Usher News

Manchester International Festival has announced its full 2017 programme.

The board of directors of the Newport Music Festival has appointed Pamela A. Pantos as their new executive director. Pantos' extensive experience from a two-decade career in arts, finance, festival and nonprofit management will usher in a new era for the festival as it enters its 50th anniversary season in 2018.

Up until the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida a year ago, the deadliest known attack on a gay club in U.S. history happened more than 40 years before at the Up Stairs Lounge in New Orleans, Louisiana. The events prior to and following that deadly, still unsolved 1973 blaze make up the fact-based narrative of UPSTAIRS - A MUSICAL TRAGEDY, now having its Southern California debut at the Los Angeles LGBT Center through June 11. Featuring book, music and lyrics by Wayne Self, the new musical tries to piece together a timeline that led up to the tragic fire using both real and fantasy/speculative elements while shining a light on some of the real-life human inspirations that were lost or have been directly affected by what happened on that fateful day.

Chicago Magic Lounge, Chicago's home for close-up magic, today broke ground in its new home at 5050 N. Clark St.

They're changing the cast at Thriller Live with eight new dancers joining the 15th Longest Running Musical in West End history - all making their West End stage debuts. The youngsters joining the cast this week are on 12-month contracts that will see them in the show when it starts its 10th anniversary West End celebrations at the Lyric Theatre in January 2018. Scroll down to meet the new stars!

Ariana Grande has released the cover of THE WIZARD OF OZ classic as a single with all proceeds going to the victims

For the first time ever, dance superstars and online sensations WilldaBeast ("So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer; 2.6 million followers), Nia Sioux ("Dance Moms"; 5.8 million followers), Kenneth San Jose (685K followers), and Janelle Ginestra (587K followers) will join forces and hit the road in a brand new live dance show #FOLLOWME. The show will make a stop in St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre on August 2 at 7:30 p.m. Directed by Jennifer Weber (The Hip Hop Nutcracker, BRING IT LIVE!), the show will kick off a 20-city National Tour next month in Los Angeles on July 28, 2017 at The Alex Theatre and will offer fans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dance alongside their favorite dance and social media stars. Additional #FOLLOWME tour stops include: Phoenix, Atlanta, Charlotte, Ft. Lauderdale, St. Louis, Denver, Newark, Hartford, Uniondale LI and more.

Over 500 volunteer ushers were honored at the annual Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Usher Appreciation Party on May 10. The ushers were applauded for their dedication and generosity in volunteering their time; without them the City-owned theater would not be able to operate. All the City Commissioners were in attendance and the then-outgoing Commissioners Atwell and Chapman were acknowledged for their strong support of the Hall over the years.

Today, Starz announced the highly-anticipated Season Four return of critically-acclaimed STARZ Original comedy series SURVIVOR'S REMORSE on Sunday, August 20th at 10PM ET/PT.

Kenneth Cole Fragrances proudly announces singer Brielle Marie as the winner of its “FIND YOUR BOLD” talent contest.

For the first time ever, dance superstars and online sensations WilldaBeast ("So You Think You Can Dance" choreographer; 2.6 million followers), Nia Sioux ("Dance Moms"; 5.8 million followers), Kenneth San Jose (685K followers), and Janelle Ginestra (587K followers) will join forces and hit the road in a brand new live dance show #FOLLOWME.

For the first time ever, dance superstars and online sensations WilldaBeast ('So You Think You Can Dance' choreographer; 2.6 million followers), Nia Sioux ('Dance Moms'; 5.8 million followers), Kenneth San Jose (685K followers), and Janelle Ginestra (587K followers) will join forces and hit the road in a brand new live dance show #FOLLOWME.

Following the attack in Manchester, Ariana Grande returned to the city for a heartfelt benefit concert. To close the event, Grande performed a tearful rendition of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow'. Check out the video below.

In addition to previously announced broadcast platforms Freeform and ABC, Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Ariana Grande's Manchester Benefit Concert will also be livestreamed online, and broadcast on the BBC.

Concord Bicycle Music has announced the acquisition of global independent music publishing and theatrical rights company Imagem Music Group. Unique for its leadership role in Broadway, classical, and pop music, Imagem Music Group's vast and historic catalogue of music assets totals more than 250,000 copyrights and includes compositions by some of the most significant and successful artists and songwriters in music history. The landmark agreement brings Concord Bicycle Music's combined publishing catalogue to 380,000 copyrighted works, further underscoring the company's position as a fully integrated independent recorded music and publishing powerhouse.

Concord Bicycle Music has announced the acquisition of global independent music publishing and theatrical rights company Imagem Music Group. Unique for its leadership role in Broadway, classical, and pop music, Imagem Music Group's vast and historic catalogue of music assets totals more than 250,000 copyrights and includes compositions by some of the most significant and successful artists and songwriters in music history. The landmark agreement brings Concord Bicycle Music's combined publishing catalogue to 380,000 copyrighted works, further underscoring the company's position as a fully integrated independent recorded music and publishing powerhouse.

Hollywoodreporter.com reports that Freeform and ABC stations will provide coverage of Ariana Grande's benefit concert in Manchester, England in the U.S. this Sunday.

Tilted Field, in association with VS. Theatre Company, is proud to present the World Premiere of Giovanni Adams' new play Love is a Dirty Word, opening in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 17th at 8:00pm.

Phoenix Theatre of Indianapolis announces the Indiana premiere of The Golem of Havana, which opens June 22, 2017 on the Livia and Steve Russell Stage. This production runs through July 16, 2017, with Bryan Fonseca serving as director.

ETonline.com reports that tickets to the star-studded One Love Manchester benefit concert has been completely sold out.