Aretha Franklin News

To celebrate the 125th anniversary of the magazine 'Good Housekeeping,' and to salute influential and inspriring women of the past 125 years, celebrities will come together to present SHINE ON on Monday, April 12 at the New York City Center.

GPR Records, the new CD label specializing in Broadway, classical, spoken word and children's music, is sponsoring a poetry contest that will take place on Twitter, called TwItsPoetic, to celebrate National Poetry Month and the release of their first CD Poetic License: 100 Poems by 100 Performers.

To celebrate her long and varied career, THE ESSENTIAL CAROLE KING, a new double-disc set, will be available at all physical and digital retail outlets starting April 27th through Ode/Epic/Legacy, a division of SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Jazzmobile Presents Vocalfest --- four weekends in April paying homage to Jazz Appreciation Month. New to Jazzmobile's events this year, Vocalfest is a month-long celebration paying tribute to jazz vocalists of the past and present. Starting Friday, April 9, Lynette Washington, winner of Jazzmobile's 2005 Jazz Vocal Competition, will perform. Lynette has worked with artists such as Aretha Franklin, U2, and Peter Gabriel. Cynthia Holiday, a New Jersey native and contemporary jazz singer, will follow on Saturday, April 10.

Like many boys and girls bit by the performing bug (just watch that giddy TV phenomenon Glee and you'll understand), Teanna Berry is living her dream. She currently stars as 'Peaches' in the latest national tour cycle of the multiple-Tony Award-winning musical HAIRSPRAY, which returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center for a brief engagement from April 6 - 11. For Berry, HAIRSPRAY's week-long stop in Costa Mesa is expected to be an exciting homecoming.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce the performers for their third spectacular UPRIGHT CABARET experience at the NEW Cabaret Lounge at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are on sale now for The 12, the world premiere of a new musical from 100 Years of Broadway creator Neil Berg with a story by Pulitzer Prize playwright and author Robert Schenkkan. The musical that begins where Jesus Christ Superstar left off will debut on Thursday, April 1 at 8 p.m. in the in the Au-Rene Theater at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Tony Award nominated actress Debbie Allen will direct the new musical TWIST at the Alliance Theatre from September 1 through October 3 as a part of the 2010-2011 season.

The Four Tops, whose meteoric rise to fame began with their 1964 Motown hit 'Baby I Need Your Loving,' bring their soulful songs to The Orleans Showroom, May 7, 8 and 9.

KETC/Channel 9 presents JEFF BECK Emotion & Commotion Tour April 29 at 8 pm Live at The Fox Theatre!

It was R&B night tonight on "Idol," a theme that benefited some singers over others, but it was actually a night of overall solid performances from the contestants. It is the first week where there hasn't really been a shockingly bad performance by any of the contestants and it featured a number of really excellent showings, including several comeback performances by performers who had a tough time in recent weeks. R&B/pop superstar Usher coached the contestants, giving spot on criticism to the group. It was clear Usher knew what he was talking about and he was the perfect choice to mentor this week.

Toph-e and Tropea together! 2 Great bands at the Canal Room March 31st 8PM hit, don't passover this one! Toph-E & the Pussycats featuring Clifford Carter, keys, Will Lee, bass and vocal, David Mann, tenor and soprano, Ralph MacDonald, percussion, Chris Parker, drums / leader at the Canal Room.

Toph-E & the Pussycats will play the famed Canal Room on March 31st. The band features Clifford Carter on keys, Will Lee on bass and vocal, David Mann on tenor and soprano, Ralph MacDonald on percussion, and Chris Parker on drums.

UPCOMING SHOWS ON SALE THIS WEEK.

Curtain Call's popular Musical Mondays series finishes its ninth season of presenting new musical theater works in concert on Monday, April 19, 7:30 pm with 'Take Me, America.' 'Take Me, America' was written by composer Bob Christianson and book writer / lyricist Bill Nabel. Nabel is best known for logging more than 9,000 performances as Broadway actor in such long-running shows as 'A Chorus Line,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Evita,' '42nd Street' and 'Sweeney Todd. Christianson has composed for film and television, conducted Broadway musicals and recorded with Diana Ross, Judy Collins and Aretha Franklin, among many other artists.

Toph-e and Tropea together! 2 Great bands at the Canal Room March 31st 8PM hit, don't passover this one! Toph-E & the Pussycats featuring Clifford Carter, keys, Will Lee, bass and vocal, David Mann, tenor and soprano, Ralph MacDonald, percussion, Chris Parker, drums / leader at the Canal Room.

Three-time Oscar and five-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Michel Legrand will perform a tribute to his 50 years of music and movies at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, March 27.

Legends, the sequel to last years hit musical 'Twist and Shout: The British Invasion' is all set to rock The Grand starting April 20th. In anticipation, The Grand and 103.9FM are holding a special 'Sing to Win' karaoke contest. Enter to win a VIP Package to see this fun show.

On Tuesday, March 23, Antoinette Montague will be performing at the John Birks Gillespie Auditorium at the Baha'i Center, with Mike Longo, Payton Crossley, Paul West, and Harry Allen on sax.

'THE 12', an original rock musical written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Robert Schenkkan, with music, lyrics, and story concept by award winning composer, Neil Berg made its world premiere at Riverspace in Nyack, NY, from March 19 - 21, 2010 before opening the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, April 1st in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.