Joe White News

Fred Luther Foster passed away peacefully last night following a short illness with his family at his side. Foster was born July 26, 1931, in Rutherford County, North Carolina, the youngest of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vance Hampton and Clara Marcella (Weaste) Foster, and siblings Albert Glen, Estelle, Charles Vance, Ray, Pauline, Ethel Lou, and Ann. He is survived by his son Vance Foster, and daughters Micki Foster (Greg) Koenig, Leah Foster (Dillon) Alderman, Brit Foster (Judd) Rothstein, and Kristen Foster and grandchildren Rachel DiGregorio, Rhys and Tess Rothstein, and Penelope Kirschner. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

What a bizarre year 2018 has been. In the months that saw too much Trump, devastating Californian wildfires, an escalation in the refugee crisis, not to mention the dreaded 'B' word, it makes me more grateful than ever for the pure escapism that live theatre so often provides.

Today Artistic Director Paul Miller and Executive Director Sarah Nicholson announce the second half of their fifth Orange Tree Season featuring the world premieres of plays by Zoe Cooper and Rose Lewenstein, and major revivals of Athol Fugard and Terence Rattigan.

BendFilm announced today 16 films and filmmakers awarded jury prizes at the 2018 BendFilm Festival. BendFilm created two new film categories this year to recognize impactful environmental or outdoor adventure focused stories and Native cinema.  

The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment, are thrilled to announce the 2018 winners, following the ceremony which took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue on Sunday 23 September, which was also streamed live on The Stage's Facebook Page.

With the success of his single and video, 'Rainy Night in Georgia,' multiple sold-out shows, a slew of strong reviews and Grammy considerations in 7 different categories, Frank Shiner will be hitting the musical landmark for a repeat performance at Iridium in New York City Today, September 6 at 8:30 PM, to perform his sophomore album Lonely Town Lonely Street produced by 12x Grammy Winner Jay Newland..'

With the success of his single and video, 'Rainy Night in Georgia,' multiple sold-out shows, a slew of strong reviews and Grammy considerations in 7 different categories, Frank Shiner will be hitting the musical landmark for a repeat performance at Iridium in New York City Thursday, September 6 at 8:30 PM, to perform his sophomore album Lonely Town Lonely Street produced by 12x Grammy Winner Jay Newland..'

Alistair Smith, Editor, The Stage said: 'After the huge success of The Stage Debut Awards' first outing in 2017, we're delighted to reveal another superb shortlist of emerging stars that ranges from first-time playwrights in pub theatres to regional directors and those making their debuts on the biggest West End stages. This list underlines the quite astonishing array of diverse talent breaking through in theatres of all scales and types across the UK.'

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is pleased to announce its panel of judges for the 2018 competition. Established in 2002, ISC is the world's largest songwriting competition and is open to both professional and amateur songwriters, signed and unsigned. A total of 71 winners in 23 categories share in over $150,000 in cash and prizes, including an overall Grand Prize consisting of $25,000 (US) cash, and much more.

 Five former members of Waylon Jennings' recording and touring bands are reuniting and hitting the road to present 'Runnin' with Ol' Waylon' - Music and Memories of Waylon Jennings this summer. The tour kicks off at Nashville's City Winery June 16, 2018. For tickets to Waymore's Outlaws City Winery show click here.

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC), widely recognized as the most prestigious and respected songwriting competition in the world, is pleased to announce its 2017 winners. Created in 2002, ISC received more than 16,000 entries from almost 140 countries.

Scott D. Rosenbaum's Sidemen: Long Road To Glory is a heartfelt, intimate look at the lives and legacies of three legendary bluesmen; piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie 'Big Eyes' Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolfsidemen. The film captures some of their last interviews and final live performances, before their deaths in 2011. Historic live shows accompany personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary musicians inspired. Variety called SIDEMEN “an exceptionally entertaining and captivating tribute,” while the NY Times wrote “their stories are inseparable from that of the blues itself.”

As many of you know, Arena Stage's Artistic Director Molly Smith has been very active on a number of national social issues, including LGBT rights and gun control in addition to her exemplary artistic work. In this way, perhaps it's only natural that the headliner at this year's Arena Stage Gala on May 10th is not only a great singer/songwriter, but also an accomplished speaker and humanitarian.

Historically, Richmond's Orange Tree Theatre was a well-known champion of new talent. However, until now, Artistic Director Paul Miller and Executive Director Sarah Nicholson were yet to stage a debut play. Joe White is an alumnus of the Orange Tree Writers Collective, and his first play has clearly impressed them. Mayfly is based on the heartbreakingly short life cycle of a mayfly; a lifetime can happen in just one day. It is a grandiose idea and one that White makes a courageous and often very successful attempt to explore.

Writer Alex Borinsky reunites with the creative team behind Clubbed Thumb's Of Government - director Jeremy Bloom and composer Joe White - for this new piece by their inventive company Rady&Bloom. An arts collective gathers to celebrate their director's birthday; fueled by Moscow Mules, the partygoers sprawl across the apartment, decompressing from their ongoing rehearsal process. They speculate about the end of the world.

On the heels of his new album 'Sunnyside,' master storyteller Jake La Botz will perform with JD McPherson at The Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY on April 20. His first album in four years, 'Sunnyside' finds the new Nashville transplant recounting his past and present atop an irresistible, driving groove. Jimmy Sutton recorded La Botz in his original hometown of Chicago at an all-analog studio, teasing dynamite performances out of the heavily tattooed artist.

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ellen Starski is set to release her solo debut album, The Days When Peonies Prayed for the Ants, on May 11, 2018.  On the collection, which was written over the course of 12 years, Starski explores  both her homeland and herself, traveling from the coal country of rural Pennsylvania to the roots-music hotbed of Nashville, Tennessee, and creating a soundtrack to that period of self-discovery. The album is autobiographical and rooted in a lush mix of indie-folk, orchestral Americana, and organic pop.