Aretha Franklin News

For over forty years George Faison has reigned as one of the dance and theatre world's most respected director/choreographers. This season, AILEY II, the young and gifted second company of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will feature Mr. Faison?s highly acclaimed ballet 'Movin' On.' The AILEY II's anticipated two week season premieres Wednesday, April 15th at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 West 55th Street). The season will run through Sunday, April 26th.

Get your motor runnin' this Spring with Shadowbox's Born to be Wild, opening March 26, 2009 at their sketch comedy and rock ?n roll club at the Easton Town Center. This brand-new theme celebrates the unrelenting human spirit and our desire to work hard, play hard, and rock hard.

After three sold out standing room only engagements at Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles, Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel proudly present Broadway star and Los Angeles native Eden Espinosa (Broadway: Wicked, Brooklyn, Rent) in her hit solo debut entitled Eden Espinosa - Me.

Recently named in the '100 Greatest Singers of All Time' list by Rolling Stone magazine, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group, The Staple Singers, to her powerful solo recordings, Mavis Staples is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. Her last appearance at Massey Hall was with the Blind Boys of Alabama in December of 2004. This concert marks the debut of James Hunter.

Get your motor runnin' this Spring with Shadowbox's Born to be Wild, opening March 26, 2009 at their sketch comedy and rock ?n roll club at the Easton Town Center. This brand-new theme celebrates the unrelenting human spirit and our desire to work hard, play hard, and rock hard.

Olympia Entertainment Announces Upcoming Events for Fox Theatre, Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, City Theatre, Comerica Park, Masonic Temple, Sound Board, Hockeytown Cafe. On Sale Friday! Friday, April 24 @ 11 p.m., Flight Of The Conchords with special guest Eugene Mirman (FOX): Tickets ($38.50) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 13 and may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com

Violin virtuosos Black Violin (BV) to headline New York's oldest and most active theatre in the heart of the Broadway district from March 11- 22, 2009. Combining a daunting array of musical styles and influences to produce a signature sound that is part maestro, part emcee, the group features two classically trained violinists and their DJ. With influences from Shostakovich and Bach to Jay-Z, Black Violin blends the classical with the modern and creates a sound that not only stimulates the senses but penetrates the soul. Black Violin features Wil B on the viola and Kev Marcus the violin. Showtime at the Apollo champions, these musical magicians have toured and worked with artists from Alicia Keys to Aerosmith to Aretha Franklin and Tom Petty. From The Eagles to P. Diddy, Black Violin's true mission is to help under privileged kids get ahead through education and awareness. The New Victory Theatre is the perfect place for Black Violin to showcase their unique live show that features intense violin duets intertwined with an entertaining flow of information that strives to educate and excite young minds. New Victory's dedication to children's education and their families fits perfectly into Black Violin's commitment to enriching the lives of kids through music. Black Violin's Wil B says, 'We understand the influence we have over kids that's why we want to give back. We want to help them think outside of the box.'

Violin virtuoso's Black Violin (BV) to headline New York's oldest and most active theatre in the heart of the Broadway district from March 11- 22, 2009. Combining a daunting array of musical styles and influences to produce a signature sound that is part maestro, part emcee, the group features two classically trained violinists and their DJ

New York: Amas Musical Theatre (Donna Trinkoff, Producing Artistic Director; Rosetta LeNoire, Founder), will celebrate its 40th Anniversary with a Benefit Gala on Monday, March 30th, 2009. The evening will feature a special 'Blast from the Past' concert of songs and numbers from four decades of Amas Musicals, including Bubbling Brown Sugar, Zanna Don't!, Barrio Babies, Bobos, SHOUT! The Mod Musical, Four Guys Named Jose, Latin Heat, Starmites, Langston Hughes's Little Ham, From My Hometown, Lone Star Love, and Wanda's World. The director and choreographer for the evening is Amas Artist-in-Residence Maria Torres, with musical direction by Doug Oberhamer. The event will take place at the Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, at 7pm.

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

The 92nd Street Y announces final casting for the 2009 season of Lyrics & LyricistsTM, the Y's legendary American Songbook series. Linda Purl, La Tanya Hall, Johnny Rodgers and Hilary Kole join Polly Bergen, Lucie Arnaz, Tom Wopat, Marilyn Maye and more who will sing the songs of Ira Gershwin, Mel Torm? and DeSylva, Brown & Henderson. Charles Osgood returns to L&L as host, for the latter show. This is the first season curated by new series artistic director Deborah Grace Winer.

Crowns is back in town, and with direction and choreography by Kenneth Lee Roberson (Broadway's Avenue Q, Arena's Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill) and musical direction by Grammy nominee e'Marcus Harper, this soulful musical will be bigger than ever in the Lincoln Theatre. Arena favorites Marva Hicks (The Women of Brewster Place) and E. Faye Butler (Dinah Was, Ain't Misbehavin') are joined by NaTasha Yvette Williams (Broadway's The Color Purple), Mary Millben, Kara Tameika Watkins, Phillip Boykin and Zurin Villanueva. Howard University student Villanueva was discovered in Arena's January 'Finding Yolanda' one-day casting search, and this production marks her debut professional performance.

Matthew Warchus is to direct a musical version of the Academy award winning film Ghost, scheduled to open in the West End in 2010. Music and lyrics are by Grammy award winning Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard, Oscar winning Bruce Joel Rubin will adapt his original screen play for the stage and write lyrics, set and costumes designs are by Rob Howell and the musical supervisors will be Christopher Nightingale and Tesse Gohl. Ghost is produced by David Garfinkle of New York?s Hello Entertainment and London producer Colin Ingram in association with Paramount Pictures. Further information about this production will be announced at a later date.

March 2, 2009 Los Angeles - The Off-Broadway hit ?Back to Bacharach and David? will have a short 23 performance engagement at The Music Box @ Fonda April 15 to May 17 (opening April 19).

Echoing last week's headlines about the sex trade in South Korea, the off-Broadway Castillo Theatre will present Fred Newman's Coming of Age in Korea,co-directed by Gabrielle L. Kurlander and Desmond Richardson, which tells the story of three GIs, who fall in love with South Korean prostitutes, one of whom is brutally raped and killed. Coming of Age in Korea opens Friday, January 16th and runs through March 1, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., at the Castillo Theatre, 543 West 42nd Street. TDF accepted; group rates available. For tickets call 212-941-1234.

Olympia Entertainment Announces Upcoming Events for Fox Theatre, Joe Louis Arena, Cobo Arena, City Theatre, Comerica Park, Masonic Temple, Sound Board, Hockeytown Cafe On Sale Thursday! Thursday, April 16 @ 8 p.m., Robin Williams (SOUNDBOARD): Tickets ($98 & $153) go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 26 and may be purchased at the Joe Louis Arena box office, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy, and at all Ticketmaster locations, including Macy's.

Recently named in the '100 Greatest Singers of All Time' list by Rolling Stone magazine, soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group, The Staple Singers, to her powerful solo recordings, Mavis Staples is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music. Her last appearance at Massey Hall was with the Blind Boys of Alabama in December of 2004. This concert marks the debut of James Hunter.

Violin virtuoso's Black Violin (BV) to headline New York's oldest and most active theatre in the heart of the Broadway district from March 11- 22, 2009. Combining a daunting array of musical styles and influences to produce a signature sound that is part maestro, part emcee, the group features two classically trained violinists and their DJ

Herbie Hancock calls her 'a wonderful song stylist,' Melba Moore says that 'She's a reincarnation of Ella Fitzgerald,' and Aretha Franklin proclaims 'If you're looking for good entertainment and very hip music, be sure to check out Nnenna Freelon.' Following up on its sold-out January concert by Tony winner Christine Ebersole and its wildly popular first-time collaboration with City Arts and Lectures in December when Barbara Cook appeared in concert and in conversation with Steve Winn, Bay Area Cabaret continues its 5th season on Sunday, March 8 at 5pm with Nnenna Freelon and her jazz quartet at the Marines Memorial Club Crystal Ballroom (609 Sutter Street@ Mason). Individual tickets to this show, and to a May 17th show by multi-platinum jazz singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

After three sold out standing room only engagements at Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles, Chris Isaacson and Shane Scheel proudly present Broadway star and Los Angeles native Eden Espinosa (Broadway: Wicked, Brooklyn, Rent) in her hit solo debut entitled Eden Espinosa - Me.