{"id":179237,"date":"2026-03-30T00:40:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T00:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/179237\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T00:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T00:40:08","slug":"entertainment-notebook-latin-n-soul-take-manhattan-the-musical-in-development-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/179237\/","title":{"rendered":"Entertainment Notebook: Latin n\u2019 Soul Take Manhattan: The Musical in development | Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Entertainment Central,<\/a> a Montreal-based live entertainment and production company, is proud to announce the stellar creative team for its highly anticipated new original stage production, Latin n\u2019 Soul Take Manhattan: The Musical, currently in development.<\/p>\n

The bold new project features an original score by Grammy Award\u2013winning songwriter-producers Autumn Rowe and Kizzo, alongside high-impact staging by two-time Emmy-nominated choreographer Luther Brown.<\/p>\n

Autumn and Kizzo took home \u201cAlbum of the Year\u201d at the 64th Grammy Awards for \u201cWe Are\u201d by Jon Batiste, co-writing and co-producing several tracks, including the hit single \u201cFreedom,\u201d which won the Grammy for \u201cBest Music Video.\u201d Autumn\u2019s powerhouse collaborations include Dua Lipa, P!nk, Becky G, and Diana Ross.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Joining the creative team is Brown, shaping the musical\u2019s signature movement. Luther is renowned for his Emmy-nominated work on So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) and Zoey\u2019s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC), and has worked with artists such as Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin\u00a0and Gwen Stefani.<\/p>\n

Featuring an original book written by Curtis Patterson and Johanne Sternthal, Latin n\u2019 Soul Take Manhattan: The Musical shatters the fourth wall, turning the theatre into the \u201chottest venue in the city,\u201d and fusing the adrenaline of a live concert with a story of two cultures\u2014featuring jaw-dropping choreography, sharp comedy, and multimedia spectacle. Set in the heart of New York City, the musical follows Michelle Jones, a gifted young singer-songwriter forced to confront a hidden family legacy and bet everything on her dream.<\/p>\n

The project originated as a 2021 filmed concert at Theatre Maisonneuve, featuring 22 artists on stage, and raised over\u00a0 $2 million for the Montreal Jewish General Hospital Foundation. The film premiered at Cinemas Guzzo and was streamed in 16 countries. The new production will also include a six-episode docuseries and a cast album.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe musical will feature some of Montreal\u2019s finest artists. While it will launch in the city, it is being developed as an international export to showcase Canadian talent on the world stage, with the goal of transferring to Broadway,\u201d said Curtis Patterson, producer and CEO of Entertainment Central. \u201cI\u2019m blessed to have Autumn, Kizzo, and Luther on board to bring this vision to life.\u201d<\/p>\n

“When Mr. Patterson reached out to me, I knew this was something I was interested in. I had been dipping my toes into the theatre world and thought the production as a musical would be a lot of fun,” noted Autumn Rowe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled to broaden my horizons and bring my creativity and love of music to the stage,\u201d added Kizzo.<\/p>\n

Brown concluded, “To say I’m excited about this production would be an understatement. The opportunity to add my voice to this incredible story is an honor.”<\/p>\n

Log on to\u00a0 www.entertainmentcentral.ca<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

1976 OLYMPICS EXHIBIT: I was among those who received a special preview earlier this week of an extraordinary exhibition which will stay in place at the McCord Stewart Museum downtown until September 13. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, the Museum is presenting an unprecedented retrospective on this event that marked the city\u2019s history and redefined its image. Featuring an outstanding array of objects, documents, works on paper (posters, archives, editorial cartoons and photographs), collectibles, videos, clothing and accessories, Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat focuses on the organization behind this hugely successful milestone event. Visitors learn about the many challenges that arose during the run-up to the Games\u2014a veritable race against time\u2014as well as the rich urban, architectural and sports legacy the Games left behind. This project is part of the official programming to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

\"Olympic<\/p>\n

The opening ceremonies of the 1976 Olympics.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBy highlighting exclusive objects and archives from our collections, the exhibition gives voice to the people who shaped the experience and image of the 1976 Montreal Games,\u201d explains Christian Vachon, Curator, Documentary Art, Director, Collections Management and the curator of the exhibition. \u201cFashion designers, graphic designers, poster artists, architects, photographers and editorial cartoonists were all involved in promoting sports. Together, these artists, in an incredible burst of creativity, built on the success of Expo 67 to cement Montreal\u2019s arrival as a world-class city. Although the Olympic adventure also involved less pleasant memories of mismanagement and debt, the exhibition aims to rekindle the pride Montrealers felt when they welcomed the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last global event organized in Montreal, the Olympic Games were a truly exceptional undertaking, plagued with difficulties and yet hugely successful,\u201d noted\u00a0Anne Eschapasse, President Chief Executive Officer. \u201cGiven its mission to promote our stories and heritage along with its remarkable collections, it was only natural that the McCord Stewart Museum pay tribute to the visionaries, builders and creatives who joined forces to create a memorable experience for both athletes and the public and showcase the city\u2019s vibrant energy. I\u2019d like to thank our many public and private partners who have worked together, fifty years later, to recreate the excitement, exuberance and joy associated with this event.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Uniforms\"<\/p>\n

Some of the uniforms worn during the Olympics are displayed.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

In keeping with the Olympic ideal revived by Pierre de Coubertin, the city of Montreal was transformed into a buzzing cultural metropolis during the Games. Visitors were greeted by extensive cultural programming in the streets, parks and theatres of every area in the city. The exhibition demonstrates how preparing for the 1976 Games turned Montreal into a veritable laboratory of identity, social and urban design. An impressive selection of items drawn from the Museum\u2019s archives chronicles the design process and subsequent international recognition of the Montreal 1976 logo, the wide range of communications produced for the Games, and the bold architecture of the Olympic Stadium, the Velodrome and the Olympic Village, all of which have become iconic structures in the city.<\/p>\n

In Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat, visitors learn about the challenges and tensions that arose in the lead-up to the Games. These include Mayor Drapeau\u2019s \u201cOlympic clean-up\u201d campaign\u2014harassment of homosexual communities, arrests of homeless people, the removal of public posters and the dismantlement of the Corridart exhibition\u2014as well as the geopolitical instability of the era, illustrated by the deployment of 18,000 security personnel during the Games, the boycott led by a majority of African nations, and Canada\u2019s refusal to allow Taiwan to compete.<\/p>\n

The exhibition shines a light\u2014and the colours of the rainbow!\u2014on the ways in which the Games left a lasting impression on the collective memory. From Nadia Com\u0103neci to Caitlyn Jenner, then competing as Bruce Jenner.\u00a0 Montreal 1976: An Olympic Feat presents the achievements of sports personalities who have become icons, along with those of lesser-known athletes. Thanks to previously unpublished photographs from the Museum\u2019s La Presse fonds and videos from the archives of CBC\/Radio-Canada, visitors will discover the charisma, performances and Olympic values of these remarkable figures.<\/p>\n

This vibrantly staged area of the exhibition also showcases Olympic fashion, presenting the collaborative work of a team of four renowned Montreal designers. The 15 official uniforms on display demonstrate the functional approach taken, where colour is used to identify the various categories of Olympic personnel. Finally, there is a section devoted to the lasting legacy of the 1976 Games: infrastructure that has helped foster new high-level athletes and raise the nation\u2019s awareness of the importance of supporting amateur sport.<\/p>\n

The exhibition includes a fun-filled interactive tour that invites children ages 6 to 12 and the adults accompanying them to help the city of Montreal fulfil its dream of hosting the Olympic Games. Challenges and puzzles are sprinkled throughout the exhibition, leading participants straight to victory\u2014and the podium for a souvenir photo!<\/p>\n

To complement the Museum\u2019s physical exhibition, Beyond the Games: Montreal\u2019s Olympic Story will go online in July 2026. Designed for young people ages 12 to 17 years, this virtual exhibition will offer an accessible, engaging look at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games: their bold visual identity, architectural innovations, the challenges that arose during the run-up to the Games and, of course, the athletic performances that captivated the world. Featuring exclusive content, this virtual exhibition will showcase the defining moments of a major event in Canada\u2019s Olympic history.<\/p>\n

Go to https:\/\/www.musee-mccord-stewart.ca\/<\/a><\/p>\n

INNER WALLS: Vital Distribution and Vital Productions<\/a> are proud to present Inner Walls, the first feature-length documentary directed by Alexandra Elkin. Screened to a sold-out audience at the Fantasia International Film Festival last summer, in the presence of the filmmaker and protagonist Dierdre Wolownick, climber and mother of the legendary Alex Honnold, the film won the Silver Audience Award for Best Quebec Feature. It was released in Quebec on March 13. From the arid landscapes of Red Rock Canyon to the awe-inspiring Yosemite Valley, filmmaker Alexandra Elkin embarks on an adventure that is both physical and introspective, where each ascent forces her to reassess her limits. By her side, two exceptional climbers, Jack Lambert and Dierdre Wolownick, passionate athletes in their seventies, lead the way and prove that it\u2019s never too late to push one\u2019s boundaries in the extreme world of climbing. Guided by radically different philosophies and life journeys, these inspiring mentors show that age is not a barrier but a new starting point. At 71, Dierdre became the oldest woman to summit El Capitan. At 73, Jack is committed to passing on his experience to the next generation. For Alexandra, this encounter becomes a true turning point. Faced with her fears, she learns what it really means to step outside her comfort zone. And so, from dream to reality, Alexandra and her group suddenly find themselves staring down the heights where only the greats dare to go.<\/p>\n

You can see the trailer here\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

A JOURNEY THROUGH FOUR DECADES: The Conseil des arts de Montr\u00e9al (CAM) is proud to present Resonance: 40 Years of the Grand Prix du Conseil des arts de Montr\u00e9al, a free exhibition curated by Tamar Tembeck that takes visitors on a journey through four decades of artistic creation and recognition in Montr\u00e9al. Presented at the Maison du CAM, the iconic Gaston-Miron Building, the exhibition will continue until April 24\u00a0 as part of the 40th anniversary of the Grand Prix du CAM.<\/p>\n

Since 1985, this CAM signature event has highlighted the contributions of artists and arts organizations that have left their mark on the city\u2019s cultural life. In addition to a cash prize, every Grand Prix winner receives an original work of contemporary art created especially for them, echoing their own artistic process. Created for this anniversary edition, the exhibition brings together 25 of these pieces produced over the years, now part of the CAM\u2019s collection. This unique showcase reflects the richness, diversity and evolution of the artistic practices supported and highlighted by the CAM over the past 40 years.<\/p>\n

Comprising works by Raymonde April, Genevi\u00e8ve Cadieux, Pascal Grandmaison, Isabelle Hayeur, Caroline Monnet, Sabrina Ratt\u00e9, Gabor Szilasi and Fran\u00e7oise Sullivan, Resonances highlights the practices of contemporary artists who have marked, renewed and redefined current artistic practices in Montreal. Photography, visual arts, digital media and hybrid practices come together to paint a multifaceted portrait of the city\u2019s recent artistic history.<\/p>\n

\"Ukrainianm\"<\/p>\n

Representatives from the joint committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress \u2013 Quebec Provincial Council (UCC) and the Ukrainian Canadian War Veterans Association (UCWVA).<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

MEDAL OF SACRIFICE:\u00a0 The joint committee of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress \u2013 Quebec Provincial Council (UCC) and the Ukrainian Canadian War Veterans Association (UCWVA) presented the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal recently at the Maison Louis-Joseph Forget in Montreal. The medal was awarded to \u00c9mile-Antoine Roy-Sirois and Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Ratelle (posthumously) and Denis Perrier (wounded in action) \u2014 honoring Canadians from Quebec who made the ultimate sacrifice, or sustained wounds, while defending Ukraine’s freedom.<\/p>\n

Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Ratelle, from Joliette, was 38 years old when he was killed on the front lines in 2024. \u00c9mile-Antoine Roy-Sirois, a Montrealer, was 31 years old when he died in July 2022, just months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 \u2014 a conflict now more than four years old. Their families stood in their place during the ceremony to receive the medal on their behalf.<\/p>\n

Denis Perrier, 55, survived the conflict after sustaining injuries on the ground. He spent ten days in hospital. Reflecting on his decision to volunteer, Perrier said: “I saw that war can destroy family and children, kill people.”<\/p>\n

Marie Jeanne Tellier, the mother of Jean Fran\u00e7ois Ratelle, shared the first words her son told her before leaving to defend Ukraine: \u201cI\u2019m doing it for my daughter and for the children of Ukraine, for my wife and for the Ukrainian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Marie-France Sirois, mother of \u00c9mile-Antoine Roy-Sirois, expressed the pride and grief shared by all families present: “There are no words to say how proud I am.”<\/p>\n

Michael Shwec, President of the UCC Quebec Provincial Council, expressed the organization’s gratitude for these volunteers: “The values of Ukrainians and the values of Quebecers are very, very similar. They value life, they value family, and they are willing to fight for it.”<\/p>\n

The event was standing room only, drawing Quebec families of the fallen and wounded alongside members of numerous Ukrainian organizations and representatives from all three levels of government.<\/p>\n

Sterling Downey, City Councilor for Verdun and a member of the Black Watch, delivered an emotionally powerful speech that moved many in the audience to tears. Speaking as a father, he conveyed with profound depth how heart and soul-searing it is to lose a family member to war.<\/p>\n

Among the distinguished guests in attendance who also addressed the crowd with official greetings were His Excellency Andrii Pla\u043ahotniuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada, Eugene Czolij, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Montreal, Annie Koutrakis MP on behalf of the Government of Canada, Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe MP on behalf of the Bloc Qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois, Fran\u00e7ois St-Louis MNA on behalf of the Government of Quebec, and Alanna Mysak, on behalf of the National Executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.<\/p>\n

Many other distinguished guests at the event included Natilien Joseph MP, D\u00e9sir\u00e9e McGraw, Member of the National Assembly and Deputy for NDG, several members of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as many leaders of community organizations.<\/p>\n

\"Rubin<\/p>\n

Rubin and Kimi Djabat\u00e9.<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

THE RUBIN REPORT WITH KIMI DJABAT\u00c9:\u00a0 In this week’s report, rocker Stewart Rubin\u00a0 tell us how ife moves like a heartbeat\u2014rising and falling, pulsing with energy and emotion. Music follows that same rhythm, with its highs and peaks, its lows and drops. Like life, music is all about the soul\u2014what we feel, what we experience, and how we choose to express it. He had the honour of speaking with Kimi Djabat\u00e9, who shared how deeply his music is rooted in soul and personal experience. For Kimi, every note, every lyric reflects not only his own journey, but also the world as he sees it. His sound is deeply influenced by his Mandinka culture and language, giving his music a rich and authentic identity. I will Stewart take it from here.<\/p>\n

Kimi\u2019s musical journey began at just three years old. Born into a Griot family\u2014a lineage where music is not just an art but a responsibility\u2014he was raised in a tradition passed down through generations. Being a Griot ( a West African storyteller, historian musician or praise singer who serves as a living archive of cultural traditions) music wasn\u2019t optional; it was a calling. While other children played soccer or watched television, Kimi was immersed in practice, honing his craft. Though he longed at times for a more typical childhood, his passion for music kept him grounded. That dedication would eventually shape him into the remarkable artist he is today.<\/p>\n

A true musical prodigy, Kimi channels his life\u2014both its joys and struggles\u2014into his work. As he told me, \u201cSome people cry when they are sad, but I express it through my music.\u201d That emotional honesty is at the core of everything he creates.<\/p>\n

Early on, Kimi saw himself strictly as a musician rather than a singer. But as he matured, he realized that many artists weren\u2019t addressing the themes that mattered most to him. He began writing about deeper issues\u2014what independence truly feels like, human rights, and the lived realities of women and children. While many spoke about the independence of Guinea-Bissau, Kimi wanted to explore the emotional and human side of that freedom.<\/p>\n

Kimi Plays the Balfon a musical instrument that resemble a xylophone and has 21 keys and can been seen with him in the attached photo<\/p>\n

His 2009 album Karam helped cement his reputation as one of Africa\u2019s top artists. He followed that success with Terik\u00e9 in 2010, Kanamalu in 2016, and Dindin in 2023. Each project showcases his exceptional songwriting and his ability to pour raw emotion into his music.<\/p>\n

Always evolving, Kimi sought to expand his audience through collaboration. That journey led to an unexpected connection with global pop icon Madonna. While living in Lisbon, Kimi performed at a private wedding for a French couple who happened to be friends of Madonna. Impressed by his talent\u2014and already familiar with one of his songs\u2014Madonna invited him to perform at a private event. That meeting sparked a lasting friendship. Over time, she invited him to collaborate and perform at special events around the world. In 2019, they worked together on her album Madame X, further expanding Kimi\u2019s international reach.<\/p>\n

More recently, a connection closer to home led to another collaboration. A mutual friend introduced Kimi to Quebec singer Maritza<\/p>\n

while both were living in Lisbon. After visiting Kimi during a recording session for his third album, she was inspired to collaborate. The result was a French-language duet released in 2025, blending their unique styles and cultural influences.<\/p>\n

Kimi is now set to perform in Montreal as part of the Les Productions Nuits d’Afrique, at the invitation of Maritza. He will take the stage on Thursday, April 2nd at Club Balattou (4372 Boulevard St-Laurent). Doors open at 8:30 PM, with the show starting at 9:00 PM. Tickets are available through Les Productions Nuits d\u2019Afrique or at the door. He will also join Maritza on stage for a song or two April 1st at her show at Beautiful Lion d\u2019or, 1676 Ontario east ( corner Papineau ) at 8:00 PM<\/p>\n

I would like to thank Kimi for his time and for sharing his powerful story, as well as Jacob Edgar\u2014his manager and friend\u2014for assisting as translator during our video interview.<\/p>\n

Kimi Djabat\u00e9\u2019s music is available on all streaming platforms.<\/p>\n

For the full video interview, visit daylitevampires.com<\/a> \u2013 Interview with a Vampire.<\/p>\n

Have an item for this blog? E-mail mcohen@thesuburban.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Entertainment Central, a Montreal-based live entertainment and production company, is proud to announce the stellar creative team for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179238,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[72447,72446,12381,72448,75,84,83,9,24,63],"class_list":{"0":"post-179237","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manhattan","8":"tag-1976-summer-olympics","9":"tag-alex-honnold","10":"tag-exhibition","11":"tag-griot","12":"tag-manhattan","13":"tag-manhattan-headlines","14":"tag-manhattan-news","15":"tag-new-york","16":"tag-new-york-city","17":"tag-nyc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179237"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179237\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}