Live 8 releases 55,000 more London tickets
LONDON, June 27 (UPI) -- Live 8 promoter Bob Geldof Monday announced the release of 55,000 new tickets for the July 2 concert in London's Hyde Park.
A text message lottery already gave away 150,000 tickets to the concert, which is being held before the start of the G-8 summit in Scotland to raise awareness of world poverty.
"This is going to be the biggest event in Hyde Park's history and the biggest ticketed event ever in the U.K.," Geldof said.
The Times of London said pairs of tickets will be handed out at various locations in London and elsewhere in Britain.
Acts performing in London include U2, Robbie Williams, Paul McCartney, REM and Madonna.
Concerts also are planned Saturday in Berlin, Johannesburg, Paris, Rome, Philadelphia, Tokyo and Toronto.
Stefani announces first solo U.S. tour
LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- Gwen Stefani announced her autumn "Harajuku Lovers" U.S. tour Monday to promote her multi-platinum album "Love. Angel. Music. Baby."
Multi-platinum Grammy winners The Black Eyed Peas will be guests throughout the 16-city tour.
Since the album's release in late 2004, Stefani's latest album has sold more than five million copies worldwide, on the heels of the hit singles "What You Waiting For?," "Rich Girl" (with Eve) and the No. 1 hit "Hollaback Girl."
Stefani's first-ever solo tour begins Oct. 16 in Phoenix, and concludes Nov. 10 in Houston, with stops in Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Rosario Dawson takes on Shakespearean role
NEW YORK, June 27 (UPI) -- Rosario Dawson has signed to play Julia in New York's Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park musical revival of "Two Gentlemen of Verona."
The 26-year-old Manhattan native, whose father was a professional vocalist, will appear in performances that run from Aug. 16 through Sept. 11, Variety reported Monday.
Dawson's voice is featured prominently in the "Josie and the Pussycats," animated TV series and in the upcoming film version of "Rent."
Other cast committed to the Shakespearean revival are Norm Lewis as Valentine, David Costabile as Launce, Oscar Isaac playing Proteus, Paolo Montalban as Eglamour and Megan Lawrence as Lucetta.
'Da Vinci Code' filming begins in Paris
PARIS, June 26 (UPI) -- Filming for the international best-selling "Da Vinci Code" begins in Paris this week.
Until August, U.S. director Ron Howard and his cast will be in various parts of the French capital region -- from the Louvre Museum, to the suburban Chateau de la Villette -- to film the movie version of the mystery novel by Dan Brown that explores the legend of the Holy Grail and of Mary Magdalene.
Two celebrated French actors -- Jean Reno and Audrey Tautou, of "Amelie" fame -- will be among a cast that includes Oscar-winner Tom Hanks.
Two other French actors have been tapped for important roles, French news reports said. Etienne Chicot, 56, will play a member of the conservative Catholic sect, Opus Dei, and Jacques Sauniere is cast as the Louvre's curator.
Warner to remake Japanese tear-jerker
LOS ANGELES, June 27 (UPI) -- Jennifer Garner will star in and co-produce a Warner Bros., remake of a 2004 Japanese hit tear-jerker, "Be With You."
Originally directed by Nobuhiro Doi from a novel by Takuji Ichikawa, the story revolves around a dying young woman who tells her husband and young son she will return to them. A year later, father and son encounter a woman who bears a remarkable resemblance to the dead woman, Daily Variety said Monday.
Garner and partner Juliana Janes will co-produce with the "American Beauty" team of Dan Jinks and Bruce Cohen.
It is the second major picture to be redone in English from Japanese, after "Shall We Dance" last year.
