Broadway's THE ADDAMS FAMILY returns to South Florida in 2013!

THE ADDAMS FAMILY, a new musical based on the bizarre and beloved family of characters created by legendary cartoonist Charles Addams. The touring production not only has added 3 new songs but the musical has also been reworked by the creative team making it even better than the Broadway production which closed on Broadway on December 31, 2011.

The tour started performances on September 15, 2011 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in New Orleans and continues playing at major markets across North America.  This will mark the tour's second visit to South Florida.  THE ADDAMS FAMILY features a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa. The production is directed and designed (sets and costumes) by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch with creative consultation by Jerry Zaks and choreography by Sergio Trujillo.
The newly revamped touring production features lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by ACME Sound Partners and puppetry by Basil Twist. The production also features music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by Larry Hochman, dance arrangements by August Eriksmoen, hair design by Tom Watson, make-up design by Angelina Avallone and special effects design by Greg Meeh.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from April 9 thru 21, 2013. 

Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder heads to South Florida with his ukulele!

Eddie Vedder embarked on his 14-city U.S. solo tour in October 2012. Special guest Glen Hansard (The Swell Season and The Frames) continues to join Vedder on the road.

Eddie Vedder's solo album, “Ukulele Songs”, was released on May 31, 2011 through Pearl Jam's Monkeywrench Records. Recently nominated for the Best Folk Album GRAMMY Award, “Ukulele Songs” is a collection of original songs and covers performed by Vedder on ukulele.

Also released on May 31st was “Water on the Road”, a live-concert DVD directed by Brendan Canty of Fugazi and Christoph Green featuring performances from Vedder’s August 16th and 17th 2008 solo tour engagements at Washington, D.C.'s Warner Theatre.

Born in Evanston, Illinois, Vedder grew up mostly in Southern California. In his twenties, he played in several San Diego bands, including Indian Summer and Bad Radio. His friendship with former Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons led to his recruitment in the band that would become Pearl Jam.

Eddie Vedder will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Friday Novemeber 30 and Saturday December 1, 2012.

Barbra Streisand returns to Brooklyn for 2 nights!

Barbra Streisand is coming home. The Brooklyn-born and raised, world-acclaimed , multi-award winning, legendary iconic superstar will perform for 2 nights.  First on Thursday, October 11th, then take a night off, then return on Saturday October 13th, in Brooklyn at Barclays Center, the new 19,000-seat sports and entertainment venue.

Streisand will be making a triumphant return to her native borough. Raised in the Flatbush neighborhood and a graduate of Erasmus Hall High School (Class of 1959), Streisand will perform publicly for the first time in Brooklyn.

“When I first thought about building an arena in Brooklyn, I always envisioned Barbra Streisand coming home to take center-stage in her native borough,” said Barclays Center majority owner and developer Bruce Ratner. “It’s humbling and almost surreal to welcome arguably the greatest entertainer of all-time to Barclays Center. Barbra is Brooklyn and there’s nowhere more fitting for her to perform. These will be 2 nights to remember.”

“I’m thrilled that all of America will be celebrating one of Brooklyn’s greatest contributions to the world of music, film, television and Broadway this fall when Barbra Streisand comes home to the exciting new Barclays Center,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. “They just don’t get any bigger than this daughter of Brooklyn and proud graduate of Erasmus Hall High School, and although she has entertained millions upon millions across the globe for the better part of 50 years, Ms. Streisand will always find a home here in Brooklyn. So, ‘no more tears,’ music fans—Brooklyn’s very own ‘funny girl,’ Barbra Streisand, will create new ‘memories’ as the ‘main event’ this October at Barclays Center!”

“Barbra Streisand in Brooklyn will be a huge moment and a defining experience for Barclays Center,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “We are truly honored to bring Barbra full circle, to the borough where it all started for her, just down Flatbush Avenue from her old neighborhood. We are continuing our goal to bring the best of everything to Barclays Center. Brooklyn, after all, deserves nothing less.” Streisand stated, “Brooklyn to me means the Loew’s Kings, Erasmus, the Yeshiva I went to, the Dodgers, Prospect Park, great Chinese food. I’m so glad I came from Brooklyn—it’s down to earth. I guess you CAN come home again.”

Classic rock band Boston heads back to South Florida!

Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer Tom Scholz, the classic rock band Boston is a staple of classic rock radio playlists.   They have sold over 31 million albums in the United States.

In 1976, the band Boston emerged with its powerful self-titled debut. In fact, the band’s debut album ranks as one of the best-selling debut albums in U.S. history, with over 17 million copies sold. The album spawned the Top 10 single, “More Than a Feeling” and two other Top 40 hits, “Peace of Mind” and “Foreplay/Long Time.” Boston remained on the charts for 132 weeks.

Two years later, “Don’t Look Back” was released and sold more than four million copies in its first month.  The album’s title track became a Top 10 hit, peaking at #4. Additionally, two other singles, “A Man I’ll Never Be” and “Feelin’ Satisfied,” went Top 40 and Top 50, respectively.

After a long hiatus, “Third Stage” was released in 1986.  The album and lead single “Amanda” both went to #1 on Billboard, and subsequent singles, “We’re Ready” and “Can’tcha Say” were Top 10 and Top 20, respectively.

Other releases include “Walk On” (1994), “Boston: Greatest Hits” (1997), and “Corporate America” (2002).

Distinguished for their ability to perform live with no pre-recorded materials, Boston concerts are celebrated for their crowd-pleasing showmanship and high energy.

Boston will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Thursday June 28, 2012.

Coldplay bring their highly anticipated MYLO XYLOTO North American Tour to South Florida!

Coldplay are crossing the country with their 21-date 2012 North American tour, in support of their fifth album, "Mylo Xyloto."

The tour kicked-off on April 17, 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta and will conclude on thru August 11 in St. Paul, MN.

"Mylo Xyloto" became Coldplay's third No. 1 album upon its October 25 release, topping the Billboard 200 with 447,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Although the album was released after the 2012 Grammy's eligibility period, its first two singles, "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" and "Paradise," were nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, respectively.

While "Paradise" sits at No. 4 on the current Rock Songs chart, Coldplay's next single, "Charlie Brown," is expected to hit the charts as well.
Coldplay will be at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami, Florida on Friday June 29, 2012.

Miami Heat are the 2012 NBA Champions!

Amazingly, the tombstone of the Heat was being chiseled 17 days ago when they dropped a 94-90 decision to the Celtics at home in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, and were one loss from elimination.

And the reputation of LeBron James as a wunderkind unable to propel his team to greatness was no longer an unfair assessment. It was reality.

But on Thursday night at American Airlines Arena, the Heat broke the hearts of those traditionalists who did not want such a team compiled through free agent dollars and the lure of a sexy city to win a championship. And James broke the hearts of those who wished him nothing but playoff failures after leaving the Cavaliers in such a controversial and publicized fashion.

The Heat are NBA champions, primarily because of the heroics of James, who scored 45 points in Game 6 against the Celtics, and then catapulted his team to an impressive title run that culminated with a 121-106 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5 of the Finals.

Miami won the series, four games to one, pummeling Oklahoma City in the second half, helped by the 3-point shooting of unheralded Mike Miller. James finished his masterful run with a triple-double and Miller canned seven 3-pointers to finish off the overwhelmed Thunder.

After a series of postseason failures, his much-criticized free agent decision and playing into a villain role last season, James appeared to reassess his approach and emerged as the Heat’s leader, avoiding the late-game failures that plagued him during last year’s Finals. James, who was named MVP of the Finals, was considered one of the game’s greatest players never to win a title, and it took nine years to erase that tag.

James left the game with 3:01 remaining, looking to embrace anyone within arms’ distance. He then ripped off his headband, hugged assistant coach Bob McAdoo, who was a prolific player who did not win an NBA title until his 10th season.

“I’m happy I was able to do it the right way,’’ James said, with the Lawrence O’Brien Trophy on his right and the MVP Trophy to his left. “I was playing to prove people wrong last year. People would say I was selfish and that got to me, that got to me a lot because I know that this is a team game. All last year, I tried to prove people wrong and it wasn’t me. Basically I was fighting against myself. I knew I was going to have to change as a basketball player and change as a person to get what I wanted and it happened just one year later. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Since I picked up a basketball at 9 years old, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’’

James averaged 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in the Finals.

Three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant, who single-handedly tried competing with the Heat with 32 points, hugged his parents in the tunnel as he wept.

“It hurts. It hurts, man,’’ said the 23-year-old Durant. “We’re all like brothers on this team and it just hurts to go out like this. We made it to the Finals, which was cool for us, but we just didn’t want to make it there. Unfortunately we lost, so it’s tough. That’s the only way I can explain it.’’

The third quarter was a microcosm of the series, with the Heat showing more poise and making bigger plays than the Thunder.

A key sequence occurred with 7:21 left in that frame and the Thunder having cut the deficit to 69-62 on a Durant jumper. As Mario Chalmers dribbled to the sideline to call a timeout, he and Durant got tangled and pushed each other.

No technicals were called, but Juwan Howard raced over from the Miami bench to grab Chalmers, and the intensity rose, at least for the Heat. They steamrolled the Thunder with a 21-3 run, using Chris Bosh’s mismatch against Kendrick Perkins, some acrobatic plays from Dwyane Wade, and yet another 3-pointer from Miller to build a 90-65 lead.

The Thunder were exhausted and bewildered, unable to make any impact despite the obvious advantage in athleticism. Durant tried to carry the club on his bony shoulders but he had little help. Russell Westbrook missed 13 of his first 17 shots, and no other Oklahoma City player reached double figures through three quarters.

“Their defense is really good,’’ Durant said. “Those guys are really good over there. I didn’t want to admit it during the series, but now that it’s over, those guys are really good.’’

The game was essentially done with the Heat leading, 95-71, only leaving the countdown to James’s first NBA title and verifying Pat Riley’s decision to bring together three All-Stars and surround them with solid but not spectacular players, hoping it would work.

“Man this process is unbelievably hard,’’ Wade said. “And I don’t care who you put on a team. To be a champion would be the hardest thing you do in sports. Two years ago, putting this team together, obviously we all expected it to be a little easier than it was. But we had to go through what we had to through last year. We needed to. And as much as it hurt, we had to go through pain and suffering.’’

Cirque Dreams HOLIDAZE heads back to South Florida for the holidays!

Now in its’ 3rd year of touring 2 simultaneous productions, Cirque Dreams HOLIDAZE is “so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil” according to the New York Daily News and “stuffed with so much holiday cheer and audacious acts, Scrooge would exit with a big ol’ smile on his face” proclaims the Erie Times News about this “Broadway-worthy spectacle”.

Renowned director Neil Goldberg re-imagines the holiday season with sparkle and suspense one can only dream of in a HOLIDAZE. An international cast of over 30 multi-talented and brilliantly costumed artists come to life and perform astonishing feats of disbelief. Experience gingerbread men flipping mid air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires, snowmen daringly balancing, icemen powerfully sculpting, penguins spinning, puppets dancing and reindeer soaring high above a landscape of holiday wonderment.

An original music score and some seasonal favorites accompany hundreds of spectacular costumes and holiday dreams in a setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering soldiers. The perfect way to come in from the cold, forget the holiday stresses and rediscover the magic of the season.

Don’t miss the international sensation that “dazzled…at The Kennedy Center” according to the Washington Post.

Cirque Dreams HOLIDAZE will be at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from December 27 thru 31, 2012.

Legendary rockers Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald & Boz Scaggs bring their THE DUKES OF SEPTEMBER RHYTHM REVUE to South Florida!

Following the fervent reception of their previous tour in 2010, Grammy Award-winning singers-songwriters Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs are hitting the road again this summer with their THE DUKES OF SEPTEMBER RHYTHM REVUE.  To the delight of fans, the three hit-making artists will appear on stage, together as one band, to perform a show consisting of their signature mix of blue-eyed soul, rock, jazz and R&B.

Rolling Stone has described the show as “a loose blast through the stars’ hits (“Reelin’ in the Years,” “Lowdown,” “Takin’ It to the Streets”) and revved-up covers that had the crowd twisting in the aisles.”

With the revamped 2012 THE DUKES OF SEPTEMBER RHYTHM REVUE, Fagen, McDonald and Scaggs are giving fans an unprecedented opportunity to hear them delve deep into their individual classic catalogs of music, along with selected hits and tributes to their influences. 

Back in 2010, The Las Vegas Review Journal raved, “… when it came to the playlist, no guys are going to come up with a hipper mix tape for you than Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald,” while the Boston Herald described how “the Dukes raided the past, coming up with chestnuts from soul legends, rock ’n’ roll architects and hippie icons…It was great to see them embrace a set no one imagined they’d do in 1977.”

The Dukes have once again assembled a stellar band for the occasion and will be accompanied by Jon Herington (guitar); Freddie Washington (bass);Shannon Forest (drums); Michael Leonhart, Walt Weiskopf and Jay Collins (horns) and Jim Beard (organ) plus background singers Carolyn Leonhart and Catherine Russell.
Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Wednesday July 25, 2012.

The disco hit THE DONKEY SHOW boogies on down to South Florida!

 “Passion.  Sex.  A rollicking cool party!” - The New York Times

In the spirit of Studio 54, that epic shrine to disco, the celebrated smash hit

THE DONKEY SHOW now takes Miami by storm as the city's dreamiest pop-up club!

It's the ultimate night fever - a crazy fun house of disco mirror balls and feathered divas, of roller skaters and hustle queens, enchanted by an ever-so-light sprinkling of Shakespearean magic.

Come party on the dance floor to all the '70s disco hits you know by heart as the show unfolds around you! Get the bouncer's attention—and you'll hustle right in! Get down and boogie with the star-crossed lovers, or watch from the sidelines - if that's the way you like it. And don't stop til you get enough! You can party into the night and live out your own fabulous disco fantasy.

If you love the night life, THE DONKEY SHOW will be your midsummer night's dream come true.

Dance Floor tickets provide an all-access pass to dance alongside the cast members!  VIP Table seating allows you to sit and take in the action, or get up and get in on the action!

Disco fever is highly contagious. Protect your kids - leave them at home!
THE DONKEY SHOW will be at the Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Arsht Center in downtown Miami, Florida from July 13 thru August 12, 2012. 

U.K.’s new teen sensation One Direction heads to South Florida in 2012 and 2013!

There’s no denying One Direction’s popularity on this side of the Pond. With screaming teens greeting the boys during the group’s TODAY SHOW appearance recently followed by a chart-topping debut album – “Up All Night” – the lads sure look as if they will be the ones to enter the lofty tween stratosphere once occupied by *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and New Kids On The Block.

Further proof of One Direction's newly found success is the group's U.K. itinerary consisting of sold-out arena dates clear through next year: 2013.

Playing indoors and outdoors the One Direction U.S. headlining adventure began in Fairfax, VA at the Patriot Center on May 24.

Stops included E. Rutherford, N.J., at the Izod Center on May 25; Detroit’s Fox Theatre on June 1; Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood on June 9; San Jose at the Events Center on June 13; Oakland’s Paramount Theatre on June 14; and coming up: Los Angeles at the Gibson Amphitheatre @ Univ. CityWalk on June 16; Atlanta at the Arena at Gwinnett Center on June 26 and Tampa at the 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre on June 29.

There were also a couple of TV appearances that had the group appearing on the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards on March 31 where they performed their hit “What Makes You Beautiful.” One Direction also appeared on an episode of iCarly “iGo One Direction” which aired on April 7 on Nickelodeon.
One Direction will be at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise/Fort Lauderdale, FL on Sunday July 1, 2012 and again next year on Thursday June 13, 2013 as well as in downtown Miami's American Airlines Arena on Friday June 14, 2013.

Nicki Minaj brings her PINK FRIDAY World Tour to South Florida this Summer!

It's hard to believe that Nicki Minaj has never had her own North American headline tour - until now.  The hip hop/pop singer's PINK FRIDAY World Tour is headed to the U.S., along with one stop in Canada, this summer.

After supporting Lil Wayne and Britney Spears on the road last year, the upcoming excursion will give Nicki a chance to be the star of the show in all of her trademark technicolor costumed, wigged-out glory. She has tons of new tunes to share with her Barbz and has promised to bring back her intimate meet & greets.

Her second studio album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”, was released in April 2012, debuting at No. 1 on the Nielsen SoundScan chart.

Nicki warmed-up for the North American tour with a bunch of U.S. radio shows including KIIS FM’s Wango Tango in Los Angeles on May 12, Wired 96.5  Fest in Philadelphia on June 1,  Jam’n 94.5 Summer Jam in Boston on June 2 and Hot 97 Summer Jam in New York on June 3.

The PINK FRIDAY World Tour has several international locations to hit up before coming to the states like Europe from June 8 through July 8.

The U.S. portion of the tour begins in the Midwest with a July 16 show at the Chicago Theatre.  The last gig of the summer journey is August 2 in Vancouver, British Columbia at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Nicki Minaj will be at the James L. Knight Center in downtown Miami, Florida on Tuesday July 24, 2012.

Ringo Starr and His 13th All Starr Band return to South Florida!

New to the All Starrs are Steve Lukather (Toto) and Gregg Rolie (Santana & Journey) who will join All Starr alumni Richard Page, Todd Rundgren, Mark Rivera, and Gregg Bissonette.

Since 1989, Ringo Starr’s All Starr tours have rocked sold out venues with stellar musicians who share Starr’s love of performing. Each All Starr member lends his most popular songs to Ringo’s already impressive hit list which includes such classics as “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph,” “A Little Help From My Friends,” “Yellow Submarine” and “Wings,” from Starr’s just released 17th solo record, “Ringo 2012” (Hip-O/Ume).  All Starr’s hits include “Rosanna,” “Broken Wings,”  “Hello, It’s Me” and “Black Magic Woman.”

In addition to Ringo Starr’s performance at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, he will celebrate his birthday on July 7 at Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville. Throughout the the last five years, it has become tradition that Ringo visits a Hard Rock on his birthday and invites the public to join him in a “Peace & Love” moment at noon.
Ringo Starr and his 13^th All Starr Band will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday June 30, 2012.

Nickelodeon’s The Fresh Beat Band heads to South Florida!

One of the hottest pop acts on the road this year is a group you've probably never heard of, unless you have a child of preschool age.
That would be The Fresh Beat Band, stars of the TV series of the same name, now in its third season on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. The Fresh Beats, as they are known to the faithful, launch their first national tour. By popular demand, there will be 95 shows, nearly twice as many as were scheduled when the trek was announced in November 2011. Tickets sold out within a day in Miami, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia and New York City.

Created and executive-produced by the husband-and-wife team of Scott Kraft and Nadine van der Velde, The Fresh Beat Band follows four young adults — two guys named Twist and Shout and two gals, Kiki and Marina — as they study music and solve everyday problems.

The actors all sing, dance and play instruments, and original tunes written by Kraft and van der Velde and other pop composers are incorporated into each episode. Bouncy, wholesome numbers include “Here We Go”, “A Friend Like You” and “Just Like a Rockstar”, which all reached No. 1 on iTunes' children's songs chart. They can all be found on the compilation The Fresh Beat Band: Music from the Hit TV Show.

Kraft and van der Velde's younger daughter, Beatrice, now 10, inspired the format. "Years ago, when she started going to birthday parties, we noticed — as we had with our older daughter — that they were themed after older kids' shows," says van der Velde. "Nothing awful, but not entirely appropriate — boyfriend/girlfriend stuff, for these kids who were 2 and 3 and 4. So we thought, why not create real characters these kids could interact with?"

They still wanted older role models: "kids these days are very sophisticated, and we wanted a show with a real band who didn't talk down to them," Kraft says. Adds Paula Kaplan, Nickelodeon's executive vice president of talent, "We wanted a visibly diverse cast, with different skills."

The performers certainly boast eclectic and impressive résumés. Thomas Hobson, 27, who plays Shout, performed at Yale Drama School as a university undergraduate; Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer, 25, cast as Kiki, also is a theater veteran, and a trained opera singer who began violin studies at age 3.

Newest cast member Tara Perry, 26 — who replaced Shayna Rose as Marina in 2011, after Rose left the show to pursue other career opportunities — has an extensive background in improvisational comedy. Perry recalls that her audition notice called for "a redhead who could sing, dance and play drums. And they wanted someone who was a mix between Lucille Ball and Tina Fey."

The roles were originally tailored, though, to the company. When Jon Beavers, 27, the stage actor and DJ who plays Twist, auditioned, "he rapped instead of singing," Kraft remembers. "And we thought, 'That's great — let's throw him in.' "

Hobson notes that the producers still, "at the top of every season, ask us to draw up a list of any talents we have that we haven't yet used on the show."

Kraft posits that "part of the reason the tour is so popular is that these performers are doing what they do best. And people can tell that they'll be able to do it live."

The Fresh Beat Band will be at the  Mizner Park  Amphitheatre in Boca Raton, Florida on Friday August 24, 2012.

Hollywood icon George Hamilton headlines the LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Tour!

The producers of the 2010 Broadway revival of the musical LA CAGE AUX FOLLES are proud to announce that George Hamilton stars in the new national tour of the show as Georges.

The 1st National Tour of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, Sonia Friedman Productions and David Babani in association with NETworks Presentations.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES tells the story of Georges, the owner of a glitzy nightclub in lovely Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, who moonlights as the glamorous chanteuse Zaza. When Georges' son brings his fiancée's conservative parents home to meet the flashy pair, the bonds of family are put to the test as the feather boas fly! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a tuneful and touching tale of one family's struggle to stay together... stay fabulous... and above all else, stay true to themselves!

George Hamilton is noted for his dashing, sporting, jet-setter image and perpetually bronzed skin tones in commercials, dramatic and comedic film roles and reality shows.

George Hamilton with his exceedingly handsome looks and attractive personality, he took a bold chance and moved to Los Angeles in the late 1950s. Metro Goldwyn Mayer wasted no time putting him in films following some guest appearances on TV. His first film, a lead in “Crime & Punishment, USA” (1959), was an offbeat, updated adaptation of the Fyodor Dostoevsky novel. He was the recipient of a Golden Globe for "Most Promising Newcomer" as well as being nominated for "Best Foreign Actor" by the British Film Academy (BAFTA). This in turn led to an enviable series of film showcases such as “Home from the Hill”, “All the Fine Young Cannibals”, “Light in the Piazza” and “Two Weeks in Another Town”.

He performed several roles in numerous films but is best known for MGM films in the 1960s' “Where the Boys Are”, a coming-of-age romantic comedy in which Hamilton played a smooth Ivy League type. Hamilton made two memorable bio-pics: “Your Cheatin' Heart” in 1964, in which he portrayed the country-western music legend Hank Williams and in 1971, “Evel Knievel”, the life story of the motorcycle daredevil.

As the 1960s began to unfold, George Hamilton started making headlines more as a handsome escort to the rich, the powerful and the beautiful than as an acclaimed actor -- none more so than his 1966 squiring of President Lyndon B. Johnson's daughter Lynda Bird Johnson. From the 1970s on, George tended to be tux-prone on standard film and TV comedy and drama, whether as a martini-swirling opportunist, villain or lover. A wonderful comeback for him came in the form of the disco-era Dracula spoof “Love at First Bite” (1979), which he executive-produced. Nominated for a Golden Globe as the campy neck-biter displaced and having to fend off the harsh realities of New York living, he continued on the parody road successfully with “Zorro, the Gay Blade” (1981) in the very best Mel Brooks tradition.
This renewed popularity led to a one-year stint on "Dynasty" (1981) during the 1985-1986 season and a string of fun, self-mocking commercials, particularly his Ritz Cracker appearance that often spoofed his overly tanned appearance. In 1989 he started a line of skin-care products and a chain of tanning salons. On the tube he can still pull off a good time, whether playing flamboyant publisher William Randolph Hearst in “Rough Riders” (1997) (TV), playing the best-looking Santa Claus ever in “A Very Cool Christmas” (2004) (TV), hosting beauty pageants or making breezy gag appearances.
He has broken through the "reality show" ranks by hosting "The Family" (2003) and participating in the second season of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" (2005), where his charm and usual impeccable tailoring scored higher than his limberness.
Hamilton was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009, on his 70th birthday.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES recently made Tony Awards history as the first show to ever win the Tony Award three times for best production. The classic musical comedy by Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein originally won six Tony Awards in 1984, including Best Musical. A Broadway revival won two 2005 Tony Awards including the Best Revival of a Musical prize. The new, freshly reconceived LA CAGE won three 2010 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson).

The production is also the winner of three Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival

of a Musical, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical and Outstanding Director of a Musical (Terry Johnson) and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Revival of a Musical.

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES features music and lyrics by the legendary Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein, based on the play by Jean Poiret.

The 1st National Tour of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES will be at the Broward Center for
the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from June 12 thru 24, 2012.

ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down bring their THE GANG OF OUTLAWS Tour to South Florida!

ZZ Top, “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” will be topping the bill and playing the songs that have made the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers American music icons in the forefront of blues-based rock for more than 40 years.  The band’s line-up of Billy F. Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard has been intact all that time – a feat unequalled in the annals of music history.  Their catalog of massive hits includes “Sharp Dressed Man,” “Gimme All Your Lovin’,” “Legs,” “Tush,” “LaGrange” and more.   It is expected they’ll preview new material from their forthcoming release over the course of THE GANG OF OUTLAWS Tour.

The genius of ZZ Top is that they’re reverential about the blues, but loose and funny about the subject matter of their songs that are laden with pop-culture references, double entendres and the determined pursuit of a good time as reflected in such as “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” “Party on the Patio,” “Pearl Necklace,”  “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers,” and “Heard It on the X.” For many, ZZ Top is the premiere party band on the planet. Certainly, they have been Texas’ foremost cultural ambassadors, and officially recognized as such when the Texas House of Representatives named the Official Heroes of the State.  More recently they received the Medal of Arts from the Texas Cultural Trust.

Formed in 1969, the trio released its first album, fittingly titled “ZZ Top’s First Album”, and played their first show in 1970. Their second album, “Rio Grande Mud” (1971), staked out their bluesy, no-frills territory and gave them a chart hit with “Francine.” ZZ Top solidified their sound on “Tres Hombres” (1973) by recording in Memphis. “Tres Hombres”’ key track, “La Grange,” was a growling boogie about the same place celebrated in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS: The Chicken Ranch.

The band quickly built a word-of-mouth fan base on the road, and nonstop touring in turn propelled record sales. “Tres Hombres” reached #8 and became the first in an unbroken string of eleven gold and platinum albums. The next two albums – “Fandango!” (1975) and “Tejas” (1977) – hit #10 and #17, respectively. “Fandango!” yielded the hard-driving “Tush,” which became ZZ Top’s first Top 40 single. Three years later, they returned with a fiery new album, “Deguello” (1979) filled with instant classics such as “Cheap Sunglasses,” “Fool for Your Stockings,” “I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide,” and their remake of Sam and Dave’s “I Thank You.” “El Loco” (1981) yielded another naughty anthem with “Tube Snake Boogie” and poised them for a phenomenal explosion in popularity.

In the 1980s, ZZ Top augmented their sound with electronics and were “discovered” by MTV. “Eliminator”, whose title and cover were inspired by Gibbons’ hot-rod ’34 Ford coupe, became one of the biggest albums of the decade, selling more than 10 million copies. Three of its songs – “Gimme All Your Lovin’” (#37), “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs” (#8) – were radio, video and club hits. With its leggy, model-strewn video, “Legs” remains the biggest single of ZZ Top’s career.

Now regarded as international superstars, the group followed “Eliminator” with “Afterburner” (1985), which yielded four Top 40 hits: “Sleeping Bag” (#8), “Stages” (#23), “Rough Boy” (#22) and “Velcro Fly” (#35). Recycler (1990) completed the trilogy that had commenced with “Eliminator” and several instant classics – “Give It Up,” “Doubleback,” “My Head’s in Mississippi” – to the repertoire.

Other later releases included greatest hits compilations and “Antenna” (1993), “Rhythmeen” (1996), “XXX” (1999), “Mescalero” (2003) and “Rancho Texicano: The Very Best of ZZ Top” (2004). A long anticipated new ZZ Top album, as yet untitled, is expected to be released later this year.

ZZ Top will be partnering with southern alternative rock’s hugely successful 3 Doors Down, straight out of Escatawpa, Mississippi. The group, consisting of Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, Todd Harrell, Chris Henderson and Greg Upchurch, will bring its multi-platinum catalog of hits and album tracks to the tour.

From that first explosive burst of “Kryptonite” which ignited their storied career at the top of last decade, to subsequent multi-platinum albums, and a non-stop touring regimen that finds 3 Doors Down still notching shows around the world at a record pace, the group has also earned a hard-fought pedigree as one of rock’s most exciting and authentic radio icons. Their impressive and steady ascension up the ladder has seen them score multiple #1 hits including “Kryptonite,” “When I’m Gone” and “Here Without You,” snag several Billboard and other awards and log scores of sold-out shows over a growing global terrain that is nearing 40 countries. The group’s latest chart topper “It’s Not My Time.”
ZZ Top and 3 Doors Down will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Tuesday June 12, 2012. 

Coldplay bring their highly anticipated MYLO XYLOTO North American Tour to South Florida!

Coldplay has announced a 21-date 2012 North American tour, in support of its just-released fifth album, "Mylo Xyloto."

The run kicked-off on April 17, 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta and will conclude on thru August 11 in St. Paul, MN.

"Mylo Xyloto" became Coldplay's third No. 1 album upon its October 25 release, topping the Billboard 200 with 447,000 copies sold in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Although the album was released after the 2012 Grammy's eligibility period, its first two singles, "Every Teardrop is a Waterfall" and "Paradise," were nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, respectively.
Coldplay will be at the American Airlines Arena in downtown Miami, Florida on Friday June 29, 2012.

Singer-songwriter Don McLean heads to South Florida!

As a teenager, young New York troubadour Don McLean purchased his first guitar, took opera lessons and began making contacts in the music business. He performed at venues including the Bitter End and Gaslight Café in New York, the Newport Folk Festival, the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C., the Main Point in Philadelphia, and over 40 colleges throughout the East Coast alongside artists Herbie Mann, Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry, Melanie, Steppenwolf, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian and others. He even turned down a prestigious scholarship to Columbia University Graduate School in favor of becoming resident singer at Caffe Lena in NY.




An early environmentalist, McLean traveled the Hudson Valley, giving talks about the environment and singing songs for whoever would listen. A year later, he joined the first crew of the Sloop Clearwater. With Pete Seeger, they travelled the Atlantic seaboard giving concerts at each port.



In 1969, Don recorded his first album, “Tapestry”, in Berkeley, CA. Outside the studio door, student riots were taking place; inside Don was singing “And I Love You So.” In 1971, “American Pie” was released and marked the closing of The Fillmore East, the famous New York concert hall. Some 30 years later, “American Pie” would be voted #5 in a poll of the 365 Songs of the Century compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.



McLean’s second single, 1972’s “Vincent,” reached #12 in the US and #1 in the UK#1 where its stayed on the charts for 53 consecutive weeks. Concert footage and other video clips set to McLean songs formed the 1972 award-winning produced Bob Elfstrom-produced film, TILL TOMORROW. “Tapestry” was reissued followed by the self-titled Don McLean that included the song “The Pride Parade.” “Playin’ Favorites” became a top-40 hit in the UK in 1973 and included the classic, “Mountains of Mourne” and Buddy Holly’s “Everyday.”



Throughout the 1970s, McLean remained an in-demand concert performer. It was not until 1978, however, that he teamed with Elvis Presley’s back-up singers The Jordanaires for the hits “Chain Lightning” and the #1 “Crying.” The early 1980s saw further chart successes with “Since I Don’t Have You,” a new recording of “Castles in the Air” and “It’s Just the Sun.” He also released the country-based “Love Tracks” (1987), “Favorites and Rarities” (1992) and the recent “Addicted to Black” (2009).



A true American classic, his songs have been covered by Guns N’ Roses, The Fugees, George Michael and Madonna. In 2002, “American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and in 2004. McLean was inaugurated into the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.



Don McLean will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Thursday July 5, 2012.

2012 Best New Artist Grammy winner Bon Iver heads to South Florida!

Indie mainstay and 2012 Best New Artist Grammy Award winning band Bon Iver have announced tour dates for their Spring 2012 trek across the west coast. The tour will cover stops from San Francisco to New Orleans, and all of the dates are tangential to upcoming appearances at Coachella and New Orleans Jazz Fest.

On February 4, the group appeared on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, performing their song “Holocene” off of the 2011 critically acclaimed 2011 album, “Bon Iver”… and, in an unorthodox and entertaining move, the group has released a clip of Justin Vernon working out. According to HTV Hive, the clip will be part of a full-length forthcoming workout DVD. Grab those free weights.
Justin Vernon is also fresh off of a collaboration with Alicia Keys, and has expressed interest in extending his work with singers like Keys into a full songbook.

Bon Iver will be at The Fillmore at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami Beach, Florida on Wednesday June 6, 2012.

Multi-award winning comedienne Kathy Griffin returns to South Florida!

Two-time Emmy winner, NY Times bestselling author, Grammy nominee, 2009′s GLAAD Vanguard recipient and 2011 Trevor Project Life Award honoree Kathy Griffin is a multi-faceted performer with a rapid fire wit. She has been making audiences laugh for years discussing Hollywood gossip and celebrity blunders.

After moving to California from her native Chicago and joining the famed Los Angeles Groundlings comedy improvisational troupe, Griffin began building her resume with guest roles on series such as ER and SEINFELD. In 1996, Griffin’s dream of playing a sidekick on a sitcom came true when she landed the role of Vickie Groener, Brook Shields’ sharp-tongued colleague, on the NBC show SUDDENLY SUSAN.

After her various TV guest spots, Griffin began gaining notice as a stand-up comedienne and landed her own HBO Half-Hour Comedy Special. In 1998, HBO gave Griffin her own one-hour special, “A Hot Cup of Talk”. She won CELEBRITY MOLE on ABC, and then hosted the NBC reality series AVERAGE JOE as well as the MTV series, KATHY’S SO-CALLED REALITY. In 2010, Griffin took a dramatic turn on LAW & ORDER SVU where she riveted audiences with her portrayal of a lesbian activist with a secret.

In 2005, Griffin’s reality show, Kathy Griffin: MY LIFE ON THE D-LIST, debuted on Bravo to rave reviews. The first three seasons of that show were each nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Reality Program. Seasons three and four won that prize back-to-back in 2007 and 2008.The show ran through 2010.

Griffin has also performed many successful stand-up specials for Bravo including Kathy Griffin…Is Not Nicole Kidman, Strong Black Woman, Kathy Griffin – Straight to Hell, Kathy Griffin: She’ll Cut a Bitch, Kathy Griffin: Balls of Steel and Kathy Does The Bible Belt.

In 2008, Griffin released her first comedy album, “For Your Consideration”, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album and garnered Kathy the acclaim of being the first female comedian ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top Comedy Albums chart.

She has co-hosted The Billboard Music Awards three years in a row and hosted Bravo’s A-List Awards two years in a row. She has appeared on numerous talk shows in addition to filling in for Larry King on Larry King Live. On the small screen she has guest starred on PRIVILEGED, DAYS OF OUR LIVES and UGLY BETTY. Film credits include: IT’S PAT, FOUR ROOMS and HALL PASS.

Griffin has supplied voices for many TV series and movie animated characters and has also appeared on the X-Files as well as in Eminem’s video, “The Real Slim Shady”, which was co-directed by Dr. Dre.

In 2009, Griffin added best-selling author to her list of many achievements. Her tell-all autobiography entitled, “Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin”, topped the New York Times Best Sellers List as well as The Wall Street Journal and Publishers Weekly lists.

Griffin is very involved with the gay and lesbian community. In addition to receiving the 2009 GLAAD Vanguard Award and Lifetime Honoree recognition from The Trevor Project, she is the recipient of the 2009 Gracie Award, the 2007 GAVYN Awards Honorary Gay, the 2006 Ladies Home Journal Funny Ladies We Love Award and Lambda Legal Liberty Award. Other honors include the 2003 Toys for Tots Commander’s Award, Women’s Night Special Comedic Award, Lucie Award and 2005 Aid for AIDS Friend of the Year.

Griffin’s new talk show, KATHY, airs Thursday nights at 10pm on Bravo.

Kathy Griffin will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Saturday June 2, 2012.