The top 5 R&B/hip-hop albums, as they appear in this week’s Billboard magazine:

The top 5 R&B/hip-hop albums, as they appear in this week’s Billboard magazine:

v“Recovery”: Eminem (Web/Shady/Aftermath/Interscope/IGA).

v“Thank Me Later”: Drake (Young Money/Cash Money/Universal Motown/UMRG).

v“How I Got Over”: The Roots (Def Jam/IDJMG).

v“Ridin’ Solo”: Keith Sweat (Kedar).

v“Raymond V Raymond”: Usher (LaFace/Jive/JLG).

Fourth of July specials: Here’s how televised fireworks beat the real thing: You don’t have to fight the crowds. Pyrotechnic displays look real pretty in HD. And if things get too loud, you can always hit the “mute” button. Fortunately, the networks are serving up several celebratory specials. On NBC, we’ve got “The Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” (9 p.m.) from New York City. It features a journey through the country’s musical history and includes a performance by teen heartthrob Justin Bieber. Over at CBS is “The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular” (10 p.m.) with Craig Ferguson presiding over a program that has Toby Keith delivering some of his biggest hits. And on PBS, there’s “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m.) with Jimmy Smits ushering viewers through performances by Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, David Archuleta and others.

“Jaws” marathon (starting at 4:45 A.M., ENCORE): It’s summertime, which makes us think of beaches and the ocean and ... sharks. So sink your teeth into a daylong marathon of “Jaws” movies that includes Spielberg’s original classic and all the mediocre sequels that followed.

TV listings, B8

entertainment news

Thousands expected for Slovenefest

SNPJ, Pa.

The Borough of SNPJ will be transformed into a small city as the Slovene National Benefit Society hosts the 29th annual Slovenefest celebration Friday through July 11.

Beginning at noon Friday, the first of thousands of Slovenefest weekend guests will arrive, all of whom will be joining in on the world’s biggest celebration of the Slovene culture.

The fest will be at the SNPJ Recreational Center grounds, 270 Martin Road, in Enon Valley, where the performances will be featured on two outdoor stages, in the indoor “Gostilna” (clubroom) and in the air-conditioned Alpine Room inside the Recreation Center’s main building.

Activities will include the 54th Miss SNPJ Pageant at noon Friday, as well as a variety of children’s entertainment. Admission is $8 on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday. A thee-day pass is available for $25. Children under 16 are admitted free. Parking is also free.

For more info, call 877-767-5732 or go to snpj.org/fest_page.html.

Game sales drop

NEW YORK

Video game retail sales slipped once again in May, hurt by lower prices of gaming consoles. Total sales of gaming systems, software and accessories dropped to $823.5 million in May, down 5 percent from a year earlier, according to figures released last week by market researcher NPD Group. Hardware sales plunged 20 percent to $241.5 million in May.

The lower pricing of gaming consoles was a big reason for the decline as Sony Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Nintendo Co. have all cut the prices of their gaming systems in the past year.