Queen Bey reigned supreme in this Oscars performance.
Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Yes, yes, Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock at The Oscars on Sunday, March 27 after Smith took offense at Rock’s jab at Jada Pinkett Smith and her hair. Whether a publicity stunt or a true display of husbandly gallantry, people are certainly talking.
But here in Houston, the real buzz should be directed to Beyoncé. Queen Bey, no stranger to the Academy Awards, opened the 94th awards with a dramatic performance of her song “Be Alive” from the Smith film King Richard. Smith scored an Oscar for Best Actor for the film that also received six total nominations.
Venus and Serena Williams introduced Queen Bey; apropos, as King Richard, the gripping biopic of their father, Richard Williams (Smith played him in the film) centers on his passionate and epic pursuit of greatness for his daughters. (Also apropos: Mathew Knowles is much-heralded in the industry for his work with his daughter Beyoncé, much like Richard Williams.)
Rather than a typical Dolby Theatre event, Beyonce’s “Be Alive” was straight outta Compton, the Los Angeles neighborhood where the Williams sisters honed their monumental skills. Shout outs to Compton were everywhere, including a poignant nod to the Compton Cowboys.
Speaking of nods, Beyoncé and her performers donned lime green outfits with white stripes, in an obvious homage to haute tennis-themed couture. As People points out, even the violins and music stands played to the theme. People adds that thoughtful details included the performers’ braids — noteworthy, as the Williams sisters often drew criticism for sporting them during high-profile tennis tournaments.
So while the nation analyzes (even micro-scrutinizing Smith’s blow frame-by-frame), Houstonians would do well to revisit our hometown girl’s grand-slam performance.
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.