NYS Music 2023

Category: News

  • Tours of Historic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn Make a Smashing Comeback

    Kings Theatre, located in Brooklyn New York is proud to announce their Historic Tour events will be making a comeback. Tour dates are scheduled for February 18 and March 11 at 1pm. An introduction of a weekday tour will be taking place on March 21 at 7pm.

    Kings Theatre Tour

    Kings Theater built in 1929 as one of the five original Loew’s Wonder Theaters . The Theater was originally a movie palace live performance venue featuring vaudeville reviews. The 20th century movie palace was inspired by the French Renaissance Revival style of the Palace of Versailles and the Paris Opera House. What we now know as Kings Theater became stagnant after its closing in 1979 until undergoing restoration in 2013. In 2015, the theater was officially opened as Kings Theatre with a debut performance by the amazing Dianna Ross. Kings Theatre is now recognized as a cultural and economic cornerstone of the Flatbush community and a magnificent addition to Brooklyn’s spirited cultural landscape. 

    During the 75 minute tour, expect to be educated on the historical and architectural highlights from knowledgeable tour guides. For example, guests will learn about the baroque stylings of this luxurious theater, the “Queen of Kings”, the Robert Morgan Wonder Organ, and become informed on the theater’s daily workings.Starting in the resplendent grand lobby, guests will travel through ornate speakeasy lounges and both levels of the 3,055-seat auditorium. 

    Kings Theatre Tour

    Under the management of Ambassador Theatre Group, Kings Theatre now portrays a variation of world class programming that includes live music, stand-up comedy, theatrical and literary events in addition to hosting film shoots and even private events. Guests will have the option of enhancing their experience to include two drinks and access to one of the theaters private speakeasies for a post tour destination. For tickets and further information on Kings Theatre tours, please visit here.  

  • After 19 Years, Brendon Urie Announces the end of Panic! At The Disco

    After 19 years of touring, Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco has announced that he will be stepping away from the group due to life events.

    Panic! At The Disco
    Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco, Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images.

    Panic! At The Disco came onto the alternative scene in 2004, born out of Las Vegas by childhood friends Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross, Spencer Smith, and Brent Wilson. What essentially was a blink-182 cover band turned into something more as Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy heard a demo tape Urie sent him. They got a deal with Wentz’s Decaydance Records and developed with Urie on vocals, Ross on bass/guitar, as well as being the main songwriter, Wilson on guitar, and Smith on drums.

    Their first record in 2005 A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out saw the second single “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” catapult to the top of the charts, and the album was certified triple platinum. In 2006, Wilson was fired after a world tour and replaced by Jon Walker. In 2007, the band arrived at a cabin in the rural mountains of Mount Charleston, Nevada, and began writing for the record Cricket and Clover. Eventually, the album was scrapped, although Ross said it was almost done, and they started over. “We wanted to approach these songs in the most basic form,” Ross said. “We wrote them all on one acoustic guitar and with someone singing.” The band, now with a new sound, released the folk indie record Pretty Odd. in 2008, with the upbeat and nostalgic song “Nine In The Afternoon.” This sound was favored by Walker and Ross, but not by Urie and Smith.

    In April 2009 the group was finishing off a tour circuit for Pretty Odd., and their shows in Cape Town, South Africa proved to be the breaking point for Ross and Walker, who subsequently left the group after. The big question for fans is what happened in Cape Town to cause this. Ross seemingly answers the questions in his song “Cape Town” by the group The Young Veins, which also had Walker on guitar. Ross sings “I got lost in Cape Town, in Cape Town/I saw you, I met you/I loved you, I left you in Cape Town,” answering that he had a short-lived fling there, and was emotionally devastated. As well as butting heads with Urie over creative decisions, he called it quits, with Walker leaving alongside him.

    panic! at the disco
    Ross (left) and Urie (right) onstage.

    Now the group, consisting of Smith and Urie, had to figure out what to do next. They recorded and released the song “New Perspective” for the movie Jennifer’s Body. They recruited bassist Dallon Weekes and guitarist Ian Crawford as touring musicians for live performances. Weekes became an official member in 2010 and helped write and record the 2011 record Vices and Virtues. The tour had an over-the-top production and saw Crawford leaving the group after. Urie started to operate as a solo artist as he diverged to recording a song with Fun called “C’mon” in 2011, and the track “Mercenary,” for the video game Batman: Arkham City.

    He came back to the group to write and record the 2013 record Too Weird To Live, Too Rare To Die! Weekes wrote a lot of the music on the record, showing he was a viable member of the group. Trouble began to occur as Smith was battling a heavy addiction to pills and alcohol, writing a letter to fans. He toured for the album cycle with Fall Out Boy before leaving midway to “continue fighting addiction.” Urie posted on the band’s website in 2013 that “It’s become evident that Spencer still needs more time to take care of himself. I can’t expect him to be fighting addiction one minute and be fully immersed in a national tour the next. With that said, the tour will continue without Spencer while he is away getting the help he needs.” On the record he sings “This Is Gospel,” which is about Smith’s addiction and wanting the best for him.

    Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith
    Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith in 2011, Andy Kropa/Getty Images.

    Smith officially left the band in 2015 despite not touring since 2013. In that same month, Urie announced a new record was in the works, turning into the record Death of a Bachelor. The record debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, and it was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Panic! At The Disco toured with Weezer in 2016 for the record, and Weekes announced his departure from the group in 2017.

    Since departing, fans have speculated as to the reason why. He did start a new band immediately after leaving called I Don’t Know How But They Found Me and continues to make music with the group, comprised of him and Falling In Reverse’s Ryan Seamon. Breezy Weekes, Dallon’s wife, tweeted in 2020 about Panic!’s bodyguard, Zach Cloud Hall, and his inappropriate behavior.

    Hall himself tweeted about keeping fans’ inappropriate photos as his screensaver, as well as writing sexual things about Dallon Weekes himself in tweets. Brendon Urie came under fire for not firing Hall, however, he was quick to kick out touring member Kenneth Harris for inappropriately messaging fans on Snapchat in 2018. Weekes also was made fun of for being Mormon, and always the butt of jokes by Urie, which contributed to his departure.

    Brendon Urie has also come under fire for racist remarks and for saying inappropriate things onstage. A video surfaced of him in 2011 onstage saying he was going to have sex with fans, whether they liked it or not. He has also been seen singing racial slurs in videos and saying transphobic things.

    Despite all the drama surrounding the group, Panic! went on to release Pray For The Wicked, featuring “High Hopes,” which became the highest-placing single from the band, becoming number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2022, the band released their final album, Viva Las Vengeance. They embarked on a U.S. tour supporting the record, and Urie made an announcement on January 24 saying he is going to be leaving the group, which over the years became a solo act for Urie, as he was the only official member.

    He said in a statement “Well it’s been a hell of a journey…I am going to bring this chapter of my life to an end and put my focus and energy on my family.” He announced his wife Sarah is pregnant with their first child, which was accidentally leaked by Pete Wentz last month in a photo he posted on Instagram, but then deleted right after fans saw Urie and his wife in a photo of her with a pregnancy belly.

    The final tour begins in Vienna on Feb. 20 and concludes in Manchester, England on March 10. Urie has not said if he will release music as a solo act, but for the time being he will be focusing on raising his child. Despite the controversies surrounding the group and its members, Panic! At The Disco left a mark on the emo/alternative scene that will last for years to come.

  • New York Lawmakers Looking to end Madison Square Garden’s use of Facial Recognition to Deny Entry

    Madison Square Garden fell into controversy recently after using facial recognition technology to identify lawyers at firms in litigation with owner James Dolan, then removing them from MSG and Radio City Music Hall. New York lawmakers have now introduced a new bill to ban these practices at MSG’s sporting events.

    Madison Square Garden
    Exterior of MSG, 2012

    State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D), representing Lower and Midtown Manhattan, Liz Krueger (D), representing the East Side of Manhattan, and newly-elected Assemblyman Tony Simone (D), representing Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen, and Midtown, introduced the bill on Monday, January 23. The bill refers to New York Civil Rights Law Section 40-b, with the current language of the law stating that theaters, music halls, and concert halls cannot deny entry to legitimate ticket holders. The proposed bill will add “sporting events” to the list.

    The proposal comes after Madison Square Garden had removed at least four lawyers from its venues since October due to their firms’ active legal action against MSG. The venue appeared to use facial recognition to identify the attorneys, and while this technology improves security at events, critics fear there is potential for abuse.

    Rolling Stone reported that Grant & Eisenhofer attorney Barbara Hart- whose firm is working against MSG but who is not working on the case herself- told them that security officials stopped and identified her at Brandi Carlile’s MSG show in October, without even seeing her ID. Hart said that “This is retaliatory behavior of powerful people against others, and that should be concerning to us. It was a very eerie experience to be on the receiving end of at that moment.”

    Others who have been reported as being kicked out include Kelly Conlon, an associate at Davis, Saperstein and Solomon. She was attending a Radio City Rockettes show at Radio City Music Hall in December before being kicked out due to a personal injury lawsuit her firm is working on.

    MSG claims they deploy biometric technology for the benefit of public safety when they remove sports fans from the Garden. This is absurd given that in at least four reported cases, the patrons who were booted from their venues posed no security threat and instead were lawyers at firms representing clients in litigation with MSG. Our legislation will close the loophole in state law that allows MSG to remove fans from the Garden and encourage an end to surveillance for non-security purposes.

    NY State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal

    The proposal is the latest effort from the three state representatives to stop MSG’s policy. Kruger, Hoylman-Sigal, and Simone have also protested outside MSG alongside other lawmakers, including Congressman Jerry Nadler. Hoylman-Sigal spoke about why they are putting the effort into proposing this bill.

    Many law firms have sued MSG over the policy, and in November a judge ordered a preliminary injunction to the firms that said that MSG has the right to revoke and refuse to sell tickets to customers but that it couldn’t deny the lawyers entry at the door, given they provided a valid ticket, only applying to concerts and theatrical performances. Both the firms and Madison Square Garden appealed this to New York’s Appellate court.

    Larry Hutcher’s firm is representing ticket resellers in a suit against MSG Entertainment. He sued the company over the policy and appealed the judge’s ruling to try and include sporting events. He hopes it will get passed so it will stop the venue from barring him and his coworkers from attending events. “We argued that Madison Square Garden, because it holds both concerts and sports, should be considered as one venue, but the judge limited our right to go to concerts. We are extremely happy that the legislature is recognizing that this is easily cured, and they’re taking steps to do that.”

    Hutcher also believes that the facial recognition technology MSG uses needs to be focused on as he is concerned it violates privacy rights. “They got that facial recognition picture from our website,” Hutcher says. “They have taken that they have misused it, and they have created what is in essence a digital fingerprint of me. I have no idea what they’re doing with that. The fact that they have taken this information and put it in a system without my consent or without my knowledge is extremely disturbing.” He also went on to describe it as “dystopian.”

    Madison Square Garden Company has denied this facial recognition policy violates the law, under the guise of facial recognition technology images not being retained unless they have been banned from an MSG venue or identified as a security threat. James Dolan, CEO of MSG, doubled down on using it on Good Day New York, saying “The real issue is our policy of not letting attorneys who are suing us into our building until the litigation is done. When it’s done, they’re very much welcome back. This is not discriminatory and we will not back down – The Garden has to defend itself – our values are important to us.”

    This is an ongoing issue between lawmakers and Madison Square Garden, and the firms’ fight will continue as long as the law allows MSG to continue its practices. As facial recognition software is a newer technology, there are many concerns. Could these be used to limit people based on race or gender from entering establishments, and use claims such as security matters as reasoning? What do these corporate entities do with the database collected with these photos, taken without us knowing? These questions and more will be asked as the use of this technology expands.

  • Black History Month Step Show returns to the Palace Theatre in February

    On February 9, TD Bank’s Price Chopper Black History Month Step Show, will be presenting some of the best steps teams from the Capital Region and more. You can catch the show at 5pm inside of Albany’s Palace Theatre. This annual event will be full of high energy, rhythmic performers and should not be missed

    Step Show Palace

    Stepping is a historical form of art that keeps the memories of enslaved ancestors alive. When stepping, the body is used as an instrument through a combination of foot stomps, claps and words. In the 1800s, African American railroad workers stepped to uplift their spirits during their inhuman treatment.  Since speaking was prohibited at times, African Americans communicated through step. Their movements created a tune that told the story of their pain and sorrow. Today this tradition is continued by millions of people throughout and widely popular within sororities/ fraternities. More information about stepping can be found here.

    The euphonious and capturing sound of step is something that needs to be fully appreciated. Through rapid movement and split second changes, you can tell how much time and energy is placed into the choreography. The movement is so alluring that it not only appeals to the eyes and ears but as well as the soul. With each foot stomp you can feel the vibrations run through your body. The entertainment will leave you wanting to learn more about these organizations and their history. This program and others like it offer participants not only a creative outlet, but also a chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

    Tickets can be found here. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Palace Theatre Box Office, located at 19 Clinton Ave. Box Office hours are Monday through Friday 12pm to 5PM.

  • Van Norton Family Foundation Selects ESYO as First Grant Recipient

    Schenectady’s Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) have announced that they’ve received a grant of $22,000 from the Van Norton Family Foundation, going towards the CHIME program.

    Heather Manthey, Van Norton Family Foundation President and Co-Founder is driven by her mother’s benevolence. She says, “Our Foundation has a three-part mission: to support qualifying organizations that promote the interests of children, assist with the mental and physical health of individuals in our community, and advance the arts.” After researching ESYO, it wasn’t long before Manthey knew that she had found her perfect choice.

    Founded in 1979, ESYO is a non-profit organization that is widely known as a premier music education/performance program for youth and has received three ASCAP awards.

    The Empire State Youth Orchestra plans to use their stupendous gift to support their CHIME program. Creating Harmony Inspiring Musical Excellence was launched in 2015 to address fundamental inequities preventing universal access to high level music opportunities for youth. Today it is a free after-school program for grades k-12, that empowers youth to develop a strong sense of personal identity and community through ensemble-based music instruction.

    The Amplify Our Voice initiative provides the youth of CHIME  with a safe place to process deep emotion, explore shared experiences, and amplify their voices to the world. Through reflection, improvisation, and experimentation, the youth of CHIME create an original, multi-level composition in partnership with a guest arranger. This year’s theme, chosen by students, is “Stop Violence & Show Kindness,”. They will be collaborating with composer Adrian Gordon. The CHIME Proctors Orchestra recently performed Gordon’s piece “A Hero’s Journey.”

    Currently, in support of their CHIME program, ESYO has received a total of $105,000 from regional and national Foundations. Funders, Rea Charitable Trust, Review Foundation, Carnegie Hall PlayUSA, Barry Alan Gold Memorial Fund,D’Addario Foundation, Henry M. Butzel Foundation, Seymour Fox Foundation and Price Chopper Golub Foundation have all made gracious donations. For more information, visit esyo.org.

  • The Ed Sullivan Show Archives Share Rare Louis Armstrong Performance

    The Ed Sullivan Show archives have shared previously unreleased Louis Armstrong performances, with the first premiering tonight, January 22.

    Louis Armstrong and Ed Sullivan.

    It is believed that Ed Sullivan himself lent these clips to Louis Armstrong and Universal Music Enterprises, because the two were friends, having been born in the same year in 1901. These new clips of Armstrong are able to be brought up now after decades of being lost. The first clip, premiering Jan. 22, shows Armstrong at his best, with him and opera star Robert Merrill performing a Medley (“Vesti la giubba” and “Honeysuckle Rose”) on the episode that aired on April 17, 1955. 

    Armstrong spent a lot of his life living in Queens, permanently settling there in 1943, despite being from New Orleans. By the 1950s, Armstrong, commonly known as “Satchmo” was widely known, and was entered into the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1952. He starred as himself in the 1954 Biopic The Glenn Miller Story and that same year also released his second autobiography, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans. 1964 proved to be an important year for Armstrong as his record Hello, Dolly! remained on the Hot 100 for 22 weeks, dislodging a few Beatles songs. He died in 1971 of a heart attack.

    Armstrong went on the Ed Sullivan Show a few times in his life, and some new clips are being released now that have never been seen before. The Ed Sullivan show is the most popular primetime variety show in American history, hosting a number of talent including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Motown artists. The first clip being released shows Armstrong and opera star Robert Merrill perfmroign “Vesti la giubba” and “Honeysuckle Rose” on the episode that aired on April 17, 1955. 

    Another new clip that was originally broadcast on CBS Network on May 15, 1955, features Armstrong alongside Gary Crosby delivering a performance of “Struttin With Some Barbecue,” will be released soon. The rare clip is available now to watch on YouTube.

  • Sam Smith Slays as SNL Sends up Santos

    The first episode of the new year for Saturday Night Live found host Aubrey Plaza welcoming back an old friend to the Update desk, while Sam Smith played tracks from his upcoming Gloria album with two mesmerizing musical performances. 

    sam smith

    With a timely opening sending up Fox NFL post-game coverage of Giants/Eagles – which ended less than a half hour before, SNL wasted no time using the Congressman and life story fabricator George Santos (Bowen Yang) reporting from the Super Bowl, delusions of grandeur on full display. Yang’s Santos would make an appearance on Weekend Update, driving the bit even further, as the jokes write themselves with the continually unraveling fictional backstory of Santos front and center this past week.

    Aubrey Plaza (The White Lotus, Parks and Recreation) took the stage of Studio 8H and recounted her longtime desire to host SNL, including her time as a page. This led to the SNL monologue trope of a tour behind the scenes, meeting cast members, the set design team and special guests – like former cast member and Parks and Recreation co-star Amy Poehler – popping up along the way. 

    A take on the recent TikTok clip-worthy Miss Universe pageant featured cameos from both Property Brothers, and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. 

    Digital short “The Black Lotus” reimagined The White Lotus as a no-nonsense black-owned and staffed hotel, while “Game Night” brought together new neighbors in a revealing game of Taboo, and despite obvious cue card reading from Plaza, the rapid fire humor was refreshing and aligned perfectly with the host.

    Sam Smith’s first song “Unholy” found the London singer in a fluffy pink ball gown under pink curtains and lighting, with Kim Petras appearing out from under the dress to join in the song. By the end, this performance turned into a devilish hallucination, with Smith donning a horned helmet. This marked Smith’s third time performing on SNL, having made their debut in 2014 and performing again in 2017.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5fUCOgAJgk

    Weekend Update showed that the Santos well of comedy will not run dry, with Yang showing longterm potential for his satiral take. Plaza joined the Update team as April Ludgate, revisiting her character from Parks and Recreation, and then bringing on Leslie Nope (Poehler) who made herself at home at the update desk, once again. Poehler shared Weekend Update duties with Seth Myers from 2006-2008.

    The second performance from Sam Smith found him clad in gold, standing behind a choir who sang much of the track “Gloria.” Actress Sharon Stone – who starred in a remake of the movie Gloria in the late 90s – laid on a golden bed, moving to a new pose once Smith began to sing under the golden hued stage, a piece of performance art that was Smith’s idea.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFq8sojJNDo

    Saturday Night Live returns on Saturday, January 28 with host Michael B. Jordan and musical guest Lil Baby.

  • Talib Kweli and Bob James Set for February Performances at Blue Note Jazz Club with Special Guests Rakim, DMC and Slick Rick

    Blue Note Jazz Club have announced a set of February shows featuring a quartet of hip hop legends. The historic music lounge will see Talib Kweli headline alongside oft-sampled jazz visionary Bob James from February 7-9. Kicking off the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop celebrations, the performances will feature special guests in the form of hip hop pioneers Rakim, DMC and Slick Rick, who will receive a Lifetime Achieve Award from The Recording Academy next month.

    Talib Kweli is set to headline Blue Note Jazz Club on three consecutive nights.

    The re-joining of forces at Blue Note between icon Bob James and Talib Kweli with legends Rakim, Slick Rick and DMC is an exceptional moment,” said Blue Note Director of Programming Alex Kurland.

    Moreover, Kweli and James first joined forces last year at the storied Greenwich Village club. Alongside special guest Slick Rick, the trio performed a medley of popular records with jazz interpolations to an engaging crowd.

    Blue Note’s Performers

    This time around, the Blue Note audience will receive another historic performance in a landmark year for the genre. Blue Note Jazz Club has hosted legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, George Clinton, and Talib Kweli’s own Black Star groupmate, Yasiin Bey. The line of prestigious performers continues when these legendary acts grace the stage.

    The God MC – Rakim is set to appear at Blue Note Jazz Club

    Brooklyn-based MC Talib Kweli stands as one of the world’s most talented and most accomplished Hip Hop artists. Whether working with Yasiin Bey as one-half of Black Star, or releasing landmark solo material or collaborating with Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, Just Blaze, J Dilla, Hi-Tek, or Madlib, Kweli has established his place in the hip hop lore. Slick Rick, Rakim, and DMC are three of the most influential rhymers of all-time. Slick Rick for his inventiveness and creativity with his story-telling, Rakim for raising the bar in lyrical proficiency and DMC as one third of one of hip hop’s most culturally significant groups in Run DMC.

    Talib Kweli, Bob James and Slick Rick will once again grace the Blue Note Jazz Club stage.

    About Bob James

    18-time Grammy nominee Bob James has also cemented his place in the realm of hip hop. His 1974 album One, specifically the groove-heavy closing track “Nautilus,” featuring James on keyboard, Gary King on bass, and Idris Muhammad on drums, is one of the most sampled and interpolated songs of all time. In 1988, elements of the song found their way into Run DMC’s “Beats To The Rhyme” and Eric B & Rakim’s “Follow The Leader.” Slick Rick then famously used “Nautilus” as the backbone to his groundbreaking single “Children’s Story.” Dozens more hip hop acts have interpolated parts of “Nautilus” leaving Bob James amongst friends on the Blue Note stage.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Bob James’ depth of history and contribution to hip hop and musical culture is remarkable. Our inspiration with these shows is to revisit that history and vibe through the samples originating from Bob James, in collaboration with three of the most prolific, powerhouse and pioneering MCs of all time who have a legendary connection of drawing from Bob’s music.

    – Alex Kurland

    Fans can purchase tickets for Talib Kweli and Bob James at Blue Note Jazz Club here.

  • Zach Bryan Announces North American Tour, 2 Stops in NY

    2022 was a particularly prolific year for rising country star Zach Bryan and he’s set on riding that wave into the new year with his biggest tour yet. Bryan’s Burn Burn Burn North American Tour tour kicks off in April at the Two Step Inn Festival in Texas, and will include two shows in New York, in Albany at MVP Arena and Queens at Forest Hills Stadium.

    Bryan released 2 full length albums and multiple EPs and singles, amounting to around 12 projects overall last year. His album American Heartbreak was the number one most streamed album on Spotify last year; it consists of a stunning 34 songs. But despite his impressive quantity, Zach Bryan has not abandoned quality. “From Austin” on American Heartbreak combines intense imagery and devastating lyricism. “Something In The Orange” went double platinum and scored Bryan a Grammy Award for Best Solo Country Performance. 

    Zach Bryan tour

    Last year, Bryan’s tour sold out in minutes. Zach Bryan, self-proclaimed enemy of Ticketmaster — his most recent live show recording is called All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster (Live From Red Rocks) — is using Fair AXS to sell tickets to avoid catastrophes like those that plagued Taylor Swift’s last tour. To purchase tickets, fans should register on the site beginning January 29. Registered fans will then be chosen at random starting on February 13 to access the tour site and purchase tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. 

    See the full tour schedule below and register to buy tickets here. 

    Zach Bryan 2023 Tour

    *April 15                     Georgetown, TX        Two Step Inn Festival

    May 10                     Charlottesville, VA     John Paul Jones Arena

    May 12                     Worcester, MA          DCU Center

    May 13                     Wilkes-Barre, PA       Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

    May 15                     Duluth, GA                Gas South Arena

    May 19                     Houston, TX               Toyota Center

    May 20                     New Orleans, LA       Smoothie King Center

    May 23                     Jacksonville, FL        VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

    May 24                     N Charleston, SC      North Charleston Coliseum

    May 26                     Albany, NY                MVP Arena

    May 28                     London, ON              Budweiser Gardens

    May 31                     Philadelphia, PA        Wells Fargo Center

    June 02                    Cleveland, OH           Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse

    *June 03                   Lexington, KY           Railbird Festival

    June 23                    New York, NY           Forest Hills Stadium

    June 26                    Denver, CO                   Red Rocks Amphitheatre

    June 27                    Denver, CO                   Red Rocks Amphitheatre

    *July 07                    Milwaukee, WI           Summerfest

    *July 13                    Chicago, IL                Windy City Smokeout 

    *July 14-16           Whitefish, MT            Under The Big Sky Festival

    *July 20-July 22         Cullman, AL              Rock The South

    *August 05                    St. Charles, IA           Hinterland Music Festival

    August 07                      Grand Rapids, MI      Van Andel Arena

    August 09                      Minneapolis, MN        Target Center

    August 11                      Tulsa, OK                 BOK Center

    August 14                      Sioux Falls, SD         Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

    August 17                      Nampa, ID                Ford Idaho Center

    August 19                      Las Vegas, NV          T-Mobile Arena

    August 20                      Bakersfield, CA         Mechanics Bank Arena

    August 21                      Oakland, CA             Oakland Arena

    August 23                      Los Angeles, CA       Crypto.com Arena

    August 25                      Glendale, AZ             Desert Diamond Arena

    August 27                      Wichita, KS                   INTRUST Bank Arena

    August 29                      Lincoln, NE               Pinnacle Bank Arena

    August 30                      Kansas City, MO       T-Mobile Center

    * Indicates Festival Dates – on sale now

  • Commemorate Black History Month With “The Black Version” NYC Debut at Midnight Theatre

    On January 13, The Black Version will make its New York City debut for Black History Month at Manhattan West’s Midnight Theatre. You can witness this comedic improv on February 24 at 7pm and February 25 at 9pm. 

    The 90 minute show will commence when the audience is asked to select a popular movie. After their suggestion, the cast must improvise the “Black version” of that film, in addition with its improvised soundtrack, dance numbers, DVD extras, audition reels, and much more. The entirely improvised show performs once a month at The Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles.

    After its 2010 summer opening, The Black Version has performed completely sold-out houses at The Groundlings Theatre. Despite also performing at The Kennedy Center, the show has been enjoyed at numerous festivals. This would include the Netflix is a Joke Festival, the San Francisco SketchFest, Outside Lands Music Festival, and the Louisville Improv Festival. 

    The all black cast features show creator, Jordan Black, Nyima Funk, Daniele Gaither, Phil LaMarr, Gary Anthony Williams, and Cedric Yarbrough. Karen Maruyama is responsible for direction and presented by Zach Laks Productions. You’ve seen this animated cast in shows like Community, Wild N’ Out, Mad TV, The Boondocks and Reno 911. Tickets are on sale here.

    Midnight Theatre’s marvelous 160-seat venue provides a diverse range of programming that showcases talent from the Broadway stage, comedy, music, DJs and other unique special events. While attending the show, obtaining food will be no problem. Midnight Theatre contains a pan-Asian restaurant and bar, known as The Hidden Leaf. The flavorsome restaurant was created by Josh Cohen, with a kitchen helmed by Chef Chai Trivedi. Midnight Cafe, Midnight Theatre’s street level cocktail bar will also be open to guests. Another great place to grab a bite is Essex Pearl, offering a variety of seafood rolls, lobster, crab, shrimp and more from 12pm-7pm. A nightly Oyster Happy Hour will be available from 4pm – 7pm.