The Grapevine: Adele, Barry Manilow, Doris Day Honored

Barry Manilow Helps Missouri Town

American singer Barry Manilow visited Joplin, Mo., last week and donated $300,000 in musical instruments to the town’s schools through his nonprofit organization, Manilow Music Project.

After experiencing 159 deaths and devastating losses from the most powerful tornado to hit the United States in over 60 years, the small town of Joplin is greatly appreciative of the entertainer’s generosity to help rebuild the music department at their High School.

Rick Castor, music director for Joplin High School was quoted on the Manilow Music Project’s website as saying, “We feel very blessed to have an artist of Barry Manilow’s stature committed to helping our students.”

Doris Day Honored

Iconic American actress, singer, and animal rights activist Doris Day, 84, has been chosen as this year’s recipient of the Career Achievement Award by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Best remembered for her sassy girl-next-door roles in iconic romantic comedy films in the 1950s and ’60s such as “Pillow Talk” and “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies,” this will be the first career achievement award from Hollywood that the actress has received. Day was nominated for an Academy Award as best actress in 1959 for “Pillow Talk.”

This year, Day released an album titled “My Heart,” her first album since the 1960s. The album has reached No. 9 on the U.K. Billboard charts, and has earned Day the honor of the oldest female artist to break the U.K.’s Top 10 album list with a recording of new material.

“I’m thrilled!” said Ms. Day in a statement on her official website. “It goes to prove, age doesn’t matter a bit. If you’re doing what you love, people will recognize it.”

Adele to Undergo Surgery

The talented British songstress Adele, 23, will be having throat surgery to fix a vocal cord hemorrhage and has canceled all live appearances for the rest of the year, Columbia Records said last week.

“Guys, I’m heartbroken and worried to tell you that yet again I’m experiencing problems with my voice. It’s ridiculous I know! I can’t believe it myself,” wrote an emotional Adele on her blog.

Full refunds are expected to be given to ticket holders. The soulful singer has topped charts worldwide in 2011 with her hit album “21” and will be releasing a highly anticipated DVD/CD package “Live At The Royal Albert Hall” on Nov. 28 (U.K.) and 29 (U.S.) featuring her full 90-minute performance and special behind-the-scenes footage shot throughout that day.