Sting News

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The non-Equity Jeff Award winners are announced, and we cover 18 regional theaters and their summer offerings, from northern Wisconsin to St. Louis and southern Illinois, from southwest Michigan to western Illinois. It's the Regional Summer Musical Theater Scene!

GRAMMY Charity Online Auctions have announced that the latest in this year's auction series is the 'A Little Bit Country . . . A Little Bit Rock And Roll Auction,' which launched just after the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit Concert honoring Alice In Chains vocalist Jerry Cantrell. Presented in partnership with Kompolt, the lots are available for bid now through June 10 at www.ebay.com/grammy. Winning bidders can enjoy memorabilia, with all proceeds benefiting MusiCares and the GRAMMY Foundation.

The 25th anniversary of Graceland, Paul Simon's groundbreaking album that continues to influence and inspire generations, will be commemorated with musical and film celebrations stretching into the summer. Following its Sundance Film Festival premiere, the Joe Berlinger-directed documentary 'Under African Skies,' chronicling the creation and lasting influence of Graceland, will have its US television premiere on A & E this spring.

Sting performs many of his most celebrated hits at the Fabulous Fox Theatre tonight, June 5 with a 5-piece band including his longtime guitarist, Dominic Miller, Vinnie Colauita (drums), David Sancious (keyboards), Peter Tickell (electric fiddle) and Jo Lawry (vocals).

CMT presents a first of its kind CMT CROSSROADS event, CMT CROSSROADS: JOE WALSH & FRIENDS, featuring the legendary rocker and guitarist Joe Walsh, onstage with friends from country music including Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Sara Evans, Luke Bryan and Hunter Hayes as well as Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops, Florida's premier Pops orchestra, is offering another sensational season of sophisticated musical entertainment with the announcement of six signature concert series. Audiences are invited to hear "The Music You Love, Live" as the orchestra celebrates 21 years of outstanding music from The Great American Songbook with special guest artists including American Idol Finalist Tamyra Gray, pianist and vocalist, Tony DeSare, Broadway leading lady, Christine Andreas, and Vegas superstar Clint Holmes and more.

Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts has announced its 2012-13, 24th Season. Including LE POÈME HARMONIQUE IN "VENEZIA," on opening night, eight intriguing composer portraits, featuring John Cage, Jonathan Harvey, Olga Neuwirth, Sofia Gubaidulina, Enno Poppe, Rebeecca Saunders, Oliver Knussen and Julio Estrada. Bach, Revisted, highlights innovators, baroque and modern alike, featuring Jennifer Koh teaming up with mentor Jaime Laredo, harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout and Ensemble Signal playing Bach, Rebel and Michael Gordon, and pianist Christopher Taylor juxtaposing Bach and Rzewski. The theatre also highlights early music ensembles, its jazz series, community programming, and pop-up concerts. See below for full details.

Adele dominated this year's Billboard Music Awards, taking home an incredible 12 awards in the following categories: Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Digital Media Artist, Top Pop Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Pop Album, Top Streaming Song (Audio) and Top Alternative Song.

Katy Perry will debut a new song, 'Wide Awake,' in an exclusive performance on the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Singer, songwriter Chris Brown will take the stage with an incredible performance at the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas tonight, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The late Whitney Houston will be honored with the 2012 Billboard Millennium Award. A moving tribute dedicated to Houston will be performed by Jordin Sparks and John Legend as they take the stage to commemorate Houston's legacy.

Multi-talented artist and 10-time Billboard Music Award winner Alicia Keys will present the Billboard Icon Award to Stevie Wonder and join him on stage for an unforgettable performance at the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on today, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Genre bending singer-songwriter CeeLo Green will be joined on stage by Jean Sok (aka Bboy Hourth), an innovative, inspiring one-legged dancer in a powerful, moving live performance of 'Fight to Win' at the '2012 Billboard Music Awards,' hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas today, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Genre bending singer-songwriter CeeLo Green will be joined on stage by Jean Sok (aka Bboy Hourth), an innovative, inspiring one-legged dancer in a powerful, moving live performance of 'Fight to Win' at the '2012 Billboard Music Awards,' hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Multi-talented artist and 10-time Billboard Music Award winner Alicia Keys will present the Billboard Icon Award to Stevie Wonder and join him on stage for an unforgettable performance at the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

The late Whitney Houston will be honored with the 2012 Billboard Millennium Award. A moving tribute dedicated to Houston will be performed by Jordin Sparks and John Legend as they take the stage to commemorate Houston's legacy.

Singer, songwriter Chris Brown will take the stage with an incredible performance at the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS hosted by Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell, which airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Actress Diana Sands (1934-1973) refused to be bound by stereotypes. An African-American woman who knew full well the sting of prejudice, she constantly searched for roles with strength and dignity while battling the mindset of the entertainment establishment. Often overlooked today, her story and legacy will be told by Tony Award nominee Hope Clarke (Caroline or Change, Jelly's Last Jam) in the world premiere of Steve Willis' Diana Sands: A Certain Toughness of Spirit. Directed by Sue Lawless, the show begins performances tonight, May 15 at the Workshop Theatre Company's Jewel Box Theatre, at 312 West 36th Street, on the 4th floor.

Katy Perry will debut a new song, 'Wide Awake,' in an exclusive performance on the 2012 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on SUNDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

earMUSIC, the Hamburg based rock label which is part of Edel Group, announces the July 23rd UK release of "The Duke" - Joe Jackson's tribute to American jazz icon Duke Ellington. The album will be released on CD, digital download and 12" vinyl. "Ellington didn't consider his own arrangements to be sacred,' says Jackson. 'He constantly reworked them, sometimes quite radically. I think my approach is in the spirit of the man himself."