NEWSMAKERS: Snow in Paris cancels Lady Gaga concert

NEWSMAKERS

Snow in Paris cancels Lady Gaga concert

PARIS

Lady Gaga isn’t having much luck in Paris.

In October, the pop diva’s concerts in Paris were postponed amid nationwide strikes over a government plan to raise the retirement age. One show was rescheduled for Sunday, but it was called off because of snow.

The weather led authorities to ban big trucks from driving through the Ile de France region that includes Paris. Lady Gaga’s trucks couldn’t get to the venue on time, concert venue Bercy stadium said on its Web site.

A concert today is expected to go forward as planned, and the canceled show is likely to be rescheduled for Tuesday, Bercy said.

The diva vented on Twitter, writing that “all 28” of the trucks carrying sets for her elaborate show had been detained. She said she had wanted to do a show without the sets, but even sound and power equipment was blocked.

“I am furious and devastated,” she wrote, adding that it was “unfair to my fans and to me.”

Lady Gaga also wrote that two of her employees were “arrested trying to get into Paris so we could perform,” without elaborating. French police, the singer’s representatives and the concert venue did not immediately return calls and e-mails seeking comment on that claim.

‘Tron: Legacy’ at No. 1 with $43.6M debut

LOS ANGELES

Jeff Bridges’ sci-fi sequel “Tron: Legacy” has leaped to the top of the box-office grid with a $43.6 million opening weekend.

The movie reboots the story line started in Bridges’ 1982 tale “Tron,” in which his character is hurtled into a deadly virtual reality known as the Grid.

Dan Aykroyd’s family flick “Yogi Bear” fell flat, opening a weak No. 2 with $16.7 million.

Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale’s acclaimed boxing drama “The Fighter” had a so-so expansion nationwide after a stellar debut in limited release the previous weekend. “The Fighter” came in at No. 4 with $12.2 million.

Reese Witherspoon’s romance “How Do You Know” was a dud with just $7.6 million, opening at No. 8.

Prince calls celebs on stage to party at show

NEW YORK

Sherri Sheppard finally got her wish to spend the night with Prince — but she had to share him with a few other celebrities, including Spike Lee, Naomi Campbell, Jamie Foxx and her “View” co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

Prince called Sheppard and a host of other stars on stage Saturday night in his sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden. Lee played the tambourine as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Prof. Cornel West, talk-show host Tavis Smiley and others danced onstage with Prince and Sheila E. to the hit “A Love Bizarre.”

Prince recently made a surprise appearance on “The View” that left Sheppard swooning.

Prince pretended to bolt from the stage when he mentioned Sheppard’s name, but then slyly told her: “Come on, Sherri. Dance with me, please. I wanna see what you really do.”

The concert was part of Prince’s “Welcome 2 America” performances in the New York City area; this was his first night at the famed Garden.

Although Prince released a new album overseas this year, Saturday’s concert was classic Prince. He sang memorable tunes such as “Kiss,” “1999,” “Let’s Go Crazy” and “Purple Rain” — the only thing missing from the old days were the heels he used to wear. (He strutted and danced on stage in more-sensible flats.)

Associated Press