Lou Bega opens for NATO meeting

The Associated Press

Originally published Monday, March 25, 2002

BUCHAREST, Romania -- Singer Lou Bega rocked the Romanian capital Sunday on the eve of a two-day meeting on enlarging NATO.

Bega, whose 1999 single "Mambo No. 5" was a global hit, had star billing at the free government-sponsored concert, which also featured Romanian bands.

About 5,000 people showed up to hear the Sunday night concert, which took place against the backdrop of the giant "House of the People," a palace built by late dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

Leaders from 10 former Soviet Bloc countries are in Romania discussing why they should become members of the military alliance.

The government was footing the $100,000 bill for the concert.

KENT, Ohio -- Comedian Drew Carey probably could have gotten tickets to see Kent State play Indiana Saturday in Lexington, Ky.

But Carey, a two-time Kent State dropout from Cleveland, said there's no place he'd rather watch the NCAA men's basketball tournament than his old college hangout -- Ray's Place.

"I wanted to be in Kent. What do I want to be in Lexington for?" said Carey.

Indiana dashed the hopes of Carey and other fans by defeating Kent State 81-69.

The Hoosiers ended Kent State's 21-game winning streak, as well as Kent State's attempt to become the first 10th-seeded team to reach the Final Four.

CINCINNATI -- Actress Whoopi Goldberg has become the latest celebrity to support an economic boycott of the city.

The comedian canceled her sold-out June 12 speech as part of a lecture series about women with unique lives, said Bob Benia, producer of the series.

He said Goldberg requested information about the boycott after he told her about it.

"I'm disappointed that the boycott seems to be creating a situation where the city of Cincinnati is missing out on things like this," he said Saturday.

Goldberg's publicist did not return phone calls.

Goldberg joins a growing list of black artists who have backed out of performances in response to the boycott, including actor-comedian Bill Cosby, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and R&B singer Smokey Robinson.

The call for a boycott began after riots broke out last April when a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black man fleeing police.

NEW YORK -- Actress Kathleen Turner says she's recovering after being stricken with the painful illness rheumatoid arthritis.

"When I was shooting 'Serial Mom,' my feet became painful and swollen," Turner told Sunday's issue of Parade Magazine.

Turner, 47, says she went to a doctor for help with the pain and a blood test finally revealed the arthritis.

She says she's taking drugs to control the symptoms and has launched a Web campaign with drug manufacturer Immunex to encourage people to get an early diagnosis.

Turner, the star of such films as "Prizzi's Honor" and "Romancing the Stone," is returning to the Broadway stage for an adaptation of "The Graduate," opening April 4.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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