Interview: Michael Orland Enjoys/Loves Being Continuously Booked & Always Giving Back
The consistently busy musical director Michael Orland books gigs on both coasts juggling the multitude of vocalists all vying to have his piano expertise to accompany them. One of his next shows in Los Angeles will be his Open Mic Event at the Write-Off Room March 22, 2024. Michael managed to answer a few of my queries during his drive to Palm Springs.
Ridgefield Hosts Celebrity Voice Coach Workshop
Have you ever wondered what professional vocal training could do for your singing and/or performing voice? The Celebrity Voice Coach Workshop at The Ridgefield Playhouse, taught by international recording star Samantha Cole, offers students professional, private vocal coach techniques to take their vocal performances to the next level! Warm-ups, proper breathing, stage movement, mic technique, approach, songwriting and song choice are just some of the topics covered in this class.
Kenny Loggins Set for NY Area Book Signings this Week
It's a winter wonderland, where a snowman comes to life and children find that fairy tales really can come true with the all-new FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (Charlesbridge Publishing/A Peter Yarrow Book for Imagine!; November 18, 2013; ISBN: 978-1-62354-012-8; $17.95; Hardcover with Jacket & CD). Celebrating this cherished holiday classic with music and lyrics by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins, this full-color picture book, adorned with the magical artwork of award-winning illustrator Wade Zahares, features a special gift for the whole family: a CD with three songs performed by a super-cool Grammy award-winning recording artist, Kenny Loggins.
Kimberly Locke Wants Shot at IDOL Judging Gig
According to The Hollywood Reporter, AMERICAN IDOL contestant Kimberly Locke wants to be considered for one of the newly vacated judging seats on the upcoming season of the singing competition.
Upright Cabaret American Icon Series Presents HEART AND SOUL
CHRIS ISAACSON has announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' first show of their 3rd Season, beginning with, HEART AND SOUL, starring Broadway sensation SHOSHANA BEAN, vocal powerhouse SYLVIA MACCALLA and American Idol Finalist SYESHA MERCADO, celebrating the music of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston!
Shoshana Bean to Star in HEART AND SOUL Concert at La Mirada Theatre, 11/6
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & CHRIS ISAACSON have just announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' first show of their 3rd Season, beginning with, HEART AND SOUL, starring American Idol Finalist SYESHA MERCADO, Broadway sensation SHOSHANA BEAN, and vocal powerhouse SYLVIA MACCALLA, celebrating the music of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston.
Photo Flash: Lindsay Pearce, Drake Bell, et al. at Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY
Jim Caruso's Cast Party has always been a shockingly eclectic refuge for talented types, but Monday night's impromptu guest list was one for the books. Seen onstage and in the audience were pop culture icon/performer Weird Al Yankovic, 5-time Grammy-nominee Michael Feinstein, 'American Idol' finalist Kimberley Locke, Lindsay Pearce from 'Glee' and 'The Glee Project,' Drake Bell from Nickelodeon's 'Drake & Josh,' Domenic Scaglione (Frankie in Jersey Boys), New York Pops conductor Stephen Reineke, Andrea Fryerson (The Lion King), Victoria Shaw (songwriter, 'The River' and producer, Lady Antebellum), multi-platinum-selling recording artist Jim Brickman, Superbowl champ/singer Benjamin Utecht, Broadway's Max Von Essen, and Amra-Faye Wright (currently Velma Kelly in Chicago)...among many, many others!
Shoshana Bean Leads Thousand Oaks's HEART AND SOUL
THE THOUSAND OAKS CIVIC ARTS PLAZA & CHRIS ISAACSON are thrilled to announce the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' first show of their 3rd Season, beginning with, HEART AND SOUL, starring American Idol Finalist SYESHA MERCADO, Broadway sensation SHOSHANA BEAN, and vocal powerhouse SYLVIA MACCALLA, celebrating the music of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston!
Shoshana Bean to Star in HEART AND SOUL Concert at La Mirada Theatre, 11/6
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & CHRIS ISAACSON have just announced the performers for UPRIGHT CABARET's AMERICAN ICON SERIES' first show of their 3rd Season, beginning with, HEART AND SOUL, starring American Idol Finalist SYESHA MERCADO, Broadway sensation SHOSHANA BEAN, and vocal powerhouse SYLVIA MACCALLA, celebrating the music of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick & Whitney Houston.
Freda Payne Returns to the Iridium, 11/12-14
Freda Payne returns to the Iridium Nov 12-14 doing her tribute Ella and now Lena. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles. It was then that her polished voice first caught the attention of music executives and other artists. She was wooed with offers of contracts from the likes of Berry Gordy and Duke Ellington, but her mother wanted her to finish school first. After she did, the legendary Pearl Bailey gave Freda her first professional job and this paved the way for her to share the stage with other legends such as Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, Quincy ]ones, Bill Cosby and many others. Freda toured with Quincy Jones during his big band era, performing at the world famous Apollo in New York and the Regal in Chicago, among others, and soon after, recorded her first album When The Lights Go Down for Impulse Records.
Freda Payne Returns to the Iridium, 11/12-14
Freda Payne returns to the Iridium Nov 12-14 doing her tribute Ella and now Lena. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Freda grew up listening to Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, which inspired her growing interest in music. While still in school, she began her musical career by singing radio commercial jingles. It was then that her polished voice first caught the attention of music executives and other artists. She was wooed with offers of contracts from the likes of Berry Gordy and Duke Ellington, but her mother wanted her to finish school first. After she did, the legendary Pearl Bailey gave Freda her first professional job and this paved the way for her to share the stage with other legends such as Lionel Hampton, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstine, Quincy ]ones, Bill Cosby and many others. Freda toured with Quincy Jones during his big band era, performing at the world famous Apollo in New York and the Regal in Chicago, among others, and soon after, recorded her first album When The Lights Go Down for Impulse Records.
Times Union Center Welcomes Benise, 11/3
THE SPANISH GUITAR is an epic tale that will transport the audience to exotic places with video, new songs, and an ever changing set. Benise's new show will feature his guitar as protagonist, as it becomes the keeper of the stories of glory and tragedy through times and world's gone by. Benise - The Spanish Guitar will perform in Jacksonville on Wednesday, November 3rd at 7:30PM at the Times Union Center's Moran Theater.