Stevie Wonder News

Last night I had the privilege of taking a look back on an incredibly impressive recent string of major musicals starring the phenomenally talented Brandon Victor Dixon with the leading man himself, ranging from his work last year Off-Broadway in RENT as well as the Williamstown Theatre Festival mounting of FAR FROM HEAVEN, both directed by Michael Greif, through to his acclaimed performance in Kander & Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS through to his new role portraying music titan Berry Gordy himself in the audience hit of the 2012-2013 season, MOTOWN. In addition to eloquently expounding on his various starring roles in those four major musicals and reflecting upon his time spent in each production, Dixon also opens up about his passion for performance in general and the importance of collaboration in the creation of any musical from the ground-up. Dixon also comments upon his experiences originating a role in Oprah Winfrey's recent stage venture THE COLOR PURPLE as well as recounts his association with COTTON CLUB PARADE - set to premiere on Broadway under a new title later this year - as well as the various incarnations of his stage piece based on the life and career of Ray Charles. Most importantly, besides all about MOTOWN and his work with Gordy and the cast on the hit show, Dixon also previews what we can expect from the cast of the show on tonight's A CAPITOL FOURTH PBS concert extravaganza, featuring Dixon alongside MOTOWN standout Saycon Sengbloh. All of that, first news on Dixon's upcoming self-penned solo album project, memories of working on THE GOOD WIFE, thoughts on GLEE and the modern performing arts revolution and much, much more!

Experience today's 4th of July at the California African American Museum (CAAM) with live performances and a unique art workshop, followed by Exposition Park's annual fireworks display. In celebration of America's birthday, Target Sundays at CAAM has been moved to today, July 4th for this special holiday event. The Museum galleries will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the outdoor live performances start at 6 p.m. for today's July 4th program Gleaming at Twilight. CAAM will provide guests first priority for a seat on CAAM's lawn to view Exposition Park's annual fireworks display.

Golden Rainbow celebrated 27 years of service to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Nevada at its 27th annual 'Ribbon of Life' fundraiser at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday, June 30. Scroll down for photos of the festivities!

The quartet takes on nine selections ranging from Cedar Walton's “Bolivia” to Chick Corea's “Tones for Joan's Bones” to John Coltrane's “Mr. PC.”

This self-titled album, the first Nedelle Torrisi has released under her full name, is basically the story of a friendship. The artist just released her single 'Double Horizon' and you can get a first listen below!

'Legends in Concert,' the original and largest tribute show in the world, makes it's Long Island debut at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse, today, July 2-20.

The 33rd annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH on PBS will feature over thirty cast members from Broadways' new smash hit MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, including Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Saycon Sengbloh and 2013 Tony Award nominee Valisia LeKae. The company's medley of legendary Motown hits from the Broadway musical will include "Stop in the Name of Love," "Get Ready" and "Dancing in the Street" arranged and orchestrated for the majestic National Symphony Orchestra by 2013 Tony Award nominees Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook.

Live from Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 30 th, the BET AWARDS '13 kicked off with an electrifying performance by Chris Brown.

Crowd-pleasing taiko songs and Arabic-Japanese musical fusion converge to create a bass-pounding drum spectacular when TAIKOPROJECT brings Rhythmic Relations 2013 to the Ford Theatres today, June 29.

MUSE/IQUE, known for its counter-conventional performances that feel more like parties than formal concerts, launches 'Summer of Sound' 2013 with 'Lost in the Stars with Patti Austin,' featuring the Grammy Award-winning legend, tonight, June 29, 2013, 7:30 pm, outdoors at Caltech's Beckman Mall in Pasadena.

Just yesterday, the stars of Broadway's biggest box office hit of the year MOTOWN THE MUSICAL appeared at a special live performance at The Apple Store in SoHo to celebrate the Universal Music Enterprises (UME) new Original Broadway Cast Recording. BroadwayWorld was there for the special event and you can check out photos below!

Experience the 4th of July at the California African American Museum (CAAM) with live performances and a unique art workshop, followed by Exposition Park's annual fireworks display. In celebration of America's birthday, Target Sundays at CAAM has been moved to Thursday, July 4th for this special holiday event. The Museum galleries will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the outdoor live performances start at 6 p.m. for the July 4th program Gleaming at Twilight. CAAM will provide guests first priority for a seat on CAAM's lawn to view Exposition Park's annual fireworks display.

THE BELLE BRIGADE KICKS OFF THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER'S

'Legends in Concert,' the original and largest tribute show in the world, makes it's Long Island debut at Bellport's Gateway Playhouse, July 2-20.

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce their annual FREE BROADWAY IN CHICAGO SUMMER CONCERT will take place on Monday, August 5, 2013 at 6:15 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park (201 E Randolph St). Hosted by ABC 7 Chicago's Janet Davies, Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini, the headlining performance will feature cast members from the smash hit Broadway musical MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, as well as Broadway's biggest blockbuster WICKED, and showcase additional cast performances from ELF, EVITA, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL, GHOST THE MUSICAL, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, ONCE and WE WILL ROCK YOU. The Broadway In Chicago Summer Concert at Millennium Park is sponsored by ABC 7 Chicago and produced in partnership with The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Gathering the great musicians of our day to present a 'Standards' program can be a task that does not always garner the respect of critics and fans alike. However, when done well, it can demonstrate the emotion and depth behind these historic melodies, and even more so the power and focus of these brilliant musicians. The essence of the jazz experience is musicians coming together to express their individual voices and blend them together as one. As Bob Sheppard states, 'That is the reason we create music together. It is to share the experience of the music in the moment.' 'From The Hip' (BFM Jazz) is THAT moment.

With overwhelming fan demand continuing for Josh Groban's No. 1 album released earlier this year, one of the most powerful voices in modern popular music is returning to the big screen in a special edition of 'Josh Groban: All That Echoes Artist Cut.' This special event, a personal collaboration between Josh Groban, Warner Bros. Records and NCM Fathom Events, will hit select movie theaters nationwide on Tuesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. local time, with an updated welcome message to movie theater audiences from the singer. Groban was up-close and candid with fans during the original February 4 premiere event, broadcast from New York's famed Lincoln Center, where he performed hits and selections from his just-released album 'All That Echoes,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. In addition to his original February Q&A session with fans who texted and tweeted from around the country, updates to this special encore will include a very special behind-the-scenes journey through the creative process of the making of 'All that Echoes' as seen through the eyes of Groban himself.

Actor and musician Darren Criss, star of television's 'Glee,' has been confirmed to participate in the 2013 Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, tonight, June 22, at 8 pm.

Incomparable singer, songwriter, musician and producer Stevie Wonder will induct critically-acclaimed recording artist John Legend into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame at this year's Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, tonight, June 22, at 8 pm. Other inductees for this year are Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of iconic rock band AEROSMITH and vocalist/entertainer Patti Austin.

Actress Angela Bassett has been confirmed to host the 2013 Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, tonight, June 22, at 8 pm.