Here is a little tease of what is coming up for Theater for the New City’s 23rd Annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts (LES) – YOUTH PROGRAM Saturday, May 26th from 2 PM – 5 PM: John Grimaldi, Fairy Tale Marionettes, Cobu Kids, Shadow Puppet Theater, excerpt of The Harlem Repertory Theatre‘s and The Yip Harburg Foundation’s The Wizard of Oz: A Jazz Musical for All Ages and so much MORE! THIS IS A FREE EVENT! For further details, see this article in NiteLife Exchange.

Yip’s great grandsons Aaron Harburg and David Harburg joined former Kansas state legislator J. Basil Dannebohm and nationally syndicated film critic Ryan Jay for a celebration of Yip on Monday, Dec. 4, 2017 at 7pm. The presentation consisted of stories and songs to enlighten the public about the man whose lyrics we all sing but whose name remains largely unknown. The venue:  The home theatre at the Dannebohm residence in Salina, Kansas.

Singer Ariana Grande chose Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen’s song of hope, “Over the Rainbow,” as the finale of her June 4, 2017 “One Love” benefit in Manchester, England to help the victims of the terror bombing following her May 22nd concert in that city. At least $1.19 from each sale of the $1.29 track on iTunes will go to the “We Love Manchester Emergency Fund.”

Yip’s great grandson Dave Harburg will perform contemporary versions of Yip’s more famous works, such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” “Old Devil Moon” and “April in Paris.” The proceeds from the concert will help restore a vocational school in a small village in Uganda with the non-profit Children Waiting Everywhere. The concert will feature another local musician, Alanna Boudreau. July 29, 2017 at 7:30 PM. Towsley Auditorium, Washtenaw Community College 4800 E. Huron River Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Tax deductible donation $10 individual or $25 for families. 734 255-2924.

The Irish Repertory Theatre‘s smash hit encore production of the Yip Harburg-Burton Lane-Fred Saidy musical classic Finian’s Rainbow was honored by the Outer Critics Circle with a nomination for Best Revival of a Musical (Broadway or Off Broadway) for the 2016-17 theatrical season (Hello, Dolly! won).

Maureen Kelley-Stewart will reprise The Wizard of Words: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg on Feb. 7 and 19, 2017 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre (downstairs at West Bank Café) in New York City. Musical director and pianist Tedd Firth will again accompany her.