Tips for Tuesday - Books: Well, Actually & The Witch's Orchard; Movie: Sisters of Ukraine

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any books, products, and/or any other visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Well, Actually & The Witch's Orchard

Today, we are talking about Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings. Despite her real journalism ambitions, Eva Kitt finds herself interviewing B-Celebrities while shoving hot dogs down her throat as the host of Sausage Talk. Meanwhile, her ex, Riley Cooper, is a legitimate internet sensation. When an angry rant Eva posts about him goes viral, she is forced to host him on her show, where he convinces her to go on a series of dates and then debrief them on his channel to show that he truly has changed. Eva agrees, but she is only in it because she is hoping it will help her career, or so she thinks. 

Eva is another of Mazey Eddings' typical heroines struggling with serious mental health issues, which Eddings writes so well. However, in this case, Eva's struggles are not always internal. She deals not only with a serious fear of abandonment as well as severe feelings of inaddequacy, which she masks with a false sense of bravado,  but also is subject to a toxic work environment wherein she is harassed and treated extremely misogynistically. Every single interaction she has with her bosses is both distressing and cringeworthy, and her family background is just as heartbreaking.

Although Riley is sweet and good to Eva, and seems to be exactly what she needs, he is not a believable character. Despite his sad backstory, he is still one of those too-perfect book boyfriends that don't exist in real life. They only give real women impossible ideals and real men impossible standards to live up to. 

He does have one flaw, however, his nickname for Eva.. His calling her  "kitten" even though it is clearly based on her last name of Kitt still sounds diminutive. Because of her already overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, that is the last thing Eva needs. This one factor is not enough to make him feel real, though, and because he doesn't feel like a real person, it's hard to believe in the romance. Real people have flaws; they are not perfect.

Today, we recommend The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan. This is a completely engrossing thriller about a detective hired to unravel the mystery of what happened to three little girls who disappeared years ago. The author does a great job of invoking a sense of place clearly because she is so familiar with the Appalachian setting she is writing about. The characters are interesting. The mystery is engaging. The repeated retellings of the witch legend in slightly different versions throughout the story really ramps up the tension and intrigue. The story is full of enough unique twists and turns to keep it exciting. All in all, it is a very satisfying read. 

Movie: Sisters of Ukraine

Today, we recommend Sisters of Ukraine. This documentary about a group of nuns transporting a group of mothers and child refugees from war-torn Ukraine to safety in Spain is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It reminds us of both the human capacity for evil and to do harm to one another, and the human capacity for good and to uplift one another. 

And that's our view. Well, Actually was published last Tuesday, August 5. The Witch's Orchard was published today. Sisters of Ukraine is now available for purchase on DVD as well as to purchase or rent on VOD.

Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

Book images used in this post are our own.  All other photos have been sent to us by publicists, artists, and/or PR firms and are used with permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, contact us here, and we will look into the matter

More Theater Monday - One Night

We were given complimentary tickets to One Night for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: One Night

 Where: AMT Theater

              354 W. 45th St.

              New York, NY

When: This event ended on August 2, 2025

One Night is a musical about two couples who have been best friends for years: Julie & Nathan and Vivian & Danny. The focus of the show is the revelation that years ago Julie and Danny had a one-night stand while on a business trip, and how that revelation reverberates through the two couples. Even though it is unveiled through flashbacks, exactly how things happened, the plot still seems like something out of a soap opera. It also seems kind of thin to support an entire musical.  However, a few surprising twists and turns throughout the show do keep things interesting at least. 

The show also has a few nice songs. When all four cast members sing together, the harmonies are quite lovely and sometimes seem almost reminiscent of the musical group Manhattan Transfer. The opening quartet, "Julie & Nathan, Danny & Vivian", as well as the later quartet "You Think You Know a Person," are particular highlights of the show.

The ending is highly unsatisfying. It is too ambiguous, and there is no sort of resolution. It feels like there should be some sort of catharsis, whether good or bad, particularly for the character of Nathan, but that never happens. The audience is just left hanging. It feels as if we have spent an hour and a half or so with these characters and are left barely knowing any more than when we started.

And that's our view. For more about One Night, visit www.onenightmusical.com. One Night is part of the Broadway Bound Musical Festival, which will run through August 17, 2025. For more about that or to purchase a ticket to one of the remaining shows, visit www.broadwayboundfest.com.

Tune in tomorrow for Tips for Tuesday.

Photo credits:

All One Night production photos provided by Broadway Bound Theater Festival

Images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission.  Address any concerns regarding the use of any image here. 

Sunday Scoop Week of 8/10/25 What's Happening This Week and More

A) Beginning Performance 

In New Jersey

1) A Streetcar Named Desire

In New York

2) Pen Pals

3) Road Kills

4) The Royal Pyrate 

5) Sulfur Bottom

In Pennsylvania

6) She Loves Me

B) Cast Changes

7) Little Shop of Horrors

8) MJ

C) Cast Recordings

9) Just in Time

D) Festivals

In New York

10) Gene Frankel Theatre Festival

In Pennsylvania

11) Dog Day of Summer

E) Tickets Available

12) 60th Anniversary of The Sound of Music

Fathom Entertainment 9/12 - 9/17

F) What Else is Happening

In New Jersey

13) Jazz Art Exhibit Honors Trenton Music Influencer Larry Hilton

In New York

14) Battery Dance presents Free Performances in Battery City Parks

15) Brooklyn Bridge Park Pluto TV Movies with a View Opens Voting for Movie Choice Night

16) Summer Legacy Ball 

Little Island 7/14 & 7/15

17) TSQ Live Lineup for Jazz at Lincoln Center for August & September 

In Pennsylvania

18) Philadelphia Zoo Welcomes Two New Big Cats

Other

19) Fathom Entertainment Upcoming Events

A) Beginning Performance 

In New Jersey

Photo by Walls Trimble

1) A Streetcar Named Desire

An airplane hangar, a church, a bar, a warehouse, a dining hall, a movie theater, a factory, a library, a boutique, a barn...for the past two years The Streetcar Project has toured Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire, to unconventional spaces around the country. This summer, the landmark production reaches new heights (and depths), bringing its magic to the historic Vault Lobby at Aspen’s Wheeler Opera House (a former bank vault) and Asbury Park, NJ’s Carousel House, one of the most haunted locations in America.

Westrate and Owen have set out to create a production of the play like no other. By presenting Tennessee Williams’s complete, unabridged text with no props or set, this production is designed to be performed everywhere. It’s hyper intimate, completely unique, and incredibly revealing. It strips bare to the bones the greatest piece of American drama. You’ve never seen A Streetcar Named Desire like this before, and you never will again.

Carousel House (104-108 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park)

8/17 - 8/19

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thestreetcarproject.com/tickets

In New York

2) Pen Pals

Inspired by a true story, Pen Pals invites audiences into the lives of Bernie and Mags—two women whose bond, forged in adolescence, endures for decades without them ever meeting in person. A story of connection, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between friends, Pen Pals is as poignant as it is powerful.

Rotating Cast Schedule:

AUG 15 – AUG 31: Nancy McKeon & Gail Winar
SEPT 3 – SEPT 14: Michelle Clunie & Megan Follows
SEPT 17 – SEPT 28: Sharna Burgess and Paige Davis

OCT 1 – OCT 12: Kathleen Chalfant and Ellen McLaughlin 
OCT 15 – OCT 26: Kate Burton & Pauletta Pearson Washington
OCT 29 – NOV 9: Catherine Curtin & Marcia Cross
NOV 12 – NOV 23: Sharon Lawrence & Maureen McCormick
DEC 10 – DEC 21: Donna Lynne Champlin & Emily Skinner103 E. 15th 

DR2 Theatre (103 E. 15th St.)

8/15 - 12/21

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit penpalsplay.com

Photo by Mia Sinclair James

3) Road Kills

What happens to the stains you can’t get out? Road Kills follows Owen, a roadkill collector, and Jaki, a drunk driver stuck doing community service. As they traverse the highways of Wisconsin, they connect over their common ground as outsiders, challenge each other on issues of faith and family, and careen towards a collision that threatens to shatter them both. Sophie McIntosh’s unflinching new play forces us to confront the long-lasting repercussions of abuse — and urges us not to look away.

Paradise Factory (64 E. 4th St.)

8/15 - 9/6 

Opening Night 8/17

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.goodapplescollective.com/road-kills

Photo by Danny Levine

4) The Royal Pyrate 

The Royal Pyrate is a new musical that reimagines the 300 year–old love story between Sam Bellamy and Mary Hallet, a woman so ahead of her time she is accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts. Based on the real life pirate Black Sam Bellamy, whose flagship ‘The Whydah’ sank off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717, only to be uncovered by explorer Barry Clifford in 1980. 

Waterfron Barge Museum (290 Conover St., Brooklyn)

8/16 - 8/31

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit events.humanitix.com/theroyalpyrate

5) Sulfur Bottom

Bold, surreal, and emotionally raw, Sulfur Bottom is a new eco-gothic drama that explores the quiet devastation of environmental collapse through the eyes of one family over 40 years. Set within a decaying home on the edge of industrial sprawl, the play transforms the slow violence of pollution into something both intimate and unsettling. It reveals the profound impact of environmental neglect on personal relationships and the struggle to hold onto love and memory in a changing world.

The Jerry Orbach Theater, The Theater Center (210 W. 50th St.)

8/13 - 10/11

Opening Night 8/20

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.sulfurbottom.com

In Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Feldshur Horowitz PR

6) She Loves Me

Based on the same story that inspired the blockbuster film, “You’ve Got Mail,” and the classic “The Shop Around the Corner,” “She Loves Me” is a romantic musical following the story of Amalia and Georg, two clerks in a 1930s perfumery, who are constantly at odds. They both find joy, however, in the romantic letters exchanged with anonymous pen pals they discovered through a “lonely hearts ad.” With time, and a little penmanship, they discover they have more in common than they know. Written by the same award-winning team that wrote, “Fiddler on the Roof,” “She Loves Me” is a delightful musical that celebrates one of the most enchanting love stories ever told.

Bucks County Playhouse (70 S. Main St., New Hope)

8/15 - 9/14

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit bcptheater.org/shows/she-loves-me

B) Cast Changes

7) Little Shop of Horrors

Madeline Brewer joins the cast in the role of Audrey 8/12

Nicholas Christopher returns to the cast in the role of Seymour 8/12

Westside Theatre (407 W. 43rd St.)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.LittleShopNYC.com

Photo by Michaleah  Reynolds

8) MJ

Lincoln Alejandro Collier is now playing the role of Little Marlon

Neil Simon tre Theatre (250 W. 52nd St)

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit MJTheMusical.com 

C) Cast Recordings

Courtesy of Polk and Co. PR

9) Just in Time

JUST IN TIME, starring Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff as the legendary Bobby Darin.  arrives Friday, August 15th on all digital platforms, with physical formats following on Friday, October 24th. Pre-orders are available now HERE. 

Developed and directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge), JUST IN TIME sees Jonathan Groff returning to Broadway as Bobby Darin, the legendary singer whose short but remarkable life took him from teen idol to global sensation, inspiring generations of performers who followed. The great American entertainer’s meteoric journey – from soaring highs to crushing lows – is brought to life by Groff, transporting audiences into an intimate, swinging nightclub complete with a stellar ensemble cast of 11 on-stage actors, a live on-stage band performing such iconic hits as “Beyond the Sea,” “Dream Lover,” and “Mack the Knife,” all of which were originally released by Darin on Atlantic Records’ ATCO Records imprint.

Circle in the Square Theatre (1633 Broadway)

Through 1/11/26

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit  www.JustInTimeBroadway.com

D) Festivals

In New York

Courtesy of Alton PR

10) Gene Frankel Theatre Festival

This August the inaugural Gene Frankel Theatre Festival will light up NoHo with a festival of new theatrical works. Running through August 17, the two-week festival will showcase an exciting lineup of 25 one-acts and short plays, selected from over 100 submissions. Performances run nightly and on the weekends at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre which has been featuring groundbreaking new work for over seven decades. All featured plays are New York premieres, with many also making their world debut.

Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond St.)

Through 8/17

For more information or to purchase tickets www.genefrankeltheatrefestival.com.

In Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Aversa PR

11) Dog Day of Summer

The dog days of summer are back in Philadelphia! Manayunk Development Corporation invites dog lovers and their furry four-legged companions to the highly anticipated Dog Day of Summer on Saturday, August 16, 2025, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. In time for August as National Pet Month, Main Street Manayunk will transform into a tail-wagging haven filled with pet vendors, pup-centric giveaways, adoptable rescues, custom portraits, splash zones and more. New for 2025, look for a Yards Paws and Pints Passport at nearly a dozen participating bars and restaurants. Whether you're looking to adopt a new best friend, spoil your pup, or enjoy an afternoon stroll through the vibrant community, Dog Day of Summer offers something for every breed and human alike. Dog Day of Summer is family and fido friendly and open to the community with no charge to attend. Food, drink and shopping are pay-as-you-go. Look for Dog Day of Summer activities to be spread throughout locations in downtown Manayunk, including Canal View Park, Richards Apex, Manayunk’s Art Allies and in front of select businesses on Main Street.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit manayunk dot com/events/stroll-after-hours 

E) Tickets Available

Courtesy of Fathom Entertainment

12) 60th Anniversary of The Sound of Music

September 12 - 17

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Fathom Entertainment Website

 

F) What Else is Happening

In New Jersey

13) Jazz Art Exhibit Honors 

Trenton Music Influencer, Larry Hilton

Opening reception August 14 features live jazz, benefits Trenton nonprofit

Trenton Music Experience (TME) will host Jazz Art at The Lobby Club, a community event honoring friend and supporter Larry Hilton, featuring paintings from his private collection in the

restaurant’s gallery from Thursday, August 14 to Saturday August 16.

An opening reception from 5-9 pm Thursday August 14 will feature live jazz by Philadelphia musicians Lee Smith, Aaron Graves and Craig McIver, appetizer buffet and cash bar. VIP tickets are $100 and can be purchased on the TME website.

Proceeds benefit Trenton Music Experience, a local nonprofit amplifying the significant contributions Trentonians have made to the music scene from the American Revolution through today.

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In New York

Courtesy of Michelle Tabnick PR

14) Battery Dance Presents Free Performances in Battery Park City Parks

Dance @ The New Wagner Park, August 9, 2025

The 44^th Annual Battery Dance Festival, August 12-16, Rockefeller Park

Battery Dance celebrates the art of dance in its home community this August, in partnership with Battery Park City Authority. On Saturday, August 9, the Company celebrates the re-opening of Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, following a two-year pause during which it was rebuilt as part of a coastal resiliency effort to protect Battery Park City and lower Manhattan from storm surge and sea level rise. A medley of dance companies will present a 1-hour program opened by Indigenous performer Marie Poncé, followed by tap-dancer John Manzari with a live band.  Battery Dance presents Frontiers by Turkish Dutch choreographer Rutkay Özpinar and Limón Dance Company caps off the evening with the classic work A Choreographic Offering created by José Limón in 1964.

 

The following week brings the 44th Annual Battery Dance Festival , enlivening Rockefeller Park from August 12-16, 2025, with a rain date on August 17. New York City’s longest-running free public dance festival brings together eight diverse dance companies from around the world coupled with a dynamic roster of eight New York-based companies. The free series of events celebrates the universal language of dance with a mix of performances, workshops, and immersive experiences for audiences of all ages.

 

The five-night performance line-up features a plethora of premieres and several performances featuring live music. Crowds of over 12,000 in-person and over 35,000 virtual viewers typically flock to the Festival each summer, with audiences glorying in the opportunity to experience dance against the spectacular water, sky and cityscape backdrop. To learn more and register to receive reminders and bonus content, visit batterydance.org/battery-dance-festival/.

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15) Brooklyn Bridge Park Unveils “Pluto TV Movies With A View” Remaining Lineup and Opens Voting for Public Choice Night at Brooklyn Bridge Park

25th anniversary season of Brooklyn’s signature outdoor film series celebrates “Women in Hollywood,” with nod to local celebrities

The second half of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s beloved Pluto TV Movies With A View series is officially underway and New Yorkers are invited to help choose the final film of the summer. Voting for Public Choice Night, which will close out the season on August 28, opens TODAY, August 6th, at: https://brooklynbridgepark.org/event/movies-with-a-view-august-28/. 

The public can vote for one of three iconic fan-favorite films:

• Pretty in Pink (PG-13, 1986, 97 minutes)
  
  

• Julie & Julia (PG-13, 2009, 123 minutes)
  
  

• Marie Antoinette (PG-13, 2006, 123 minutes)
  
  

The winning title will be announced live at the August 21 screening. Now in its 25th anniversary season, Pluto TV Movies With A View continues every Thursday night through August 28 at Harbor View Lawn, Pier 1. Themed “Women in Hollywood,” this year’s series features films by and starring leading women, with a nod to trailblazing local celebrities who call Brooklyn and New York City home. Each movie night is free to attend, with the lawn opening at 6:00 PM and screenings starting at sunset.

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Courtesy of DKC/O&M

16) LITTLE ISLAND

“SUMMER LEGACY BALL”

ON AUGUST 14 AND 15

IN THE AMPH

 

HOSTED BY

QWEEN JEAN

 

Little Island recently announced the two-night extravaganza and celebration of ballroom culture hosted by icon and activist Qween Jean in The Amph at Little Island on Thursday, August 14 and Friday, August 15 at 8:30PM. Both nights will feature a unique set of DJs, headliners, guest judges, neighborhood partners, and talented youth setting the stage for a dazzling display of performances and vibrant runway competitions.

The Summer Legacy Ball on Thursday, August 14 will feature Fatima Jamal (Preacher), Lita Da Doll (DJ), Luna Luis (Panelist), Jason Rodriguez (Panelist), Mother Donyale Luna Aoki (Panelist) Julz Romell (MC), thunda (MC), Thee Lady Stout (Headliner), and Haus of Vera Wang and Haus of Us. The Boys and Girls Club of Kips Bay will also perform as part of Little Island’s Young Artists Program. Thursday’s performance will honor Tommy Playboy and Gorgeous Femmie Williams. Thursday’s ballroom competition will feature four categories—Face, Runway, Commentator vs. Commentator, and Performance—each offering cash prizes to the winners. Following Thursday’s ball, Papi Juice will throw one of their signature parties at Little Island featuring Maya Margarita.

 

The Summer Legacy Ball on Friday, August 15 will feature J. Harrison Ghee (Preacher), DJ Delish (DJ), Kimiyah Prescott (Panelist), Londolly (Panelist), Leiomy (Panelist) Selena Dior (MC), Precious Basquiat (MC), Kevin Aviance (Headliner), Haus of Sativa and Haus of Telfar. Destination Tomorrow will also perform as part of Little Island’s Young Artists Program. Friday’s performance will honor Sasha Washington and Iconic Mother Nicole Bowles. Friday’s ballroom competition will feature four categories—Best Dressed, Hand Performance, Realness, and Performance—each offering cash prizes to the winners. Following Friday’s ball, Papi Juice will throw one of their signature parties at Little Island featuring Byrell the Great.

For more information, visit  www.littleisland.org

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Courtesy of Nicholas & Lence

 

17) TSQ LIVE Announces Lineup

 with Jazz at Lincoln Center

for Thursdays in August and September 2025

The Times Square Alliance is pleased to announce the lineup for TSQ LIVE’s Jazz in Times Square series, taking the stage at 46th and Broadway every Thursday at 5pm in August and September. This series is building on a partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) that started in 2019, from small ensembles to 21-piece big bands and everything in between. JALC, the non-profit organization, dedicated to entertaining, enriching, and expanding a global community for jazz through performance, education, and advocacy, will take over Times Square to bring New York City’s jazz scene to Broadway. JALC will infuse the area with good vibrations, featuring some of the most talented emerging artists amidst the hustle and bustle of Times Square.

TSQ LIVE 2025 Jazz in Times Square Lineup

In Partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center

 

●      Aug 07 - Ginita y La Orquesta Esa Big Band

●      Aug 14 - King Solomon

●      Aug 21 - Antonio Hart Quartet co-presented with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

●      Aug 28 - Miki Hayama

●      Sept 04 - Tony Rosa

●      Sept 11 - The Empress

●      Sept 18 - Natu Camara

●      Sept 25 - Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band

 

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS AND PARTNERS

 

8.7.25 - Ginita y La Orquesta Esa Big Band

Led by the pen of trombonista Ginita, La Orquesta Esa Big Band, is a dynamic Latin ensemble whose songbook commemorates icons like Willie Colon, Tito Puente, Chucho Valdez, and Omara Portuondo. Their vibrant energy draws their audiences to the dance floor time and time again with the stars of the show being the original music.

 

8.14.25 - King Solomon

Solomon Hicks (aka King Solomon Hicks), the 29-year-old blues phenom from New York City, is best known as a guitarist, vocalist and composer. Hicks won the 2021 Blues Music Awards for Best Emerging Artist for his 2020 CD release, Harlem on Provogue Records. He was WXPN’s “Artist to Watch” for August 2020; his original song “421 South Main” made the Top 20 Blues songs of 2020 on Spotify; and the song “What the Devil Loves” still gets spins on “Sirius Bluesville” Radio. He's shared stages with Buddy Guy, Samantha Fish, Tony Bennett, Jeff Beck, Ringo Starr, Jimmie Vaughn, Beth Hart, Mavis Staples, Burton Cummings, Robert Cray, Eric Gales and many others. Hicks paid his own success forward by teaching music for the Children's Aid Society, working with the Harlem Arts Alliance and the New York City Jazzmobile. He will have a new record released in 2025 on Provogue/Mascot Records.

8.21.25 - Antonio Hart Quartet, co-presented with the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival

Hart studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and Queens College. He has recorded eight CDs as a bandleader, including his second recording, 'Don't You Know I Care,' was produced by the great Jimmy Heath, and his 1997 release, 'Here I Stand,’ which earned Hart a 1997 Grammy nomination for 'Best Jazz Instrumental Solo.' Hart balances his time as Director of Jazz Studies at The Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, and travels with his band, The Dave Holland Big band and The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band.

 

8.28.25 - Miki Hayama

A Grammy-nominated pianist originally from Kyoto, Japan, Miki’s musical journey began with a classical piano degree from Osaka College of Music and further jazz training with the esteemed Sadayasu Fujii at Fuji Jazz School in Kyoto. She won the first prize in the Yokohama Jazz Competition in 1996. Miki has performed and recorded with a stellar lineup of jazz legends including Kenny Garrett, Ralph Peterson, Sean Jones, Tia Fuller, Michael Dease, Vincent Herring, Roy Hargrove, Gary Thomas, Don Braden, Greg Osby, Mark Shim, Cindy Blackman-Santana, Nnenna Freelon, Jazzmeia Horn, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Eric Harland, Victor Lewis and even the queen of soul, Aretha Franklin. Her impressive discography includes acclaimed albums such as “Prelude to a Kiss” and “Wide Angle”, the latter earning Swing Journal’s Gold Disc Award and Production Award. Recently, Miki served as the musical director, arranger, and keyboardist for Nnenna Freelon’s GRAMMY-nominated album “Time Traveler”. Beyond her jazz career, she enriches her musical versatility by playing Hammond organ at the Greater Cathedral United Apostolic Ministries in the Bronx.

 

9.4.25 - Tony Rosa

Born in New York, Tony Rosa is a four-time Grammy Award Winner and Percussionist Maestro.

Rosa has found himself time and time again sharing stages around the world with such talents as the Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra; Manny Oquendo y Conjunto Libre; Tito Puente; Celia Cruz; Israel Lopez (Cachao); Orlando Puntilla Rios; Francisco Aguabella (1990 MTV Award); Poncho Sanchez; Nelson Gonzalez; Paquito de Rivera; Miles Pena; George Lamond; Kid Frost; Kenny Loggins; El Chicano Group; and others. In his Lincoln Center appearances, he accompanied some of the great Jazz artists such as Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, Charnett Moffet, and Lew Soloff. His never-ending search for harmony and musical creativity have led him to record and perform his musical expressions with artists from Latin music to R&B to Rap to Rock.

 

9.11.25 - The Empress

The Empress is an all-female jazz saxophone quartet founded and led by alto saxophonist Pureum Jin. With four commanding voices at its core, the group delivers a sound that is sharp, soulful, and deeply expressive. Their debut album, Square One (Cellar Music Group), recorded at the legendary Van Gelder Studio, reimagines classic jazz standards and originals with urgency, elegance, and fire. Formed out of a desire to push musical boundaries while creating space for underrepresented voices, the group has quickly gained attention on the jazz radio charts and beyond, praised for its bold ensemble sound and compelling vision. Balancing precision and spontaneity, The Empress offers music that celebrates tradition while carving out a space entirely its own.

 

9.18.25 - Natu Camara

If you merged Miriam Makeba with Nina Simone, added a dose of Tracy Chapman and sprinkled on some Tina Turner, you might begin to explain Natu Camara. Hailing from the heart of West Africa, Natu is a dynamic singer and songwriter whose music not only reflects her rich heritage but also electrifies stages with her mesmerizing performances. The co-founder of West Africa’s first ever female R&B/hip-hop ensemble, the Ideal Black Girls, Natu now splits her time between Guinea and Harlem, creating music that addresses issues like forced child marriage and disunity in Guinea while shedding light on loneliness and sadness in the developed world. She has performed at the Madison World Music Festival, The International Festival de Louisiane, Global Arts Live, globalFEST, NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series, Summerstage, Celebrate Brooklyn, Lincoln Center, Savannah Music Festival, the Francophone Festival in NYC, Carnegie Hall, and more. Natu also founded the Harlem Meet Africa Festival and Guinea’s Dimedi Foundation for girls' mentorship and children's education.

9.25.25 - Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band

Igmar Thomas is a visionary trumpeter, maestro, composer, arranger, and artistic director at the forefront of modern music. As the founder and conductor of the acclaimed Revive Big Band, his genre-defying sound has electrified stages from Carnegie Hall to the MTV VMAs. Igmar has served as Guest Conductor and Arranger for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and has arranged and music directed for legends including Ms. Lauryn Hill, Nas, LL Cool J, and Queen Latifah. He has performed with jazz greats such as Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, Terence Blanchard, Gregory Porter, and Lionel Hampton. His original works and arrangements are performed by top institutions like Berklee, Brown, Purdue, the University of North Texas, and Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins.Currently, Igmar is the Artistic Director of Music & Music Education at Newark Symphony Hall, where he is developing a visionary new school of music. He also serves as Director of Music Operations at Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy and Professor of Music at William Paterson University, leading an ecosystem of ensembles and youth-focused programs.

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In Pennsylvania

Courtesy of Aversa PR

Courtesy of Aversa PR

18) PHILADELPHIA ZOO WELCOMES TWO ENDANGERED BIG CATS AS PART OF SPECIES SURVIVAL BREEDING PROGRAM 

 Amur Tiger Rory was born in 2021 and comes from Toledo Zoo; Amur Leopard Rafferty was born in 2017 and comes from

Utah's Hogle Zoo 

Philadelphia Zoo is celebrating the arrival of two big cats to its growing family. Female Amur tiger Rory and male Amur leopard Rafferty both arrived at the Zoo in early summer and are visible to guests inside their habitats at Big Cat Falls. Rory came to the Zoo on an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendation with one of the Zoo’s brothers, Wiz and Dimitri. Rafferty has been paired with Kira through the same program. The goal of the SSP is to manage populations of threatened, endangered and other species across AZA institutions to maintain long-term genetic and demographic viability to protect species from extinction. Amur tigers are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with an estimated wild population of less than 500. Amur leopards are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN with an estimated population of less than 150. The main threats for both these species, that share most of the same geographic area in the Amur River Valley in Russia, includes habitat loss and poaching.

About Amur Tiger Rory

She was born July 20, 2021 at Toledo Zoo. The public voted to choose her name, and donations to name her and her twin Alexei went to tiger conservation efforts. At four years old, she is considered fully grown but will likely fill out a bit more. She weighs almost 300 pounds. She also has longer whiskers than any other tiger at the Zoo.

About Amur Tigers

Amur tigers are found in isolated forests across eastern Asia, including the Amur River Valley in the southern tip of Russia along the border of China. Amur tigers are considered the largest subspecies of tiger, making them the largest big cat in the world. Males can grow to be 11 feet long from their nose to tip of their tails and weigh about 400 pounds. Amur tigers also have the palest orange fur compared to the other subspecies. Tigers hunt alone, actively searching for prey more often than waiting in ambush. However, they are not very efficient hunters. Generally, they catch their prey in one in 20 tries. Amur tiger gestation is typically 3.5 months with litters ranging from two to six cubs. Cubs rely on their mothers for food and stay with them typically up to two years.

About Amur Leopard Rafferty

Rafferty was born at Utah's Hogle Zoo February 17, 2017. His name means "one who possesses prosperity." He previously sired offspring at Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, New York in 2019  which is where he was before coming to Philadelphia Zoo. He has two different colored eyes that our veterinary team is monitoring to ensure his health.

About Amur Leopards

Amur leopards are the rarest and most critically endangered mammal species that live at the Zoo. These leopards only exist in the Amur River Valley in the southern tip of Russia along the border of China. Their coats include the typical leopard rosettes and change through the seasons. In the summer, their coat is lighter and about an inch thick, while in the winter their coat gets darker and grows to about three inches long. Their legs are longer than those of other leopard species; this is considered an adaptation for walking through deep snow. They are great at stalking and can track prey to within a few yards before pouncing. Amur leopard gestation is typically 3.5 months with litters of usually two to three cubs. Cubs rely on their mothers for food and stay with them typically up to two years.

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Other

19) Fathom Entertainment 

Upcoming Events 

Courtesy of Fathom Entertainment

RiffTrax Takes on Jean-Claude Van Damme;
Fathom Entertainment Brings “RiffTrax Live: Timecop”
To Theatres on August 14 & 19

 

Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, is once again bringing to the big screen a longtime fan favorite. Join RiffTrax’s Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” fame, as they crack jokes over the 1994 feature film Timecop, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. “RiffTrax Live: Timecop,” is coming to theatres nationwide on Thursday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 19 at 7PM (local time).

 

About “RiffTrax Live: Timecop”
In the futuristic world of 2004, Jean-Claude Van Damme isn’t just doing leg splits, he’s splitting the very barriers of space and time. Get ready for Timecop riffed live in theatres! Yes, it’s one word! 

 

After the death of his wife (Mia Sara) at the hands of time-traveling goons, Jean-Claude Van Damme is recruited to an elite task force of time-based police officers. Why does the government have an elite task force of time-based police officers? Timecop may, or may not, have answers to that perfectly reasonable question! 

Unfortunately, a U.S. Senator (Ron Silver) has gained access to their system of time travel and he’s using it to commit unspeakable evils - huge campaign finance violations - across generations. Imagine a nightmarish world where stuff like THAT happens. You can’t! 

Will the Timecops stop the senator in time to save the future?

About RiffTrax
Since first partnering with “RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 from Outer Space” in 2009, RiffTrax and Fathom Entertainment have partnered to distribute theatrically 36 unique RiffTrax titles to theatres nationwide, selling more than 1.2 million tickets.

Tickets
Tickets for RiffTrax Live: Timecop are available at Fathom Entertainment and participating theatre box offices 

Courtesy of Fathom Entertainment

Turtlemania Lives! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
35th Anniversary Adds Three More Shell-Shocking Days
To Its Summer 2025 Re-Release, Revealed in New Trailer

 5-Day Theatrical Engagement from Fathom Entertainment, Saga Arts, and Warner Bros.
August 16 - 20

Fathom Entertainment, the leading specialty distributor of content to theatrical partners worldwide, Saga Arts, and Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group are adding three more days to the summer return of Turtlemania!

One of the most widely anticipated movie anniversary celebrations of the year has tickets on sale – and is now scheduled for five consecutive blockbuster days, with
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35^th Anniversary coming to theatres August 16-20!

Tickets for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35^th Anniversary may be purchased at Fathom Entertainment or at participating theatre box offices (theatre locations are subject to change).

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And that's the scoop. Tune in tomorrow for More Theater Monday.