Latifah cancels Spokane appearance

Queen Latifah has canceled her Spokane appearance, scheduled for today, due to a family emergency, organizers said late Wednesday. Ticketholders will be entitled to refunds through TicketsWest, according to an email from Tyler Tullis, account manager and marketing specialist with Desautel Hege Communications, which helped promote the event. Proceeds from “A Conversation with the Queen” were to go to the YWCA. Anyone that purchased tickets online or over the phone will get an automatic refund with the original card used for the purchase, a news release from INB Performing Arts Center said. If tickets were purchased at an outlet or at the box office, the tickets will be refunded through the box office at 720 W. Mallon Ave. The event was a fundraiser for the YWCA of Spokane, which offers programs to women in crisis and women working to become self-sufficient. The programs have faced increasing budget cuts recently. Ticket holders or others who would like to support these programs can make a donation directly to the YWCA by going to YWCA Spokane and clicking on the purple “donate” button on the home page. Donations made directly to the YWCA are tax deductible. The “Let Your Crown Shine” event honoring YWCA women will continue as planned at Northern Quest Resort and Casino this afternoon. A story about the event appearing on page C1 of today’s Spokesman-Review was published before the cancellation was announced.