. A celebration of R&B classics, civil rights anthems, beloved spirituals, jazz compositions and more, the album arrives on the heels of the 35th Anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which was made a federal holiday in 1983.