Ruby Dee News

This year, the prestigious National Black Theatre Festival? will honor Jubilee Theatre Artistic Director Ed Smith with the festival's first annual Lloyd Richards' Director's Award. Smith is receiving this award because of his significant contributions to black theatre and American theatre in general. The festival will be held from August 3 through 8, 2009 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The theme for this year's festival remains the same as the past ten festivals: An International Celebration and Reunion of Spirit. Mr. Smith will be presented with the award at the Opening Night Gala Awards Banquet, which will be held on Monday, August 3.

San Franciscos award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company presents the 16th annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, celebrating African American artists giving voice to the Black experience. Paying homage to and exploring the rich legacy of African Americans and people of African descent, Festival events (August 1-October 15) featuring live music, visual art, and new works for the stage will take place in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens, the Main San Francisco Public Library, the African American Art and Culture Complex, and the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. Most events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit afrosolo.org or call 415-771-AFRO (2376).

San Franciscos award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company presents the 16th annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, celebrating African American artists giving voice to the Black experience. Paying homage to and exploring the rich legacy of African Americans and people of African descent, Festival events (August 1-October 15) featuring live music, visual art, and new works for the stage will take place in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens, the Main San Francisco Public Library, the African American Art and Culture Complex, and the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. Most events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit afrosolo.org or call 415-771-AFRO (2376).

The New McCree Theatre will host its First Annual Gala, July 17, 2009, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Stonegate Banquet Center, 1084 N. Irish Road, in Davison. 'A Mid-Summer Night's Dream' Gala will include an evening of dinner, theatre, dance and more!

Barnes & Noble's July calendar of events features your favorite writers, celebrities, newsmakers, and musicians. You can find the details for all events by hitting the 'Stores and Events' button at www.BN.com.

San Franciscos award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company presents the 16th annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, celebrating African American artists giving voice to the Black experience. Paying homage to and exploring the rich legacy of African Americans and people of African descent, Festival events (August 1-October 15) featuring live music, visual art, and new works for the stage will take place in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens, the Main San Francisco Public Library, the African American Art and Culture Complex, and the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. Most events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit afrosolo.org or call 415-771-AFRO (2376).

Barnes & Noble's July calendar of events features your favorite writers, celebrities, newsmakers, and musicians. You can find the details for all events by hitting the 'Stores and Events' button at www.BN.com.

Two-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey will portray that great woman of American letters -- letters from readers seeking advice, that is -- when she plays the legendary, trailblazing columnist Ann Landers in David Rambo's play The Lady With All The Answers Off-Broadway this fall, starting performances October 7, 2009 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce Street) in New York City. B.J. Jones directs. The production will run through November 29. Opening night is October 14.

San Franciscos award-winning AfroSolo Theatre Company presents the 16th annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, celebrating African American artists giving voice to the Black experience. Paying homage to and exploring the rich legacy of African Americans and people of African descent, Festival events (August 1-October 15) featuring live music, visual art, and new works for the stage will take place in San Francisco at Yerba Buena Gardens, the Main San Francisco Public Library, the African American Art and Culture Complex, and the Ella Hill Hutch Community Center. Most events, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public. For more information, the public may visit afrosolo.org or call 415-771-AFRO (2376).

The New McCree Theatre will host its First Annual Gala, July 17, 2009, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Stonegate Banquet Center, 1084 N. Irish Road, in Davison. 'A Mid-Summer Night's Dream' Gala will include an evening of dinner, theatre, dance and more!

In celebration of Pasadena Playhouse upcoming production of CROWNS, which opens on July 12, the Community Outreach Program invites the community to enjoy two candid and lively CONVERSATION WITH...events with acclaimed artist/author Synthia SAINT JAMES on June 14 and playwright/actress Regina Taylor on June 20.

In celebration of Pasadena Playhouse upcoming production of CROWNS, which opens on July 12, the Community Outreach Program invites the community to enjoy two candid and lively CONVERSATION WITH...events with acclaimed artist/author Synthia SAINT JAMES on June 14 and playwright/actress Regina Taylor on June 20.

wo-time Tony Award-winning actress Judith Ivey will portray that great woman of American letters -- letters from readers seeking advice, that is -- when she plays the legendary, trailblazing columnist Ann Landers in David Rambo's play THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS Off-Broadway this fall, starting performances October 7, 2009 at the Cherry Lane Theatre (38 Commerce St.) in New York City. B.J. Jones directs. The production will run through November 29. Opening night TBA.

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops has pulled out all the stops for its 30th anniversary concert on Friday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. Two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero is joined by special guests Jack Jones, Lucie Arnaz, Ann Hampton Callaway, and Christiane Noll for an unforgettable night of music. Celebrate 30 years of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops and toast 'the best orchestra of its kind in the entire cosmos!'

Peter Nero and the Philly Pops® celebrates the magic of movie music with Hooray for Hollywood! This special concert event honors the captivating movie music that has the uncanny ability to transport us to another place and time.

On Wednesday, April 29th, 'The High Priestess of Dark Alley' by Jackie Alexander, celebrated the re-opening of the production with an invite-only red carpet event at the Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, NY. Celebrities in attendance included, the legendary Ms. Ruby Dee, Model/Actress Liris Crosse, Actor Nasser Metcalfe, American Idol Alumni Anwar Robinson, Actor/Basketball Player DeMarco Majors, Wrestler Brimstone, Image Director Alexander and Actress Nicole Allen, just to name a few.

MTC MainStage, Music Theatre of Connecticut's Professional Equity Acting Company, presents 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill' a play with music by Lanie Robertson and directed by Kevin Connors. Set in 1959 in a seedy bar in Philadelphia, 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill' recreates one of Billie Holiday's final performances. Performances are April 24 - May 3, 2009 and take place at the MTC MainStage Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

Celebrated jazz vocalist Diane Schuur joins Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for an extraordinary concert program entitled 88 Keys, a Big Band, and a Voice. These performances mark Ms. Schuur's debut with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Between them, Peter and Diane have four Grammy awards and recording careers that combined span more than five decades. Now, take all of that brilliant talent and imagine it together on stage at Verizon Hall!

MTC MainStage, Music Theatre of Connecticut's Professional Equity Acting Company, presents 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill' a play with music by Lanie Robertson and directed by Kevin Connors. Set in 1959 in a seedy bar in Philadelphia, 'Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill' recreates one of Billie Holiday's final performances. Performances are April 24 - May 3, 2009 and take place at the MTC MainStage Studio Theatre in Westport, CT.

Celebrated jazz vocalist Diane Schuur joins Grammy Award-winning pianist/conductor Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for an extraordinary concert program entitled 88 Keys, a Big Band, and a Voice. These performances mark Ms. Schuur's debut with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Between them, Peter and Diane have four Grammy awards and recording careers that combined span more than five decades. Now, take all of that brilliant talent and imagine it together on stage at Verizon Hall!