James Brown News

You know those dreams you have when you wake up suddenly, and all you want to do is fall back asleep and continue the dream? If you are lucky enough to see Dreamgirls at Maine State, you will leave the Pickard Theatre feeling the same way.

When Sly and The Family Stone hit the scene back in the late '60s, the world - socially, culturally and politically - was in a state of upheaval. And their music perfectly evangelized the moment. Today, we stand dangerously at the edge of a similar precipice - and that message of celebratory potential and jubilant clarity is sorely needed. With that concept squarely implanted in his mind's eye, visionary conceptualist, producer, arranger, composer and keyboard wizard Jason Miles has created the extraordinary Sly Reimagined on the Zoho Roots label. With his groundbreaking, genre-defying borderless mothership Global Noize providing the vehicle, Miles takes on eight classic Sly Stone journeys into the wilds of a reality nearly half a century beyond their point of inception.

While I'm well acquainted with L. Frank Baum's classic tales of the land of Oz, and I've certainly seen numerous stage adaptations of his work, I'd never had the opportunity to see THE WIZ, unless you count the film version (and I don't), until now. After viewing the Black Rep's splendid production I'm happy to report that it's a tune-filled spectacle that's brimming with color and movement. It has an Afrocentric, funky mid-1970's era vibe (book by William F. Brown, most of the music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls) that actually makes it seem more hip than you would expect.

Northrop Summer Music Festival 2013 (NSMF) on Northrop Plaza. A free, outdoor summer concert series, NSMF features well-known local musicians and DJs, alongside emerging U of M student bands. Curated by a Northrop Student Advisory Committee, Northrop, and Sue McLean and Associates, the series presents a sampling of musical genres including hip-hop, dance music, singer-songwriter, folk, Latin, and spoken word.

Lakeshore Records will release The Heat – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally and in stores onJune 25, 2013. The album features the new song “Rock This” by Santigold along with songs that will make you want to get up and dance from LCD Soundsystem, Parliament, The Isley Brothers, Kimbra, and Deee-Lite

MUSE/IQUE, known for its counter-conventional performances that feel more like parties than formal concerts, launches 'Summer of Sound' 2013 with 'Lost in the Stars with Patti Austin,' featuring the Grammy Award-winning legend, on Saturday, June 29, 2013, 7:30 pm, outdoors at Caltech's Beckman Mall in Pasadena.

Long Wharf Theatre, in conjunction with Supreme Talent International will present Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller, on the Mainstage as part of its summer season. The musical runs from July 10-28 on the Mainstage. Tickets are $55.

When Sly and The Family Stone hit the scene back in the late '60s, the world – socially, culturally and politically – was in a state of upheaval. And their music perfectly evangelized the moment. Today, we stand dangerously at the edge of a similar precipice – and that message of celebratory potential and jubilant clarity is sorely needed. With that concept squarely implanted in his mind's eye, visionary conceptualist, producer, arranger, composer and keyboard wizard Jason Miles has created the extraordinary Sly Reimagined on the Zoho Roots label. With his groundbreaking, genre-defying borderless mothership Global Noize providing the vehicle, Miles takes on eight classic Sly Stone journeys into the wilds of a reality nearly half a century beyond their point of inception.

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our June 1st SIP round-up. Yesterday evening's photos featured THE LITTLE MERMAID's Nick Adams and Sean Patrick Doyle reuniting at Paper Mill Playhouse, a slew of fun pics from WICKED, and shots from NICE WORK, BOOK OF MORMON, THE NANCE, LUCKY GUY, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, JERSEY BOYS, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the Stratford Festival, GREASE at Gateway and more!

These three performers present a most unpredictable mixture of brilliant, beguiling music that spans across three generations of influences.

Northrop Summer Music Festival 2013 (NSMF) on Northrop Plaza. A free, outdoor summer concert series, NSMF features well-known local musicians and DJs, alongside emerging U of M student bands. Curated by a Northrop Student Advisory Committee, Northrop, and Sue McLean and Associates, the series presents a sampling of musical genres including hip-hop, dance music, singer-songwriter, folk, Latin, and spoken word.

Roger Salloom featuring Charles Neville and Jessica Freeman will perform on Friday June 28, 2013 at 9:00 PM at Bridge Street Live - Tickets available: $20 General Admission; $30 VIP Reserved.

Mad Cow Theatre has announced additional performances for the upcoming production of Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, to be produced in The Harriett Theatre at 54 W. Church Street. The new performances are scheduled for: Thursday, July 4 at 7:30 pm; Friday, July 5 at 7:30 pm; Saturday, July 6 at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, July 7 at 2:30 pm. Dreamgirls opens June 7, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in the photos below!

Mad Cow Theatre has announced additional performances for the upcoming production of Dreamgirls, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen, to be produced in The Harriett Theatre at 54 W. Church Street.

In keeping with the resurging popularity of 70s and 80s sounds, legendary groovemeisters of the period, Kool & The Gang (koolandthegang.com), are back in the arena limelight joining the first leg of Kid Rock's 'Rebel Soul Tour' (www.kidrockrebelsoul.com). The tour kicks off in Washington, DC, June 28, at Jiffy Lube Live. In an unprecedented, fan-friendly move, Kid Rock announced a limited number of $20 tickets are being offered for the tour. Tickets are on sale now exclusively thru Ticketmaster.com.

BROADWAY BARES returns again to its roots as the 2013 BARES season continues with BROADWAY BARES: SOLO STRIPS at 9 pm tonight, May 5 at XL Nightclub (512 West 42nd Street, NYC).

Mike Tyson bared his soul in his one man performance 'Undisputed Truth,' Thursday night, April 25th, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.

Director Marc Robin dazzles audiences at the Fulton with the story of Deena Jones and the Dreams

FOX has ordered two more seasons of the genre-defying musical sensation GLEE, it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.

Exemplifying its commitment to provide Los Angeles with inspiring, immersive entertainment for all ages, The Music Center announced its 2013-2014 Season, which includes major dance premieres, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary performances for families and its nationally recognized series of free 'do-it-yourself' arts events. According to The Music Center, this extensive group of performances and arts-making opportunities - which includes engagements at all four of its venues and Grand Park - is The Music Center's most comprehensive, diverse season to date.