His story inspired a nation. His music inspires the world. FELA! tells the true story of the legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, whose soulful Afrobeat rhythms ignited a generation.
Motivated by his mother, a civil rights champion, he defied a corrupt and oppressive military government and devoted his life and music to the struggle for freedom and human dignity.
FELA! is a triumphant tale of courage, passion and love, featuring Fela Kuti's captivating music and the visionary direction and choreography of Tony Award winner Bill T. Jones.
EVERYBODY SAY YEAH YEAH!
Lincoln Center is expanding its Lincoln Center Local series, offering free screenings of world-class performances to library branches around New York City's five boroughs. The Lincoln Center Local: Free Screenings series, running from January to June 2015, is part of a pilot program run by Lincoln Center Education, and expands upon last year's Lincoln Center Local HD series.
Content Media announced today that it has acquired international sales rights to Alex Gibney's much anticipated Scientology documentary "Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief".
Lincoln Center is expanding its Lincoln Center Local series, offering free screenings of world-class performances to library branches around New York City's five boroughs. The Lincoln Center Local: Free Screenings series, running from January to June 2015, is part of a pilot program run by Lincoln Center Education, and expands upon last year's Lincoln Center Local HD series.
The York Theatre Company, in association with Everyday Songs, continues the 2014-2015 season with the world premiere of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar with spirituals, cowboy songs and country hymns, starring Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela, The Life) with Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody). Scroll down for a sneak peek at the cast!
Today, January 3, artists from the exhibition Crossing Brooklyn: Art from Bushwick, Bed-Stuy and Beyond take over Target First Saturday with a special curated evening of music, comedy, and performances. Highlights include music by Grammy Award-winning collective Snarky Puppy; Greg Barris's comedy showcase Heart of Darkness, featuring comedian Janeane Garofalo; and a performance by Chop and Quench, comprised of members of the cast and band of the musical Fela!.
The York Theatre Company, dedicated to the development of new musicals and preserving musical gems from the past, in association with Everyday Songs, continues the 2014-2015 season with the world premiere of the new musical play, Texas in Paris, written by Alan Govenar with spirituals, cowboy songs and country hymns, starring Tony award-winner Lillias White (Fela, The Life) with Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody). Akin Babatunde (Blind Lemon Blues) directs this two character play based on a true story.
Over 300 distinguished guests from the worlds of business, culture, media and philanthropy came together last night for an inspiring awards dinner benefitting Malaria No More. The global nonprofit organization honored Alere Inc. (NYSE: ALR) and Al Jazeera America for their commitments to the fight against malaria. The event raised $1.47 million. The event featured dinner and entertainment from the Afro-beat band and dancers from the Tony award-winning Broadway Show FELA!, Chop and Quench. The global nonprofit organization dedicated to ending malaria deaths honored Alere with the Corporate Citizenship Award and Al Jazeera America with the Media Leader. Scroll down for photos!
Malaria No More, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to ending malaria deaths, will host its annual International Honors Gala tonight, November 13, 2014 in New York.
The spirited, roof-shaking Afrobeat band and dancers from the Tony award-winning Broadway Show FELA!, Chop and Quench, return to New York City following the show's successful 2012 run for a special performance as part of a gala event hosted by Malaria No More.
Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), present the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). Poor Behavior plays a limited, six-week engagement September 23 - October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 7PM. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld's Randy Rainbow was there for the big event. Check out a behind the scenes look below!
Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), present the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nomineeSheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). Poor Behavior plays a limited, six-week engagement September 23 - October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 7PM. The company met the press on September 12, and BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the event below!
There is No Town Like Motown! Saycon Sengbloh (Hollar If Ya Hear Me, Motown, Fela), Marty Thomas (Pageant:The Musical, Xanadu, Wicked) and more are set to perform for Motown's First Baby Shower, honoring N'Kenge 'Mary Wells' (Motown: The Musical, Sondheim on Sondheim).
Every journey, they say, begins with a single step. For Zongo Junction, that first footfall came in the Bay Area, when drummer and West African music explorer Charles Ferguson was young.
Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons), present the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). Poor Behavior plays a limited, six-week engagement September 23 - October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 7PM.
Broadway star, Saycon Sengbloh (Motown / Fela / Holler If Ya Hear Me), is set to perform for the YouKnowIGotSoul.com presents SOL Village R&B Showcase tonight, July 16, 2014 at the infamous SOB's (Sounds of Brazil) in New York City where the doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 9:00pm. Saycon will be singing her own brand of vintage pop soul music! The concert will also feature performances by Maurice, Clinton Babers, Sincerely XO, and Adreena.
After taking 54 Below by storm this spring, Lillias White returns with a brand new show. This ultimate Broadway diva will celebrate her birthday week at 54 Below by sharing songs about the ups & downs, the ins & outs of love. Expect showstopping numbers from Cy Coleman, Nina Simone, Alan & Marilyn Bergman... and songs ranging from brand new rock covers to oldies to hits from the Studio 54 heyday. Tony Award & Emmy Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Dreamgirls, Fela, Hercules) is a force of nature, and her 54 Below performance is one that you will never forget.
BroadwayWorld brings you preview photos of White in action below!
Grand Performances announces its 28th annual season with a line-up full of fan favorites, new musical obsessions, and events at the gorgeous California Plaza under the spectacular Downtown Los Angeles skyline. Starting Friday, June 13, 2014 and running through Saturday, September 13, 2014, the Grand Performances 2014 Summer Concert Series brings artists and audiences together for an array of music, dance, film, and spoken word featuring performers from around the globe and the streets of Los Angeles. Every show is free; no advanced reservations are required. Grand Performances at California Plaza is located at 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213-687-2159). For a complete overview of Grand Performances' upcoming season, hailed as the "best free outdoor summer concert series" by Los Angeles Magazine, please see the schedule here http://www.grandperformances.org/calendar/2014-season-overview.
District Stage Company will present Broadway Unplugged: World Jam on Friday, May 30 at 8:30 PM and Saturday, May 31 at 7:30 PM and 9:30 PM at South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay, FL. Broadway Unplugged: World Jam is an intimate evening packed with songs from electrifying shows to hit the Great White Way in recent decades with Broadway stars Adam Kantor, Kevin Mambo, Janet Dacal and Andy Señor, Jr., under the musical direction of Greg Brown, with special guests Jeremy Charvet, Carlos Jose Alvarez, Jeanfranco Cardenty and Isabel Signoret.
Running through May 3 at 54 Below is The Lillias White Effect, starring Tony Award & Emmy Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Dreamgirls, Fela, 'Hercules') in her 54 Below solo concert debut. In this brand new concert, audiences can expect to hear the music of Jerry Herman, Frank Loesser, Stephen Sondheim, Cy Coleman and more.
The Tony winner talks about her Brooklyn upbringing, her Broadway triumphs and her brand-new cabaret show.
Magical Music for Life Foundation will present its third annual TUNES IN TIMES SQUARE benefit concert Sunday, May 4, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on the Broadway Pedestrian Plaza between 42nd and 43rd Streets in Times Square.
This coming Monday and every Monday through June 2 Knitting Factory Entertainment presents premier Afrobeat exponents Chop and Quench in residency at Knitting Factory Brooklyn. I would love to extend an invitation to you to come see the show.
54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Two-Time Tony Award Winner Lillias White, Ben Platt, Naturi Naughton, Katie Thompson, and Two-TIme Tony Award Nominee Robin de Jesus & more in Who We Are: The Songs of Lyons & Pakchar on Monday, April 14 at 9:30PM. For one night only, contemporary musical theatre composers Douglas Lyons and Ethan Pakchar will showcase original music from their Pop/R&B catalogue with performances by leading Broadway artists, such as Lillias White (The Life, Fela), Ben Platt (Pitch Perfect, The Book of Mormon), Naturi Naughton (3LW, Notorious, Fame), Katie Thompson (Giant), Robin de Jesus (In The Heights), Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Mykal Kilgore (Motown: The Musical), Nic Rouleau (The Book of Mormon), Felicia Boswell (Memphis), Julia Mattison (Godspell), Tamika Sonja Lawrence (If/Then), Daniel Torres (Evita), John Brink (LES MISERABLES), Nik Alexander (Priscilla Queen of the Desert tour), Bradley Greer (Altar Boyz tour), Melody Madarasz (Mr. Chickees Funny Money), J. Hoard and more. With back-up singers Rashidra Scott (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Olithea Anglin (Something Major), and Darius Harper (The Book of Mormon tour).
Award-winning slam poet, actor, singer, musician Saul Williams (Slam), Christopher Jackson (After Midnight), Saycon Sengbloh (Motown The Musical, Fela!), Ben Thompson(Matilda), John Earl Jelks (Radio Golf - Tony nomination), Joshua Boone (Brownsville Song [b side for Tray] at Actors Theatre of Louisville), Dyllon Burnside ('Prison Break') and Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins (Jelly's Last Jam, Caroline or Change, Play On!) will star in HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME, the new Broadway musical inspired by the lyrics of Tupac Shakur. Written by Todd Kreidler and directed by Kenny Leon, HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME will begin performances on May 29, 2014 and open June 19, 2014 at the Palace Theatre (1564 Broadway at 47th Street).
The Apollo Theater and World Music Institute present AFRICA NOW, a four-day music festival spotlighting today's African music scene. The second annual festival will feature a powerful lineup of artists who have drawn upon their roots for inspiration - and transplanted them onto the global music landscape. Africa Now will be anchored by a blow-out concert, April 5th, on the legendary Apollo stage featuring: Malian songstress Fatoumata Diawara; Senegalese trio Les Freres Guisse; and reggae/Afrobeat collective Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars.
Videos
