Ray Charles News

Accomplished actress, singer and former Las Vegas headliner Lynda Carter will perform standards, country hits and pop songs at the Suncoast Showroom July 14 and 15.

Wilkie Ferguson, currently appearing on Broadway in the Tony Award-nominated production of The Gershwins' PORGY AND BESS, will give a solo concert performance at The Triad Theater (158 West 72nd Street) at 9:30pm on June 11, 2012.

Paul Williams will be the special guest at the Emelin's film extra program, which will present the documentary Paul Williams Still Alive, tonight June 3, 2012 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15.

Paul Williams will be the special guest at the Emelin's film extra program, which will present the documentary Paul Williams Still Alive, on Sunday June 3, 2012 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents its annual Spring Concert tonight, May 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Franklin's Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. The four Spring Concert performances feature FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Youth Choir, performing troupes, dance ensembles, Groovemasters percussion ensemble, Jazz Krewe, and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth.

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 tonight, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

On June 8th at The HighLine Ballroom in New York City, Hudson Thames Partners and High Fidelity Music will present A Tribune to Delaney & Bonnie and Their Famous Friends. The one-of-a-kind event will benefit TheatreWithin.org, and will feature the music of Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Derek & The Dominos, George Harrison, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Little Richard, and more.

Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents its annual Spring Concert on Saturday, May 19 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday, May 20 at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. at Franklin's Thomas D. Mercer Auditorium, 224 Oak Street. The four Spring Concert performances feature FSPA students in all levels and disciplines of dance and musical theater, as well as the FSPA Youth Choir, performing troupes, dance ensembles, Groovemasters percussion ensemble, Jazz Krewe, and the international touring ensemble Electric Youth.

World-renowned Jazz and Rhythm & Blues Vocalist, Barbara Morrison will present top talent in The 1st Annual Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Blues Festival to be performed on two stages at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center (BMPAC), 4305 Degnan Boulevard, #101, Los Angeles, CA 90036 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 19 and 20, 2012.

The Blue Note Jazz Festival (June 10-30) announces late additions, adding more variety to the lineup.

Billie Williams stages her debut cabaret show 'Fade to Blues' at the Metropolitan Room, June 8 and June 15.

Canal Park Playhouse will present EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE, created and performed by Mark Nizer, for one weekend only! EXPECT THE IMPOSSIBLE begins performances on Friday, June 15 for a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17. Performances take place at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal Street, between Greenwich and West Streets in Tribeca). The performance schedule is Friday at 7 PM; Saturday at 1 PM, 4 PM & 7 PM; and Sunday at 1 PM & 4 PM. The regular ticket price is $20. For tickets or more information, call OvationTix on 1-866-811-4111 or visit www.canalparkplayhouse.com.

THE RRAZZ ROOM, San Francisco's premiere nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson running now through May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote some of the greatest love songs of a generation with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "You're All I Need To Get By," "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" and "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." But when he died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70, Simpson was cast adrift. After spending more than four decades together, she didn't know if she would ever get back on stage. Valerie performs all their greatest hits in this moving concert experience. See below for photos of Valerie's opening night performance!

The Pasadena Playhouse (Sheldon Epps, Artistic Director and Charles Dillingham, Interim Executive Director) announced today that it will commence its national search for a new Executive Director. Arts Consulting Group (ACG) President, Bruce D. Thibodeau and The Playhouse's Search Committee, led by Playhouse board members Stephen Bennett and Brad King will guide the process.

Following several past summer residencies at Andy's, the CJO returns once again for its annual summer engagement.

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, presents the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from tonight, May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

The Rrazz Room, a San Francisco nightclub, will present the debut solo engagement of Valerie Simpson from May 8 to May 13. Ms. Simpson wrote love songs with her husband and writing partner, Nick Ashford, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough,' 'You're All I Need To Get By,' 'Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)' and 'Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing.' He died of throat cancer in August at the age of 70. Valerie will perform all their greatest hits in this moving once in a lifetime concert experience. The RRazz Room has been the Bay Area 'home' of Nick & Val since its inception.

Kat Edmonson will perform on WNYC's "Soundcheck" on April 30 before performing with The Communion Tour on May 6 at Public Assembly. She also embarks on a residency at Zirzamin for the month of May and will play select dates in Texas along with Joe's Pub on June 23.