Michael Jackson Tribute Concert Moved to London, Postponed Until June
Jermaine Jackson has confirmed that the Michael Jackson tribute concert in Vienna has been moved to London, and has been postponed until June, 2010. The ticket price will be refunded to all the people who have already purchased tickets. Many ticket holders were unhappy that many A-list acts pulled out of the gig, citing scheduling conflicts.
Event promoter Georg Kindel and Jackson's brother Jermaine told reporters that too many top performers had scheduling conflicts, and they blamed the media for stirring up a negative atmosphere.
Friday's announcement came at the end of a turbulent week of reports that supposedly confirmed artists including Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown and Natalie Cole couldn't make the event. Many invited artists had scheduling issues, and "maybe we underestimated these issues," Kindel said.
"The purpose for this show is to give something back to the fans ... we have to do this right," Jermaine Jackson said, at one point using a tissue to dab at one of his eyes.
"It's not about name-dropping," he added, answering critics who had complained that megastars such as Madonna didn't figure among the headliners.
Kindel said that he was unhappy that the Vienna press was treating the artists who were confirmed -- Sister Sledge, German boy band US5 and Akon -- disrespectfully, calling them "B-list artists or even losers." Tickets for the London concert will go on sale December 1, 2009, and will start at $73.00. We hope that the promoters confirm all the performers before they start selling tickets to the show. Otherwise, it will be a disaster.
Video: Jermaine Jackson Performs Smile at Michael Jackson's Memorial Service
Jermaine Jackson performed the song "Smile" at his brother Michael's memorial service today at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. He was clearly holding back tears, but gave a wonderful and moving performance in his little brother's memory. Take a look:
Topless Coffee Shop in Maine Burned Down, Arson Suspected
The Grand View Topless Coffee Shop in Maine has been burned down. The Bangor Daily Newsreports that the state fire marshal's office says arson was behind the fire.
The fire at the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop was reported just before 1 a.m. by an ambulance that happened to be driving past.
The state fire marshal's office concluded it was arson after investigators, aided by a specially trained dog, sifted through the shop's ruins. Officials would not say how or where the fire started, but said evidence was taken to the state police crime lab for analysis.
The coffee shop featured waiters and waitresses without shirts serving coffee and doughnuts. Owner Donald Crabtree had met Tuesday night with planning officials to discuss adding a disc jockey, expanding parking and extending the hours of operation.
Crabtree said he spent $277,000 buying and renovating the former motel in Vassalboro, just north of Augusta. It wasn’t insured, he said. He and six others who live in the old motel escaped the fire unharmed.
No one was injured in the blaze. The coffee shop went topless in February in an attempt to survive the recession. The owner was planning to expand the business.
Boston.com is reporting that outdoor retailer L.L. Bean is laying off 240 workers in Maine.
Elsewhere, L.L. Bean Inc. yesterday notified employees it will lay off as many as 240 workers in Maine because of lagging sales. The Freeport-based outfitter told employees that previously announced retirement incentives did not draw enough volunteers to quit, so the company has to resort to layoffs, according to a letter from chief executive Chris McCormick obtained by the Associated Press.
An earlier report had put the layoff number at 150. L.L. Bean had voluntary layoffs and February and sent a letter to employees saying the voluntary layoffs helped but were not enough for the retailer to avoid more job cuts.
CNN reports that business is brisk at the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop, a topless coffee shop recently launched in Vassalboro, Maine, a small town in maine with less than 4,500 residents. The restaurant received over 150 applications partly because of the tough job market.
In a town with fewer than 4,500 residents, the topless coffee shop is booming with business. Paul Crabtree, the owner's brother, describes business so far as "fantastic."
"It's just been crowds mobbing in," he said.
Donald Crabtree faced initial opposition to his plan, but he won the right to go ahead in a planning board hearing last week. Many local residents were irate over the idea of combining coffee and nudity. Crabtree, however, saw a profitable business venture.
"I know what people want," he said. "People like nudity, and coffee is profitable. Sure, I'd start a coffee shop, but I'd be out of work in a week."
There's not a name for the topless baristas at the coffee shop but USA Today's bare-istas is pretty good. In the video below the AP says there were 200 curious people at the coffee shop on opening day. Some Vassalboro residents are unhappy the waitresses at the coffee shop are topless.
Boston.com is 
