Neo-soul singer John Legend with guest India Arie coming to Hard Rock Live for summer special: Six-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend is known as one of the most compelling and important singer-songwriters of this generation, he is an exceptional ambassador of soul. John Legend has sold more than five million albums, and garnered many multiple hit songs.
Legend was a child prodigy who grew up in Ohio, where he began singing gospel and playing piano at the tender age of five. John left Ohio at sixteen years of age, to enroll in college in Philadelphia, where he even found a greater audience. Although not yet out of his teens, he was approached to play piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything is Everything" in 1998. After graduating college, he moved to New York, where he began to create a very loyal following, in nightclubs, where he would sell his CDs at every show. He eventually became an in-demand musician, playing and writing for many artists, including Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, and Kanye West. John adopted the Legend name after West signed this young talented musician to his record company in 2004. His first album "Get Lifted," was released later that year. His single "Ordinary People," included in the album, reached the Top Five on Billboard leading to three Grammy Awards.
India Arie's platinum debut album, Acoustic Soul, was released in 2001. Her 2002 platinum-selling album, Voyage to India, was unanimously hailed by worldwide critics. In 2006 she released her number one album, "Love and Friendship," a tremendous success with her fans.
John Legend's Concert will feature many of his best singles backed by a superb eleven piece band, July 9, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $80 at the Hard Rock Box Office, located on State Road 7 (US 441) in Hollywood. Call: 1 (800) 937-0010 Or: (954) 327-Rock. Parking is free.
DR. JAMES BROOKS-BRUZZESE TO CONDUCT THE SYMPHONY OF THE AMERICA'S ORCHESTRA'S SUMMERFEST PROGRAM AT MIRAMAR CENTER: Now in its twenty-first year, Fort Lauderdale's professional orchestra, under the artistic direction of Dr. James Brooks-Bruzzese, will include Vivaldi, Bach, and Copland as well as Hungarian composer Gyorgy Orban, the premiere work by Cuban composer Alfredo Munar and some stimulating performances of the music of Rachmaninoff and David Popper. Featured in the concert will be cellist Endre Balog, and the music of Wieniawski, arranged and performed by concertmaster/soloist Lazio Pap.
Brooks-Bruzzese, the international Maestro calls South Florida his home. He has carried the fine artistic reputation of the Symphony to the great capitals of the world, in an effort to bring the highest quality of live music to the most diverse audience, along with the highest music education to young people at home and abroad. As a music educator he has been recognized by elected officials in Florida and all dignitaries.
Tickets for the Concert, on July 15, 2009, at 8 p.m., at the Miramar Cultural Center, located at 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar, are $15, $25 and $35. VIP tickets include a post concert reception with the visiting artists. For information, call the box office at: (954) 602-4500.
PALM BEACH PRINCIPAL PLAYERS KNOWN FOR PRESENTING AWARD WINNING BROADWAY SHOWS NOW PRESENTS MISS SAIGON: From Fiddler on the Roof, to How to Succeed in Business Without Trying, Les Miserable, Madame Butterfly, and South Pacific, the Palm Beach Players now bring the emotional play Miss Saigon, to the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, located at 1001 East Indiantown Road, Jupiter.
During the years of 1975 to 1978, Miss Saigon tells the story of a romance between Chris, an American Marine serving as an Embassy guard, in Saigon, on the eve of the city's fall to the Communist forces in May 1975, and Kim, a young Vietnamese woman orphaned by the war, and forced to work in a Saigon night club brothel, where they meet, and fall in love. Separated from Kim, during the chaos of the American evacuation, Chris is forced to return to the United States. During the next three years he struggles with the emotional strain of longing to see Kim again. The plot follows the adventures of Kim and her child, Tam, fathered by Chris, who eventually escape, as boat people, to Thailand, and much like Madame Butterfly, she kills herself to ensure a better life for her infant son with his father in America.
Miss Saigon will be presented at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre July 9 to 12, 2009, 8 p.m. on 9, 10 and 11, 7 p.m. on the 12th and matinees at 2 p.m. 11 and 12. Tickets are $20 with group discounts of 15 or more. Call the theatre box office at: (561) 575-2223 Or: (561) 366-9033.
THE WINNER AND RUNNER UPS OF THE THIRTEENTH ANNUAL HOOTERS SWIM SUIT PAGEANT FINALS ANNOUNCED AT THE BROWARD CENTER: On Saturday night, June 20, 2009, Sara Hoots ended her reign as the 2008 Miss Hooters International and a new winner was crowned. There were one hundred and thirty-three contestants from all over the world competing for the title, and $50, 000.00 for the girl who would be crowned, surely a very difficult task for the judges. The pageant was hosted by Chris Rose, as Master of Ceremonies, the original host of Best Damn Sports Show Period, for Fox Sports News.
For several days prior to the big event, at the Broward Center, these gorgeous Hooter Girls were spending their time at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, for interviews and photo shoots, as they accepted the wonderful accommodations and hospitality of the hotel.
Saturday night, at the Broward Center, the girls paraded in front of an audience that filled every seat in theatre, first in their colorful beautiful gowns, and later in their Bikini swim suits. You could feel the excitement in the air, as to who would be crowned the new Miss Hooters International. As the girls walked across the stage, each was introduced by name and their accomplishments. After more than two hours, the judges were ready to announce the ten runner ups first, and then by elimination, the final four runner ups who are, #96 Becky Hayes, #77 Janet Buckell, # 160 Vanessa Ferbeyre and # 131 LeAngela Davis. The judges chose as the finalist, winner of the crown and the $50, 000.00, # 130, Rachelle Holtgrave, from Missouri. She will have her year of fame until 2010.
LAST YEAR'S SUCCESSFUL FIREWORKS CELEBRATION AT GULFSTREAM PARK TO BE REPEATED BY POPULAR DEMAND: Gulfstream Park's Independence Weekend fireworks celebration of the Fourth of July, returns this year on Friday, July 3, with a big bang. This year the fireworks show will include a special, all you can eat, all American buffet, live music and a three-jeep give away.
The buffet will be served in the Gulfstream Park's Ten Palms, located on the second floor, beginning at 4 p.m. The comfortable, decorative 1,000-seat restaurant offers a commanding view of both the racetrack and the fireworks display. Ten Palms also provides easy access to the casino and poker room. The buffet menu will include all the traditional Independence Day assortment of delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, corn on the cob, baked beans, and apple pie, for the special price of $17.76.
Gulfstream Park, located at 901 South Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, will offer both indoor and outdoor activities. For those who prefer a more formal setting, the Tiki huts in the Jameson Jockey Club will present two 45 minute sets performed by local musician Davie Rey, where the give away of three Jeep Liberties will take place. Music starts at 6:30 p.m., the fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
GEORGE GALFO'S MYSTICS RETURN TO JOHNSON STREET BEACH BANDSHELL FOR MUSIC AND DANCING UNDER THE STARS: The return of George Galfo's Mystics, from an extended tour throughout the state, will bring their long awaited performance to the Hollywood Beach Bandshell, at Johnson Street, July 13, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. One of the best Doo-Wop groups around today, will be singing all those wonderful Oldie Goldie favorites, fans love to hear, as they reminisce about the good old days, including The Mystics number one hit "Hushabye," and so many more. George Galfo is an original member of The Mystics. Join the crowds and enjoy an evening of great music.
"See You at the Theatre"
Contact Eleanor at esuntimes@aol.com
