While the concert has raised the doubts of Randy and Jermaine Jackson, it has the full support of the star's mother and other siblings. British acts Leona Lewis, Craig David and JLS have also been lined up to perform at the gig. Several of Jackson's brothers will also perform, along with 3T, which consists of Tito Jackson's three sons. "We're delighted that such exciting and globally recognised acts have joined the line-up to pay tribute to a music legend," said Chris Hunt, president of concert promoter Global Live Events.
Arts Funding - The Beacon Arts Centre, a new arts venue in Inverclyde that is currently under construction and is due to open next year, has received a grant of £100,000 from The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. The award will assist with the establishment of a youth theatre which will offer opportunities for participation in arts activities to young people from a socially disadvantaged background.
The Beacon will replace the existing Greenock Arts Guild Theatre. Madeleine Lloyd Webber, trustee of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, said, "The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is passionate about young people and giving opportunities to them within the arts. The youth theatre project at the Beacon Arts Centre aims to provide the young people in this area an outlet for self expression and to encourage life skills using theatre practices. Through our donation, we hope to make a positive difference in Inverclyde that will be felt for generations to come."
Electric Soup - Australian rock band AC/DC are launching their own range of wine. They are selling varieties named after some of their biggest hits, including Highway to Hell cabernet sauvignon, Hells Bells sauvignon blanc and You Shook Me All Night Long muscat.
The group have teamed up with Australian winemaker Warburn Estate for the release of AC/DC The Wine. The range will be available in Australia from Thursday and the four different varieties will be sold in Woolworths stores across the country. "We wanted to make sure that AC/DC's home fan base could have easy access to their rock icons' wines," said Steve Donohue, general manager of buying for the Woolworths Liquor Group. "For us it was a no-brainer to make it available nationally, no-one misses out. This is a worldwide phenomenon and a first in the marketplace."
(Jim Evans)
