Suite Life: A Celebration of Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly

This year, the Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is honoring their namesakes, 20th century entertainment legends, Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn for the first time, together at their annual benefit concert Suite Life set for Saturday, November 28th, at 7:00pm. The celebration also honors the November 29th birthday of Billy Strayhorn.

This virtual concert, filmed on the Kelly Strayhorn stage, and hosted by KST’s Deputy Director Orlana Darkins Drewery, will highlight music composed by Strayhorn, including big hits and rarely heard gems, along with the toe-tapping music performed and made famous by Kelly! The musical program will be arranged, directed, and performed by Poogie Bell (drums) alongside talented musicians and singers; Abby Gross (sax), Winston Bell (sax), Antonio Croes (keys), Tony DePaolis (bass), Kenny Stockard (vocalist), and Anqwenique Wingfield (vocalist).

 

In addition, KST is offering a rare treat! Join them at 6:00pm for a VIP live, pre-show conversation on Zoom led by KDKA-TV’s Lynne Hayes Freeland, and featuring Strayhorn biographer David Hajdu, and Gene Kelly’s wife and official biographer Patricia Ward Kelly. You don’t want to miss this virtual opportunity to celebrate international acclaimed jazz musician Billy Strayhorn and international film star, dancer and choreographer Gene Kelly, together – two legendary Pittsburghers that changed the world, and are the namesake for this historic Pittsburgh theater!

To Purchase Tickets  For This Exciting Event, Go To: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/suitelife/

Billy Strayhorn recognized in “The Music of Black Voices” tribute in Chicago.

On November 13th and November 14th, DanceVision2020 will present “The Music of Black Voices”, celebrating the history of black artist in music. This will be done through both music and dance. A collaboration between Ballet Chicago and Chicago’s Merit School of Music,  the performance includes these talented young artists doing a rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom”.

This webinar event can be viewed either night at 7pm by going to dancevision2020.app.rsvpify.com. Find out more about these wonderful youth involved organizations at: www.balletchicago.org and meritmusic.org.