Usher News

I'll be honest. I was not a huge fan of the musical Oklahoma! In my opinion, it's one of those creaky old chestnuts that gets done to death by every theater company at some point or another, right up there with other overdone 'classics' like The Music Man, My Fair Lady, or Oliver! I appreciate the historic value of these oldies, but I feel like newer and lesser-known fare gets shoved aside.

OUT NOW - Madfish celebrate Wishbone Ash, one of Britain's most enduring and best-loved rock acts, by releasing a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material.

Two of the most exciting, young American acts to be making waves on a global scale have joined forces and released a brand new track, available worldwide from today via Darkroom/Interscope Records. Titled “lovely” (with Khalid)', this stunning new single goes back to basics and showcases the extraordinary raw talent these two songwriters and vocalists both possess.

Swift Creek Mill Theatre has announced its 2018 - 2019 Season. Season ticket packages are on sale now starting at $95. Individual tickets go on sale June 1st. See the full schedule below!

Thirty years after its premiere on MTV, 'YO! MTV Raps' legacy continues to have a lasting influence on hip-hop and pop culture. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, MTV will reinvent the franchise for a new generation as a both a linear and digital series across its platforms. To kick things off, show alumni, artists and fans will gather for the 'YO! MTV Raps: 30th Anniversary Experience' on Friday, June 1st at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, which will be live streamed by MTV.

 Universal Studios Hollywood channels its inner Master Shifu from DreamWorks Animations hit film, Kung Fu Panda, with today's gift announcing Friday, June 15 as the official grand opening date of its all-new DreamWorks Theatre featuring the premier attraction, “Kung Fu Panda: The Emperor's Quest.”

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) announced the winners of the 43 rd annual Gracie Awards to take place May 22 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The event will recognize such esteemed honorees as Ashley Judd, Billie Jean King, Claire Danes, Elizabeth Marvel, Hoda Kotb, Issa Rae, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Katie Couric, Megan Mullally, Pam Oliver, Reese Witherspoon, and Shirley Strawberry, along with some of the most talented women in television, radio and digital media. Local and student award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 27 at Cipriani in New York City.

Cartilage Films is leading the revolution with the national theatrical rollout of Bruce LaBruce's The Misandrists.  Following a world premiere at Berlinale and screenings at Karlovy Vary, Sitges, Raindance London and Guadalajara, legendary provocateur LaBruce (Gerontophilia, Hustler White) comes to the States with The Misandrists.  Balancing sharp social commentary and salacious popcorn entertainment, LaBruce's latest feature is an experience that's a blast to watch and just as much fun to dissect afterwards.

Oklahoma's largest craft beer and music festival, The Hop Jam, announces it's music lineup, featuring Manchester Orchestra, Nada Surf, Ra Ra Riot, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, and more. The festival, in its fifth year, will bring together 40,000 guests throughout the one-day event, with music on two stages on May 20 at the heart of the vibrant Tulsa Arts District.

 American Lyric Theater concludes the 10th Anniversary of its nationally acclaimed Composer Librettist Development Program this season with InsightALT: Opera in Eden, a one-night-only concert featuring three new one-act operas written by ALT Resident Artists, hosted by composer/librettist Mark Adamo and producing artistic director Lawrence Edelson.

Although their live shows are best known for their electrifying and explosive energy, Biffy Clyro have often demonstrated that their songs possess an added poignancy when stripped back to their essence. Now the band can announce details of their first acoustic album, 'MTV Unplugged: Live At Roundhouse London' on May 25th.

Storyhouse has announced the cast for its new in-house company who will perform in rep, five productions at Chester's multi award-winning theatre cinema and library and outdoors at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre.

Direct from Music City, U.S.A, American country music spectacular Nashville Live is to get its UK premiere in June.

On Friday, April 27, global music and entertainment platform, TIDAL is honored to partner with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) to celebrate the opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, AL with a livestream of the Concert for Peace and Justice. The show will feature performances from The Roots, Usher, Common, Brittany Howard from Alabama Shakes, and Kirk Franklin, plus very special guests. Beginning at 7:30 PM CTaudiences world-wide will be able to watch as history happens on TIDAL.com/EJI. While the livestream will be available to members and non-members alike, new TIDAL customers will be eligible for a free three-month trial.

This was a most engaging and rewarding evening. Don't miss this one.

This May, two different artistic genres-street art and opera-are coming together for Seattle Opera's Aida. Acclaimed stage director Francesca Zambello was looking to create something unique when she asked the graffiti artist RETNA (born Marquis Duriel Lewis) to collaborate with her on a new production of Verdi's masterpiece. RETNA created the bold visual backdrops for Aida with his same distinct style, a type of graphic lettering and illuminated script that has earned him commissions from Usher and Justin Bieber.  

On Friday June 22nd, Jill Barber will unleash her new album, Metaphora, on the Outside Music label. A bold entrée into the world of contemporary pop music, the record reveals a Jill Barber we've never heard before. Metaphora showcases her power and vulnerability as both an artist and a woman. Evolving over the course of many albums from folk to jazz, R&B and pop, Jill's success is defined not by genre, but by her undeniable songwriting chops and distinctive voice. Metaphora is a continuation of Barber's musical story that confidently tackles everything from issues of empowerment, sexual politics, the complications of love, and depression. It's introspective and personal. It's also a dance party.

Playwright Joshua Harmon is finally returning to the Geffen Playhouse, the scene of his 2015 runaway hit BAD JEWS. This time he's bringing his SIGNIFICANT OTHER, after having finished successful runs both on Broadway and Off. We got the chance to catch cast members Will Von Vogt and Melanie Field during their final rehearsals.

An extraordinary lineup featuring soul and rhythm-and-blues icons Charlie Wilson, Boyz II Men, Kem and Joe will take the stage for the 3rd Annual Mother's Day Good Music Festival. The concert honoring mothers and the music they love is set for Saturday, May 12 at 8 p.m. at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.