Julian Bond News

S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E. Those 11 letters spell out 'spelling bee,' but in the Garden Theatre's production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, those 11 letters spell so much more than that. Based on a fictional spelling bee in the fictional Putnam County, this hilarious and heartfelt tale centers on six young spellers who made it through various rounds in their own school's spelling bee to compete at the illustrious 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Along with the six adolescent kids are the three adults who run the bee. Each child is played by an adult and each of them have their own quirks, hardships, and goals which make this show an absolute delight. 

Today, the National Civil Rights Museum announced recipients of The Freedom Award, the museum's signature event that honors outstanding individuals for their significant contributions to civil and human rights. This year's honorees are Benjamin Crump, civil rights attorney; Tawakkol Karman, Yemeni human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; The Honorable Damon Jerome Keith, longest serving judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Court; Soledad O'Brien, journalist and executive producer; and Bryan Stevenson, attorney and social justice activist.

Celebrating the extraordinary gospel and soul music legend and civil rights icon, who rose to fame as lead singer of the legendary family group The Staple Singers, MAVIS! debuts MONDAY FEB. 29 (9:00-10:25 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Jessica Edwards directs the first feature documentary about this enduring performer.

The winners of the “47th NAACP Image Awards” were announced tonightduring the live broadcast from Pasadena Civic Auditorium which aired on TV One (9-11 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed). The two-hour live special was hosted by Anthony Anderson.

Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2015.

The Jazz Foundation of America's 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Sonny Rollins featuring performances by Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan),Jimmy Heath, Jack DeJohnette, Gary Bartz, Billy Harper, Randy Brecker, Clifton Anderson, Alex Blake, Kenny Garrett, Ravi Coltrane,Buster Williams, Al Foster, James Carter, Bob Cranshaw, Cecil Bridgewater Big Band, and more.

The Alden in McLean kicks off its next season of national and international touring artists. Professional artists from the worlds of comedy, dance, theatre, music, jugging, children's theatre and more will visit the 383-seat performing arts venue located inside the Beltway and minutes from downtown DC.

The Alden in McLean announces its upcoming season of national and international touring artists. Professional artists from the worlds of comedy, dance, theatre, music, jugging, children's theatre and more will visit the 383-seat performing arts venue located inside the Beltway and minutes from downtown DC.

Ford's Theatre Society hosted Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln Commemoration, a moving tribute to President Abraham Lincoln on the 150th anniversary of his assassination, this week on April 14, 2015, at 9 p.m. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Ford's Theatre Society hosts Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln Commemoration, a moving tribute to President Abraham Lincoln on the 150th anniversary of his assassination -- tonight, April 14, 2015, at 9 p.m.

Ford's Theatre Society hosts Now He Belongs to the Ages: A Lincoln Commemoration, a moving tribute to President Abraham Lincoln on the 150th anniversary of his assassination -- April 14, 2015, at 9 p.m. The evening includes readings of Lincoln's words and stories, Civil War-era music, excerpts from Lincoln's favorite operas, and features appearances by operatic soprano Alyson Cambridge, legendary singer songwriter Judy Collins, actor David Selby, political satirist Mark Russell, civil rights leader Julian Bond, historians Harold Holzer and James Swanson columnist Eugene Robinson, the Federal City Brass Band, and others.

'Benjamin Hedin went looking for the civil rights movement's past, but he also ran smack into the present, which can suddenly look like the past and then just as suddenly look totally different. By bringing stirring people like Septima Clark into focus, Hedin does what good historians do, but by entwining history with current events, he does a lot more. Here is a haunting meditation on living in history as well as with it.'—Sean Wilentz, author of The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln

Oprah Winfrey hosts a gala of events honoring some of the legendary men and extraordinary women of civil rights, the arts and entertainment who made history and redefined what was possible for us all in the primetime television event OPRAH WINFREY PRESENTS: LEGENDS WHO PAVED THE WAY

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK announces JANUARY 2015 highlights:

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network announced today a month-long celebration in January honoring civil rights legends who paved the way as we approach the 50th anniversary of the historic Selma to Montgomery marches led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that changed the trajectory of America forever.

A variation in music occurs when a theme is repeated in different ways, but has changes in rhythm, melody, orchestration, etc. The play parallels classical composer Beethoven's later life with Dr. Katherine Brandt. This is definitely not a show to see if you want a fuzzy upbeat good performance, but there's something to be said about the beauty of story and quality of actors. In short, 33 VARIATIONS is depressing, but beautifully done.

The Garden Theatre will present the Central Florida Premiere of the gripping Broadway drama 33 Variations, March 14 - 30, 2014, with shows Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm & 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. In addition, an Industry Night performance will be offered Monday, March 24 at 8pm.

Today, Jan. 17, the Newseum will open '1964: Civil Rights at 50,' a yearlong exhibit about Freedom Summer, a bold campaign organized by civil rights groups in 1964 to register black voters in Mississippi.

Inside Media Program on Jan. 18 Will Feature Family of Renowned Photographer Ted Polumbaum

Last night, 92Y celebrated songwriting legend Mike Stoller on the occasion of his 80th year with An 80th Birthday Celebration, a one-night-only Lyrics & Lyricists Special Event hosted by Paul Shaffer and directed and written by Randy Johnson (director/writer of A Night withJanis Joplin). Performers included: legendary vocal group The Coasters, along with artists Karen Akers,Mary Bridget Davies, Corky Hale, Maria Elena Infantino,Sally Kellerman, Bettye Lavette, Melissa Manchester, Billy Stritch, Tommy Tune and Steve Tyrell. Backed by Tyrell's band, the artists performed some of the greatest songs written by Stoller with his longtime lyricist partner Jerry Leiber and others. Check out photos from the special event below!