Stevie Wonder at The Borgata, Phillyist Playlist

What to write for this preview sitting here thinking, there are a million things to say and all are completely inadequate words to use. Stevie Wonder to say has been a personal influence is one thing, but to know that he has influenced the wonderest modern musicians of our time is so far reaching and amazing that it almost defies superlatives. This danced Phillyist her first dance with her husband to Stevie's "You and I" and with her father to "Isn't She Lovely." Stevie Wonder has been a part of people's lives since the early 1960s and continues to perform with the same enthusiasm and infectious optimism since then. His new DVD, Live At Last showcases perfectly the versatility, both vocally and instrumentally, of this musical genius. You can catch Stevie performing his Wonder Autumn's Night tour when it stops for two days at The Borgata this Friday and Saturday.
Stevie play liveif you've never seen, you owe it to yourself to do so. In the fifty years (FIFTY YEARS!!) that he has been performing, his stage presence, audience interaction and connection with his ensemble musicians gets stronger every time. The alone thing about Stevie's performances is that unlike most musicians, he performs all his songs in the original key. This is downright unheard of when speaking of musicians his age—most will take songs down a few steps to accommodate their aging voices. You'll also hear him play songs from nearly every album of his marvelous career, from "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" to "So What The Fuss." Although we're not sure whether he'll be playing with a live horn section or a synth, it'll be worth your time either way.
The Borgata's Event Center is very acoustically sound and guests will be sure to have a comfortable, enjoyable experience there. The last time Phillyist saw Stevie, it was at the Wachovia Center. The acoustics there made it sound somewhat like Stevie was playing in the bottom of a trash can but here at the Borgata, you can expect a much more pure, true sound. Plus let's face it— the Borgata's a straight up swanky place in general. We actually like it there and always have a fun time when we go. It should also be noted that the Roots are also playing the Borgata that evening, in the Music Box. They're having an afterparty at Mixx later that evening, which sounds like the makings for an absolutely amazing night.
Stevie Wonder

Event Center at The Borgata, Atlantic City

Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31

Tickets: SOLD OUT! See what you can grab on craigslist

Unforgettable concert in Norfolk, Stevie Wonder delivers

Performing arts in the world, there are concerts and then there are once-in-a-lifetime events. There are shows, and then there are life affirming celebrations that reignite the sense of joy and wonder and lightness you had as a child.
At the Ted Constant Convocation Center Sunday night, Stevie Wonder delivered one of those rare, unforgettable performances an attendee can always remember fondly.
There was no jumbo screen, no fireworks and not even an opening act—just Stevie and a crew that included two keyboardists, two conga players, two guitarists and four background singers, one of whom was his daughter Aisha Morris (yes, the one immortalized in the song “Isn’t She Lovely.”)
For nearly three hours, Stevie rolled through cherished songs including “Ribbon in the Sky” and “Sir Duke” with finesse; anyone that tells you Stevie sounds exactly as he does on record as he does in person—or if not better—is telling you the absolute truth. People leapt to their feet and danced in the aisles to “Superstition” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I’m Yours,” and screamed, over and over again, “I love you, Stevie!” – and he ended the show with the same refrain.
If there’s such a thing as a perfect concert, this waslikely it.

At MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Stevie Wonder Performs

Stevie Wonder, who began his long career as a kid hanging around Motown studios in Detroit, performs tonight at 8 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.Wonder has been singing from his lengthy catalog for this tour, including songs from "Innervisions," "Songs in the Key of Life," "Talking Book," "Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium," "Talking Book" and 2005's "A Time To Love."

CHURCH GETS WONDER-FUL VISITOR

If it looks like Stevie Wonder and it sounds like Stevie Wonder, it must be Stevie Wonder.
At least that's what folks who attended Sunday services at Strong Tower Ministries in Stafford County are saying after an impromptu performance there.
"As soon as he opened his mouth, I was like, oh my gosh, that is definitely Stevie Wonder," said Lisa Thomas of Spotsylvania County.
A Stevie Wonder representative in Los Angeles had not confirmed the appearance with The Free Lance-Star as of late yesterday.
However, Ellery Taylor of Spotsylvania posted video he recorded with a BlackBerry on his Facebook page. It shows a man who appears to be Wonder singing on a stage at Strong Tower Ministries.
He sang "Falling in Love with Jesus," played the harmonica and gave testimony. A three-member band from the church off Ferry Road played with him.
Senior Pastor Kevin Mihlfeld said Wonder appeared during an 11 a.m. service and sat two or three rows from the back. He listened to a sermon by a guest pastor from South Africa.
Mihlfeld said Wonder was ushered to a room behind the stage near the end of the service. That's when he volunteered to sing.
People were getting ready to leave when Mihlfeld asked them if they wanted to hear Stevie Wonder. It got their attention.
"It was so incredibly surreal," Mihlfeld said.
He said he "knows for a fact" the man was Wonder, especially after talking with him for about 30 minutes. He said Wonder was visiting a sick friend in Virginia and knows some of the church's members.
"I know it happened but still, to me it's unbelievable," Mihlfeld said.

Stevie Wonder, Cranberries, Morrissey headed to town, Tickets

R&B great Stevie Wonder headlines the MGM Grand Garden arena on Nov. 28. Tickets are $52.50, $105 and $157.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets.
Reunited '90s pop rockers The Cranberries play The Pearl at the Palms on Dec. 3. Tickets are $35 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Pearl box office, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Beloved crooner Morrissey hits The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Dec. 4, with Doll & The Kicks. Tickets start at $39.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Joint box office, 4455 Paradise Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Actor/comedian Robin Williams enlivens the MGM Grand Garden arena on Dec. 5. Tickets are $75, $100, $175 and $225 and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at Ticketmaster outlets.
Classical pop superstar Andrea Bocelli brings his first U.S. holiday concert tour to the MGM Grand Garden arena on Dec. 12. Tickets are $75, $125, $195, $275 and $400 and are already on sale at Ticketmaster outlets.
R&B singer Raphael Saadiq visits the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Nov. 21. General admission tickets are $33.50 in advance, $38.50 day of show and reserved seats are $48.50. They go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Death-metal heavyweights Nile slam into the House of Blues on Feb. 3, with Immolation, Krisiun, Abigail Williams and Dreaming Dead. Tickets are $24 in advance, $28 day of show, and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Latin alt-rockers Cafe Tacuba perform at the House of Blues on Nov. 19. Tickets are $40.50 in advance, $46 day of show, and are already on sale at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Spanish pop-rockers La Quinta Estacion play the House of Blues on Nov. 1. General admission tickets are $40.50 in advance, $45.50 day of show and reserved seats are $50.50 and $57.50. They are already on sale at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Country singer Phil Vassar comes to Ovation at Green Valley Ranch on Jan. 1. Tickets are $29.50, $42.50 and $55 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway.
Rocker Ted Nugent blazes into the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch on Jan. 23. Tickets are $27.50, $37.50, $47.50 and $57.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the venue box office.
Hard rock lifers Y&T perform at Club Madrid at Sunset Station on Dec. 11. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show, and go on sale Saturday at the Sunset Station Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 1301 W. Sunset Road.

Gretchen Everhart, Stevie Wonder's former teacher speaks

Audience members tapped their feet and sang along to the songs of Stevie Wonder, as the musician's one time teacher told stories about his time with the famous songwriter.
Tim Hull, who taught Wonder in the 1960s from fifth grade to high school graduation, spoke Tuesday at Gretchen Everhart School to a room of more than 50 particular education teachers and music lovers.
Hull traveled from his home in Tampa after being asked by student Colleen Morrissey, who is studying exceptional student education at Florida State University.
Morrissey read Hull's book "The Wonder Years: My Life and Times with Stevie Wonder" for a class grant and was inspired to bring the author to Tallahassee to speak about teaching the visually impaired musician.
Hull, who is legally blind, explained that he was asked to privately teach Wonder while Wonder traveled on tour because of his experience in teaching blind children in Detroit. He later became Wonder's tour manager.
"I wanted to learn about the techniques he used with Stevie Wonder," Mickey Damelio, a teacher of the visually impaired, said about attending the event.
Particular education teacher Barbara Donaldson said she wanted to hear Hull tell his story.
"He gave a historical perspective of the '60s and talked about how he was able to overcome all obstacles," she said.
Linda Jones read a Braille excerpt of Hull's book to the pair. She read about two traveling around the world and the prejudices they faced being a white teacher with a black student.
"Tim's book is not only about his time with Stevie, but gives us a personal up-front view of the '60s," Jones said.
Hull spoke fondly about his time with his student and friend, but vividly remembered his favorite times; listening to Wonder sing and record music.

Pre Rock Hall Tour Stevie Wonder Lines Up

Fresh off a celebrated performance at VH1 Divas last week, Stevie Wonder has booked a line up of shows leading up to his anticipated appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th Anniversary celebration. Set to kick off October 22, Wonder's short tour will make stops in Mashantucket, CT and Verona, NY before wrapping up October 25 in Norfolk, VA.As confirmed earlier this year, Wonder will join Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin and U2 at the two-day 25th Anniversary celebration of Rock and Roll October 29 and 30 in New York.Proceeds from the shows will go toward creating a permanent endowment for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum. According to arrangers, the concerts will be curated by Tom Hanks, Jann Wenner, Robbie Robertson and Cameron Crowe, among others and will include both live and filmed segments to help tell the story of rock and roll.Tour Itinerary:October 22 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand at FoxwoodsOctober 23 - Verona, NY - Event Center at Turning Stone Resort CasinoOctober 25 - Norfolk, VA - Constant Convocation CenterOctober 29 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

Tickets to Stevie Wonder's Norfolk show go on sale Friday

Pop and R&B legend Stevie Wonder has not frequented Hampton Roads stages in current years, but he seems to finally be cruising in this direction.Today, officials announce that Wonder will play 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Ted Constant Center in Norfolk, performing a show titled "A Wonder Autumn Night." Tickets go on sale Friday from the Constant Center Box Office, by calling 888-3-COXTIX, and through Coxtix.com. Prices have not been announced.It's to be one of a handful of concerts Wonder has performed in the region over the last 20 years. Wonder played Hampton Coliseum in 1982 and has appeared here infrequently since.The show's title spins off the 59 year old singer's DVD "Live at Last: A Wonder Summer's Night," which was released in March. The concert document was filmed Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2008, at London's O2 Arena. In April, Wonder performed for a family on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," where he sang a customized version of his tune "I Just Called To Say I Love You." That's one of Wonder's 46 top 40 hits, which include "Fingertips Pt. 2," "Superstition," "I Wish" and "Sir Duke." Among other Wonder favorites are "Higher Ground" and "My Cherie Amour."

the X Factor's approval to Wonder boy Olly wins

HE may be have caught the nation’s attention on the X Factor, but he’s not too big to remember his mates.
Witham man Olly Murs is all anyone can talk about in the town after his appearance on Saturday night’s TV show.
The 25 year old knocked the socks off Simon Cowell, who has a reputation for viciously honest criticism, as well as fellow judges Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole.
Cowell, on seeing Olly’s performance of the Stevie Wonder hit Superstition, described him as “very, very, very cool”.
When it came to voting, Cowell said: “This is the easiest ‘yes’ I have ever given.”
Cheryl described him as a “natural born entertainer”.
But Witham friends of Olly say he has kept in close contact, not forgetting his roots.
He visited both his footballing mates and his local pub on Saturday night.
John Fisher, landlord of the George, said Olly is an “easy go lucky guy” who they were all rooting for.
Mr Fisher first noticed Olly two years ago when he was beatboxing in the pub.
He said: “What you saw on Saturday is what you get, he’s such a nice kid.
“I would be surprised if anyone had a bad word to say about him, unless they were jealous.”
Olly plays regularly at the pub with his friend Jonathan Goodey, he said.
Tony Last, chairman of Witham Town Football Club, where Olly used to play as a centre forward, said: “He came up and saw us, he’s not too big for that. We asked him how he got on and he said, ‘you’ve got to watch it’.”
The customer advisor for Climate Energy, on Witham’s Freebournes Road, reportedly tried for X Factor before, but was knocked back by the judges.
He also appeared on the Noel Edmonds show Deal Or No Deal in 2007, where he could have won £250,000, but came away with £10.
Olly, of Carraways, has been barred from speaking to local media until he goes through to the contest’s boot camp weekend, on September 26 and 27.

The new album to Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennett team

Two of music's brightest stars Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder will unite to record a full album together, according to Bennett's record company.
Columbia Records announced today that its biggest running star, the 83 year old Bennett, will team with one of soul's most important figures, 59 year old Wonder.
The company presented no specific information about delivery date, song selection, or a title for the joint work.
The new recording won't be the first time the king of principle has wailed with the master of pop/soul. Wonder arose on two previous all star recordings by the older singer: 2001's "Playin' with My Friends: Bennett Sings The Blues," and 2006's "Duets: An American Classic."
The latter disc featured a re-do of Wonder's old song "For Once in My Life," which assumulated a Grammy for Pop Vocal alliance.