Glasgow City Council to protect Dali painting

Glasgow City Council to protect Dali painting

LONDON — Glasgow City Council is taking steps to keep music bands, ashtray makers and poster artists from using the city’s Salvador Dali painting of Christ’s crucifixion without authorization.

The Scottish city purchased the painting and its copyright from the Spanish artist more than 50 years ago for 8,200 pounds. It is now worth about 60 million pounds ($85 million).

City officials said Tuesday they have hired lawyers to contact companies illegally using the image. They say they believe the city has been losing substantial licensing fees because of unauthorized reproductions of the painting.

Spokesman James Doherty says city councilors also believe the religious image does not belong on record albums and cheap merchandise like ashtrays.

Apollo Theater marks its 75th anniversary

NEW YORK — Harlem’s Apollo Theater is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its “Amateur Night” — a starting stage for some of the biggest stars in entertainment, including Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder and the late James Brown.

The first 75 tickets to Wednesday night’s show are going for $7.50, with rapper Ron Browz as the featured performer.

The theater, built in 1914 in the heart of Harlem, was originally called Hurtig and Seamon’s New Burlesque Theatre. Blacks were not allowed in the audience then.

In 1934, Ralph Cooper Sr. launched a live version of his radio show, “Amateur Nite Hour” at the Apollo. Fitzgerald was among the first winners of the show, which allows young performers to test their talent, with a tough live audience booing bad acts off the stage.

The Academy sues ticket-selling company

LOS ANGELES — The organization that presents the Academy Awards is suing an Arizona company that it claims is selling tickets to this year’s show.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences filed a federal lawsuit in Los Angeles on Monday to block Phoenix-based McMurry Inc. from selling a luxury ticket package to the Feb. 22 show. The seven-night package starts at $175,000 according to the lawsuit and McMurry’s Web site.

The Academy’s suit claims that McMurry plans to sell at least four of the high-end packages that promise pampering and a strut down the red carpet.

Oscar tickets are not transferrable, a policy the Academy says is aimed at keeping out stalkers and terrorists.

An e-mail sent to McMurry seeking comment was not immediately returned.

Super Bowl show will be glimpse of tour

NEW YORK — Bruce Springsteen’s Super Bowl performance will be a teaser for his upcoming world tour.

It officially kicks off in San Jose, Calif., on April 1. He’s also headed to Europe, hitting countries like Spain and Sweden.

The news comes on the day he releases his latest CD, “Working on a Dream.”

Springsteen will perform at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena on May 19. No Cleveland date has been announced yet.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Nicholas Pryor (“Risky Business”) is 74. Actor Alan Alda is 73. Actress Susan Howard (“Dallas”) is 67. Marthe Keller (“Marathon Man”) is 64. Actress Barbi Benton is 59. Guitarist Dave Sharp of The Alarm is 50. Singer Sam Phillips is 47. Guitarist Dan Spitz of Anthrax is 46. Bassist Greg Cook of Ricochet is 44. Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is 41. Rap artist DJ Muggs with Cypress Hill is 41. Rapper Rakim is 41. Actress Kathryn Morris (“Cold Case”) is 40. Singer Anthony Hamilton is 38. Keyboardist Brandon Bush of Train is 36. Singer Joey Fatone of ’N Sync is 32. Singer Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys is 29. Actor Elijah Wood (“The Lord of the Rings”) is 28.