SALIDA, Calif. (AP) -- Officials with a California nonprofit group say former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has agreed to play the piano at a benefit concert to raise funds for a local school.

The Salida Performing Arts Foundation says the concert at a private residence March 27 will also include cellist Michael Reynolds and tenor Dennis McNeil.

Tickets cost $500 a person, or $5,000 for a table of eight.

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Ah, it's group night on American Idol. Finally. Yes, I'm a sucker for group night. There's nothing quite like seeing a bunch of marginally talented people acting they're on the same plane as Lady Gaga and quickly turning on each other like a pack of self-absorbed jackals. This is the only real "reality show" drama we get all year on this show, and it's great fun every year.

This year was a little tamer than most, but there was still plenty there to whet the train wreck appetite more...

LOS ANGELES – The "American Idol" group auditions proved to be a drama of two dads.

When Wednesday's episode had ended, Michael Lynche, known as "Big Mike," was the proud father of a newborn baby girl and had made it into the next round of the singing contest.

But Seth Rollins of Lakeland, Fla., who had hoped to make a better life for his autistic son and who performed with Lynche and two others contestants, was cut

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LONDON (AP) -- Sir John Dankworth, the British jazz composer, saxophonist and band leader, has died. He was 82.

Jazz singer Dame Cleo Laine — who married Dankworth in 1958 after meeting during an audition for a spot with his band — announced her husband's death before the finale of an anniversary concert at The Stables, the theater they founded together.

Monica Ferguson, the theater's chief executive

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On January 27, I had the pleasure of attending the taping of Norah Jones' performance for an upcoming installment of the PBS music series, "Soundstage." Even on a bitter cold and blustery New York evening, it was well worth my trip from Harlem to DUMBO's St. Ann's Warehouse, not only for the entertainment, but also for what would probably be my last chance (for a while, at least) to experience one of the most beautiful sights in the city - the view of the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan more...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – John Mayer fans have been huddling outside the South Carolina venue where the rocker has been rehearsing for his upcoming tour, hoping to get a glimpse of him.

For some lucky fans, that wait has paid off. For two hours Tuesday night, Mayer put on a free show for University of South Carolina students, giving back to the loyal fans who have camped out in downtown Columbia during his practice sessions.

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AC/DC's Saturday night show in New Zealand was thrown into chaos after scores of revelers were arrested. The group was performing at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, but the event was marred when nine fans were taken into custody during the concert, while another six were evicted for unruly behavior.

In total, 50 people were arrested for drunk and disorderly behavior, while six ambulances were called to the venue to deal with alcohol or drug-related issues.

Inspector more...