Rick James News

Due to popular demand, the Neal Brennan: Unacceptable tour has added a second stand-up performance on Friday, May 13, 2022 at 7:15 pm on The Den Theatre's Heath Mainstage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

The Den Theatre has announced comedian Neal Brennan: Unacceptable playing Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 7:15 pm on The Heath Mainstage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.

SHOWTIME has released the official trailer for CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN. Told through the intimate lens of photographer and director Estevan Oriol (LA Originals), CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN is a smoke-filled journey across the lives and careers of the groundbreaking, genre-defying Hip Hop group, Cypress Hill.

A&E Network has greenlit the two-hour documentary “Biography: Ol’ Dirty Bastard” (wt) which will be the first official feature documentary about the Grammy-nominated musician and legendary founding member of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Born Russell Jones in 1968 in Brooklyn, NY.

Using a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage captured by Oriol himself, as well as images of band members B Real, DJ Muggs, Sen Dog and Eric “Bobo” Correa, CYPRESS HILL: INSANE IN THE BRAIN tells the story of a brotherhood that has withstood the test of time to create a truly original, everlasting legacy.

Kimberly Brewer is a singer, songwriter and author, best known for her collaborations and featured work as a vocalist with Stevie Wonder. She recently released a song entitled, “No More Pain,” featuring vocalist Maysa Leak, known to her fans as Maysa. “No More Pain,” is best described as smooth, soulful R&B, with elements of jazz and a resonating, inspirational message of hope, faith, and love, which is found within Gospel music.

WOMEN OF SOUL delivers the kind of high-energy tribute that makes up the best kind of revue, and the songs are irresistible.

SHOWTIME® has released a trailer for everything’s gonna be all white, directed by Sacha Jenkins (BITCHIN’: THE SOUND AND FURY OF RICK JAMES). In honor of Black History Month, SHOWTIME Documentary Films is premiering the provocative new three-part docu-series, which explores the history of race in America from the perspective of people of color.

Video Music Box (w/t) will premiere Friday, December 3 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Ricky Powell: the Individualist, directed by Josh Swade, will premiere Friday, December 10 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. And Rolling Like Thunder, directed by Roger Gastman, will premiere Friday, December 17 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The new Parsons Theatre opens its doors on Oct. 9. To celebrate, Northglenn Arts Presents offers up a five-show season in the new facility beginning Oct. 15.

Keynote speakers will include Academy Award-winning filmmaker Errol Morris (The Fog of War) with panels from documentarians behind Allen v. Farrow, Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry, Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel, I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer, and more.

At the center of it all is the “Punk-Funk” that encompassed a unique swath of 20th-century music history from jazz to soul to R&B to rock and eventually, to hip-hop.

When you think of 'funk' music, names like George Clinton, Bootsy Collins and Rick James immediately come to mind. When Washington state's music scene is mentioned, particularly Seattle's, names like Hendrix, Nirvana and Heart are usually thought of. Texas native and Washington resident, Billy Ray Rock is blending the best of both worlds, cultivating his own unique and memorable sound: 'Ghetto Rock.'

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the 101 greatest Motown songs from 1960-1994. See if your favorite songs or artists made the list!

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best TV episodes from the 1950's to 2020; see if your favorites made the list!

You ever wondered what happens backstage at a festival or concert with multiple artists? Wouldn't you have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the legends were in their comfort zones just hanging out? Bowie and Jagger, Rick James and Prince, the Eagles on tour, and your favorite artist with their guard down just hangin'. The stories, conversations and laughs are timeless! 

Musical legends Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox / Dave Stewart p/k/a Eurythmics, Ernie Isley / Marvin Isley / O'Kelly Isley / Ronald Isley / Rudolph Isley / Chris Jasper p/k/a The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller, Chad Hugo / Pharrell Williams p/k/a The Neptunes, Rick Nowels and William “Mickey” Stevenson will become the latest inductees of the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the organization's 51st Annual Induction and Awards Dinner. These legendary songwriters wrote mega-hits such as, 'Vision of Love,”  “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” “Shout,” “The Joker,” “Hollaback Girl,” “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” and “Dancing In The Street.” The star-studded induction event is slated for Thursday, June 11th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.

The Second City has announced casting for the return of The Second City's Black History Month. Under the direction of Ali Barthwell, the show features ensemble members Robel Arega, Jillian Ebanks, Leila Gorstein, Collette Gregory, Bill Letz, and Max Thomas. John Love will serve as music director and Sam McNerland will stage manage. The show runs February 4-March 11 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8pm.

Boxcar Theatre announces a two-night engagement with Top Shelf Classics, a Bay Area band specializing in Motown music from the 60s, plus old school soul, funk and R&B favorites from the 70s and beyond.

Black Ensemble Theater continues its 2019 Season (Legends and Lessons) with You Can't Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music), written and directed by Producing Managing Director Daryl D. Brooks. You Can't Fake the Funk (A Journey Through Funk Music) will be performed July 20- September 8, 2019 at the Black Ensemble Theater Cultural Center, 4450 N. Clark Street in Chicago.The press opening is Sunday, July 28 at 3:00pm.