lifestyle SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2015

Features Eric Clapton celebrates 70th birthday by rocking the Garden

t was Eric Clapton’s birthday celebration, but it was the BB King, who earlier Friday announced that he is in hospice sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden that got a gift as care in Las Vegas. Ithe guitar god enthralled during a two-hour concert that For his birthday bash, Clapton brought out a few of his gui- included some of his biggest hits and guest stars including tar-playing : Mayer traded frenetic guitar licks with his John Mayer. idol on “Pretending,” while he and Jimmy Vaughan were mas- There was no cake or “Happy Birthday” serenade; in fact, terful together on the electric “Before You Accuse Me.” Derek Clapton started Friday’s concert in typical matter-of-fact fash- Trucks and Doyle Braham also delivered as they joined him on ion, with a brief salutation to the crowd before delving into a “Let It Rain.” They were all great complements to the show, but rollicking version of “Somebody’s Knocking” from JJ Cale. Still, it was Clapton, of course, that kept the audience entranced, the first in Clapton’s two-night stand to mark his 70th (which thrilling with those hands as he performed songs like “I Shot actually happened March 30) was special, if only for Clapton’s the Sheriff,” “Crossroads” and “Layla,” and “Cocaine.” Though legendary guitar play, scorching through songs like “Hoochie Clapton has joked at times about taking a break from touring, Coochie” and “Queen of Spades,” while measured but still stir- Friday’s concert showed that if he did, it would not be due to ring during songs like his acoustic “Tears in Heaven,” which he age: He has not slowed a beat. Clapton said little to the crowd, switched up with a reggae arrangement more uptempo than but toward the end he let on that the night was just as magi- the original version. cal to him as it was to the audience. “I want to thank you for Eric Clapton, center, performs A special moment came when Clapton’s keyboardist Paul helping me celebrate,” he said. “This is the best birthday I ever during his “70th Birthday Carrack performed a version of “You Are So Beautiful,” popular- had.” — AP Celebration” concert at Madison ized by Joe Cocker, a longtime Clapton friend who died in Square Garden. December. Clapton also dedicated a song to beloved mentor Police groups object to ‘Don’t Shoot’ art piece

olice advocacy groups in Wisconsin on Friday objected to a saying they are “deeply troubled” by the artwork. The “storm troop- painting displayed at the Madison Public Library that shows er portrayal of officers who appear to threaten a small child only Pan African-American boy pointing a toy gun at three riot serves to advance patently negative law enforcement stereotypes,” police officers who have their weapons aimed at the child, calling it the groups said. Lroy defended his art. inflammatory and biased. Artist Mike Lroy said the piece - acrylic and spray paint on can- Outlet for expression vas, entitled “Don’t Shoot” - is meant to stir emotion and provoke “Art is a positive outlet for expression, emotion and activism,” reflection. The criticism comes as demonstrations endure nation- Lroy said in a description posted next to the painting, adding that wide to protest the killings of black suspects by white police offi- his aim is “to empower black individuals who are feeling angry, for- In this file photo, BB King performs at the 32nd annual BB King Homecoming, a con- cers, most recently the death of Freddie Gray while in Baltimore gotten, and demonized by the mainstream narrative.” The organi- cert on the grounds of an old cotton gin where he worked as a teenager. — AP police custody. In March, a white police officer shot and killed an zations said to demand that it be removed would not be an appro- unarmed biracial man in Madison, sparking demonstrations. priate response to free speech, but that they wanted to exercise The Wisconsin Professional Police Association and the Madison their own right to be heard. “This is a sensitive time in our commu- Blues legend BB Professional Police Officers Association issued a joint statement nity,” said WPPA executive director Jim Palmer, calling the display “inflammatory, negative, stereotypical and a slap in the face.” Madison Public Library director Greg Mickells said the piece is displayed in partnership with 100 State, an entrepreneur incubator King in hospice organization that supported three artists in residence. “Some of the work will reflect a wide range of views, expressions and inter- lues legend BB King was in hospice website TMZ citing one of King’s daughters ests and may be unorthodox or controversial. The library’s display care Friday at his home in Las Vegas, as saying she called police because she was of these items doesn’t constitute endorsements,” Mickells said. Baccording to a longtime business upset about her father’s condition and that Mickells said library staff knew the artwork would have an associate with legal control over his affairs. he had suffered a minor heart attack. Efforts impact and that they hoped it would provoke dialogue. He said he The 89-year-old musician posted thanks on by the Associated Press to reach the daugh- would invite the police groups to publish their own statement, his official website for fans’ well-wishes and ter, Patty King, were not immediately suc- which could be displayed next to the piece. Palmer said he would prayers after he returned home from a brief cessful. take him up on that offer. Dane County District Attorney Ismael hospitalization, said Laverne Toney, King’s Paramedics checked King’s heart rhythm, Ozanne is weighing whether to file criminal charges against city of longtime business manager and current and he was treated at the hospital for com- Madison police officer Matt Kenny, who shot and killed 19-year-old power-of-attorney. plications of high blood pressure and dia- Tony Robinson. Kenny was responding to calls that Robinson had “Mr King is where he wishes to be,” Toney betes, Toney said. King was diagnosed with assaulted two people and was running in traffic. Police said said. “He’s always told me he doesn’t want diabetes decades ago. Roybal confirmed Robinson attacked Kenny inside an apartment house. — AP to be in a hospital. He wants to be at home.” that police received a report on Nov. 16 An ambulance was summoned Thursday claiming abuse at the house. No charges after what Las Vegas police Officer Jesse have been filed, and the police spokesman Roybal characterized as a domestic dispute said details of the investigation were not over medical care. No arrests were made, immediately available.—AP This photo provided by artist Mike Lroy shows his artwork titled and Roybal said no criminal complaint was ‘Don’t Shoot.’ Two labor groups representing police officers in filed. Wisconsin issued a statement saying they object to the work that Toney disputed reports by celebrity is on display at the Central branch of the Madison. — AP

NBC picks up ‘Chicago Med,’ two other dramas for new season BC is expanding its “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD” major broadcast networks’ presentations to advertisers in family with “Chicago Med,” set in a hospital emergency New York later this month of their 2015-16 schedules. Nroom and starring Oliver Platt and S Epatha “Heartbreaker,” based on the career of heart-transplant Merkerson. The new series will feature characters from its sib- surgeon Kathy Magliato, stars Melissa George as the title char- ling police and fire department dramas, also produced by acter, named Dr Alex Panttiere in the series and described as network stalwart Dick Wolf. Other cast members include a fearless physician with a racy personal life. Other cast mem- Laurie Holden, Nick Gehlfuss and Yaya Dacosta. bers include and DL Hughley. “Blindspot” is Merkerson played New York police Lt Anita Van Buren on about an international conspiracy involving a woman bearing Wolf’s “Law & Order,” the original series in the NBC franchise. mysterious tattoos. Its stars include Sullivan Stapleton, Jaimie The network’s new season plans include two other dramas: Alexander and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. — AP This photo provided by NBC shows Melissa George as Dr Alex Panttiere in a scene from NBC’s new drama series, another medical series, “Heartbreaker,” and a thriller, ‘Heartbreaker.’ — AP “Blindspot.” The announcement was made in advance of the

Colombian Miss Universe Paulina Vega Diepa takes a selfie with a fan’s phone during a welcoming event at her hometown Barranquilla.

The Notre Dame cathedral in Reims, eastern France is lit during the Drem of Colours light show, which is performed several nights a week. The 25-minute spectacle pairs symphon- ic and techno music with lights that dance on the cathedral’s front facade, illuminating its sculptures in the colors they were originally painted. — AP