The Grapevine: Mandela Day and Carla Bruni, Madonna, Adam Yauch, Frank McCourt

By Barbara Danza
Epoch Times Staff
Created: Jul 22, 2009 Last Updated: Jul 22, 2009
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HONORING MANDELA: France's First Lady Carla Bruni and Dave Stewart perform at Radio City Music Hall July 18, 2009 for the 91st birthday concert for Nelson Mandela. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images)

Mandela Day Celebrated in NY

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Author Frank McCourt (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
A bevy of stars turned out for the celebration of Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday. Saturday’s concert at Radio City Music Hall featured French First Lady Carla Bruni, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gaynor, Josh Groban, and Alicia Keys, among others. The event was named “Mandela Day” and its annual observance is planned to pay tribute to the activism and contributions of the apartheid survivor.

Beastie Boy Adam Yauch Has Throat Cancer

Adam Yauch, a member of the hip hop trio Beastie Boys released a home video on Monday announcing to fans that he has a cancerous lump in his throat. Visibly emotional, he apologized that the band would be forced to cancel an upcoming headlining performance at the All Points West festival in Jersey City, NJ, as well as push back their album release. According to the video, Yauch will be undergoing surgery next week and then receiving radiation to further treat the cancerous area that is localized in the throat, though not affecting his vocal chords.

Madonna Visits Injured Stage Workers

Madonna spent part of Sunday with victims and family members of a deadly incident involving the singer’s upcoming show in Marseille, France. Two workers died and eight were injured after the roof over a partially constructed concert stage collapsed on Thursday. Of the visit, Marseille’s Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin told reporters, "We are very touched that an actress (and musician) with such talent and quality has also an extraordinary amount of human qualities as well."

Frank McCourt Has Died

Author Frank McCourt, who penned the renowned Angela’s Ashes, died Sunday at the age of 78. His rags-to-riches memoir captivated many, selling millions of copies around the world. The Irish native, a former New York City schoolteacher, won the Pulitzer Prize and saw his most famous work brought to the big screen. McCourt is survived by his wife and daughter.



 
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