Jamie Foxx laughs it up in Big Easy

Jamie Foxx laughs it up in Big Easy

NEW ORLEANS — Actor and singer Jamie Foxx brought some music and laughter to New Orleans with his “Blame It” tour as the city prepares for the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

He entertained the crowd Thursday night with music and jokes.

Foxx spent several months in New Orleans in 2003 while making “Ray,” the film for which he won an Academy Award for his portrayal of singer-pianist Ray Charles.

Foxx said a little fun and laughter is just what New Orleans needs as the fourth anniversary of Katrina approached. The storm, which struck Aug. 29, 2005, flooded 80 percent of New Orleans.

Foxx said he thinks the people of New Orleans deserve attention as they continue rebuilding.

Gypsy trio criticizes booing of Madonna

BUCHAREST, Romania — A Russian trio performing Gypsy music with Madonna on her worldwide “Sticky and Sweet” tour says it regrets the pop star was booed during her Bucharest concert for criticizing widespread discrimination against Gypsies.

Thousands of people applauded the trio’s performance with Madonna in Bucharest on Wednesday night. But minutes later they booed Madonna when she said discrimination should end against East Europe’s Gypsies, also known as Roma.

In Bucharest on Friday, the Kolpakov Trio said it believes it is the only time the tour has been booed but declined to say if Madonna had commented about Gypsies at other concerts.

Band member Vadim Kolpakov said “Madonna was surprised” by the booing. Two members of the band are Roma, and the third is a Russian Jew.

Today’s birthdays

Movie director William Friedkin is 74. Actor Elliott Gould is 71. TV personality Robin Leach (“Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”) is 68. Actress Rebecca DeMornay is 50. Actress Carla Gugino is 38. Guitarist Kyle Cook of Matchbox Twenty is 34. Actor John Hensley (“Nip/Tuck”) is 32.