Mercedes Ellington News

TAP!, Part Two! continues Dancers Over 40's examination of the art form that America loves. For those watching TV in the mid 50's, 60's and 70's, choreographer June Taylor was the lady with the precision dance team seen on the Ed Sullivan and Jackie Gleason shows on a weekly basis.

BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present its latest feature series: The Performer of the Week! Get to know these amazing talents as they share a bit about themselves, their work and life! Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Troy Blackwell-Cook!

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts will present its annual holiday party and fundraiser for its Scholarship Fund and other programs in the key of Ellington - Ring Dem Bells! - on Monday, December 10, 6 to 9 PM, at Landmark on the Park, 76th Street and Central Park West.

The 1st Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition, created by The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, will be held today, October 20, 2012 from 12 Noon to 5 PM as part of The 37th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. The competition has been created to provide enhanced exposure to the many dynamic tuba players who perform in improvisational music ensembles in and around the New York area. The five groups chosen for the competition perform in a wide range of genres from traditional and contemporary Jazz to Blues, hip-hop, funk rock and world music.

The stars came out for Andre De Shields' SRO return Friday night Oct 5 to the Laurie Beechman theatre (downstairs at the West Bank Cafe). De Shields will perform his new theatrical concert, I PUT A SPELL ON YOU, for one more show this Friday Oct. 12 at 11PM.Tickets are available atwww.smarttix.com or by calling 212-868-4444.

The 1st Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition, created by The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 12 Noon to 5 PM as part of The 37th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. The competition has been created to provide enhanced exposure to the many dynamic tuba players who perform in improvisational music ensembles in and around the New York area. The five groups chosen for the competition perform in a wide range of genres from traditional and contemporary Jazz to Blues, hip-hop, funk rock and world music.

The Duke Ellington Center Big Band and the Bobby Sinabria Multiverse Big Band will perform a joint concert at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx on tonight, June 8, at 7:30 PM, featuring some of Duke Ellington's iconic works, as well as those of his greatest collaborators.

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, and Jazz at Lincoln Center invite you to the Tribute to Phoebe Jacobs, in memoriam. The event will be held at Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center tonight, May 24, 2012 at 1 p.m. There will be no printed tickets for this event. Doors will open at 12:30pm, and attendees will be seated on a first come, first served basis.

The Duke Ellington Center Big Band and the Bobby Sinabria Multiverse Big Band will perform a joint concert at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx on Friday, June 8, at 7:30 PM, featuring some of Duke Ellington's iconic works, as well as those of his greatest collaborators.

The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, and Jazz at Lincoln Center invite you to the Tribute to Phoebe Jacobs, in memoriam. The event will be held at Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 1 p.m. There will be no printed tickets for this event. Doors will open at 12:30pm, and attendees will be seated on a first come, first served basis.

The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts and The Players co-present a Benefit Cocktail Reception and Concert by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South, tonight, Sunday, April 29, 2012, - Duke Ellington's 113th Birthday. The concert will feature performances of Duke Ellington's most memorable musical pieces performed by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band, under the direction of Frank Owens, plus vocals by Antoinette Montague and Marion Cowings; a performance by The Mickey Davidson Swing Dancers; and the ballroom artistry of Michael Choi.

TAP!, Dancers Over 40's final event of their 2011 - 2012 season brings the world of tap center stage for a discussion and performance by DO40 members and guests. This May's event is hosted by Mercedes Ellington, (Sophisticated Ladies, No, No, Nanette!) and begins with a discussion of the history of tap by DO40 members Mercedes and Lee Roy Reams (42nd Street).

The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts and The Players will co-present a Benefit Cocktail Reception and Concert by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South, on Sunday, April 29, 2012, - Duke Ellington's 113th Birthday. The concert will feature performances of Duke Ellington's most memorable musical pieces performed by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band, under the direction of Frank Owens, plus vocals by Antoinette Montague and Marion Cowings; a performance by The Mickey Davidson Swing Dancers; and the ballroom artistry of Michael Choi.

The Rose Nagelberg Theatre at The Baruch Performing Arts Center was SRO for the special presentation of Earl Wilson Jr.'s 'topical, rousing & inspiring new musical' YES!

The first public presentation of Wilson's new show, called YES! THE MUSICAL, will be given a single showcase salon performance on Monday, March 5, at 8 PM -- one year and one day later from the day he started it -- at the Rose Nagelberg Theater at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on 25th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue. The production, with book, music and lyrics by Wilson, is being presented by The Theater at the Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, with Mercedes Ellington as director- choreographer.

Career Transition For Dancers and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, will present WINTER HEAT Latin Dance Party on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47 Street).

The first public presentation of Wilson's new show, called YES! THE MUSICAL, will be given a single showcase salon performance on Monday, March 5, at 8 PM -- one year and one day later from the day he started it -- at the Rose Nagelberg Theater at the Baruch Performing Arts Center on 25th Street, just east of Lexington Avenue. The production, with book, music and lyrics by Wilson, is being presented by The Theater at the Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, with Mercedes Ellington as director- choreographer.

Career Transition For Dancers and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, will present WINTER HEAT Latin Dance Party on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 pm at the Edison Ballroom (240 West 47 Street).

Rolex presented A HALLOWEEN THRILLER, Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary jubilee on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the newly renovated New York City Center.

Rolex presented A HALLOWEEN THRILLER A Dance Celebration of Ghosts, Ghouls, Vampires & Wilis, - Career Transition For Dancers' 26th Anniversary jubilee on Monday, October 31, 2011 at 7:00 pm at the newly renovated New York City Center, 131 West 55 Street (btwn. 6' and 7' Aye) NYC. Chita Rivera hosted this one-night-only entertainment extravaganza for kids and adults of all ages!