entertainment - "music"

Michael Parva, Artistic Director of The Directors Company, announced today that the company will be presenting a special invitation-only reading of a new musical, Stoker, this Thursday, April 17th, at 311 W 43rd Street in Manhattan at 3:00 p.m.

For the past ten years, Jamie Schaaf has had an ongoing battle with his music. A multi-instrumentalist from Portsmouth, NH, Schaaf has been writing songs off and on, mostly as a hobby, but he's never been comfortable with his work. For the RPM Challenge he decided to let go of any hangups and produce an entire album in just one month. Schaaf came up with a collection of ten original tracks he's calling Postcards From the Back of the Bar. It features the folky song 'Butterfly.'

The Waybacks grew out of electric guitarist James Nash's desire to try playing acoustic music. Not content to play only bluegrass melodies, his band draws from jazz, swing, folk, and even classical music for inspiration. In a session from Folk Alley, the band is eager to share its new direction.

By most accounts, Diabate is the world's greatest living player of the kora, a 21-string West African harp. Now, his new album finds the Malian master musician alone with the instrument and defining the state of his art.

Wilder, Albee, Kushner musical, plus Nottage highlight next season!

According to BBC News Online, Queen guitarist Brian May has revealed that a sequal to We Will Rock You- the rock musical based on Queen's songs- is in the works. While speaking at a formal ceremony to install him as the Chancellor of John Moores University May said, 'We are planning a sequal. It's a real challenge.'

Queen guitarist Brian May reveals a sequel to the stage musical We Will Rock You will be brought to the stage.

American Idol hopeful Kellie Pickler and 18-year-old Taylor Swift sweep the Country music Television Awards.

Rogue Wave earned acclaim for its latest album, Asleep at Heaven's Gate. This summer the musicians open for Jack Johnson and Death Cab for Cutie, tonight they're on Letterman and now they're live in the BPP studio.

Esquire music critic Andy Langer discusses the week's fresh album releases, including new discs from former Pixies frontman Frank Black, the Black Angels and more.