Doug E. Fresh News

Acclaimed a capella group Naturally 7 brings its harmonious sounds to Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre in Malibu on Friday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

With such red-hot entertainment as Stranger Things taking the nation back to the 1980's, it's no wonder that the entire country is feeling the burn for 80's nostalgia - and the cure is right around the corner when the Anaheim Convention Center plays host to the first-ever NostalgiaCon 80's pop culture convention - a two-day extravaganza celebrating the stars, music, fashion and fun that defined the unforgettable decade.

Hey dudes, strap on to that Flux Capacitor because pre-sale tickets are finally here to the biggest and zanniest celebration ever of the 1980s, NostalgiaCon's Ultimate 80s Reunion, (www.NostalgiaCon80s.com), July 4th-6th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California.  

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

'Bring it On' meets 'Dreamgirls' in the girl-group musical, 'Betty and the Belrays' by William Electric Black aka Ian Ellis James, which will be presented by Theater for the New City January 31 to February 17. The piece tells the story of three white female singers from Detroit who struggle to change a racially divided society by singing for a black record label. Book and lyrics are by William Electric Black. Music is by Black, Valerie Ghent (arranger/keyboards for Ashford & Simpson) and Gary Schreiner. Choreography is by Jeremy Lardieri. Director is Mr. Black.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage presents the return of four-time GRAMMY Award-winning bass virtuoso Stanley Clarke and his band on Saturday, January 19 at 7:30pm. Clarke performs with electric and acoustic ferocity, backed by a stellar troupe of exciting young musicians. Rolling Stone's first Jazzman of the Year, Clarke's creativity has been recognized and rewarded in every way imaginable.

On Dec. 9, the Apollo Theater will celebrate 30 years of the ground-breaking New Jack Swing sound and will welcome home Harlem natives Teddy Riley and Keith Sweat for The Kings and Queens of New Jack Swing. This special evening will mark their first time performing at the legendary Apollo in over 20 years. Riley and Sweat will be joined by pioneers of the sound, including, Guy, Blackstreet, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee and more to be announced.  More than a concert, The Kings and Queens of New Jack Swing underscores The Apollo's commitment to celebrating the contributions of African American artists and the Theater's role in the American and global musical landscape.

The 3rd Annual 2018 Black Music Honors hosted by television and radio personality Rickey Smiley and Grammy® Award-winner and actress LeToya Luckett is currently airing in national broadcast syndication.  The star-studded show was taped live at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, Tenn.  Viewers can click blackmusichonors.com/Airtime.html to check local airdates and broadcast times.

Bojangles' Coliseum will host Queen City Music Fest featuring RBRM, Dru Hill, Doug E. Fresh and Silk on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Friday, Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets or at the Bojangles' Coliseum Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets cost between $51.50 and $127 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change. Ticket prices increase $5 the day of the show. A direct link to purchase tickets can be found here.

L. Londell McMillan, Chairman of The Source Magazine and Northstar Charities has announced The 5th Annual SOURCE360 Conference and Festival will take place, once again, in Brooklyn, New York, September 6-9. The 4-day conference and festival is mostly free to the public. Selected ticketed events are now open and available on Eventbrite. All events offer to the general public a full spectrum of performances and activations that engage and educate the community about the culture of Hip-Hop, arts, culture, music, fashion, sports, business, technology and crucial public policy concerns such as criminal justice reform.

The Growlers are thrilled to present Beach Goth Pop Up: WEEK 2 in Downtown LA, Thursday 7/26 - Sunday 7/29 at 1700 Naud Street. Free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, it redefines what a pop-up can be, bringing The Growlers' signature psychedelic vibes to their fans in an immersive, mind-melting carnival of music, design and fashion.

Live bands! Drag queens! Marionettes! The Growlers are excited to announce their very first Beach Goth Pop Up in Downtown LA, open exclusively on the weekends of Thursday 7/19 - Sunday 7/22, and Friday 7/27 - Sunday 7/29. Nestled in the industrial paradise of 1700 Naud Street in downtown's Cornfield neighborhood, the pop up is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Growlers take their swirling psychedelic carnival on the road this fall, bringing their Beach Goth Tour 2018 across America and into the hearts, minds, and concert halls of several lucky European cities. Led by singer Brooks Nielsen, music director Matt Taylor and guitarist Kyle Straka, the band will be joined by long-time Growlers touring members Brad Bowers (bass), Adam Wolcott (keyboards) and Richard Gowen (drums).

City Parks Foundation's SummerStage is in full swing, with upcoming shows for the week of June 17th taking place all across New York City. For the most up-to-date scheduling and lineup for all SummerStage programming, visit www.SummerStage.org for all festival information. 

The Growlers are bringing Beach Goth 2018 to Los Angeles State Historic Park on Sunday, August 5, 2018, this time with a legendary lineup and multiple performance spaces, all compressed into a single day's epic event. Gates open at 1pm, with all tickets priced at $66 each (available for purchase at 10am this Friday, June 15, at the event website). As always, costumes are encouraged.

Chrome Entertainment announces HIP HOP ROYALTY TOUR on Saturday, October 6th at the Miller High Life Theatre. Tickets are on sale today and are available at Ticketmaster and the Miller High Life Theatre Box Office.

City Parks Foundation, in partnership with Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Council Member Mark Treyger are thrilled to announce that SummerStage is returning to theFord Amphitheater at Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn this summer for five free concerts between June and August.

Thirty years after its premiere on MTV, 'YO! MTV Raps' legacy continues to have a lasting influence on hip-hop and pop culture. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, MTV will reinvent the franchise for a new generation as a both a linear and digital series across its platforms. To kick things off, show alumni, artists and fans will gather for the 'YO! MTV Raps: 30th Anniversary Experience' on Friday, June 1st at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, which will be live streamed by MTV.

B.B. Kings Blues Club & Grill, a musical venue in the heart of the theatre district, has just announced that it will close its 42nd Street location at the end of this month. An official statement reads: 

After 18 years of hosting some of music and entertainment's most revered names, B.B. King Blues Club & Grill has announced its final run of shows in its current Times Square location (237 W 42nd St). Due to escalating rent, the historic venue and supper club is forced to close its doors with a final performance on April 29, 2018. B.B. King Blues Club is in the process of selecting a new location in Manhattan to relocate the venue.