newsmakers

newsmakers

Manilow donates piano to school

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

Singer Barry Manilow has donated a new Yamaha piano to launch a music-instrument drive at Kentucky’s largest school district and is offering free tickets to an upcoming performance to anyone else who makes a donation.

The instruments will go to help students at Jefferson County Public Schools in Louisville.

WHAS-TV reports that those who donate a new or gently used musical instrument will receive two free tickets for Manilow’s July 27 concert in Louisville. Donated instruments can be dropped off at The Louisville Palace through July 27.

Manilow says he is “thrilled to be able to help bring the gift of music to these kids.”

The Manilow Music Project provides musical instruments to high schools and middle schools and music scholarships to universities.

Courtney Love denies claim by ex-assistant

LOS ANGELES

Courtney Love disputes a lawsuit filed by a former assistant, who is suing the rocker over unpaid wages and claims she made unethical requests such as instructing her to hire a hacker and falsify legal letters.

Jessica Labrie filed the wrongful termination, wage and breach of contract lawsuit in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

“The allegations are completely unfounded and are being made with malice by a disgruntled former employee,” Love said in a statement released Wednesday.

The suit states Labrie worked as Love’s administrative assistant for about a year in 2010 and 2011, but was fired after complaining she was owed thousands in unpaid wages and expenses for business trips. The lawsuit claims Labrie suffered from headaches, insomnia and other medical conditions as a result of Love’s conduct.

Judge won’t intervene in Octomom strip case

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

An effort to cancel a strip-club performance by the woman known as “Octomom” has been denied by a Florida judge.

Circuit Judge Timothy McCarthy has ruled against having an emergency hearing requested by T’s Lounge in West Palm Beach, saying the situation does not “constitute a legal emergency.”

T’s Lounge was trying to thwart Nadya Suleman’s scheduled appearance Friday at a competing club.

She had signed a contract to dance topless at T’s this week but later backed out in favor of The Playhouse Gentleman’s Club in Hollywood.

Suleman’s show can go on, though a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed against her by T’s likely will proceed.

Vindicator wire services