Billie Holiday News

In honor of Apollo's 75th Anniversary there will be a Kick-Off Amateur Night's 75th Birth Day Party with Special Guest Ron Browz. The Party will be held Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30PM Anniversary Special - The First 750 tickets, only $7.50! The night will honor the starting place for some of our most famous and treasured artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, George Clinton and Stevie Wonder. The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1991, is dedicated to the preservation and development of the legendary Apollo Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and education programs that: Honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists; and Advance emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. It all started in 1914 when the theater was constructed on 125th Street, the heart of Harlem. Originally, it was named Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theatre and African-Americans were not allowed in the audience. In 1934: Ralph Cooper, Sr. decided to do a live version of his already popular radio show, Amateur Nite Hour at the ApolloTM, at the Apollo Theater, then owned by the Schiffman family. Ella Fitzgerald, who invented the vocal technique known as 'SCAT', was one of the first Amateur Night winners. That same year, Cooper, Benny Carter and '16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers' dazzled the crowds with the theater's first 'Colored Revue.'

In honor of Apollo's 75th Anniversary there will be a Kick-Off Amateur Night's 75th Birth Day Party with Special Guest Ron Browz. The Party will be held Wednesday, January 28th, 7:30PM Anniversary Special - The First 750 tickets, only $7.50! The night will honor the starting place for some of our most famous and treasured artists like Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, George Clinton and Stevie Wonder. The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization established in 1991, is dedicated to the preservation and development of the legendary Apollo Theater through the Apollo Experience of world-class live performances and education programs that: Honor the influence and advance the contributions of African-American artists; and Advance emerging creative voices across cultural and artistic media. It all started in 1914 when the theater was constructed on 125th Street, the heart of Harlem. Originally, it was named Hurtig and Seamon's New Burlesque Theatre and African-Americans were not allowed in the audience. In 1934: Ralph Cooper, Sr. decided to do a live version of his already popular radio show, Amateur Nite Hour at the ApolloTM, at the Apollo Theater, then owned by the Schiffman family. Ella Fitzgerald, who invented the vocal technique known as 'SCAT', was one of the first Amateur Night winners. That same year, Cooper, Benny Carter and '16 Gorgeous Hot Steppers' dazzled the crowds with the theater's first 'Colored Revue.'

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, kicks off their 2009 season with Champions of the Dance on Friday, January 23 at 8:00PM. The evening will feature world reknowned performers from 'Dancing with The Stars' and PBS's 'American Ballroom Challenge,' among others. Tickets are on sale now for $50 and $45. All tickets for The Town Hall shows are available through TicketMaster, 212-307-4100,or www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting The Town Hall Box Office between noon and 6 PM (except Sundays) at 123 West 43rd Street, 212-840-2824. For more information, visit www.the-townhall-nyc.org

After receiving rave reviews and playing to sold out audiences & standing ovations in over 200 performances, Marion J. Caffey's 3 Mo' Divas (www.3MoDivas.com) has been awarded its first PBS television special. '3 Mo' Divas (Smashing Musical Barriers)' will air nationally March 1st-10th and June 1st-15th. (check local listings for exact dates and times). In celebration of the PBS Special, 3 Mo' Divas will also release their debut CD 'Smashing Musical Barriers' on March 1st and a Hi-Def & Blu-Ray DVD recording of the PBS special on May 12th. 3 Mo' Divas brings down the house with thrilling performances of an amazing 10 styles of music, including Opera, Broadway, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, Disco, Rock & Roll, Spiritual & Gospel. The show begins with the classical sounds of Puccini then segues into songs from hit Broadway musicals like Wicked, Ragtime and Rent. This is soon followed by hot and familiar tunes of Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. By the end of every performance, the Divas have audiences up out of their seats rockin', singing and dancing in the aisles. 3 Mo' Divas is an extraordinary musical event - all music, all passion and all fun. 3 Mo' Divas performs 10 styles of music, spanning 233 years and sung in 3 languages. The cast of 3 Mo' Divas includes: Laurice Lanier, Nova Payton, and Jamet Pittman. 3 Mo' Divas is the brainchild of Broadway writer/director Marion J. Caffey who also had a huge success on PBS with his Three Mo' Tenors. Vocal versatility is the key to the success of the 'Mo' Music' concept. The uniqueness of these ladies lies in their ability to sing an unprecedented, 10 styles of music while maintaining the integrity of each style. In other words, opera sounds like opera, jazz like jazz and gospel like gospel. Their aim is to smash the musical barriers that frequently define most classical singers.

After receiving rave reviews and playing to sold out audiences & standing ovations in over 200 performances, Marion J. Caffey's 3 Mo' Divas (www.3MoDivas.com) has been awarded its first PBS television special. '3 Mo' Divas (Smashing Musical Barriers)' will air nationally March 1st-10th and June 1st-15th. (check local listings for exact dates and times). In celebration of the PBS Special, 3 Mo' Divas will also release their debut CD 'Smashing Musical Barriers' on March 1st and a Hi-Def & Blu-Ray DVD recording of the PBS special on May 12th. 3 Mo' Divas brings down the house with thrilling performances of an amazing 10 styles of music, including Opera, Broadway, Jazz, Blues, R&B, Soul, Disco, Rock & Roll, Spiritual & Gospel. The show begins with the classical sounds of Puccini then segues into songs from hit Broadway musicals like Wicked, Ragtime and Rent. This is soon followed by hot and familiar tunes of Billie Holiday, Whitney Houston and Tina Turner. By the end of every performance, the Divas have audiences up out of their seats rockin', singing and dancing in the aisles. 3 Mo' Divas is an extraordinary musical event - all music, all passion and all fun. 3 Mo' Divas performs 10 styles of music, spanning 233 years and sung in 3 languages.

Escape the winter doldrums with some red hot jazz as Broadway, TV and film veteran Suzzanne Douglas brilliantly conjures up the legendary Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill opening Thursday, January 22, and running through Sunday, February 15, at the Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, NJ.

BYE GEORGE! AN END OF AN ERROR is hosted by Lea Delaria, with very special guests: Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Comedienne Jessica Kirson (The Tonight Show), Justin Bond (Kiki & Herb) Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), cast members of the upcoming Broadway hit Hair, and much much more! ONE NIGHT ONLY, Monday January 19 at 7:00 At JOE'S PUB (425 Lafayette Street)

Gloria Deluxe is a musical group fronted by Cynthia Hopkins: a versatile composer, graceful lyricist, and accomplished performer on piano, accordion, guitar, saw, and of course, vocals. Wrapped in a weary, country twang with a raspy undertone, Hopkins's delicate yet emotionally forceful voice has been compared to a wide range of vocalists including Billie Holiday, Natalie Merchant, and Lotte Lenya; her lyrics evoking dark humor and sparkling intelligence in equal measure.

BYE GEORGE! AN END OF AN ERROR is hosted by Lea Delaria, with very special guests: Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Comedienne Jessica Kirson (The Tonight Show), Justin Bond (Kiki & Herb) Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q), cast members of the upcoming Broadway hit Hair, and much much more! ONE NIGHT ONLY, Monday January 19 at 7:00 At JOE'S PUB (425 Lafayette Street)

The Town Hall (123 West 43rd Street), Times Square's landmark concert venue, kicks off their 2009 season with Champions of the Dance on Friday, January 23 at 8:00PM. The evening will feature world reknowned performers from 'Dancing with The Stars' and PBS's 'American Ballroom Challenge,' among others. Tickets are on sale now for $50 and $45. All tickets for The Town Hall shows are available through TicketMaster, 212-307-4100,or www.ticketmaster.com, or by visiting The Town Hall Box Office between noon and 6 PM (except Sundays) at 123 West 43rd Street, 212-840-2824. For more information, visit www.the-townhall-nyc.org

Back in Pictures celebrates the songs that were originally written for the masterpieces of the Golden Age of Hollywood, featuring music from Casablanca, Easter Parade, A Star Is Born, Pennies From Heaven, Disney, Meet Me In St. Louis, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, The Wizard of Oz and many more. Back in Pictures is showing at the Reprise Room, 245 West 54th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, New York, from April 7, 2008 through January 5, 2009.

Escape the winter doldrums with some red hot jazz as Broadway, TV and film veteran Suzzanne Douglas brilliantly conjures up the legendary Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill opening Thursday, January 22, and running through Sunday, February 15, at the Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Heights Road, in Morristown, NJ.

Gloria Deluxe is a musical group fronted by Cynthia Hopkins: a versatile composer, graceful lyricist, and accomplished performer on piano, accordion, guitar, saw, and of course, vocals. Wrapped in a weary, country twang with a raspy undertone, Hopkins's delicate yet emotionally forceful voice has been compared to a wide range of vocalists including Billie Holiday, Natalie Merchant, and Lotte Lenya; her lyrics evoking dark humor and sparkling intelligence in equal measure.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its 10th Anniversary season with the return of the club's founder Michael Feinstein for an exclusive engagement from December 2 - 30. Musical Director John Oddo will lead a 17-piece band featuring Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Jim Saporito on drums, and David Finck on bass.

Producer John Breglio and the Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. announced today that the national tour of the smash hit musical Dreamgirls will premiere at the legendary Apollo Theater (253 West 125 Street) in November 2009, for a limited engagement.

Feinstein's at Loews Regency, the nightclub proclaimed 'Best of New York' by New York Magazine and 'an invaluable New York institution' by The New York Post, will continue its 10th Anniversary season with the return of the club's founder Michael Feinstein for an exclusive engagement from December 2 ? 30. Musical Director John Oddo will lead a 17-piece band featuring Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, Jim Saporito on drums, and David Finck on bass. This September, Michael sold out a week at the club celebrating his new CD 'The Sinatra Project.' By popular demand, he will bring back the great romantic songs performed by 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and combine them with seasonal classics into the new program 'The Sinatra Holiday Project.' Antonia Bennett, the acclaimed vocalist, will be his special guest for the run. All shows take place at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street).

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear in an autobiographical cabaret show about her life both on stage, and off, entitled, "An Evening With Corky Hale," to be presented at the Metropolitan Room.

Critically-acclaimed and renowned Jazz Pianist, Harpist and Vocalist, Corky Hale, will appear in an autobiographical cabaret show about her life both on stage, and off, entitled, "An Evening With Corky Hale," to be presented at the Metropolitan Room.

Passage Theatre Artistic Director June Ballinger has announced the 2008-2009 season, which will include the world premieres of Amber Kain's darkly comic thriller The Summer House, and Caridad Svich's Instructions for Breathing; as well as the 7th Annual Solo Flights Festival: Passage's popular festival of one-person shows, music and dance.

Angelo Parra's The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith will be performed at the New Brunswick Playhouse, running March 3?29. Miche Braden, who portrayed Bessie Smith in the previous productions of the play, will recreate the title role once more.