Divine News

Nashville-based alternative pop/rock artist Kitty Coen shares her long-awaited, spellbinding debut album, HELLCAT out everywhere now with the latest track 'center of the sun' where Coen learns to trust herself. Alongside the release, Coen will also embark on a summer tour across the East Coast with alt-rock Americana musician Slow Funeral. It begins on June 13 in Greenville, SC with tickets on sale now.

I live in Florida, and I love Florida; Florida has amazing people and an amazing LGBTQ community, but, as you know, the government really isn't on our side there. When the drag bans started to happen, it really freaked you out because it happened like suddenly you weren't allowed to perform outside in Florida. People didn't know this happened, but many of the Pride Celebrations in Florida were canceled.

Bette Midler has released another parody song, this time focusing on Donald Trump's new cologne line. Watch here!

Explore spiritual enlightenment with Donna Hodges' new book, SPIRITS, DREAMS, AND PROPHECIES, released by Higgins Publishing.

The new, reinvigorated direction of Lost Dog Street Band began in the recording process when Tod decided to swap out their traditional recording style of overdubbing parts in favor of recording everything live. It was an experience he was introduced to during his solo album and found the process so successful that it, in part, led to his decision to revive Lost Dog. Listen to the album here!

Tina Croll + Company will return to New York this spring with the showing of two signature choreographic works, She Rides a Tiger and Ancient Springs.

Theatre503 has announced the appointment of five new Trustees plus an Associate Trustee. Learn more about the Trustees here!

Culture Lab LIC has announced the slate of programming for their 2024 season which will include several visual arts exhibits, theatrical performances, late night drag and burlesque shows, and a free outdoor live music concert series.

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Camden People's Theatre with THE CAMDEN ROAR festival. See the full lineup of performances and learn how to purchase tickets.

The Gift Theatre has announced its 2024-25 season featuring Suzan-Lori Parks’ masterpiece Topdog/Underdog directed by Shanésia Davisand the world premiere of Cygnus by Susan Soon He Stanton, directed by Co-Artistic Director Brittany Burch. 

Back in December, I saw the chamber version of John Adams’s EL NINO—dubbed EL NINO: NATIVITY RECONSIDERED—at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Pared down to its essence, it was wonderful, starred two of the singers who made their debuts in the premiere at the Met, soprano Julia Bullock and bass-baritone Davone Tines plus countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, who were at their best. It was a somber evening in a dramatic setting—a far cry from the oratorio/opera’s over-the-top welcome to Lincoln Center last night, in Lileana Blain-Cruz’s production that made me wonder what Franco Zeffirelli might have done with it. Think the Parisian throngs in Act II of the Met’s LA BOHEME (which, of course, is one of the Met’s most popular productions with audiences).

Portland’s 2024 Fertile Ground Festival of New Works is officially over. What a great festival it was! I enjoyed everything I saw, and there are several that I believe merit full productions.

The Public Theater has announced complete casting for the encore tour of Mobile Unit's bilingual musical adaptation of Shakespeare's classic comedy THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.

Italian music phenomenon Giolì & Assia are thrilled to announce their genre-bending EP, RESURRECTION (ACT I). This electrifying collection, led by powerful new single ‘God Don't Leave Me Alone’, marks a significant new chapter for the acclaimed duo. Listen to the EP here!

After amassing millions of streams across platforms and attracting a devoted cult following, rising R&B songstress and self-proclaimed siren, Bairi, has unveiled her highly anticipated debut project, Fire Siren.  In her 10-track album, Bairi crafts a sultry tale of self-discovery, narrating her personal journey of overcoming darkness to find self-worth and purpose. Listen to the album here!

Yes, a grand opera was inserted at Belk Theater as the clock or calendar was winding down! Around the world, Callas, Nilsson, and Sutherland are among the divas who have graced the powerhouse role of TURANDOT, and Franco Zeffirelli's production at the Met is as revered for its stateliness and splendor as the Notre Dame Cathedral. Grand? Monumental.

On Saturday, May 11, at 5PM at The Sanctuary of Brick Presbyterian Church, the Sebastians will present The 24 Violins Cross the Alps.

West Harlem is set to host the eagerly anticipated Harlem Culture Crawl from April 26th to 28th. Learn more about the events!

Drag icon Varla Jean Merman brings her latest one-woman show Stand By Your Drag to the Catalina Jazz Club for one night only April 23, 2024. Varla Jean found time after her Palm Springs engagement to answer a few of my queries. 

I wouldn’t say that Andrew Ousley’s TIERGARTEN cabaret draws parallels between Weimar Germany—from World War I, leading up to the Nazification of the country and finally World War II—and the current political climate in the US. But you could. After all, who doesn’t love a little escapist fiddling while Rome (and other entities)—burns, here performed as part of the Carnegie Hall festival “Fall of the Weimar Republic: Dancing on the Precipice”?