Aretha Franklin News

Momentum Artists partners with Airbnb to launch this piano music Airbnb Experience featuring Mark Berman, renowned pianist and composer, at iconic and beloved cabaret club Don't Tell Mama, on restaurant row, in the heart of the theatre district. Berman, on piano, will be joined by special guest stars from the Broadway stage, and audience members will have a chance to sing onstage with Mark as well. For tickets, information and directions, visit https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/148984.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber are proud to announce the final production in its 2017 - 2018 season of Chicago's hit musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway. New Faces Sing Broadway 1975, hosted by Donica Lynn with direction by Christopher Pazdernik and music direction by David Fiorello, is Tuesday, June 5 at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, June 6 at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario Street, at 6:30 p.m. (The Arts Club presentation also includes a pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m. with performance at 7:30 p.m.). In tribute to the original New Faces series that ran on Broadway and on film from 1934 - 1968, Porchlight Music Theatre created the Chicago musical revue series, New Faces Sing Broadway as a showcase for the best emerging music talent now performing on Chicago stages. Each edition is a "time-machine" journey from the start to the finish of an entire musical season from the classic days of Broadway, peppered with photos and films of the era in an exciting multimedia presentation with a favorite Chicago theatre veteran like Donica Lynn hosting and introducing the next generation of music theatre artists while acting as your guide through a vintage year on the Great White Way. General admission tickets at Skokie Theatre are $22 and at The Arts Club of Chicago are $35 and are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or at the Porchlight Music Theatre box office, 773.777.9884.

BroadwayWorld is giving away five pairs of tickets to see singer-songwriter Jake Bugg at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Tuesday, March 27 at 8:00pm. Bugg will be joined by Nina Nesbitt. Just enter by Sunday, March 25 to be eligible to win. Winners will be contacted on March 26, and will need to RSVP to confirm reservation. 

America's preeminent progressive rock band KANSAS will tour select U.S. cities this fall, celebrating the 40th anniversary of their massive hit album “Point of Know Return” and performing the album in its entirety. The tour will showcase more than two hours of classic KANSAS music including hit songs, deep cut, and fan favorites, making a stop at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Saturday, November 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale to theatre members Wednesday, March 21 at 10 a.m. and go on sale to the general public Friday, March 23 at 10 a.m.

Club 11 London today announce Broadway's SHOSHANA BEAN will return to London to perform her fourth studio album, Spectrum live in London at Cadogan Hall on 9 September 2018 with an 18 piece band. Special guests to be announced.

Black Violin is a blend of classical, hip-hop, rock, R&B, and bluegrass music. Live, they are accompanied by their incredible band, featuring ace turntable whiz DJ SPS and a drummer. Since starting Black Violin a decade ago Wil Baptiste and Kevin 'Kev Marcus' Sylvester have performed an average of 200 shows a year in 49 states and 36 countries, as far away as Dubai, Prague and South Africa, while appearing at official NFL celebrations for three Super Bowls and at the U.S. Open with Jordin Sparks.

Production studio Electus has teamed with eleven-time Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and artist Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds for a new, scripted 90s music series (as yet untitled) it was announced today by Electus CEO Chris Grant and Electus President John Pollak.

Shoshana Bean recently performed at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles in honor of the release of her album, Spectrum. The concert featured special guests Amber Riley and Haley Reinhart. Check out the video of her performance of 'Make it Rain' below!

Pop barbarella NOVA MILLER's (21:12 Entertainment / BMG Records) gorgeous video for her new single “Turn Up The Fire” hit ONE MILLION views - watch HERE; The cinematic video for the new single was filmed on location in Iceland in 3 degree fahrenheit and directed by Nikeisha Andersson.

The soulful songs and glamorous nightlife of the 1950s will swing once more when CabaretFest returns to Provincetown May 31 to June 3. Twenty-eight cabaret entertainers from Boston, New York City, Florida and Palm Springs, will participate in ten live shows, a Q&A luncheon panel session, two performance workshops, two Marilyn Maye Master Classes, and enjoy parties and networking along with VIP pass holders. The VIP pass includes entry to all the live shows, opportunities to monitor workshops and invitations to private parties. Festival Producer Patricia Fitzpatrick sums it up like this: 'Where else can you walk a few yards, see and hear so many of the nation's top cabaret performers in one place? Only in Provincetown. Provincetown is like Broadway with sand.'

Sit down for a thirty minute meeting with legendary hit maker, Clive Davis. You'll have the opportunity to get advice on three music demos, either for songwriting or performance, in Mr. Davis' private Flatiron office in New York City.

The Klezmatics, known for their unique blend of melodic mysticism and improvisational activism, return to The Broad Stage to turn their music inside out on Thursday, March 29 at 7:30pm. Performing alongside the "Prince of Kosher Gospel," Joshua Nelson, this evening will expose the complexity of Jewish identity, Black identity and human identity.

When she rose to fame on Season 6 of 'American Idol,' LaKisha Jones, who bears a vocal and physical resemblance to Aretha Franklin, blew away judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson with Aretha's 'Think' and 'Until You Come Back to Me.' Ms. Jones is ready to reclaim center stage with an unbelievable evening celebrating the great ladies of song: Diana Ross, Donna Summer, Tina Turner and the one and only Whitney Houston when she belts out the hits in To Whitney, With Love Saturday, April 7th at 8pm at The Ridgefield Playhouse, part of Northeast Builders of Ridgefield Emerging Artist Series and Pepsi Rock Series Powered by Xfinity.

Actor/singer Corey Feldman, who began his career at the age of three and has appeared in more than 80 films, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the third annual Young Entertainer Awards on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Actor/singer Corey Feldman, who began his career at the age of three and has appeared in more than 80 films, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the third annual Young Entertainer Awards on Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Evoking the rhythms, passion, and pulsating energy of Cuba, our vibrant neighbor to the south, the Annenberg Center's three-week Cuba Festival, March 22-April 13, presents the country's hottest emerging stars and revered and beloved icons, showcasing the rich artistic talent of Cuba through music and dance.

Billboard Chart Topping Soul Singer-Songwriter-Actor and Los Angeles Native Phillip Brandon to open for 10-time Grammy(R) Award Winning THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER at The Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, March 9 at 8 p.m. Celebrating their 45th anniversary in 2017, The Manhattan Transfer continues to set the standard as one of the worlds greatest and most innovative vocal groups.

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald will play The VETS in Providence on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 7:00pm. Tickets, $69.50 - $49.50, are on sale now and can be purchased online at TheVetsRI.com, by calling (401) 421.ARTS (2787) or in person at The VETS/PPAC Box Office located at 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Box Office hours are Monday - Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-2pm. The VETS is located at One Avenue of the Arts, Providence. The VETS on-site Box Office is only open on show days. VIP Packages are available.

On Saturday, February 24, Shoshana Bean performed her album release show - Spectrum - at Ace Theater Downtown Los Angeles. Spectrum, Bean's fourth studio album which was released on February 9, is a fresh new take on the classic tradition of big band with arrangements by Grammy award-nominated arranger Alan Ferber.

Worcester will learn a thing or two when Sister returns to teach her Late Nite Catechism at The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on Thursday, June 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale to theatre members and go on sale to the general public Tuesday, March 6 at 10 a.m.