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STING

Wine spat: Italy heir accuses Sting of slander, flat apology

The heir of a late duke who sold Sting his Tuscan winery 25 years ago says the singer has hit a flat note with a lame apology for comments the family deems slanderous. Sting told the weekly magazine “Sette” on Aug. 13 that he was persuaded into buying the Palagio winery near Florence in 1997 after tasting an “excellent” glass of red wine offered by the owner, Simone Vincenzo Velluti Zati di San Clemente. The singer, however, said it later turned out that the wine was a Barolo from Italy's Piedmont region, and not a local Tuscan Chianti at all.

news.yahoo.com

Lebanon holds Baalbek concert despite virus, economic crisis

Musicians from the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra perform during a concert in the ancient northeastern city of Baalbek, Lebanon, Sunday, July 5, 2020. Dubbed "an act of cultural resilience," the concert aims to send a message of unity and hope to the world amid the coronavirus pandemic and an unprecedented economic and financial crisis in Lebanon. For the first time since the Baalbek International Festival was launched in 1956, this year's concert is being held without an audience, in line with strict COVID-19 guidelines. Lebanese watching the 55-minute show at home posted nostalgic sentiments on social media about bygone days that have been replaced by an economic crisis and growing poverty and hunger. Lebanon is being shaken by a severe economic and financial crisis, made worse in recent months by the coronavirus and lockdown restrictions.

Ricky Martin makes 'Pausa' to channel newly found anxiety

Martin released an EP Thursday, May 28, called "Pausa." (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)NEW YORK The world paused and for the first time in his life Ricky Martin felt anxiety. I had never suffered from anxiety, and I left home when I was 12 (to join boy-band Menudo). The initial idea was to release a whole album that he had previously been working on for months, but Martin felt that the rhythms were not the most appropriate for the moment. I can be recording and literally see in my laptop the movement he is making in his console table in New York, Martin said.

Sting headlines virtual 'Space Songs' concert by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum tonight!

Sting, space and music will collide online tonight (April 30) when the rock icon headlines a free virtual concert "Space Songs: Through the Distance" for the Smithsonian National Air and Space MuseumTested's Adam Savage, whom fans will remember from his role on the iconic television series "Mythbusters," will host the free, virtual concert. Space Songs: Through the Distance," hosted by Tested's Adam Savage, will feature performances from a number of beloved musicians. "Space Songs" is being produced by the museum in collaboration with Grammy award-winning graphic designer and art director Lawrence Azerrad and BYT (Brightest Young Things) media. So, if you're a space fan looking to get inspired and jam along to some incredible musicians, be sure to tune in tomorrow night for "Space Songs." Visit Space.com Thursday for a live simulcast of "Space Songs" from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

space.com

Sotheby’s offers benefit auction with Sting, Hillary Clinton

The chance to record a song with Sting is one of the offerings in an online auction presented by famed auction house Sothebys using Google Meet video calls. The event will be held May 1-8 and will benefit the International Rescue Committee's efforts to combat COVID-19. Those are just some of the offerings in an online auction presented by famed auction house Sotheby’s using Google Meet video calls. The auctions will be held May 1-8 and will benefit the International Rescue Committee's efforts to combat COVID-19. “We are proud to contribute to pandemic relief at this extraordinary time," said Charles F. Stewart, CEO of Sotheby’s.

‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81

“Lean on Me,” a paean to friendship, was performed at the inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me” are among Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.”His death caused a torrent of appreciation on social media, including from former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, who said Withers' music has been a cherished part of her life. "Bill Withers’ songs are among the most treasured and profound in the American songbook — universal in the way they touch people all over the world, transcending genre and generation. And Bill seemed to understand, intrinsically and instinctively, how to do that,” Sting said in “Still Bill,” a 2010 documentary of Withers.