Stones to play at Clinton birthday bash

WASHINGTON – Baby boomer and former President Bill Clinton is laying plans to celebrate his 60th birthday in grand style with a charitable fundraising extravaganza in New York late next month that will include an invitation-only concert by the Rolling Stones and contributor packages that run to $500,000 and higher.

Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea, who has generally avoided high-profile participation in her parents’ political and philanthropic activities, is serving as co-host of the three-day party. She will host a Saturday brunch on a weekend that also features a golf tournament at the Bayonne, N.J., Golf Club, multiple receptions and a dinner at the American Museum of Natural History.

“My mother and I are planning a weekend of events to commemorate his (Clinton’s) 60th birthday,” Chelsea Clinton writes in the invitation. “I know that he would want you to share this milestone – so I hope you can join us in New York City this October 27th through the 29th.”

The 2,100 invitations began arriving this week. Weekend packages start at $60,000. Next is the “Vice Chair Package,” for those who contribute $100,000 or raise $250,000. Those who pledge $500,000 or more will receive the “Birthday Chair Package,” which includes the “Backstage Pass” dinner and photo with Clinton and platinum seating at the Saturday dinner and the Stones concert.

The Rolling Stones will perform at the Beacon Theater, an art deco landmark on upper Broadway that seats about 3,000 people. According to the invitation, the concert will be taped for an upcoming Martin Scorsese movie about the band.

Clinton turned 60 in August but organizers delayed the birthday fundraising event until late October to avoid any complaints from other Democrats that solicitation of money for the former president’s foundation would soak up money that could otherwise be used to try to win back Congress in November.

The proceeds will go to the William J. Clinton Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative and several other programs launched by the former president since leaving office.