Andre 3000

Inside Luna Luna: The Amusement Park That Drake Revived With A Massive Investment

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In the heart of Los Angeles, a groundbreaking fusion of art and amusement has emerged with the arrival of Luna Luna. This innovative museum-amusement park transports visitors back to the iconic era of 1987, showcasing the visionary creations of 30 renowned artists. Each artist has lent their unique touch to customize classic theme park rides, turning Luna Luna into a mesmerizing experiential art show and outdoor museum. HotNewHipHop had the opportunity to attend and experience the park firsthand. Moreover, the allure of the park persisted, captivating the attention of none other than Drake himself. Furthermore, visionary artists including Basquiat, Salvador Dali, and Lichtenstein were among the influential figures behind the design of the amusement park. In 1987, Luna Luna made its debut in Hamburg, Germany, only to close down shortly after due to financial struggles.

However, André Heller, its founder, doubted the possibility of Luna Luna ever reopening its doors. But thanks to the involvement of Drake and his DreamCrew team who invested upwards of $100M, the park underwent a resurrection and opened its doors to the public in December 2023. For Drake and his team, the thought of so many interactive works of art sitting in obscurity sparked his imagination and fueled his desire to bring Luna Luna back to life. An earlier endeavor to resurrect the park in the 1990s in San Diego fell short. However, the team salvaged the park’s dormant rides from a warehouse in Texas. Their objective wasn’t to restore it as a functioning theme park. But rather to reimagine it as a captivating art exhibition. While the rides themselves are not operational, the park is transformed into an immersive and creative art gallery.

Read More: Basquiat’s Friends & Collaborators Sound Off On Jay-Z & Beyoncé’s Tiffany’s Ad

Luna Luna Is Filled With Incredible Works Of Art

Luna Luna
Image via Tallie Spencer

Each segment of the exhibition serves as a canvas for creative expression, breathing life into art in a vibrant and accessible manner. Stepping into the space was like entering a portal to a realm where imagination runs wild. While walking through the doors of this spectacular exhibition in Los Angeles, there was a clear rush of excitement. Here, amidst the 60,000-square-feet of creative wonder, I embarked on a journey through the forgotten fantasy of the world’s first art amusement park. The experience began with a mesmerizing introduction to Luna Luna through a fast-moving video. The visual guided readers on the history of the fairground.

As I passed through a midnight blue corridor, I found myself immersed in a world where the fantastical meets the tangible. The exhibition is divided into two rooms. Each room is filled with unique rides and interactive installations by world-renowned artists. In the first space, I took pictures next to Kenny Scharf’s painted chair swing ride, complete with abstract sculptures surrounding it. Next up, David Hockney’s Enchanted Tree and Keith Haring’s vibrant carousel added to the enchantment, while Manfred Deix’s Palace of the Winds stood as a testament to the enchanting nature of the park.

Read More: Drake Invests $100M To Restore Avante-Garde Amusement Park

The Jean-Michel Basquiat Ferris Wheel Was A Highlight

Image via Tallie Spencer

Furthermore, crossing through artist’s Sonia Delaunay’s monumental entrance archway, I entered the second space. I was greeted by the marvelous sight of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s painted Ferris wheel. This was one of my favorite areas of the exhibition. As I explored further, I encountered Rebecca Horn’s thought-provoking Love Thermometer, and André Heller’s imaginative Wedding Chapel. It was clear how each installation told a story, further captivating my attention into the world of Luna Luna. The day I went, there were several other visitors enjoying the space and also capturing Instagram-worthy moments.

But the magic didn’t stop there. It’s clear that Luna Luna has so much potential to be a space where the community can come together. In fact, on a separate day (March 19), I even had the opportunity to witness André 3000’s live performance, which took place at Luna Luna, as part of his New Blue Sun Tour. This experience added to the fantasy of the space and Andre 3000 did a great job at setting the atmosphere for what the audience witnessed. In fact, he even gave a short speech about why he decided to pursue his career playing the flute, instead of rapping on this album this time around. “It really all comes from the same place,” he told the crowd.

Read More: Drake Transforms Theme Park Into Art Extravaganza In Los Angeles, Opening Date Revealed

Andre 3000 Performs At Luna Luna

Moreover, set against the backdrop of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Ferris wheel, his performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. Musicians Carlos Niño, Nate Mercereau, Surya Botofasina, and Deantoni Parks joined him on stage. André 3000 truly transported the audience to another dimension with his music. The audience felt the same way as the sounds of the wind instruments filled the room. It was a perfect fit for the tour stop to take place at this location. The playful atmosphere combined with the nature of André 3000’s performance served as an excellent background.

As I sat amongst iconic artworks, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the convergence of art and music in this surreal setting. It was a moment that transcended time, bringing together the past and present in a symphony of creativity. In the midst of my experience, I found myself captivated by the rich tapestry of artistic expression. From the vibrant colors of Keith Haring to the surreal landscapes of Salvador Dalí, each artist left a memorable mark on this immersive experience. Overall, Luna Luna is filled with surprises and has a certain whimsical magic to the whole experience. The exhibition is worth the visit!

Read More: Andre 3000 “New Blue Sun” Review

The post Inside Luna Luna: The Amusement Park That Drake Revived With A Massive Investment appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Here Are Big Ears Festival Set Times For 2024

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Jon Batiste Oscars 2024
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Last September, Big Ears Festival revealed its 2024 lineup, which included Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Rhiannon Giddens, Adrianne Lenker, and Laurie Anderson. The daily lineups rolled out in early December. Last month, Big Ears announced that André 3000 and his ensemble would perform André 3000: New Blue Sun Live as a residency across the festival’s four days — with “five intimate concerts in three different venues.”

The 2024 Big Ears Festival will be held from Thursday, March 21, to Sunday, March 24, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The festival features a whopping 13 venues, including Knoxville Civic Auditorium, Tennessee Theatre, Bijou Theatre, Mill & Mine, and The Standard.

Check out the must-know set times below, and see the full four-day schedule here.

Here Are Big Ears Festival Set Times For 2024

Thursday, March 21: The slate will really begin at 6 p.m. local time with Tord Gustavsen Trio at Bijou Theater and include various performances across all stages, including Adrianne Lenker (9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.) at Knoxville Civic Auditorium. It will conclude with Robert Aiki and Aubrey Lowe from 11:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. at The Standard. André 3000’s first New Blue Sun Live performance will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at St. John’s Cathedral.

Friday, March 22: Sisters With Transistors will kick the day off at 9 a.m. at Regal Riviera Cinema 2. Steve Keene Live Art Performance will happen throughout the day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Red Gallery. Joanna Sternberg will perform from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Old City PAC. John Paul Jones can be found from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Tennessee Theatre. Laurie Anderson & Sexmob: Let X=X is set for 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Knoxville Civic Auditorium, and Rhiannon Giddens will play from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Tennessee Theatre. André 3000’s second New Blue Sun Live performance will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bijou Theatre.

Saturday, March 23:Steve Keene Live Art Performance will again stretch from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Red Gallery. Herbie Hancock is slated from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Knoxville Civic Auditorium. André 3000’s third New Blue Sun Live performance will take place from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The Point.

Sunday, March 24: Yes, Steve Keene Live Art Performance will again be available to see from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Red Gallery. American Symphony will perform from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Regal Riviera Cinema 2. Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens will set up from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. at Mill & Mine. Jon Batiste’s set will last from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Knoxville Civic Auditorium. André 3000 will stage two separateNew Blue Sun Live concerts at The Point on the final day: 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

WATCH: Andre 3000 and Big Boi Share Moment at ‘New Blue Sun’ Show in ATL

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Andre 3000 and Big Boi Share Moment at 'New Blue Sun' Show in ATL

Andre 3000 and Big Boi linked up to give fans a bit of nostalgia. The Outkast duo shared a pair of videos from behind the scenes of one of 3000’s flute shows.

“Antwan & Andre 🛸 Flutie Hoooooo #NewBlueSun,” Andre wrote online.

Andre 3000 was close to being part of the Fast and Furious franchise. Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 3 Stacks revealed he auditioned around 2 Fast 2 Furious.

“I think Ludacris took the role,” Andre said.” I actually tried out. I tried out for Fast & Furious, and Ludacris actually took the role.”

You can see the moment below.

With the release of Kamasi Washington’s new album, the spotlight has returned to American rapper and actor André 3000. The analytics team at CEnligneGuru was curious about how much the artist earns from music platforms. For instance, on Spotify, he boasts 2,628,951 monthly listeners, translating to an estimated $10,515.80. Notably, his most popular track on YouTube Music, “Life of the Party,” has amassed 18 million views, which, if monetized, would approximate earnings of $31,500.00.

The post WATCH: Andre 3000 and Big Boi Share Moment at ‘New Blue Sun’ Show in ATL first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: Andre 3000 and Big Boi Share Moment at ‘New Blue Sun’ Show in ATL appeared first on The Source.

Kamasi Washington Announces ‘Fearless Movement,’ His First Album In Years, As Well As 2024 Tour Dates

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It’s been a minute since we’ve gotten new Kamasi Washington, as his most recent album is 2018’s Heaven And Earth. His comeback is nigh, though: Today (March 6), he announced the upcoming release of Fearless Movement, a new album. He also shared a video for “Prologue.”

Washington recruited a strong roster of collaborators for the project, including André 3000 (on flute), George Clinton, BJ The Chicago Kid, Thundercat, Terrace Martin, and more.

Per a press release, Washington calls the project his “dance album,” saying, “It’s not literal. Dance is movement and expression, and in a way it’s the same thing as music — expressing your spirit through your body. That’s what this album is pushing.”

The press release also notes, “Where previous albums dealt with cosmic ideas and existential concepts, Fearless Movement focuses in on the everyday, an exploration of life on earth. This change in scope is due in large part to the birth of Washington’s first child a few years ago.”

Washington adds, “Being a father means the horizon of your life all of a sudden shows up. My mortality became more apparent to me, but also my immortality — realizing that my daughter is going to live on and see things that I’m never going to see. I had to become comfortable with this, and that affected the music that I was making.”

Watch the “Prologue” video above and find the Fearless Movement art and tracklist below. Washington also announced new tour dates, so find those below as well.

Kamasi Washington’s Fearless Movement Album Cover Artwork

Kamasi Washington Fearless Movement
Young

Kamasi Washington’s Fearless Movement Tracklist

1. “Lesanu”
2. “Asha The First” Feat. Thundercat, Taj Austin, and Ras Austin
3. “Computer Love” Feat. Patrice Quinn, DJ Battlecat, and Brandon Coleman
4. “The Visionary” Feat. Terrace Martin
5. “Get Lit” Feat. George Clinton and D Smoke
6. “Dream State” Feat. André 3000
7. “Together” Feat. BJ The Chicago Kid
8. “The Garden Path”
9. “Interstellar Peace (The Last Stance)”
10. “Road To Self (KO)”
11. “Lines In The Sand”
12. “Prologue”

Kamasi Washington 2024 Tour Dates

05/04 — New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
05/05 — Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
05/07 — Toronto, QC @ History
05/08 — Cincinnati, OH @ Ludlow Garage
05/09 — Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
05/10 — Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
05/11 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fitzgerald Theater
05/12 — Omaha, NB @ Slowdown
05/14 — Houston, TX @ House of Blues Houston
05/15 — Dallas, TX @ House of Blues Dallas
05/16 — San Antonio, TX @ Empire Theater
05/17 — Austin, TX @ Empire Garage
05/30 — Vancouver, BC @ Vogue
05/31 — Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
06/01 — Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre
06/02 — Portland, OR @ Crystal Ballroom
06/05 — Sacramento, CA @ Crest Theatre
06/06 — Monterey, CA @ Golden State Theatre
06/07 — San Francisco, CA @ Warfield
06/08 — Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
06/09 — San Diego, CA @ Belly Up
06/11 — Mesa, AZ @ Mesa Arts Center
06/16 — Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Bowl Jazz Fest
07/31 — Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere

Andre 3000’s “New Blue Sun”: OutKast Icon Shares Big Boi’s Reaction, Talks Making More Rap Music

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Andre 3000 and Big Boi paved the way for many of today’s hip-hop superstars thanks to their tireless work together in OutKast. Of course, recent years have seen the pair turn their energy toward solo projects, though they remain supportive of each other in all that they do. During a new interview with High Snobiety, 3 Stacks revealed what his partner in rhyme thought of last year’s New Blue Sun flute album, along with some other interesting music updates.

“He was smiling. He was like, ‘Man… I played it for a lot of buddies, even my son. They were like, ‘It’s the real thing. It’s not a mimic.’ You really did this,’” Andre told the outlet of Big Boi. Elsewhere, the prolific creative played his work for other pals like Tyler, The Creator and Frank Ocean. “We’re all sitting there listening to it. I’m wondering what the young people’s opinions would be. And I’m so happy that what I’m hearing is really good feedback.”

Read More: Andre 3000 Says Ludacris Took “Fast & Furious” Role He Auditioned For

Andre 3000 Chats with High Snobiety About His Flute Album and Future Music

When asked about the possibility of returning to writing rhymes, 3000 sounded hopeful. “I would love to make a rap album. I just think it’d be an awesome challenge to do a fire-a** album at 48 years old,” he noted. “That’s probably one of the hardest things to do! I would love to do that. That’s the cool thing about my whole ride; it really is a ride.”

Andre 3000 knew that not everyone who loves the rest of his discography would understand his vision for New Blue Sun. Still, the response has been positive enough for the OutKast member to take his instrumental LP out on tour over the past few weeks, and perform some of his songs on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert back in January. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Andre 3000 Performs “That Night In Hawaii When I Turned Into A Panther…” On “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert”: Watch

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The post Andre 3000’s “New Blue Sun”: OutKast Icon Shares Big Boi’s Reaction, Talks Making More Rap Music appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

With Super 7’s New Outkast Action Figures, You Can Now Have Your Own ‘ATLien’ Adventures

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outkast
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André 3000 may not be rapping much anymore, but as a member of the pioneering Atlanta hip-hop duo Outkast, his legacy — and that of his partner-in-rhyme, Big Boi — is secure. That legacy is being celebrated in new ways all the time — and the latest will give fans a chance to play out their Outkast reunion fantasies, at least in miniature. Super 7, the collectibles company that has been commemorating pop culture since 2001, announced a new set of Outkast action figures capturing their likenesses from the cover of the duo’s 1996 album ATLiens.

The 3.7″ scale figures come with microphone accessories, while Big Boi’s features a removable chain. The cardback package also features a reproduction of the iconic album cover by illustrator DL Warfield, which imagines the duo as comic book superheroes — fitting for the translation to action figures. You can find more about the figures on Super 7’s website.

The group previously revisited ATLiens in 2021, with an animated video for the standout single “Two Dope Boyz (In A Cadillac).” While the duo hasn’t announced any plans to reunite for the foreseeable future, the roots of their Dungeon Family tree run strong. Killer Mike, their frequent collaborator, swept the Rap Grammys categories this year for his album Michael, which features one of André’s first verses in years on “Scientists & Engineers.”

Andre 3000 Says Ludacris Took “Fast & Furious” Role He Auditioned For

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Turns out that one of the most profitable movie franchises of all time could’ve featured another Southern hip-hop legend instead. Moreover, when asked about why he hadn’t shown up in the Fast & Furious films, André 3000 recently revealed during his appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he auditioned for franchise, specifically the original’s sequel 2 Fast 2 Furious. While he appeared on the show last month, the clip started to make social media rounds this week, and many people expressed curious surprise and some shock. “I think Ludacris took the role,” 3 Stacks remarked. I actually tried out, I tried out for Fast & Furious, and Ludacris actually took the role.”

Furthermore, when asked by Colbert if this upset him, Andre 3000 was quite honest in his response. “No, not at all, ’cause I wasn’t ready,” he shared. “No, I mean, I remember that audition, man. I was so nervous, man. Like, I wouldn’t hire me. Yeah, possibly [the door’s open]. If they watching, yeah, put me in Fast 30.” “2 Fast 2 Flute,” Stephen suggested in the clip below, which got an “Ooh” from the Atlanta multi-hyphenate and another potential title: “Flute & Furious.”

Read More: Andre 3000 In The Studio With Some Underground Rap Stars New And Old

Andre 3000 Tells Funny Ludacris & Fast & Furious Story: Watch

Of course, both of them went on to have incredible careers in what they aimed for, with Ludacris actually starting a TV show based on his radio days very soon. Plus, he also has a lot of love for Andre 3000, reciprocating the respect. “So, top five flows, man,” Luda began a list during a XXL interview in 2020. “Andre 3000 is going to be in there. I feel like he always challenges, always challenges.”

In addition, here’s what he told Lil Wayne in May of 2020 about Outkast changing hip-hop. “It’s also interesting how when you take it back in history and you think about how Andre 3000 was like, ‘The South got something to say‘ at the Source Awards when they beat Mobb Deep on that album,” Ludacris recalled. “All respect due to my Mobb Deep, but that was a moment in time, in history, where everything started going a different way because it created that conversation. The people that weren’t up on Outkast, they literally started listening and they were forced to listen to it.” For more news and the latest updates on these amazing artists, stay logged into HNHH.

Read More: Ludacris Recalls A Surprising Encounter With Justin Timberlake Backstage At The Grammys

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Andre 3000 Reveals He Auditioned for ‘Fast & Furious’ Film but Ludacris Got the Role

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Andre 3000 Reveals He Auditioned for 'Fast & Furious' Film

Andre 3000 was close to being part of the Fast and Furious franchise. Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, 3 Stacks revealed he auditioned around 2 Fast 2 Furious.

“I think Ludacris took the role,” Andre said.” I actually tried out. I tried out for Fast & Furious, and Ludacris actually took the role.”

You can see the moment below.

The post Andre 3000 Reveals He Auditioned for ‘Fast & Furious’ Film but Ludacris Got the Role first appeared on The Source.

The post Andre 3000 Reveals He Auditioned for ‘Fast & Furious’ Film but Ludacris Got the Role appeared first on The Source.

The ‘Fast & Furious’ Family Could Have Featured André 3000, Who Revealed He Auditioned For One Of The Movies

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André 3000 was on The Late Show in January. While there, he and Stephen Colbert taped a “Colbert Questionert” segment, in which Colbert asks his guests a series of general questions in an attempt to get to know them better. These segments usually air a couple weeks after the guest’s initial Late Show appearance, and André’s segment finally played last night, February 8. Colbert’s questioning actually unearthed an interesting piece of trivia: André once auditioned for a Fast & Furious movie.

One of the standard Questionert questions is, “Do you have a favorite action movie?” Nothing came to mind for André, so Colbert playfully followed up, “Why haven’t you been in one of the Fast & Furious movies? I could see you driving a fast car, off a cliff or something into a boat.” André responded with a bit of a laugh, “I would have but I think Ludacris took the role.” He added, “No, I actually tried out. I tried out for Fast & Furious and Ludacris actually took the role,” which took Colbert by surprise.

Ludacris’ first time portraying Tej Parker in the Fast & Furious franchise was in the second film, 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, so it would seem that’s the movie André auditioned for.

Colbert asked André if he was angry about not landing the part and he responded, “No, not at all. I mean… ’cause I wasn’t ready. […] I remember that audition. I was so nervous, man, like I wouldn’t have hired me.”

André went on to have a fine acting career, though, with roles in movies like Four Brothers, Semi Pro, and Jimi: All Is By My Side.

Check out the full “Colbert Questionert” segment above.

Here Is The André 3000 Merch Available At The ‘New Blue Sun Live Tour’

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andre 3000
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André 3000 has long been known as an unconventional artist who makes some pretty unconventional moves. For instance, his first-ever solo album New Blue Sun features no beats and no rhymes, but is instead filled with improvised woodwind tunes and super-long song titles.

Now, he’s on tour for the new album, but as it turns out, there is one way he’s been very conventional: In his tour merch offerings. Per a social media post from someone who apparently attended one of the shows, the options are a fairly basic collection of tees, hoodies, and beanies. The T-shirts and hoodies all feature the tour stops on the back, while one (my favorite) reads “Listen To Sade” on the front. The tees are $80, the hoodies are $120 and the beanies — which look just like the ones André himself has been wearing lately, on some Jacques Cousteau tip — are $45. Check out a photo below.

André 3000’s New Blue Sun Live tour dates

01/29 — Brooklyn, NY @ Crown Hill Theatre
01/31 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
01/31 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/01 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
02/01 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/02 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (8 p.m. show)
02/02 — New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (10:30 p.m. show)
02/05 — Brooklyn, NY @ St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church
02/06 — Brooklyn, NY @ St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Church
02/08 — Detroit, MI @ Cliff Bell’s
02/09 —Detroit, MI @ The Chapel at Masonic Temple (7 p.m. show)
02/09 — Detroit, MI @ The Chapel at Masonic Temple (10 p.m. show)
02/12 — Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
02/13 — Chicago, IL @ 1357 N Elston
02/15 — Chicago, IL @ Garfield Park Conservatory (7 p.m. show)
02/15 — Chicago, IL @ Garfield Park Conservatory (9 p.m. show)
02/20 — San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
02/22 — San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s 365 Club
02/24 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (7 p.m. show)
02/24 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (9 p.m. show)
02/27 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
02/28 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
02/29 — Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
03/02 — Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage Theater
03/05 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/06 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/07 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/08 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
03/09 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever