Music
Quote of the Day: Jennifer Lopez Says Roles Like “Selena” Are “Few and Far Between”
“It was a meaty role, but it was few and far between, especially for Latinos to have a role like that,” Jennifer Lopez recently told Variety, discussing her Golden Globe-nominated role in...
Zoe Lister-Jones’ “Band Aid” Gets a Release Date
Dysfunctional bands are usually notorious for their diva antics, exploitation of adoring fans, and drug addictions — not passive-aggressive discussions about personal hygiene and doing the...
Exclusive: Reba McEntire Talks Patsy Cline’s Influence in “Patsy Cline: American Masters” Clip
“She brought a dignity to a woman’s feelings,” actress and singer Beverly D’Angelo says of legendary country star Patsy Cline in our exclusive clip of PBS’ “Patsy Cline: American...
SXSW 2017 Women Directors: Meet Emma Franz — “Bill Frisell, A Portrait”
Australian filmmaker Emma Franz began her professional creative life as a jazz singer and composer. Her first film, “Intangible Asset Number 82,” won Best Foreign Documentary at the Durban...
SXSW 2017 Women Directors: Meet Katherine Fairfax Wright — “Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall”
Katherine Fairfax Wright is the director, editor, and cinematographer of “Call Me Kuchu,” the story of the last year in the life of the first openly gay man in Uganda. Wright produced...
Guest Post: Five Tips to Break into a Career in Music Supervision
Guest Post by Laura Katz When I was a child, I met a woman sitting in a wheelchair in a hospital elevator with a nurse. The woman thought I looked a little sad (and I was, because I was a child...
Lady Gaga to Headline Coachella After Beyoncé Postpones
Mother Monster is stepping in for Queen Bey. Lady Gaga will headline Coachella 2017 after Beyoncé, who is pregnant with twins, had to cancel the gig due to doctors’ orders. Billboard reports that...
Laura Karpman and Gail Collins to Bring the “Battle of the Sexes” to the Opera
Billie Jean King: Lynn Gilbert/Wikimedia Commons When you think about it, the opera is the perfect place to tell “the Battle of the Sexes” story. The historic tennis match between Billie Jean...
Sara Bareilles to Make Broadway Debut in “Waitress”
Sara Bareilles served as composer and lyricist on “Waitress,” and now she’s joining the Broadway sensation’s cast. The Grammy- and Tony-nominated singer-songwriter will star in the musical...
Kahane Cooperman’s Oscar-Nominated Short “Joe’s Violin” Acquired by PBS
A tale of two unlikely BFFs is set to reach households across the country. Kahane Cooperman’s “Joe’s Violin” has been acquired by PBS’ “POV,” Deadline reports. The documentary series...
Quote of the Day: Beyoncé Wants a More Inclusive World for Her Kids
Most of the awards ceremonies of 2017 have been overtly political, and the Grammys on Sunday were no exception. Beyoncé used her platform to speak frankly about why inclusivity and representation...
Zoe Lister-Jones’ “Band Aid” Acquired by IFC Films and Sony Pictures Worldwide
“Band Aid” just got its big break. IFC Films and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions obtained the rights to the comedy from writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones, IndieWire reports. IFC Films...
Emmy Winner Lili Fini Zanuck to Direct Documentary about Eric Clapton
A documentary about the legendary Eric Clapton is on its way and we couldn’t be happier — because it will be directed by Lili Fini Zanuck. Variety reports that Zanuck, who won an Oscar for...
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Zoe Lister-Jones — “Band Aid”
Zoe Lister-Jones is an actor, director, writer, and producer who is currently starring in CBS’ “Life in Pieces.” She recently co-starred in “Confirmation” for HBO. As a...
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Catherine Bainbridge— “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the…
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Catherine Bainbridge— “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” Catherine Bainbridge is a writer, producer, and director, and the co-founder of Rezolution...
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Catherine Bainbridge— “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World…
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Catherine Bainbridge— “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” “Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World” Catherine Bainbridge is a writer, producer,...
Sundance 2017 Women Directors: Meet Kyoko Miyake — “Tokyo Idols”
Born in Japan, Kyoko Miyake studied history at Tokyo University and then moved to Britain to research the history of witchcraft at Oxford. Her film “Brakeless” won a Peabody Award after airing...
“Hidden Figures” Screenwriter Sells Scripted Drama to E!
“Hidden Figures” co-writer Allison Schroeder is on a roll. The Golden Globe-nominated NASA drama earned the top spot at the box office this weekend (as it did last weekend), and now there is...
Theatre du Châtelet in Paris Gets Its First Female Artistic Director Ever
The Theatre du Châtelet in Paris has appointed its first female artistic director, The New York Times reports. Ruth Mackenzie will be taking over for Jean-Luc Choplin, who has served as artistic...
Beyoncé Will Be First Female Coachella Headliner in 10 Years
Beyoncé will be the first female headliner at the Coachella music festival in 10 years, Vanity Fair reports. The last, and only, woman to headline the three-day event was Björk in 2007. A...
Nina Simone to Receive the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Iconic singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy at the 2017 Special Merit Awards, Variety reports....
BET’s Debra L. Lee Honored with Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award
During the annual Pre-Grammy Gala in February, BET Networks Chairman and CEO Debra L. Lee will be honored as the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons recipient for her significant contributions to the...
Metropolitan Opera Premieres First Opera Composed By a Woman in 116 Years
The Metropolitan Opera just premiered its first opera composed by a woman in 116 years. Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s “L’Amour de Loin” is the first female-written opera to play at the...
Trailer Watch: “Nashville” Season 5 Hints at Disaster, Heartbreak, and New Love
“Nashville” is back and as action-packed as ever. CMT has released the first full trailer for the series’ upcoming fifth season, and the footage leaves no doubt that the new episodes will...
Biopic Celebrating Apartheid Activist and Singer Miriam Makeba in the Works
The life of South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba is headed to the big screen, Variety reports. The film will be a combined effort between the Miriam Makeba Estate, Miriam Makeba...
Kesha to Receive Billboard’s Women in Music Trailblazer Award
Singer and musician Kesha is going to be honored with Billboard’s Women in Music Trailblazer Award at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, THR reports. The event will take place on December 9 in...
Rachel Goldenberg to Direct MGM’s “Valley Girl” Musical Adaptation
“Valley Girl” is coming back to the big screen. MGM is remaking the 1983 cult classic romantic comedy as a musical, and Deadline reports that Rachel Goldenberg (“The Mindy Project,” “A...
DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Maro Chermayeff — “Soundbreaking”
Maro Chermayeff is the Series Director & Executive Producer of “Soundbreaking,” the Co-founder and Executive Producer at production company Show of Force, and the Chair of the MFA Social...
DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Carrie Lozano and Charlotte Lagarde — “The Ballad of Fred…
DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Carrie Lozano and Charlotte Lagarde — “The Ballad of Fred Hersch” Carrie Lozano is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist. She is...
DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Carrie Lozano and Charlotte Lagarde — “The Ballad of Fred Hersch…
DOC NYC 2016 Women Directors: Meet Carrie Lozano and Charlotte Lagarde — “The Ballad of Fred Hersch” “The Ballad of Fred Hersch” Carrie Lozano is an award-winning documentary...
First New Play Written By a Woman Announced for Current Broadway Season
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel is set to make her Broadway debut, The New York Times reports. “Indecent,” Vogel’s newest play, will be staged on Broadway next spring. Rebecca...
Biopic of German Singer Nico in the Works
A biopic focusing on German singer Nico is in the works, Variety reports. The late singer was a 1960s icon who played with The Velvet Underground and became a muse of Andy Warhol. Italian director...
Glenn Close Bringing “Sunset Boulevard” Back to Broadway
Glenn Close is returning to Broadway in the role that won her a Tony. As Variety reports, a new production of “Sunset Boulevard” will hit the Great White Way in February 2017 with Close...
Dolly Parton to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at CMAs
Dolly Parton will soon be adding another well-deserved trophy to her mantle. The music legend will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming Country Music Association...
Bette Midler’s “Hello, Dolly!” Breaks Broadway Sale Records
Bette Midler has broken a record. As Deadline reports, her upcoming Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” has already banked $9.08 million in ticket sales, and the show won’t even open...
Sarah Jessica Parker to Play a Singer in Upcoming Drama
Sarah Jessica Parker in “All Roads Lead to Rome”: Cristina di Paolo Antonio / eOne Entertainment Sarah Jessica Parker portrays a woman who is ending her marriage in HBO’s upcoming series...
“Pitch Perfect 3” Director Announced
The Barden Bellas have secured a captain to steer them towards box-office glory. A new director for “Pitch Perfect 3” has been named after its original helmer, Elizabeth Banks, pulled out due to...
Watch: Alicia Keys Pens Song for “Queen of Katwe”
Fifteen-time Grammy award-winner Alicia Keys is teaming up with Disney’s “Queen of Katwe.” Keys recorded a new song titled “Back to Life” for Mira Nair’s hotly anticipated underdog story...
“Women Who Score” Made History for Female Composers
Composer Nan Schwartz: Gino Mifsud/AWFC Guest Post by Penka Kouneva On August 19, 2016, I had the honor of conducting my music in a concert titled “Women Who Score: Soundtracks Live.” This event...
Trailer Watch: A Female Musician Goes Against the Grain in “As I Open My Eyes”
A trailer has arrived for “As I Open My Eyes,” Leyla Bouzid’s award-winning feature debut. The coming-of-age film is set against the backdrop of the burgeoning Jasmine Revolution in Tunis and...
Nia Long Joins Idina Menzel for Lifetime’s “Beaches” Remake
Nia Long is set to join Idina Menzel in Lifetime’s remake of “Beaches,” Deadline reports. Long will play Hillary to Menzel’s CC. The 1988 original starred Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey...
Rihanna To Receive MTV’s 2016 Vanguard Award
MTV has announced Rihanna as the 2016 recipient of their highest honor, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. A press release attributes Rihanna’s win to her “decade-long impact on music,...
Pat Benatar Musical Heading to Broadway
A new musical based on the music of Pat Benatar is heading to the stage. According to Deadline, the musical will focus on the professional and personal accomplishments of Benatar and her...
Apply for the Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award for Composers
The Ziegfeld Club, one of the first not-for-profit organizations in the Broadway community, has announced the second Billie Burke Ziegfeld Award for female composers. Named in honor of late actress...
Toni Braxton Named Winner of the BMI President’s Award
Singer Toni Braxton is set to receive yet another trophy. The chart-topping singer has been named the 2016 recipient of the BMI President’s Award. She’ll accept her honor September 1 in Atlanta...
Mia Hansen-Løve Announces Two New Projects
“Goodbye First Love” writer-director Mia Hansen-Løve revealed information about two new projects in an interview with ScreenDaily. “Maya” will star Roman Kolinka, an actor Hansen-Løve...
Meshell Ndegeocello to Score Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar”
Yet another amazing woman has been added to the “Queen Sugar” roster. Meshell Ndegeocello will score the OWN series. Ava DuVernay, the co-creator of “Queen Sugar,” announced the news via...
Missy Elliott To Be Recognized at “VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens”
VH1 has announced that Missy Elliott will be honored at the upcoming “VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail the Queens” event for her work as an artist, producer, and writer. As we previously reported,...
Trailer Watch: Barbara Kopple Captures “Miss Sharon Jones!”
Two-time Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple followed Grammy-nominated R&B powerhouse Sharon Jones around during what is described as “the most courageous year of her...
Gospel Singer Mavis Staples To Be Honored by Kennedy Center
Living legend Mavis Staples is set to be honored by the Kennedy Center, making her the second gospel singer to be recognized in the award’s 39 year history (the first was Marion Williams...
ESSENCE Festival Names Tina Knowles-Lawson Winner of the Inspiring Leadership Award
Tina Knowles-Lawson is best known for being Beyonce’s mother, but her accomplishments extend far beyond raising an uber successful daughter: Knowles-Lawson is a philanthropist, author, and fashion...