A
Ramp to Paradise 2 is a multi-media dance narrative of one night during
the 1980s at the edgy, predominantly Black and Latino LGBT New York
City dance club, Paradise Garage which featured the awe-inspiring DJ
talent of the late Larry Levan, live performances by everyone from
Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown, Patti Labelle, Grace Jones, Madonna to
Sylvester.
Ramp 2 is presented in commemoration of 25th anniversary of
the closing of this memorable underground fixture of the New York club
scene.
Tickets: $25.00 (Ticket prices includes performance and after party)
Thursday, November 08, 2012 at 7:30 PM Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts
One University Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 488-1624 Website: www.kumbletheater.org
E-Mail: info@kumbletheater.org
I love how creative individuals can be and how talented they are in creating their work. Imagine if Patti Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Beyonce', Rihanna, Diana Ross, Maya Angelou, and Chaka Khan all got together for a "private" dinner. Well HERE IS YOUR CHANCE!!! And trust the DRAMA explodes!!!
Lady Gaga may adore cult pop icon Grace Jones, but Ms. Jones won’t picking up her t-t-telephone calls any time soon.
The 61-year-old Jamaican-born model/actress/fashion radical, best known as a club performer, Warhol muse, Bond girl, hair maverick, and all-around fabu freakshow, was recently asked by London’s Guardian newspaper what she thought of the world’s current preeminent mistress of carcinogenic eyewear. Jones’ reply? “I really don’t think of her at all. I go about my business … I wouldn’t go to see her.”
And would they ever work together? “She did [ask], but I said no. I’d just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually.”
Mild-ish words, actually, from the woman who gave the world Strangé—and one wonders why she doesn’t call out her other obvious acolyte, Rihanna—but she can hardly be blamed for drawing the comparison.
As stated on The Future on February 5, 2010, Gaga’s genealogy has never been much of a mystery: She is unabashedly built from the DNA of many stars who came before her—including but not limited to Madonna, David Bowie, Roisin Murphy, Prince, Cher, Labelle, Freddie Mercury and of course the original cult-of-personality maestro himself, Mr. Warhol.
Like the recent M.I.A.-chugs-the-Lady-haterade episode, this one will surely be met by Gaga loyalists‘ insistence that the Lady is, like, ten billion times more amazeballs than Jones, who is just too jealous/old/All About Eve-ish to acknowledge her younger and more commercially successful rival.
If they do, they may be touching on some truth (sometimes, Strangé get cranké), but they’re missing the larger point: Gaga, definitively, could not exist without Jones, Madge, and Mercury, and she seems very much aware of that. In fact, she acknowledges them ad nauseum in her album liner notes and interviews and in, basically, the way she lives her outsized life-as-performance-art existence (bedazzled face crustaceans for brunch! Personal head planetarium for Ellen!) every day—if not in the fairly straightforward and markedly commercial (much more, at least, than Grace’s ever were) pop songs that anchor it all. I AGREE and I am the BIGGEST GRACE JONES FAN AROUND!!! Lil Mogul...
If progenitors like Jones are sometimes a little bothered that Gaga sails so easily down the far-out road they paved—and with a much fatter wallet tucked in her triangle pants—is that jealousy, or just humanity? I call it LIFE!!!
Following two sneak peek performances Sept. 8-9, Grammy Award winner Patti LaBelle officially steps into the role of Fela's mother, Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti, in Broadway's Fela! Sept. 14.LaBelle succeeds Tony winner Lillias White, who played her final performance Sept. 12. The acclaimed singer will stay with the production through its closing on Jan. 2, 2011.
"After seeing the show, I was struck by the choreography and work of Bill T. Jones, and the passion and joy that overflows from the stage," LaBelle said in a previous statement. "Fela's mother, Funmilayo, was a strong, truly inspiring woman, and I am so privileged to be able to pay tribute to her on the Broadway stage."
LaBelle — who played Matron Mama Morton for a limited run in a Los Angeles stint of Chicago — is known for her Grammy Award-winning rhythm and blues songs, which include "On My Own" and "New Attitude." The one-time lead member of the group Labelle also sang on the group's biggest hit "Lady Marmalade." The singer has appeared on Broadway in three self-titled concerts and appeared in the 1982 revival of Your Arms Too Short to Box With God.
Fela!, the new musical based on the life and music of groundbreaking African composer, plays the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.After an acclaimed run Off-Broadway in 2008, Fela! began previews on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. Sahr Ngaujah, who headlined the Off-Broadway premiere, alternates in the role of the late African musical figure, with Kevin Mambo (Ruined).
Tony-winning Spring Awakening choreographer Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs the production that features a book by Jones and Jim Lewis and utilizes Anikulapo-Kuti's own music. Lewis, a Tony nominee for Chronicle of a Death Foretold, also penned additional lyrics. The musical was conceived by Bill T. Jones, Jim Lewis and Stephen Hendel.The production incorporates the Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas and other members of the NYC Afrobeat community, under the direction of Aaron Johnson, who perform Kuti's music live onstage.
In Fela!, according to production notes, "audiences are welcomed into the extravagant, decadent and rebellious world of Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Using his pioneering music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies), [the musical] explores Kuti's controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician."
The design team includes scenic and costume designer Marina Draghici, lighting designer Rob Wierzel, sound designer Rob Kaplowitz and projection designer Peter Nigrini. Aaron Johnson and Jordan McLean will provide musical arrangements.The musical, which earned the 2008 Lucille Lortel honor for Best Musical, played an acclaimed engagement at the now-closed 37 Arts in 2008. 37 Arts was also the birthplace of the Tony-winning musical In the Heights.
Fela! is produced by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith, Ruth & Stephen Hendel, Roy Gabay, Edward Tyler Nahem, Slava Smolokowski, Chip Meyrelles/Ken Greiner, Steve Semlitz/Cathy Glazer, Daryl Roth/True Love Productions, Knitting Factory Entertainment and Susan Dietz. In association with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson.Fela! won three 2010 Tony Awards: Best Costume Design, Best Sound Design and Best Choreography. Visit FelaonBroadway.com.
Terrell Carter, one of America’s most popular Musical Actors and praised vocalist among industry colleagues, will perform LIVE @ The Vanguard in Hollywood, CA on Thursday, March 25, 2010.
UNICEF, Go-Lo and a mass of other great artists are partnering to host a charity benefit concert for Haitian earthquake victims. The concert will feature a wide variety of dance, vocal and spoken word performances, with the goal of raising funds through raffle sales, ticket sales and donations. All proceeds will go directly towards UNICEF’s recovery efforts in Haiti, which include clean water, sanitation, food, medical supplies and temporary shelter. UNICEF will also focus on protecting children who have been separated from their families, from harm and/or exploitation.
Pre-sale tickets are $10. Tickets at the door are $15. Raffle tickets are $5. Showtime is 8pm to 2am. For more information, to buy tickets or to find out how you can help please visit www.artist4humanity.net, www.vanguardla.com and www.terrellmusic.com .
Terrell Carter is widely known as one of the lead Talents within the Tyler Perry (TP) franchise of films and musical plays. He graces the Summer/2010 cover issue of InSpire magazine and has written songs for some of the world’s most talented performers; such as the great Quincy Jones.
His vocals are often complemented by many of the best in entertainment:
“Terrell is unique with a soulful style that makes you go absolutely crazy!” – Karen Clark Sheard
“One of the best vocalists… From the first time I saw and heard him sing, I knew he was a star.” – India.Arie
“As gorgeous as he is on the outside, he is even more beautiful on the inside and he sings even better than that. Ms. Patti is giving him wings to fly amongst the greats.”– Patti LaBelle
Love her or hate her, there’s no disputing that 2009 belonged Lady Gaga. With a theatrical persona inspired by the likes of past DIVA’s, the name “Gaga”—taken from a song by the latter’s band, Queen—has acquired a meaning all its own, simultaneously evoking catchy pop music and avant-garde fashion (as well as a growing army of imitative fans). But Lady Gaga’s forward-pushing fad is not a fleeting one. Thanks to two back-to-back albums—the first aimed at the fans, the second aimed at the critics—she has shown that her music and revolutionary style are here to stay into the new decade and beyond.
However, let’s check out female theatrical personas of THE CENTURY!!!
Jammins Entertainment continues their Soul Legend concert series with a live concert by Patti LaBelle on Valentine’s Day at the landmark Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Truly, there are very few professional disc jockeys without an album/CD of this singing legend; and likewise it would be difficult to find any man or woman above 18 who can truthfully say that he/she never heard Patti LaBelle’s “New Attitude",”If Only You Knew”, “Love, Need and Want You”, “Somebody Loves You Baby (You Know Who It Is)”, and “Lady Marmalade.”
Beautiful does not even begin to describe the incomparable force know as Patti LaBelle. As time evolves, the soulful songbird's name has become synonymous with grace, style, elegance and class. Belting out classic rhythm and blues renditions, pop standards and spiritual sonnets has created the unique platform of versatility that Ms. Patti is revered for.
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House
The 1908 building was designed by Herts and Tallant--premier theater architects of the period. Its eclectic Beaux Arts style is also seen in other Herts and Tallant designs in New York, including the Lyceum Theatre and the New Amsterdam Theatre. Featuring polychrome terra-cotta and finished in light-colored brick, the building anchors the Brooklyn Academy of Music Historic District—designated in 1978.
More Information Website: http://www.pattilabelle.com/ BAM Howard Gilman Opera House 30 Lafayette Ave Brooklyn NY 11217 Phone: 718-636-4100 Capacity: 2100
