Aretha Franklin News

Organizers of Time Inc.'s (NYSE:TIME) ESSENCE Festival today announced that world renowned television host, actress, producer, philanthropist and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey will appear at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans

Jennifer Hudson, who recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning revival of THE COLOR PURPLE, has signed an exclusive contract with Epic Records. The news was announced by Epic Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid.

Old School Square has served for over 25 years as the gathering place for Delray Beach, and the 2016-17 Season will launch a new era of arts and entertainment for all ages.

Ardea Arts announces BOUNCE The Basketball Opera, their latest project in development. Showcase performances will take place at Paerdegat Park in East Flatbush, Brooklyn Today-Monday June 25-27, 2016 at 6pm.

Barclays Center presents an evening with R&B super group, New Edition and multi-platinum hit-maker Babyface.

Alley Theatre Artistic Director Gregory Boyd announces the cast and creative team for Agatha Christie's Spider's Web, Agatha Christie's only comedy thriller, beginning performances July 12 in the Hubbard Theatre. The popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series returns to the Alley after a two-year break and offers a cool escape from the summer heat. The series is the perfect introduction to live theatre for first-timers.

Legendary trumpet player Wayne Jackson has passed away at the age of 74

Adelaide Festival Centre's Adelaide Cabaret Festival is excited to announce that Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton will be performing three shows in the Dunstan Playhouse across 18 and 19 June.

Theresa Caputo Live! The Experience brings Theresa face-to-face with her fans as she lets spirits guide her through the audience.

 Last evening, the Apollo Theater celebrated its 11th Annual Spring Gala raising $1.7M for its year-round artistic and community programming initiatives.  The concert portion of the evening was hosted by LL COOL J, and opened with the dynamic dancing duo Laurent & Larry Bourgeois of Les Twins.  The concert also featured performances by legendary R&B group, The O'Jays including rousing version of Love Train, The Backstabbers, For the Love of Money and more.  Rising star vocalist, Leon Bridges brought the crowd to its feet with a performance of Mustang Sally and vocalist Andra Day performed her hit song City Burns,followed by a touching performance of Unforgettable in tribute to legendary songstress Natalie Cole. Host LL COOL J also joined DJ D-Nice for a tribute to Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest - one of several iconic artists lost in 2016. 

Ardea Arts announces BOUNCE The Basketball Opera, their latest project in development. Showcase performances will take place at Paerdegat Park in East Flatbush, Brooklyn Saturday-Monday June 25-27, 2016 at 6pm. BOUNCE is a free, non-ticketed event, open to the public. For more information, visit www.ardeaarts.com/bounce/.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) is offering a limited number of seats to see the Queen of Soul - ARETHA FRANKLIN on Thursday, June 16th at 7:30pm at a special price of $49.00 for the concert-only portion of the Musical Moments for Multiple Sclerosis Gala.

It is said that music never leaves the soul. No one knows this more than jazz vocalist and radio personality, Cres O'Neal. On Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 4 pm, Cres will make her long awaited return to the stage at the Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd Street, New York, New York. Joining Cres will be Grammy nominated percussionist, Wilson 'Chembo' Corniel; award winning pianist, Dawrin Noguera; acclaimed bassist, Paul Beaudry; and acclaimed drummer, Willie Martinez.

R&B artist, vocalist, rapper on the rise, as well as activist, Michael Blume is ready to bring his fans into his visual world. The single 'Colors' is the second release since Fall 2015.

Maine State Music Theatre and Fulton Theatre present the exclusive premiere of the new chamber version of GHOST THE MUSICAL, beginning tonight, June 8, and continuing through June 25.

?International Broadway star Shoshana Bean (green-skinned witch from Wicked) will perform in Brisbane at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts for one exclusive night only on Saturday 17 July.

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will perform at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Saturday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event is a Bon Voyage Concert for Electric Youth, coming just days before the ensemble departs on June 23rd for a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy. The group's 13th European tour will include a return Fourth of July show at Aviano Air Force Base to entertain U.S. Troops and families stationed abroad.

In case you missed the announcement about the arrival of one of Broadway's latest hits to Sydney shores, and are racking your brains as to what is going to be the next big thing in Australian theatre, then perhaps this will jog your memory:

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. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com/Feinsteins or call (646) 476-3551.

Kevin Black's The Soul of Motor City, which will open at Stage Door Theatre on June 10th and run through July 17th, is the happy realization of a personal goal for the multi-talented director/choreographer.