Clooney will wed in Venice on Monday
Venice city officials on Thursday ordered the closure of a walkway fronting the picturesque Grand Canal on Monday to keep crowds away from George Clooney’s wedding to human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin.
The city order closes pedestrian access to walkways accessing the 16th-Century Cavalli Palace for at least two hours Monday, citing “the George Clooney wedding.” The order is the first official indication of the timing of the nuptials.
Clooney revealed earlier this month at a star-studded benefit in Florence that he would marry Alamuddin in the lagoon city, but refrained from giving the date.
A Venice city official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said police requested the closure to prevent crowds from gathering and creating a safety risk. The official said such closures have taken place previously for both public and private events.
Stevens cancels N.Y. show, cites costs
Cat Stevens is canceling his New York performance just weeks after announcing a six-city tour.
Stevens said on his Facebook page Wednesday that he would not keep the New York engagement because its requirement for paper tickets has led to exorbitant resale prices.
Stevens, also known as Yusuf, the name he claimed after converting to Islam, announced earlier this month that he planned a concert tour behind the blues album he’s releasing on Oct. 27. The concerts are his first series of shows in North America since 1976.
Stevens says he is a longtime supporter of paperless tickets “and avoiding scalpers,” and hopes to return to New York City in the future.
Country star, ex-‘Idol’ entry to tie knot
Country star Jason Aldean and former “American Idol” contestant Brittany Kerr are engaged.
The engagement was confirmed Thursday by a publicist for Aldean.
Aldean, 37, filed for divorce from his wife, Jessica, last year. Pictures had surfaced of the singer and Kerr appearing to kiss in a Los Angeles bar.
He is one of country’s top-selling male acts, consistently selling out stadiums and arenas. His new album, “Old Boots, New Dirt,” will be released Oct. 7.
Aldean and his ex-wife have two daughters, Keeley and Kendyl.
The birthday bunch
Actor Philip Bosco is 84. Actress Donna Douglas is 82. Actor Richard Herd is 82. Country singer David Frizzell is 73. Television host Anne Robinson is 70. Singer Bryan Ferry is 69. Actress Mary Beth Hurt is 68. Singer Lynn Anderson is 67. Singer Olivia Newton-John is 66. Actor James Keane is 62. Rock singer-musician Cesar Rosas (Los Lobos) is 60. Actress Linda Hamilton is 58. Actor Jim Caviezel is 46. Actor Ben Shenkman is 46. Singer Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) is 42.