Diahann Carroll News

On Wednesday, April 5, 2017, the New York City Mission Society will hold its annual Champions for Children fundraising Gala. This year's event will honor legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll and entrepreneur Don Peebles, as well as recognize three lifetime members of the Mission Society's Board of Directors. Co-chaired by Jean Shafiroff and Katrina Peebles, the benefit will support the Mission Society's programs and services that help youth and families in our city's most underserved communities break the cycle of poverty and achieve success.

We all know that February is Black History Month, but did we all take a moment to reflect and celebrate? Well we did just that, Broadway-style, at Sessions on February 23rd. Not only did we invite a starry roster of Broadway's best and brightest to share music representing the influence, importance and impact of African American legacy on Broadway, but we also paid homage to some Broadway trailblazers like Diahann Carroll, Ben Vereen, "Stokes" and more. We even challenged our audience to "name that African American Tony winner," which of course gave us the opportunity to bask in the glorious voices of Melba Moore, Hinton Battle, Heather Headley, Ted Ross, Jennifer Holiday and many more. Check out these amazing performances by Aisha de Haas, Kenita Miller, Daisy Hobbs, Imari Hardon, Zurin Villanueva, Ta'Rea Campbell, Marcus Paul James, Nora Schell, T. Oliver Reid, Charity Angel Dawson and more!

Author and Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff hosted a reception on Tuesday night to announce the honorees at the New York City Mission Society's annual Champions for Children Gala on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental NY. This year's honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society's Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr. (Ret).

Author and Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and Martin Shafiroff hosted a reception last night to announce the honorees at the New York City Mission Society's annual Champions for Children Gala on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the Mandarin Oriental NY. This year's honorees are legendary actress and singer Diahann Carroll, entrepreneur Don Peebles, and three lifetime members of the Mission Society's Board of Directors: actress and philanthropist Dina Merrill Hartley, whose family has supported the Mission Society for four generations; Lloyd W. Brown, II; and, LTC Francis W. Kairson, Jr. (Ret).

Principal Conductor Michael Feinstein leads the Pasadena POPS for its star-studded 2017 Summer Concert Series at the Los Angeles Arboretum with extraordinary multiple award winning guests artists Liza Minnelli, Alan Cumming, Joel Gray, Hair Spray Live's Madelyn Baillio, Beautiful's Jessie Mueller and Jarrod Spector, Grey Garden's Rachel York, Phantom of the Opera's Jordan Donica, the Midtown Men and Michael Feinstein in concert.

Actor, musician, activist, and humanitarian Harry Belafonte will turn 90-years-old on March 1, 2017. On this occasion, Museum of the Moving Image will celebrate his legendary career as an artist and activist-a little early-on Saturday, February 4, with a three-film retrospective and conversation with Belafonte's friend, the best-selling author Walter Mosley. The Harry Belafonte Pre-Birthday Celebration will feature screenings of The Strolling '20s, a television special produced by and starring Belafonte and featuring Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Sammy Davis, Jr. and more, that has hardly been seen in 50 years; Robert Altman's Kansas City, which features Belafonte's favorite of his own performances; and Otto Preminger's classic Carmen Jones, in which he stars opposite Dorothy Dandridge. 

The McCallum Theatre presents Michael Feinstein and 'Isn't It Romantic' today, February 25, at 8:00pm. Michael returns with an evening of America's most romantic music from The Great American Songbook, reprised from his sold out Broadway run. Almost a million copies have been sold of his Isn't It Romantic album. Michael will be accompanied by a 17-piece band that will contrast with the beautiful piano solos for which he is known. Michael Feinstein has built a dazzling career over three decades bringing the Great American Songbook music to the world. From 5 Grammy nominated albums to Emmy nominated PBS specials, acclaimed NPR series, and concerts at The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, his work as an educator and archivist define Michael as a force in American music. 

With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou's incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs and videos and her own words.

The McCallum Theatre presents Michael Feinstein and 'Isn't It Romantic' on Saturday, February 25, at 8:00pm. Michael returns with an evening of America's most romantic music from The Great American Songbook, reprised from his sold out Broadway run. Almost a million copies have been sold of his Isn't It Romantic album. Michael will be accompanied by a 17-piece band that will contrast with the beautiful piano solos for which he is known. Michael Feinstein has built a dazzling career over three decades bringing the Great American Songbook music to the world. From 5 Grammy nominated albums to Emmy nominated PBS specials, acclaimed NPR series, and concerts at The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House, his work as an educator and archivist define Michael as a force in American music. 

Actor, musician, activist, and humanitarian Harry Belafonte will turn 90-years-old on March 1, 2017. On this occasion, Museum of the Moving Image will celebrate his legendary career as an artist and activist-a little early-on Saturday, February 4, with a three-film retrospective and conversation with Belafonte's friend, the best-selling author Walter Mosley. The Harry Belafonte Pre-Birthday Celebration will feature screenings of The Strolling '20s, a television special produced by and starring Belafonte and featuring Sidney Poitier, Diahann Carroll, Sammy Davis, Jr. and more, that has hardly been seen in 50 years; Robert Altman's Kansas City, which features Belafonte's favorite of his own performances; and Otto Preminger's classic Carmen Jones, in which he stars opposite Dorothy Dandridge. 

Dating is hard enough on its own, much less when you have to screen your father's options, too. Bob Morris' hilarious, poignant new play Assisted Loving: Dating with My Dad posits a brave new world that tangles filial piety, romance and the internet in bright, unexpected ways.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is the only national museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history, and culture. It was established by Act of Congress in 2003, following decades of efforts to promote and highlight the contributions of African Americans. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become charter members. The Museum opened to the public on September 24, 2016, as the 19th and newest museum of the Smithsonian Institution.

With unprecedented access, filmmakers Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack trace Dr. Angelou's incredible journey, shedding light on the untold aspects of her life through never-before-seen footage, rare archival photographs and videos and her own words.

Dating is hard enough on its own, much less when you have to screen your father's options, too. Bob Morris' hilarious, poignant new play Assisted Loving: Dating with My Dad posits a brave new world that tangles filial piety, romance and the internet in bright, unexpected ways.

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season in February 2017 with 30 amazing productions and events, including one of the biggest hits now running on Broadway, three international orchestras, a couple of impressive symphonies, two legendary dance companies and incredible line-up of musical headliners and a truly memorable NIGHT OF STARS.

Great American Songbook Foundation founder Michael Feinstein and rocker-turned-cabaret-bombshell Storm Large headlined an Oct. 15 gala that raised over $500,000 to support educational and artistic programs at the foundation's home, the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Scroll down for photos!

Michael Feinstein, the multi-platinum-selling entertainer dubbed 'The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,' comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center on Today, October 28, 2016 at 8 pm . Tickets are $60 - $100.

ASSISTED LOVING: A SPECIAL READING BASED ON THE MEMOIR BY BOB MORRIS is among the theater events coming up this November and December at 92Y.  Featuring Richard Kind, Alex Brightman, Alix Korey and Quinn Mattfield, the reading will be directed by Gordon Greenberg and will be held on Monday, November 7 at 8 pm (free - registration required).

You've seen them. Gaudy costumes worn by Hollywood and Broadway stars, preserved and on display in museums and galleries. It's a great way to witness first-hand the trappings of the pretend, magical worlds brought to us on celluloid, television, and the live stage. But when you see those famous outfits, hanging stiffly on mannequins, you get the sense something is missing. It's as if they were embalmed mummies from ancient Egypt, beautiful but lifeless. That's what makes a show like Hollywood Revisited, which played Sunday afternoon at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, so valuable and different as a unique piece of show business entertainment.

Five-time GRAMMY-nominated entertainer Michael Feinstein will feature local high school student and Songbook Academy Alum in performance at his upcoming engagement at MCG Jazz on September 23, 2016, at 9:30 PM.