Label: Beyonce didn't cancel NYC gig

NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Beyonce is not to blame for the cancellation of a weekend launch party in New York for her "I AM..." North American tour, her record label said.

Music World/Columbia Records said the fete scheduled for last Saturday at the Manhattan club M2 was scrapped as a result of a breach of contract by the party's promoter.

"Beyonce never had a contract with the club itself and no one in her camp dealt directly with the venue," her label said in a statement. "The superstar was never scheduled to perform, but was to serve as a co-host and introduce singer/songwriter Solange's performance. Patrons were falsely promised a performance by Beyonce."

However, M2 owner Joey Morrissey told The New York Post he agreed to pay Beyonce $200,000 for the event, but was informed last Wednesday she wouldn't be performing.

Morrissey said he is considering suing Beyonce's camp because he spent $100,000 preparing for a show that didn't happen.

"They said they were too busy with the launching of the tour and that they wouldn't have time to do the kickoff party," the club owner told the Post last week, adding the singer's representatives offered to have her make an appearance at the party, but not sing at it. "I mean, we sold tables for thousands of dollars for the show, and spent $100,000 renting a soundboard and other equipment, as per their stipulations. What good does her showing up for an hour do me? They've been totally unwilling to agree to another show."