Carmen Twillie News

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), Oberlin College & Conservatory, and the Global Foundation for the Performing Arts (GFPA), have announced a new partnership that also includes a select group of higher education institutions dedicated to expanding international student access to world-class academic and musical instruction.

Disney's 'The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau, journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar, Mufasa's brother-and former heir to the throne-has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyonce Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon.

Tickets are on sale today for 'The Lion King,' the Jon Favreau-helmed feature film that brings treasured characters to the big screen in a whole new way. The film-like the original 1994 version-features unforgettable music by an award-winning team, including Oscar® and GRAMMY®-winning superstar Elton John and Oscar and GRAMMY-winning lyricist Tim Rice, who've written an uplifting new song, 'Never Too Late,' performed by John, that features an African choir and will appear in the film's end credits and also on the Walt Disney Records original motion picture soundtrack. The digital soundtrack is set for release at 8 a.m. PDT on July 11, and the physical album is now available for pre-order and set for release on July 19, the same day 'The Lion King' opens in U.S. theaters.

It was Disney Night on Week 4 of DANCING WITH THE STARS, and like prior years, the broadcast was one of the highlights of Season 22 thus far.

Queen Latifah is Bessie Smith!

Queen Latifah is Bessie Smith!

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the digital release of Bessie (Music from the HBO Film) on Tuesday, May 12. The official soundtrack for the upcoming HBO film will also be released on CD on Tuesday, June 2.

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, will celebrate the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic films that have been enchanting audiences for generations. Launching the line on June 24 th is The Lion King 2-disc set, coinciding with the film and soundtrack's 20 th anniversary.

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, will celebrate the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic properties

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, will celebrate the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic properties

Walt Disney Records' newly created line of collectible CDs, Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection, will celebrate the anniversaries of Disney's most cherished and classic properties that have been enchanting audiences for generations. Through 2015, Walt Disney Records will celebrate 12 anniversaries including 'Pinocchio' (75th), 'Fantasia' (75 th), 'Cinderella' (65 th), 'Lady and the Tramp' (60 th), 'Sleeping Beauty' (55 th), 'Mary Poppins' (50 th), 'The Lion King' (20 th) and 'Toy Story' (20 th), among others.

The Walt Disney Company recently announced a unique new endeavor via the release of a teaser trailer for a new music compilation titled DCONSTRUCTED, which will feature EDM renditions of a vast assortment of Disney classics crafted by many of the world's top DJs, and the collection is out today.

On Sunday, May 19, at The Globe Theatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (www.gmcla.org), whose mission is to change hearts and minds through the power of music, presented the 2013 Voice Awards. This year the organization honored American Idol, AT&T, activists Fred Arens and Jason Duguay, and writer/director Liesel Reinhart. The Voice Awards were hosted by actor and activist Wilson Cruz with performances by Alex Newell (Glee) and De'Borah (The Voice). Scroll down for photos from the arrivals!

Cedar Crest will present State Theatre President and CEO, Shelley Brown, with an honorary degree in humane letters at the 143rdCommencement ceremony this Saturday, May 11. This will be the second time Cedar Crest has recognized Brown's impressive career, having awarded her the 2008 Women in Business Award, given to a successful businesswoman who exemplifies the leadership, hard work and determination central to the Cedar Crest College mission.