Wall Street and the King of Pop: Jackson’s luxe lifestyle aided by investment firmsNEW YORK — Music lovers weren’t the only ones drawn to the King of Pop. Wooed by his global fame and earning power, a bevy of financial firms ponied up tens of millions to finance the singer’s luxe lifestyle and kick-start his troubled career. Lionel Richie gets a little help from Commodores to close out 15th annual Essence festivalLionel Richie joined by Commodores at Essence fest En Vogue marks 20-year anniversary, thrills fans with reunion show at Essence FestivalNEW ORLEANS — En Vogue marked their 20th anniversary as one of music’s most successful female groups with a reunion show that electrified the crowd at the Essence Music Festival. Final day of Essence Music Festival ends with tributes to Jakes, Maze and Frankie BeverlyNEW ORLEANS — Inspiring gospel music and messages reigned supreme Sunday inside the Morial Convention Center on the final day of the Essence Music Festival which honored Bishop T.D. Jakes as part of its 15th annual celebration. Estonians sing en masse to lift spirits dampened by recessionTALLINN, Estonia — More than 20,000 choir singers gathered Sunday to fill the air with positive vibes as Estonians took their minds off a crippling recession in a mass celebration of folk songs. Statue of Liberty’s crown reopens to public on Fourth of July, after almost 8 yearsNEW YORK — The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty’s crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb Saturday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom, national pride — and for one couple, romance. Looking for love? 5 tips for inexpensive dates that won’t make you look cheapA date doesn’t need to break the bank, especially as potential partners are increasingly likely to value substance over style during the recession. Beyonce, other artists at Essence Fest pay New Orleans-style tribute to Michael JacksonNEW ORLEANS — Brass band musicians on trumpet, trombone and tuba belted out “A Closer Walk With Thee” as the Essence Music Festival gave a salute to Michael Jackson befitting a New Orleans jazz funeral procession. On Independence Day, Liberty’s crown reopens to public after almost 8 yearsNEW YORK — The first visitors allowed into the Statue of Liberty’s crown in nearly eight years made the arduous climb Saturday on an Independence Day journey laden with symbolism of freedom, national pride — and for one couple, romance. Queen Latifah promotes beauty, empowerment at Essence Music Festival in New OrleansNEW ORLEANS — Queen Latifah dropped by the Essence Music Festival on Friday to help celebrate its 15th year of uplifting and empowering the African-American community through issues-filled seminars by day and high-powered musical performances by night. International film festival opens in Czech Republic, honors Isabelle HuppertPRAGUE, — The 44th International Film Festival opened Friday in the Czech Republic with a week of events planned, including an award for French actress Isabelle Huppert and a world premiere by Milos Forman. Jackson’s Neverland is still a beautiful home but most of the magic is missingLOS OLIVOS, Calif. — The gates to Michael Jackson’s fabled Neverland Ranch swung open Thursday to reveal a shell of the fantasyland the boy-man had created in his heyday. How 1 immigrant high schooler soared, despite detainmentTRENTON, N.J. — He was born on the Fourth of July, an irony he would only appreciate later, during the dark period of his life, when liberty and freedom became far more than mere words in his high school history book. Beyonce, Lionel Richie headline Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, celebrating balck musicNEW ORLEANS — The celebration of black music and culture at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans will provide comfort to artists and fans alike after a tough week following Michael Jackson’s death. Italy unveils 14 looted artifacts returned by Cleveland Museum of ArtROME — Italian officials on Thursday unveiled 14 artifacts spanning from antiquity to the Middle Ages that were looted or stolen from Italy and recently returned by The Cleveland Museum of Art. Beyonce, Lionel Richie, Anita Baker headline 2009 Essence Music Festival in New OrleansNEW ORLEANS — When the Essence Music Festival kicks off in New Orleans on Friday, singer Lionel Richie says the celebration of black music and culture will provide some comfort following Michael Jackson’s death. “Girls from Ames” chronicles evolution of longtime friendships of 11 women from Midwest townDES MOINES, Iowa — A year before it became a best seller, author Jeffrey Zaslow wondered if all the time he’d put into his book about the longtime friendship of 11 women would be wasted. Review: Feeling like a twit on Twitter? Here’s a book for ‘tweeple’ in need of adviceSAN FRANCISCO — Sometimes Twitter can make newcomers feel like twits because the online messaging service isn’t as simple as it sounds. Michael Jackson death hurts segments of London economy as 50 sold-out shows canceledLONDON — Now that the reality of Michael Jackson’s death has sunk in, some Londoners are assessing the economic impact of his sudden departure — and they don’t like what they see. Iowa State Fair to honor Michael Jackson with butter statue of the pop iconDES MOINES, Iowa — Michael Jackson is getting a new tribute. And it’s in butter. Florida tour finds mix of fun, oddities and pop culture history among its thousands of barsMIAMI — Where else but Florida could a place like Jimbo’s exist? Sarasota’s rich circus history always on display at Ringling museumSARASOTA, Fla. — Sarasota and the circus became forever linked more than 70 years ago when John Ringling decided to move the headquarters of his “Greatest Show on Earth” to the lovely Gulf Coast city where he spent his winters. Traverse City, Mich., self-proclaimed ‘Cherry Capital,’ developing reputation as foodie havenTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Attention, traveling foodies: Something yummy is happening in the Traverse City area, and it’s even grabbed the attention of luminaries such as celebrity chef Mario Batali, who has a summer home on the scenic Leelanau Peninsula just northwest of town. British man bushwhacks through Asia to win recognition for evolutionist overshadowed by DarwinSANTUBONG, Malaysia — As he trudges past chest-high ferns and butterflies the size of saucers, George Beccaloni scours a jungle hilltop overlooking the South China Sea for signs of a long-forgotten Victorian-era scientist. Jackson’s death creates boom in collectibles, but will the market have staying power?BOSTON — Deb Elliott is saddened by Michael Jackson’s sudden death, but she’s also a little wealthier because of it. ‘Prairie Home Companion’ turns 35, but creator Garrison Keillor unsentimental about milestoneST. PAUL, Minn. — For the 35th anniversary of his “A Prairie Home Companion,” humorist Garrison Keillor will be in “Lake Wobegon” when he reads the news from Lake Wobegon. Theaters across North America take a nimble approach to the economic downturnNEW YORK — At the Utah Shakespeare Festival, there’s an “Early Bard” special to entice theatergoers into buying tickets in advance — the farther in the future, the bigger the discount. Sears Tower to undergo $350 million green remodel, including wind turbines, solar panelsCHICAGO — Wind turbines, roof gardens and solar panels will join the pair of antennas atop the Sears Tower’s staggered rooftops, said building officials who announced Wednesday that the skyscraper would undergo a $350 million green renovation. Rivera’s cubist portraits explored in new Dallas exhibitDALLAS — A new exhibit on Diego Rivera looks at his portraits from the several years in Paris when he focused on cubism. Baby-name experts: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick pick old-fashioned namesLOS ANGELES — Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick dug into their family roots for the names of their twin daughters. Rock and Hall Hall of Fame and Museum to commemorate Woodstock with new exhibitNEW YORK — Peace and love will last a lot longer than three days at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which is celebrating Woodstock’s 40th anniversary with a new exhibit. The Black Eyed Peas’ new dance-oriented CD gives them a career boom and a pow on the chartsNEW YORK — The leader of the Black Eyed Peas has some helpful suggestions about when exactly to crank up the group’s latest CD. Blogger Perez Hilton says he was punched by Black Eyed Peas manager outside Toronto nightclubTORONTO — Police have charged the tour manager of the Black Eyed Peas with assault after he allegedly punched celebrity blogger Perez Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub. Reno’s Artown festival offers something for everyone each day in July, most of it freeRENO, Nev. — With more than 300 free events throughout the month of July, organizers of Reno’s 14th annual Artown festival are promoting this year’s celebration as the perfect vacation destination for families on a budget. Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton punched by Black Eyed Peas manager outside Toronto nightclubTORONTO — Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton says he got a black eye from the manager of the Black Eyed Peas. |