By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Jon Batiste is still putting in some Grammy work: The multi-talented performer will kick off a series geared toward public and educational programs in New York City next month.
The Grammy Museum announced Thursday that Batiste will perform during a series titled "A New York Evening with Jon Batiste." He'll hit the stage on June 17 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
Batiste will be the first performer as part of the museum's six-part series. His performance comes after he collected five trophies including album of the year for "We Are" at the Grammy Awards in April.
The museum will partner with the New York mayor's office to bring educational programming with two summer sessions. It'll be free five-day songwriting workshops for students currently enrolled in high school.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he's thrilled about the partnership.
"These efforts align perfectly, not only with our vision to support future musicians who might one day contribute to New York City's creative economy," he said in a statement.
The programs will run through the end of this year at various venues in the city. The other five programs and performers will be announced at a later date.
Forty slots will be available for students during the summer sessions, which will be held the weeks of July 11 and July 18. Each week-long session will take place at CUNY Graduate Center and free of charge to students.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More