John Hammond News

Rockwell: Table and Stage presents Daisy and Jordan's Sunday Brunch of Shame, a brand new comedy talk show with music. Do you like show tunes AND pop music? Do you like brunch? Did you have a little too much fun last night? Do you like to laugh? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions then you won't want to miss Daisy and Jordan's Sunday Brunch of Shame.

Geva Theatre Center presents "Journey to the Son: A Celebration of Son House" from August 26 - August 29, 2015. This once-in-a-lifetime, four-day festival weaves together music, theatre, film, audio recordings, storytelling and lectures to celebrate Rochester's adopted son, Eddie "Son" House.

Just so we are clear, JURASSIC WORLD is everything that you would expect from a movie about a theme park built around real, live genetically engineered dinosaurs; especially in a world where it's not the first park of its kind. As you may recall, starting in the 1990s, there was an ill-fated incarnation known as JURASSIC PARK, which didn't end badly enough to dissuade anyone from trying again (either on or off screen). Needless to say, things don't exactly go well this time around either. If your credulity is not strained enough by the film's basic conceits, the minutia of JURASSIC WORLD will surely finish the job. The franchise's cliché fourth film has all of the hackneyed hallmarks you have grown to love and loathe in a summer blockbuster; a man vs. beast action movie that requires the suspension of every available ounce of disbelief, but is ultimately satisfyingly entertaining; either despite, or because of, its ridiculousness.

?HBO has confirmed the debut date for BESSIE, with the HBO Films presentation scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

?Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah ("Chicago") stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ("Pariah") from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois.

Queen Latifah sings the blude in her new film BESSIE. The multi-talented actress and singer, who produced and stars in the new HBO film, stopped by ABC's Good Morning America to talk about the film.

Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, is proud to announce the digital release of Bessie (Music from the HBO Film) on Tuesday, May 12. The official soundtrack for the upcoming HBO film will also be released on CD on Tuesday, June 2.

?Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”) from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois.

Starring Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah ("Chicago") in the title role, BESSIE focuses on legendary blues singer Bessie Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into "The Empress of the Blues," one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. Check out the first trailer for the film below!

The HBO film BESSIE is scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. This marks a return to the network for Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah following her Golden Globe- and SAG Award-winning performance in HBO Films' “Life Support.”

?HBO has confirmed the debut date for BESSIE, with the HBO Films presentation scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.

Oscar nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ('Pariah') from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into 'The Empress of the Blues,' one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

Today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces its Inductees for 2015.

In December of 2013, Geva Theatre Center was selected as a recipient of a prestigious grant from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation to create a multimedia celebration on the life and work of legendary blues guitarist, Son House. The 18-month project, entitled "A Journey to the Son," will bring together musicians, writers, artists and the area's leading regional theatre company in a "creative collision" to celebrate one of Rochester's own, Eddie "Son" House. The project will culminate in a four-day celebration in August weaving together stories, music, theatre, film, audio recordings, storytelling and lectures.

Ten-time Grammy Award-winning artist and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master George Benson returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts for one night only on Friday, March 27 at 8 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

The Boulder Theater will present the Blues Hall of Fame Tour featuring Charlie Musselwhite and John Hammond to the Boulder Theater on Friday, March 20th, 2014. Tickets are on sale Friday, September 12th for $24.50 General Admission, $27.50 Reserved and $35.00 Gold Circle.

Steven Spielberg released the following statement upon the passing of Richard Attenborough:

British actor, director, and producer Sir Richard Attenborough, best known for the Academy Award-winning film, Ghandi has died at age 90, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Oscar(R) nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE

Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”). Currently in production in Atlanta and debuting in 2015, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. The cast also features Michael K. Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, Charles S. Dutton and Mo'Nique. BESSIE is executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel.