Mike Lew News

The good times continue this month at Blue Note Hawaii with an eclectic lineup of local talent, national artists and side-splitting comedians. The Henry Kapono Artist to Artist Series continues with Malani Bilyeu of Kalapana, promising chicken-skin moments for all in attendance. Mike Lewis & Friends will share tributes to B.B. King, Etta James and contemporary soul singer Sade. Island Rhythm 98.5FM co-presents an unplugged pop-up show with Anuhea & Friends, followed by local greats Patrick Landeza & Kawika Kahiapo, a show with Duncan Kamakana & the Osorio 'Ohana, the Keauhou Band and of course the incomparable Willie K. The Blue Note Hawaii Comedy Series continues this month with Ahmed Ahmed and Rita Rudner, presented by Hawaii's Natural High. Donavon Frankenreiter is back by popular demand and new to the Blue Note are GRAMMY nominated jazz artists The Rippingtons. There won't be a dry eye in the house when an all-star lineup of local artists pay tribute to legendary jazz crooner Jimmy Borges.

Ars Nova, in association with Ma-Yi Theater and Woodshed Collective, presents the world premiere of KPOP, a high-octane immersive event that gives you a backstage pass to a K-pop music factory.

Joe's Pub at The Public Theater has announced its nightly performances for this week, July 12-23, featuring Bridget Everett, Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams, Jeffrey Steele, Tacoma Narrows, Matt Alber, Meow Meow, Shaina Taub, Charming Disaster and more. Scroll down for details! 

HBO announced the 11 writers selected, out of 3,600 submissions, to participate in the 2017 HBOAccess Writing Fellowship, which will run from July through February. The fellowship begins with a series of master classes from July 17-21 in their Santa Monica offices after which each writer or team will be paired with an HBO or Cinemax executive mentor.

La Jolla Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of At the Old Place, by Rachel Bonds, directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda, running in the Mandell Weiss Forum July 5 - 31.

Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham announced the line-up today for The Public's Astor Anniversary Season at their landmark downtown home on Lafayette Street, celebrating 50 years of new work at 425 Lafayette.

On Sunday June 18th at 9:30pm, Honeck-Moss Productions is proud to present 'In The Works.'  This exciting monthly series was conceived as an opportunity for composers to try out new work in front of an audience and see how it plays in a supportive environment.  It is also an opportunity to create community among the composers and their performers.

Founding Executive Director Kathy Evans announced the 19 writers and 9 new musicals selected for development at this summer's Rhinebeck Writers Retreat. 

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company will present the Eleventh Season of Keen Teens. 

SPACE on Ryder Farm, the non-profit artist residency program located on Ryder Farm, an idyllic 221 year-old working organic farm in Brewster, NY, announces its 2017 season, which will support artists, activists and changemakers through its residency programs: The Working Farm, Family Residency, Creative Solutions Symposium, Creative Residency, Institutional Residency and inaugural Film Lab and Playwriting Mentorship Residency.

Rhinebeck Writers Retreat is presenting the first reading of the new musical, BHANGIN' IT, book by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew and music and lyrics by Sam Willmott, on May 1 in New York City for an invited industry audience. The reading includes actors Shoba Narayan (Natasha Pierre & The Great Comet), Tony Sheldon (Amelie), Dan Rosales (Spamilton), Angel Desai (Company), and Salena Qureshi.  The reading is directed by David Ruttura (School of Rock) and music directed by James Dobinson (The View UpStairs).

The Lark and Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation have announced that the plays and playwrights selected for the pilot round of the Lark Venturous Playwright Fellowship program are For Want of a Horse by Olivia Dufault; Teenage Dick by Mike Lew; and Today is My Birthday by Susan Soon He Stanton.

Ma-Yi Theater Company and Producing Artistic Director, Ralph B. Peña and Executive Director, Jorge Z. Ortoll have announced the 28th Anniversary Gala honoring legendary prima ballerina of Ballet Philippines and Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Elizabeth Roxas Dobrish, and creators and patrons of the arts, Frank and Lolita Valderrama Savage.

The Brooklyn College Department of Theater will present its third annual New Works Brooklyn festival on April 5 - 9, 2017.

April offers an eclectic lineup at Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, continuing the series with Blood Sweat & Tears, followed up by local favorite Jake Shimabukuro, the Devon Allman Band, and Roseanne Barr ushering in the new Blue Note Comedy Series April 8th and 9th.

Pittsburgh CLO has announced the creative team for the 2017 Summer Season at the Benedum Center. 

The March lineup at Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, kicks off with local soulful songwriter, Ron Artis II & The Truth, the Waikiki Edition of Revive the Live and Austin favorite Sharon Bourbonnais. Comedy is king when local funnyman Andy Bumatai graces the stage. Blue Note Hawaii welcomes back one of its favorite artists, jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, followed by groundbreaking Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi, joined on drums by the incomparable Simon Phillips (TOTO, The Who, Judas Priest) and the legendary Blood, Sweat & Tears. Other fantastic shows include a Tribute to Chuck Mangione with Mike Lewis and Friends, Tak Matsumoto with Daniel Ho, Willie K, the Hotclub of Hulaville in an evening of Gypsy Jazz with a Tribute to Django Reinhardt, the Steve Kimock Band, and the 25th Anniversary of the original Hawaiian Style Band.

The Public Theater announced the fourth season of PUBLIC STUDIO, which will present two new plays this spring.

The Drama Desk and Obie Award-winning Keen Company will present the Eleventh Season of Keen Teens. This season's offerings will be And... Action by Eleanor Burgess directed by Julie Kramer; Rat Court by Boo Killebrew, directed by Daisy Walker; and Tilda Swinton Betrayed Us by A. Rey Pamatmat, directed by Zi Alikhan.

January is the one-year anniversary of Blue Note Hawaii, the state's premier venue for the world's most celebrated artists, and what a year it's been!