Russell Simmons News

American superstar comic and award-winning actor Chris Tucker is delighted to announce he is returning to the UK to perform a limited four shows later this year. In his first shows since his UK debut in 2012, this tour will see the stand up bring his brand new live comedy show to Birmingham (Arena Birmingham), Manchester (O2 Apollo), Glasgow (SEC Armadillo) and London (Eventim Apollo) this autumn.

Bojangles' Coliseum will host the 'Lit AF Tour' starring host Martin Lawrence on Saturday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 27 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster outlets or at the Bojangles' Coliseum Box Office located at 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets cost between $49.50 and $125 (plus applicable service charges) and are subject to change.

Building on the long-standing legacy of summer block parties in Brooklyn, the Intergenerational Community Arts Council (ICAC), a program of BRIC and University Settlement led by Artist-in-Residence Najee Omar, presents WE ARE BROOKLYN: A Community Block Party (Saturday, August 4). This arts-filled event transforms an everyday street into a summery celebration where neighbors can dance to live music and DJ sets; create collaborative artworks; access Fort Greene neighborhood cultural and social resources; participate in games, sports, and creative workshops; connect with one another; and celebrate the ICAC's core values of passion, liberation, family, courage, vision and truthfulness.

800 Pound Gorilla Records announces the June 15 release of Translate This, the highly-anticipated third album from Last Comic Standing season seven winner Felipe Esparza.

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT), one of the world's most prominent academic institutions for entertainment and performing arts education, announced today that distinguished costume designer Paul Tazewell will be the keynote speaker at the 16th annual Design Showcase West (DSW) on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Freud Playhouse.

Greenway Arts Alliance (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors), in association with Da Poetry Lounge, presents the 2ND ANNUAL LA GET DOWN FESTIVAL, celebrating hip-hop and spoken word. The festival takes place from April 7 - 28, 2018. Events will be held at the Greenway Court Theatre (544 N. Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles) and Melrose Trading Post (7850 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles). Da Poetry Lounge Co-Founder Shihan Van Clief serves as Festival Artistic Director.

The New Black Fest and The Lark, two theater organizations dedicated to celebrating and advocating for stories that explore the intersection of art and social justice, are proud to announce the fifth annual The New Black Fest at The Lark. This week-long event is aimed at showcasing diverse and provocative work in a festival of Black theater artists from throughout the Diaspora, and will feature talkbacks, a panel event, and staged readings of four plays-in-progress. The festival will take place April 9-13, 2018, and will include works by 2017 Djerassi Writer in Residence France-Luce Benson (Deux Femmes On the Edge De La Revolution), 2018 Laurents/Hatcher Foundation Award recipient Donja R. Love (soft), 2015 Princess Grace Award-Winner Jonathan Payne (Brother Rabbit), and artist, activist, and The New Black Fest alum Liza Jessie Peterson (Sistergurls and the Squirrel) who has performed excerpts of her one-person play The Peculiar Patriot in over 35 penitentiaries across the country.

New York based creator of comedy, music, and film Lauren Maul (NY Times, Amazon Reviews: The Musical!) is announcing the release of her album Apologies from Men. The album will be available for purchase on March 9th, 2018, and she will be debuting the songs live at a concert at The People's Improv Theater on that same date at 9:30pm - tickets are available here for $10.

Carnegie Hall today announced that Rhiannon Giddens, Toshi Reagon, Young Paris, and Ro James will join Broadway's Carrie Compere (The Color Purple) as guest artists for A Time Like This: Music for Change, a special concert on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage hosted by Def Jam Poetry veteran Lemon Andersen and featuring a nineteen-piece band led by Kenny Seymour (Amazing Grace, Memphis). The performance also features singers Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Emily Eagen, and Emeline Michel.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director), recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has announced today the cast and creative team of the world premiere production of the new musical The Sting, based on the 1973 film, and with book by Bob Martin, music and lyrics by Mark Hollmann & Greg Kotis with Harry Connick, Jr.

Award-winning songwriter and sought-after film and television producer, Tammy Hyler, has announced the formation of Smashville Entertainment. Hyler opens the doors to her Nashville-based music management and publishing company (located in The Gulch) as official with the ambition to lend assistance and directive to young songwriter and artist hopefuls to nurture, grow and develop long-lasting, sustainable careers. 

The North/South Chamber Orchestra celebrates winter on Sunday afternoon February 25 performing a free-admission concert featuring four listener-friendly works by American composers.

Comedian, actor, director and producer Martin Lawrence will return to the stage as the host of 2018's hottest comedy event: the "LIT AF Tour" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center Saturday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Coming off the 20th anniversary of Def Comedy Jam, where he is known as the legendary host, Lawrence has made a triumphant return to the stand-up stage wowing audiences with his signature style of hilarious stories, social commentary and more. The "LIT AF Tour" stars Lawrence as the high-powered host who will present a lineup of comedians including Deon Cole, Rickey Smiley, Bruce Bruce and Benji Brown.

Drag Sensation Lady Bunny, Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh, and poet Caridad de la Luz / La Bruja will make special guest appearances in RIOT, the award-winning Irish theatrical extravaganza having its American premiere at NYU Skirball, February 15 - 17 at 7:30 pm. Each guest will bring their own "piece de resistance"  to RIOT'S mix of high art and trash culture, and will be introduced by Panti Bliss, Ireland's most famous Drag Queen and international gay rights activist.

Carnegie Hall today announced that Rhiannon Giddens, Toshi Reagon, and Young Paris will join Broadway's Carrie Compere (The Color Purple) as guest artists for A Time Like This: Music for Change, a special concert on Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage hosted by Def Jam Poetry veteran Lemon Andersen and featuring a nineteen-piece band led by Kenny Seymour (Amazing Grace, Memphis). The performance also features singers Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Emily Eagen, and Emeline Michel.

Tomorrow!!! Wednesday on January 31, 2018 LOZADA LOWDOWN LIVE! is back by popular Demand at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. 

On Wednesday on January 31, 2018 LOZADA LOWDOWN LIVE! is back by popular Demand at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. LOZADA LOWDOWN LIVE! is a talk show/ stand up comedy show starring Angelo Lozada and Tammi Cubilette with music provided by world-renowned DJ, G-Bo the Pro. This show will feature comedians Mike Britt (BET's Comic View, VH1's Best Week Ever & The Bad Boys of Comedy), Ruperto Vanderpool (BET's Comic View, Showtime at the Apollo, The Cookout) & Ronny Chieng (Comedy Central- The Daily Show)

On Sunday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, Carnegie Hall will showcase original music inspired by the 1960s and rooted in the issues and challenges of today as part of A Time Like This: Music for Change, a special concert that marks the culmination of a citywide creative learning project that has engaged people across New York City. Hosted by Def Jam Poetry veteran Lemon Andersen, the concert will feature Broadway's Carrie Compere (The Color Purple), jazz vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles, singer/songwriter Emily Eagen, Haitian songstress Emeline Michel, and a nineteen-piece band led by Kenny Seymour, a composer and music director for film and theater (Amazing Grace, Memphis). Youth and adults will also take the stage to share their own music, including the Wadleigh High School Choir, directed by Kim Walton, and the Future Music Project Ensemble, a collective of young musicians from across New York City. Additional special guests will be announced.

Former lead singer of The Platters Sonny Turner and award-winning comedienne Sommore will perform at Suncoast Showroom in January. Guests can also enjoy free dance parties and live entertainment throughout the month.