Calendar of Events

The Calendar

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NEWS

Grammy Award Winning Ledisi Cast in Broadway's Musical 'Tallulah Clarke'

(Ndew York, NY) - Grammy Award winning Ledisi will head to Broadway this fall in the new musical "Wanted." Ledisi will star as Tallulah Clarke, mother of the Clarke sisters, alongside Solea Pfeiffer (Hadestown, Gatsby: An American Myth) as Mary Clarke and Liisi LaFontaine (West End: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Dreamgirls) as Martha Clarke. "Wanted" will begin previews at The James Earl Jones Theatre on October 15, 2026, with an opening night set for November 8, 2026.
Ledisi has built a career defined by vocal excellence, emotional storytelling, and fearless creativity, seamlessly blending R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, and blues into a sound that is uniquely her own. A classically trained vocalist with a commanding stage presence, Ledisi has earned critical acclaim for both her recordings and live performances.

Over the course of her career, Ledisi has received multiple Grammy nominations, including "Best New Artist" for her breakthrough album Lost & Found, and won the Grammy Award for "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for her song "Anything For You." In 2025, she earned two additional Grammy nominations for "Best R&B Album" for her sixteenth studio album, "The Crown," and "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for the album's standout single, "Love You Too." Ledisi's film and television credits include Selma (2014) and Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (2022), as well as appearances in "American Soul," "Pose," and Spinning Gold. Her Broadway credits include Caroline, or Change (2004) and Hair (2004).
Texas, 1893 - Twin sisters Mary and Martha Clarke are on the run. The sisters, Black women who pass for white and hide in plain sight, straddle a dangerous line between two Americas. But as powerful forces close in to keep their family from claiming a future of their own, Mary and Martha are driven to desperate measures to save their mother and their family's legacy. When survival demands they do the unthinkable, the sisters nevertheless fight for self-determination, dignity, and the inheritance they have long been denied.

A soulful and dangerous new Broadway musical, "Wanted" is the mostly true story of Mary and Martha Clarke: sisters, outlaws, legends. The musical features book and lyrics by Variety "Star to Watch" Angelica Chéri, a descendant of the Sisters Clarke, and music by Richard Rodgers Award-winning composer Ross Baum. The production is directed by Tony Award® nominee and Obie Award winner Stevie Walker-Webb, with choreography by Chelsey Arce.

Angelica Chéri and Ross Baum's work on "Wanmted" has earned major recognition."Wanted" was originally produced at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, in February 2020 (Eric Schaeffer served as Artistic Director and Maggie Boland as Managing Director) and was subsequently produced by Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, on April 14, 2024 (Mark S. Hoebee served as Producing Artistic Director and Michael Stotts as Executive Director).

"Wanted", the EP is available in digital and streaming formats. The five-song EP features "Wide Open Plains," "The Train," "Gun & Powder," "The Way I Am," and "Freedom," performed by Solea Pfeiffer, Liisi LaFontaine, and the "Wanted" cast.
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(Source: Strong Arm Media)

NEWS

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Story Kierra Sheard to Receive BMI Impact Award at 2026 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards July 21, 2026

(Nashville, Tenn) - Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) will celebrate the songwriters and publishers behind the year's best in Gospel at the 2026 "BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards," to be held at BMI's Nashville office on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. That is when multiple award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard will receive the "BMI Impact Award" in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of Gospel music.
Throughout the ceremony, BMI will also honor the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year's 25 most-performed Gospel songs in the United States. The BMI Gospel Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year will also be named during the ceremony. The private event will be hosted by BMI CEO Mike O'Neill and Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
Kierra Sheard is an acclaimed Gospel recording artist, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur whose dynamic voice and innovative sound have made her one of the most influential figures in contemporary Gospel music. Born into Gospel royalty as the daughter of Grammy Award winning singer and Pastor Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Sr., pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, Sheard has successfully forged her own path while honoring her family's rich musical legacy. Known for blending traditional Gospel with contemporary R&B influences, she has expanded the reach of Gospel music to a new generation of listeners.
Since making her debut as a solo artist with "I Owe You" in 2004, Sheard has gone on to release multiple chart-topping albums and singles that have resonated with audiences worldwide. Her studio albums have earned positions on Billboard's Top Gospel Albums Chart, including five albums reaching #1, with several of her singles having reached the Billboard Gospel Airplay and Hot Gospel Songs charts. Her critically acclaimed album "Kierra" (2020) earned widespread praise and contributed to her growing list of industry accolades, while subsequent releases have further solidified her standing as a leading voice in gospel music. In addition to her solo success, she has collaborated with some of the most respected artists in gospel music, showcasing her versatility and influence across the genre.
Throughout her career, Sheard has received numerous honors, including four Grammy Award nominations, seven Stellar Awards, three Dove Awards, four BMI Awards and she was named BMI's "Gospel Songwriter of the Year" in 2022, a testament to her excellence in recording, songwriting, and performance.
Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 25 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI's repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on X, Instagram and TikTok @BMI or stay connected through BMI's Facebook page.

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(Source: BMI PR

NEWS

Long Beach's Alternative R&B Sensation Nyra Arcane Releases 'Halo,' a Soulful New Single
(Long Beach, CA) - Alternative R&B vocalist Nyra Arcane releases new single "Halo." She delivers a sound on the single that feels intimate, cinematic, and deeply human. It is not just a love song, it is a confession, a prayer, and a reminder that even after pain, there is still light above the crown.
Known for turning raw relationship wounds into bold musical storytelling, Nyra Arcane has already built a growing catalog of emotionally charged singles, including "You" and "I Hate Love." While "You" confronts betrayal, confusion, and the painful truth of being made to question your own heart, "I Hate Love" speaks to the exhaustion of loving deeply and still being left wounded. Together, these songs establish Nyra Arcane as an artist unafraid to sing from the bruised places most people try to hide.
"Halo" stands as the next chapter in that journey. It softens the ache without losing its power. Where previous singles burned with confrontation and heartbreak, "Halo" rises with reflection, grace, and emotional clarity. It is the sound of someone still healing, but no longer broken.
Released under MusicWorx Label, Nyra Arcane's music blends alternative R&B, dark pop, soul, and emotionally driven storytelling. Her sound is made for listeners who want more than a catchy hook. It is for those who want music that understands the storm, sits with the silence, and still finds a way to shine.
"Halo," Nyra creates music for listeners who have loved hard, lost deeply, and still found the courage to feel again. Her sound is bold, intimate, and cinematic, rooted in storytelling that turns heartbreak into art.
"Halo" is available now on major streaming platforms.
Follow Nyra Arcane
TikTok:@nyraarcane (https://www.tiktok.com/@nyraarcane)
Instagram:@nyraarcane (https://instagram.com/nyraarcane)
YouTube:@nyraarcane (https://youtube.com/nyraarcane)
X:@nyraarcane (https://x.com/nyraarcane)
Threads: @nyraarcane
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(Source: Music Worx Label)

NEWS

Ghanaian Afrobeat Artist Praise Kusi to Release His Highly Anticipated New EP 'After 21:00' July 3, 2026
(Los Angeles, CA) - Ghanaian Afrobeat artist Praise Kusi to release his highly anticipated EP, "After 21:00," on July 3, 2026.
The project marks a significant milestone in Praise Kusi's musical journey as he continues expanding his reach across Africa, the United States, and international markets. Known for blending Afrobeat rhythms with modern influences, Praise Kusi has built a growing audience through music that celebrates culture, connection, and authentic storytelling.
"After 21:00" represents one of the artist's most personal and ambitious projects to date. The EP features a collection of songs that highlight his evolving sound while remaining rooted in the Afrobeat foundation that has become a signature of his music.
The release follows a period of continued momentum for Praise Kusi as he strengthens his presence within the global Afrobeat movement. Through independent releases, live performances, and digital engagement, he has continued to connect with listeners across multiple countries and cultures.
In support of the project, Praise Kusi will host promotional activities surrounding the EP release, including exclusive listening experiences and online fan engagement initiatives designed to bring audiences closer to the music.
With anticipation building among fans and supporters, "After 21:00" is expected to further establish Praise Kusi as one of the emerging voices helping bring African music to broader international audiences.
The EP will be available on major streaming platforms worldwide beginning July 3, 2026.
Praise Kusi is a Ghanaian Afrobeat recording artist and songwriter known for blending African rhythms with contemporary global sounds. Through his music, he aims to inspire, entertain, and connect audiences across cultures while promoting the continued growth of Afrobeat on the international stage.
For updates, music releases, and upcoming announcements, visit www.praisekusi.com.

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(Source: Spritual Vibes Inc)