The last time Madonna performed in Israel was in 2009, when she held two concerts as part of her record-shattering Sticky & Sweet tour. This time the newly-rechristianed Queen of Pop is not just holding any old concert in Israel, but using the event to kick off her entire 2012 world tour.
The Israelis are, needless to say, pretty excited. They're not as excited as Perez Hilton—who brought out lots and lots of exclamation points for the announcement—but they are still pretty excited.
The world tour will kick off on May 29th in the Israeli city of Ramat Gan and stretch all the way into 2013. After Israel Madonna will travel to a couple other Middle East venues before departing for Europe, where she'll do 26 additional spots over the course of two months. From there it's off to North America to do yet another set of 26 venues, then to Latin America, then to Australia. Before everything is said and done she will have played 90 concerts.]]>
Yesterday the Venice Film Festival wrapped up, but not before dozens of A-Listers passed through town.
The fest kicked off with the premiere of George Clooney's Ides of March at the Hotel Excelsior and, proving he really can do it all, George drove his own boat right up to the red carpet.
But, just as quickly as he arrived, Clooney was catching a flight back to the U.S. just in time for the Telluride Film Festival where he was honored with a Silver Medallion award on Sunday. ]]>
Madonna landed in Rio de Janeiro yesterday for a week long trip that may include meeting her boyfriend's mother and speaking with government officials about poverty.
Several reports are saying that the superstar is nervous about meeting Jesus Luz' family for the first time and that it may be a sign things are heating up between them. But Madge told Page Six the rumors aren't true and she is "there strictly for fundraising and humanitarian purposes.” We find it suspect that she would visit her boyfriend's hometown with him and not stop by to say hi to his moms. Maybe it's the age difference that is keeping her away, and we're not talking about the age difference between her and Jesus. Madonna also happens to be 14 years older than his mother! ]]>
You know, when you think of an "over the hill" birthday party, you usually think of gag gift diapers and getting something like the "Tour of Italy" platter at Olive Garden. Of course when it's Madonna celebrating her 51st birthday, all bets are off. This Sunday she arrived in the Italian resort town of Portofino for her own tour of Italy, or rather a stay at the town's Splendido Hotel after renting out a whole floor.
What then did Madonna get as a gift for her birthday? Her designer pals Dolce & Gabbana will be taking out for a spin on their yacht, with a possibly stay at one of their villas; no gag gifts here.
Madonna is hopefully relaxing in Portofino, seeing as how her last Sticky and Sweet concert in Warsaw was protested by conservative Catholics who didn't appreciate her performing on the Feast of the Assumption—which celebrates Mary's ascension straight to heaven—considering her name and everything. Alas, then Madonna went straight to Italy, cradle of Catholicism; that'll show those Polish religious fiends.
Related Stories:
· Madonna In Italy For 51st Birthday Bash [AFP]
· Celeb Travel Coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: AFP and Google Maps]]]>
Most stars dream of representing their latest film at the Cannes Film Festival and most film fans dream of watching them walk down the red carpet. Cannes is the biggest, flashiest and most decadent festival on the circuit, the place to be and be seen. If you're lucky enough to find yourself at Cannes this year, here's our list of where to stay, where to eat and what to see. ]]>
According to the New York Post, Madonna is planning a concert in St. Petersburg, Russia this summer in the main square next to the Hermitage Museum. The historic art and culture museum is part of the royal Winter Palace which served as the home for Russian Tsars Nicholas I and Nicholas II.
When Madonna arrives in August, the museum will be showcasing its "Treasures of the Great Moguls" exhibition. And the museum officials are none too pleased.
[B]randing the event a "natural disaster," the museum's director Dr. Mikhail Piotrovski said, "We want guarantees that there will be no blasphemy."
Uh-oh, now that you said that, Madonna's gonna cook up something blasphemous for St. Petersburg. Unless you consider her dating a 22-year-old Brazilian model to be blasphemous enough and to be honest, we kind of do.
Related Stories:
· Russian Authorities: Madonna Concert a Natural Disaster [NY Post]
· Heritage Museum [Official Site]
[Photo: Anirudh Koul]]]>
She may be getting married in her new movie "Bride Wars," but Kate Hudson clearly relishes her status as a single lady. Last week, she was photographed on not one but two high-profile dates on opposite sides of the US. Would you fly across the country to date these dudes?
Kate's dates started on the East Coast when she and ball-player and former Madonna fling Alex Rodriguez got dinner at Lure Fishbar in New York. But the Yankee must have struck out with the "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" star, because she was later snapped on the beach in Hawaii with pro golfer Adam Scott, an Australian in the islands for the Mercedes-Benz Championship at the Kapalua Resort on Maui. Scott lost to fellow Aussie Geoff Ogilvy, but he may have taken home a bigger prize.
Related Stories:
· Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez: Madonna Who? [Socialite Life]
· Kate Hudson Flees Killer Australian Jellyfish for NYC Clubs [Jaunted]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: JustJared]]]>