Ben Folds News

Today marks the arrival of new music from CAKE after a seven-year hiatus. The new single 'Sinking Ship' is the band's first release since their acclaimed 2011 record Showroom of Compassion, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Top 200. The band is planning a series of physical and digital single releases that will culminate with a full-length album. All earnings from 'Sinking Ship' will benefit the nonprofit organization Doctors Without Borders. 'Sinking Ship' will soon be available on 7' vinyl and is out now on all streaming services.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

The New York Pops, led by dynamic Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, opens its 2018-2019 Carnegie Hall season this Friday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, with a program entitled Roll Over Beethoven: A Different Kind of Orchestra. The concert-which honors rock giants including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and others-features three-time "Las Vegas Headliner of the Year" winner Frankie Moreno who is joined by vocalists, dancers, and a rocking band for this performance. Mr. Moreno last appeared at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops and Mr. Reineke in 2015, performing the music of Frank Sinatra.

The New York Pops, led by dynamic Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke, opens its 2018–2019 Carnegie Hall season this Friday, October 19 at 8:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, with a program entitled Roll Over Beethoven: A Different Kind of Orchestra. The concert—which honors rock giants including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and others—features three-time “Las Vegas Headliner of the Year” winner Frankie Moreno who is joined by vocalists, dancers, and a rocking band for this performance. Mr. Moreno last appeared at Carnegie Hall with The New York Pops and Mr. Reineke in 2015, performing the music of Frank Sinatra.

JFix Productions and Choreography presents music from the new musical, Freefall Frostbite, a show that had a successful Off-Broadway run last October at Theatre 80 at St Marks. The show will take place at Feinstein's/54 Below on October 16th at 9:30PM. Tickets can be purchased at the 54 Below website.

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.

On the fourth Monday of every month, two of NYC's most beloved underground acts join forces to bring a monthly, intimate evening of entertainment to the legendary Slipper Room. Charming troubadour and raconteur Corn Mo brings his patented combination of original songs, quirky, off-kilter anecdotes, and charisma, framed by The Love Show Dancers' dance performance, burlesque, and saucy surprises! This month, our special guest is Pinkie Special, the Monty Python of Burlesque!

FEINSTEIN'S/54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Freefall Frostbite. Returning to the stage after a successful run at Theatre 80 at St. Marks, Freefall Frostbite will showcase the songs of this new musical that is like nothing the stage has ever seen before. Freefall Frostbite has a libretto that has been described as "Beat-Shakespearean," and a unique score influenced by Ben Folds and Fleetwood Mac. As Steven and Sharon spend their New Year's Eve waiting in line at the hottest club, they begin to discover what it is they truly want in life. Along with the music, audiences will get a sneak peek at the intricate, full-bodied movement of the show, colored by genuine human connection.

A new symphony that fuses folk and classical-style music will have its world premiere under the auspices of the Ohio Valley Symphony (OVS) at the historic Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio, on Saturday, October 6. The production will be taped for national public television and radio broadcast, including worldwide on the American Forces Radio Network.

This Saturday, September 22, medici.tv will broadcast the National Symphony Orchestra's 2018–2019 season opening gala concert live from the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Music Director Gianandrea Noseda will lead the orchestra in a program designed to celebrate space, including Holst's The Planets and an NSO-commissioned work by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. The concert will also feature guest artist Joshua Bell.

Tommy Wiseau's cult film THE ROOM has inspired a lot of talk of offshoots and adaptations and now, according to ScreenRant, a Broadway show has been mentioned.

SPRING AWAKENING is currently on stage at Blank Theatre Company! SPRING AWAKENING features music by Duncan Sheik, book & lyrics by Steven Sater, based on the play by Frank Wedekind, orchestrations by Alan Stevens Hewitt, vocal arrangements by AnnMarie Milazzo, and string orchestrations by Simon Hale.

On the fourth Monday of every month, two of NYC's most beloved underground acts join forces to bring a monthly, intimate evening of entertainment to the legendary Slipper Room. Charming troubadour and raconteur Corn Mo brings his patented combination of original songs, quirky, off-kilter anecdotes, and charisma, framed by The Love Show Dancers' dance performance, burlesque, and sweet surprises! This month, our special guest is comedic genius Chris Rozzi, whose hilarious characters will keep you in stitches!

During last night's Season Release Bash at Filament Theater, Artistic Director and Co-Founder Michael Patrick Thornton proudly announced The Gift Theatre's 2019 Season will include: a revival of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning drama DOUBT: A PARABLE directed by Ensemble Member John Gawlik and featuring Ensemble Members Jennifer Glasse, Maryann Thebus and Michael Patrick Thornton (February 27 - March 31) and the Chicago premiere of Hansol Jung's WOLF PLAY, directed by guest artist Jess McLeod (October 18 - November 24). The Gift's 17th season will also include a soon-to-be-announced third production (July 12 - August 18).

Rock artist Ben Folds has written, recorded and released a new political satire song in conjunction with the Washington Post Magazine.

TIM MINCHIN, internationally renowned award-winning musician, comedian, actor, writer and composer, will return to the Australian stage with his first national tour since 2012.

NSO Music Director Gianandrea Noseda leads the Orchestra on a journey exploring the link between image and sound. Three performances-Thursday, September 27,  at 7 p.m.; Friday, September 28, at 8 p.m.; and Saturday, September 29, at 8 p.m.-at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall include Sergei Rachmaninoff's The Isle of the Dead; Ottorino Respighi's Trittico Botticelliano; and Maurice Ravel's orchestration of Modest Musorgsky's Pictures from an Exhibition, originally composed for piano.

JFix Productions and Choreography presents music from the new musical, Freefall Frostbite, a show that had a successful Off-Broadway run last October at Theatre 80 at St Marks. The show will take place at Feinstein's/54 Below on October 16th at 9:30PM. Tickets can be purchased at the 54 Below website.

Two-time GRAMMY® nominated superstar, singer, songwriter, and performer Kesha performed an intimate concert with Kesha hosted by Hilton Honors in partnership with Live Nation at The Temple House in Miami Beach, FL on Saturday, August 25th. Hilton Honors gives members access to top concerts, private meet-and-greets with chart-topping artists, one-on-one artist experiences, and exclusive concerts available through the Hilton Honors Experiences platform. In partnership with Live Nation, the concert featured an intimate performance by Kesha in Miami, Florida. Previous performances included Bastille, Maren Morris, Beck, Lady Antebellum, Aloe Blacc, OneRepublic, Gary Clark Jr., Kip Moore, Grimes, Tegan and Sara, Halsey, Elle King, Jason Derulo, and Neon Trees.    

Yesterday, August 21, in downtown Nashville, country and comedy music legend Ray Stevens received his very own star on the Music City Walk of Fame. Stevens' friend and fellow GRAMMY® Award-winning music colleague Ricky Skaggs presented him with the honor.