Swift adds dates to concert tour

NASHVILLE, March 24 (UPI) -- Country music star Taylor Swift announced plans Thursday to extend the North American leg of her concert tour by 16 dates.

Swift is now in the final week of the European portion of her Taylor Swift Speak Now World Tour 2011, which began in February.

With the addition of the 16 North American dates, Swift will headline 78 shows in stadiums and arenas in 63 cities in 42 states and provinces in the United States and Canada this year.

The North American leg of the tour is to begin May 27 with two sold-out shows at the Qwest Center in Omaha.

The tour is to end with two shows at New York's Madison Square Garden just before Thanksgiving, AEG Live said in a news release.