Rock Hudson News

Cabaret-rock singer-songwriter Nellie McKay brings her uniquely eccentric blend of pop, rock, jazz and hip-hop to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, March 8, at 8pm.

Eilen Jewell, self-styled 'queen of the minor key,' brings her blend of noirish rockabilly, surf-tinged country, retro-rock and jazzy folk to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, April 17, at 9pm. Jewell will be playing old favorites and songs from last year's terrific album, 'Gypsy.'

Seattle-based country-rock outfit Western Centuries will bring its Americana sounds to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, April 3, at 9pm. The group boasts a refreshing sound that draws as easily from modern R&B as it does George Jones. The concert coincides with the release of the group's newest album, 'Call the Captain.'

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is offering Broadway's biggest hit, plus amazing concerts and memorable special events for every entertainment preference, from classical music to razzle dazzle dancers, from international performing artists to musical favorites from the Great American Songbook, along with several fascinating talks and lectures throughout the month of February.

Hudson's own Brasskill and drag-rock-collective Burt Murder along with Columbia Country garage-rockers the Wild Weeeds headline the fourth Eclectic Rock Showcase at Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, January 23, at 8pm.

Renowned film critic Molly Haskell said, “I think Doris Day is the most underrated, underappreciated actress that has ever come out of Hollywood.” And Will Friedwald, popular singing guru, says “At her very best, she's worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald, yet she's never gotten a fraction of their respect.”

Reputation has its flaws, but it also has some wonderfully worked songs, well sung by a talented cast.

Jesse Malin and Band bring their rootsy original rock to Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, December 7, at 9pm, capping the city's WinterWalk celebration. While Malin is a masterful songwriter in his own right, he has covered songs by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, the Clash, Neil Young, and the Replacements, which gives as good an idea as any of where to place him in the musical firmament.

Actor-singer-dancer-choreographer Adam Fleming became a part of Broadway history originating the roles of Sketch in Hairspray and Lucas in Bare. In 2005, he starred in David Brind and Adam Salky's acclaimed short film, Dare, about two teenage boys' tense, spark-filled encounter in a pool following high school play practice. Dare gained a cult following as part of Strand Releasing's 'Boys Life' series and ultimately achieved worldwide popularity via more than 12 Million views on Youtube. The fan fervor (and fan fiction!) eventually inspired a sequel, ten years later. The original and the sequel are now being presented together as The Dare Project and attracting new legions of fans.

The South Carolina-based Americana rock group The Artisanals bring their unique blend of heartland, psychedelic, and modern rock to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, August 23, at 9pm.

Vocalist Storm Large, who shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show Rock Star: Supernova, brings her rock-fueled cabaret act to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, September 29, at 8pm. Storm Large's repertoire ranges from original, sweaty and steamy hard-rock numbers; standards such as Jacques Brel's 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' and Cole Porter's 'I've Got You Under My Skin'; and rock-era ballads by Randy Newman and Lou Reed. She is also a vocalist with neo-lounge act Pink Martini. Storm spent the 1990s singing in clubs throughout San Francisco. Tired of the club scene, she moved to Portland to pursue a new career as a chef, but a last-minute cancellation in 2002 at a Portland club turned into a standing Wednesday night engagement for Storm and her new band, The Balls. It wasn't long before Storm had a cult-like following in Portland, and a renewed singing career that was soon to be launched onto the international stage.

An Eclectic Rock Showcase featuring musical talent from the greater region comes to Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, August 29, at 8pm. The lineup includes Concetta Abbate, Wes Buckley and the Vaguely Pagan, Camp Saint Helene, and The Wild Weeeds.

"Starmaker", the new play by Michael Leeds having its world premiere at Island City Stage imaginatively explores the supernova career of Rock Hudson, an incredibly handsome, but closeted, sailor who craved stardom. Henry Willson was a homely, openly gay, larger than life agent who groomed him and created a star. Hollywood dubbed them "beauty and the beast" but with Rock's looks and Henry's ruthless ambition, they reached the pinnacle of success. Then Henry fell in love with his creation and a life of lies led to final credits neither would have written. 

Donelle Dadigan, Founder and President of The Hollywood Museum in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O'Farrell (CD13), proudly unveiled the 2019 salute to the LGBT community's contributions to the entertainment industry last night to launched Los Angeles' Gay Pride weekend festivities.

New York City-based retro-rock group The Fopps bring their singular brand of British Invasion-styled garage-rock to Club Helsinki Hudson on Friday, July 26, at 9pm.

Author John Bell announces the release of his memoir Elaine Stritch: The End of Pretend, a book about an extraordinary life and the first book about the Broadway actress who died in 2014. The End of Pretend chronicles the twilight of actress Elaine Stritch's career offering a rare first-person and no-holds-barred glimpse into the private persona behind the Broadway icon.

Grammy Award-nominated folk-rock singer-songwriter Steve Forbert brings his band, the New Renditions, and his distinctive folk-rock sound to Club Helsinki Hudson on Thursday, July 18, at 8pm. Best known for hit songs 'Romeo's Tune' and 'Goin' Down to Laurel,' Forbert was touted as a 'new Dylan' when he burst upon the scene in downtown New York in the mid-1970s.

On September 11, 1967, Carol Burnett and her madcap cast took to the airwaves on CBS for a new variety series that combined sketch comedy, singing and dancing. Little did they know that The Carol Burnett Show would become an Emmy Award-winning program and survive the changing tastes of TV audiences to last eleven seasons.

Island City Stage's reading of Allan Carr: Can't Stop the Stories on Monday June 17 is SOLD OUT!

Lily Tomlin, upon accepting her award, remarked 'My partner Jane and I are honored and want to thank you for this award. It is amazing to see this whole outpouring for the LGBT community. Jane, couldnt be here tonight, but asked that I share her remarks 'We love the thought of being called Trail-Blazers. It makes us feel current and something out of Marvel Comics.'  Neither of us has a good sense of direction, so we thought being called trail-blazers implies that we somehow new where we were going. So thank you for thinking of us as trail-blazers, rather than as museum pieces.  Of course, there were times, Im afraid, we got lost on that trail and were more bewildered than blazing.  We are still blazing, but we have had to cool down a bit. After all, we need to take care not to add to global warming.'