Aretha Franklin News

The month kicks off with local songstress Melveen Leed and the return of the Honolulu Jazz Quartet presenting a Tribute to Bird & Dizzy: The Birth of Bebop. Good music runs in the Artis family, so don't miss PraiseJesus Artis in her Blue Note debut. Jazz talent Abe Lagrimas Jr. is up next, followed by the Na Hoku “Female Vocalist of the Year” Kimié Miner. Paula Fuga returns with a tribute to Aretha Franklin and soul-singer DeAndre Brackensick is back with Shawn Pimental. We welcome Willie K back to the stage following a successful mainland tour and present the Blue Note debut of Kamuela Kahoano. The youngest of the family, Rodney Cazimero joins us later in the month followed by local giants Kumuhau,Brother Noland & John Cruz and Kuana Torres Kahele presenting 'Kakuhihewa, his tribute to O'ahu.

From 'I Say A Little Prayer' to 'Think' to her signature classic 'RESPECT,' Aretha Franklin was a musical phenomenon and a transcendent figure in American culture. As the nation mourns the passing of the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin, BET Networks will commemorate her life and legacy by broadcasting Aretha Franklin's funeral service in its entirety beginning Friday, August 31 at 10 AM ET on BET, BET Her and BET.com

Brandon Coleman has unveiled a video for new track “All Around The World” lifted from his forthcoming funk odyssey Resistance, released September 14th via Brainfeeder. With his inimitable vocoded vocal front and centre, reclining on a sleek, instantly danceable uptempo jam, it is abundantly clear why his friend and bandmate Kamasi Washington refers to him as “Professor Boogie”.

Laila Ali, Bobby Bones, Jessie James Decker, Randy Jackson, Soledad O'Brien, Alli Webb and Carnie Wilson Comprise the Celebrity Judge Panel of The 2019 Miss America

Two giants of traditional Mexican music: Aida Cuevas, dubbed "The Queen of Mariachi," is an esteemed figure in Mexico, beloved for her devotion to traditional mariachi music and for her Grammy Award-winning mastery of its demanding vocal forms. On October 7, she pays loving tribute to the music of her dearest friend and greatest mentor - Mexico's bestselling artist of all time, Juan Gabriel, who passed in 2016 - two years ago yesterday. Ms. Cuevas, the only artist given permission by the Juan Gabriel estate to perform such a tribute, "is to Mexico what Aretha Franklin is to the United States: a powerful voice that encapsulates the essence of her nation's spirit" (Kansas City Star).

On Friday, October 19, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., Neil Berg will be returning to the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA to present his outstanding show, “50 Years of Rock and Roll”! From the birth of rock 'n roll in in the 1940s, through the glory years of the '50s, '60s, and '70s, up until MTV in the early '80s, Neil Berg's 50 Years of Rock & Roll uses fascinating stories and groundbreaking music, with tributes to such important and iconic rock stars/groups/genres as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, Frankie Valli, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Motown, Aretha Franklin, The Who, Janis Joplin, Woodstock, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Disco, New Wave, Journey, and others!

The greatest family musical of all time, The Wizard of Oz, travels down the yellow brick road to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts as part of the 10th Anniversary Broadway Series, Thursday, November 8 - Sunday, November 11. Tickets are now on sale to members and go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 4 at 10 am.

The Bounce television network and the Brown Sugar streaming service are teaming up to carry Aretha Franklin's farewell memorial service live this Friday, Aug. 31.

Legendary singer Gladys Knight is remembering her dear friend and fellow singer, Aretha Franklin. Read more about the story from Extra here.

From cutting edge technology to classical music and ballet, The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts partners with Music Worcester in presenting four spectacular performances this season, including Callas in Concert: The Hologram Tour, Bach's Goldberg Variations with Simone Dinnerstein, Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: Visions from Cape Breton and Beyond and Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake performed by the Russian National Ballet. Tickets to all four performances are now on sale to members and go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 4 at 10 am.

Volkswagen presents Warren Miller's Face of Winter at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts on Friday, November 2 at 8 pm. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 17 at 10 am.

Audiences know the Broadway version, now they can see the original. The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts brings back the first silent film played at the theatre after it finished renovations a decade ago. The Phantom of the Opera: Silent film accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ returns on Sunday, October 7 at 2 pm. Tickets are on sale now.

The following acts are performing at City Winery Chicago (1200 W. Randolph St) throughout the month. All City Winery Chicago events are open to all ages and start at 8:00 p.m., unless noted.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-733-WINE (9463) or by visiting www.citywinery.com/chicago.

Experience the wonders of ancient Chinese culture with the world's premier classical Chinese dance and music company when Shen Yun returns to The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts for three performances on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20. Tickets are now on sale.

Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald is set for the October 12 release of Season of Peace: The Christmas Collection on BMG. The album compiles McDonald's most beloved Christmas recordings including “White Christmas/Winter Wonderland” (feat. Jonny Lang), “Oh Holy Night,” “Christmas on the Bayou” and “Children Go Where I Send Thee” (feat. Twinkie Clark), as well as a new version of “Winter Wonderland” featuring special guest Jake Shimabukuro. The album art hails from an original painting by McDonald himself; see below for a complete track list.

A critically acclaimed singer-songwriter with one of the world's most distinctive voices, Michael McDonald makes his Cafe Carlyle debut October 23-November 3.

The Ensemble Theatre celebrated its 2018 Celebrity Black Tie Gala - Elevating the Arts! at the Hilton Americas-Houston, Saturday, August 18, 2018. Lead sponsors: H-E-B; Shell, BP America, Inc, United, Bracewell LLP, Frost Bank, Andrea and Jarvis Hollingsworth, Wendy and Vince Armstrong, were joined by a host of devoted corporations and individuals who continue to invest in the advancement of the theatre's mission to enlighten, entertain, and enrich diverse audiences. The Gala serves as the theatre's major fundraiser supporting its annual $2 million operating budget that includes six mainstage season productions, and its educational initiatives directed toward youth. The theatre's board of directors and staff welcomed more than 400 esteemed donors and supporters.

The Philly POPS will hold its Sixth Annual POPS Ball gala on September 13 at the Union League of Philadelphia. The Sixth Annual POPS Ball will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the POPS and its indelible impact on Philadelphia's cultural identity.

AARP just discovered an amazing Aretha Franklin song in their vaults, and for the first time, they're sharing the original song in honor and celebration of the admirable life she led.