Russell Simmons

DEF POETRY JAM REUNION to Take Center Stage at NJPAC During Dodge Poetry Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2026

NJPAC will host an exclusive DEF POETRY JAM reunion during the Dodge Poetry Festival, featuring alumni performances and a tribute to Abiodun Oyewole, founding member of The Last Poets.

The Dodge Poetry Festival Will Return To Newark In October
by Stephi Wild - Apr 23, 2026

North America's largest poetry festival, produced by NJPAC, will present Patti Smith, U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze, a Def Poetry Jam reunion, and writing workshops at its upcoming Newark edition.

Comedian Chris Tucker Announces Return To Encore Theater In March 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 16, 2024

Award-winning actor and comedian, Chris Tucker, will make his highly-awaited return to the stage at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for his latest headlining engagement, March 28 - 29, 2025.

Martin Lawrence Brings Y'ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS Tour to Landers Center
by Stephi Wild - Nov 15, 2024

Martin Lawrence will bring the “Y’all Know What It Is!” tour to Landers Center on Friday, January 17. Martin's set is an all-new one hour set where Martin brings the real talk and finds the funny in everything from family to culture as only he can.

Chris Tucker Will Headline Valentine's Comedy Night at NJPAC
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2024

Following multiple sold-out performances at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), award-winning actor and comedian Chris Tucker will return for his latest headlining engagement on Valentine's Evening.

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center Announces Three Plays For Teatro Salon Table Reading Series
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 22, 2024

The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center in San Antonio announced three plays for its Teatro Salon Table Reading Series, scheduled for November-December 2024, showcasing new works and local talent.

Taalam Acey's Spoken Word Apex Returns to NJPAC Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 23, 2024

Poet/Curator Taalam Acey honed his poetic skills growing up in Newark. Now known as “The Godfather of Spoken Word,” Acey triumphantly returns home to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's (NJPAC) Victoria Theater on Saturday, August 24, 2024, to curate Spoken Word Apex, an illuminating night of poetry, visual arts and music, as part of NJPAC's Dodge Poetry series.

Martin Lawrence to Hit The Road This Summer With Y'ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS! Comedy Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2024

Join Martin Lawrence as he brings laughter and joy with his summer comedy tour, Y'ALL KNOW WHAT IT IS! Don't miss the chance to see this legendary comedian live on stage.

Chris Tucker Comes to Royal Albert Hall in June
by Stephi Wild - Apr 24, 2024

Internationally renowned award-winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Tucker has announced a one-off London date on Sunday 2nd June at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. This is his first UK date since 2018 when he sold out his entire tour.

Chris Tucker Returns To Encore Theater At Wynn Las Vegas This July
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 9, 2024

Comedian Chris Tucker is set to return to the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for a two-night special in July 2024.

THE 8th ANNUAL LA GET DOWN FESTIVAL Set For This April
by Stephi Wild - Mar 29, 2024

THE 8th ANNUAL LA GET DOWN FESTIVAL, celebrating the Los Angeles’s diverse arts communities through hip-hop and spoken word, is set for next month.

Tyrese Shawn Avery, Dyllón Burnside & More to Lead LONG WAY DOWN Presentations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2023

Get the latest news on the casting for the invited presentations of the new musical 'Long Way Down,' based on the acclaimed novel by Jason Reynolds. Find out who will be bringing this powerful story to life on stage at The Apollo on October 27 and 28.

Bay Street Theater Unveils Lineup for ALL STAR COMEDY Series in October
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 28, 2023

Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has revealed the hysterical line-up for the second iteration of this season's ALL STAR COMEDY series set for Friday, October 27, at 8 pm. 

Chris Tucker Brings The Legend Tour to Aronoff Center in October
by Stephi Wild - Aug 10, 2023

Award-winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Tucker has announced his first major tour in North America since 2011. Produced by Live Nation, the historic 30-city fall 2023 run – The Legend Tour 2023 – kicks off on September 8 at North Charleston Performing Arts Center in Charleston, South Carolina.

Actor and Comedian Chris Tucker Announces His First Major Tour In Over A Decade
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 9, 2023

Award-winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Tucker announces his first major tour in North America since 2011. Produced by Live Nation, the historic 30-city fall 2023 run – The Legend Tour 2023 – kicks off on September 8 at North Charleston Performing Arts Center in Charleston, South Carolina, making stops across North America in Toronto, Nashville, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and more before wrapping up in Detroit, MI at Fox Theatre on January 12. 

Chris Tucker Kicks Off THE LEGEND TOUR 2023 On September 8 At The North Charleston PAC
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 9, 2023

Award-winning actor, producer and comedian Chris Tucker announces his first major tour in North America since 2011. Produced by Live Nation, the historic 30-city fall 2023 run – The Legend Tour 2023 – kicks off on September 8 at North Charleston Performing Arts Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, making stops across North America in Toronto, Nashville, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and more before wrapping up in Detroit, MI at Fox Theatre on January 12.

New Muhammad Ali Musical ALI Will Have its World Premiere In Louisville in Fall 2024
by Stephi Wild - Apr 18, 2023

The World Premiere of ALI will be presented in Ali's hometown of Louisville, at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, in Fall 2024. Learn more about the show here!

The Chris Tucker Comedy Tour Comes To NJPAC, April 20
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 31, 2023

Get Ready, New Jersey!!!! International award-winning actor, producer, and comedian Chris Tucker is hitting the big stage in Newark at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Thursday, April 20, at 8 pm.

West Coast Premiere of EVOLUTION OF A SONERO Comes to The LATC
by Stephi Wild - Mar 29, 2023

Sonero [noun]: an improvising lead singer in salsa music. Latino Theater Company in association with Chicago's UrbanTheater Company presents the West Coast premiere of Evolution of a Sonero, bringing the streets of the Bronx to The Los Angeles Theatre Center for a limited three-week engagement May 13 through May 28.

7TH ANNUAL LA GET DOWN FESTIVAL to Play Greenway Court Theatre in April
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 11, 2023

Greenway Arts Alliance (Whitney Weston and Pierson Blaetz, Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors), in association with Da Poetry Lounge (DPL), will present THE 7th ANNUAL LA GET DOWN FESTIVAL, celebrating hip-hop and spoken word. DPL Co-Founder Shihan Van Clief (Russell Simmons presents Def Poetry Jam International Tour) and Arianna Lady Basco (The Fabulous Filipino Brothers) returns as Festival Directors.