Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minute

Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minute

Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minuteoriginally appeared onParade. Fans are demanding answers after Fenway Park canceled the concerts scheduled for the legendary baseball field on Thursday, May 29, and Friday, May 30, just hours beforeShakirawas set to take the stage for the first of the shows (Jason Aldeanand Brooks & Dunn were scheduled for the following night). The sporting venue announced the news on X at 4:36 p.m., as fans were likely already arriving in the area for Shakira. "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Shakira and Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn performances originally scheduled for May 29 and May 30 respectively at Fenway Park have been canceled," a message from the field's official account read. "Refunds will be available at your point of purchase. We apologize for the inconvenience." pic.twitter.com/3MRSbMJ8rR — Fenway Park (@fenwaypark)May 29, 2025 Beyond their disappointment, fans were distraught by the lack of transparency from the venue. "Because????" one fan insisted, as another requested, "Can some sort of explanation be provided?" "We want a detailed explanation," someone else demanded, posting a gif of a cartoon figure holding a flaming torch. "How is it possible that this venue-related cancelation is announced only 2-3 hours before the show starts? We demand a CLEAR explanation," another response read. One internet user who wasn't even planning to attend either show noted that "to just say both are cancelled due to 'unforeseen circumstances' is eerie and concerning," wondering why the venue would't "just say" what was going on. "Unacceptable," someone else said bluntly. According to reporting fromABC affiliate WCVB 5, Fenway's stage setup began to fall apart during rehearsal on Thursday, with Live Nation telling the publication that "during a routine pre-show check, structural elements were identified as not being up to standard, so the shows were canceled." Live Nation employees reportedly informed "countless fans" of the unfortunate news as they arrived for Shakira's Thursday night show, while the equipment was being loaded into trucks and taken away. Related: D'Angelo Cancels Highly-Anticipated Performance With 'Deepest of Regrets' Due to 'Unforeseen Medical' Circumstances Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minutefirst appeared on Parade on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

byRobert Mejias

in

May 30, 2025

Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minute

Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minute Fans Demand Answers as Legendary Venue Cancels Concerts Last-Minuteorigi...

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Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025originally appeared onParade. If you're stuck on today's Wordle answer, we're here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle 1441 ahead.Let's start with a few hints. There are three vowels out of the five letters in the word today. Today's Wordle begins with a vowel. Yes, there are double letters in today's Wordle. As a noun, this word refers to a phrase/expression with a figurative (non-literal) meaning. OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!Related:16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 HoursWe'll have the answer below this friendly reminder ofhow to play the game.SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed. Today's Wordle answer on Friday, May 30, 2025, is IDIOM.How'd you do?Up Next:-Catch Up on Other Wordle Answers From This Week-Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025first appeared on Parade on May 30, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.

byRobert Mejias

in

May 30, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025

Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025 Today's Wordle Hint, Answer for #1441 on Friday, May 30, 2025originall...

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Protests over ‘please walk on me’ flag artwork prompt its removal from New Zealand gallery — again

Protests over 'please walk on me' flag artwork prompt its removal from New Zealand gallery — again

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — ANew Zealandflag printed with the words "please walk on me" and laid on the floor of an art gallery has once again been packed away following public outcry, 30 years after protests forced the removal of the same artwork. The Suter Art Gallery in the city of Nelson said Thursday it had taken down the work by Māori artist Diane Prince due to escalating tensions and safety fears. The episode mirrored an Auckland gallery's removal of the work amid public backlash and complaints to law enforcement in 1995. This time, the flag was meant to remain on display for five months. Instead, it lasted just 19 days, reigniting long-running debates in New Zealand over artistic expression, national symbols and the country's colonial history. Police told The Associated Press on Friday that officers were investigating "several" complaints about the exhibition. What is the artwork? The piece, titled Flagging the Future, is a cloth New Zealand flag displayed on the floor with the words "please walk on me" stenciled across it. The flag features the British Union Jack and red stars on a blue background. The work was part of an exhibition, Diane Prince: Activist Artist, and was meant to provoke reflection on the Māori experience since New Zealand's colonization by Britain in the 19th century. Prince created the piece in 1995 in response to a government policy that limited compensation to Māori tribes for historical land theft. "I have no attachment to the New Zealand flag," Prince told Radio New Zealand in 2024. "I don't call myself a New Zealander. I call myself a Māori." Prince couldn't be reached immediately for comment Friday. New Zealand'sreckoning with its colonial pasthas gathered pace in recent decades. But there has been little appetite among successive governments to sever the country's remaining constitutional ties to Britain orchange the flagto a design that doesn't feature the Union Jack. Why did the art strike a nerve? New Zealand is among countries where desecrating the national flag is considered taboo and prohibited by law. Damaging a flag in public with intent to dishonor it is punishable by a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,984), but prosecutions are fleetingly rare. As in theUnited Statesand elsewhere, the country's flag is synonymous for some with military service. But for others, particularly some Māori, it's a reminder of land dispossession, and loss of culture and identity. Protests of the artwork in the city of Nelson, population 55,000, included videos posted to social media by a local woman, Ruth Tipu, whose grandfather served in the army's Māori Battalion during World War II. In one clip, she is seen lifting the flag from the floor and draping it over another artwork, an action Tipu said she would repeat daily. A veterans' group also denounced the piece as "shameful" and "offensive." City council member Tim Skinner said he was "horrified" by the work's inclusion. But others welcomed it. Nelson's deputy mayor, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, posted on social media "in strong defense of artistic expression and the right for us all to be challenged and confronted by art." Why did the gallery remove it? The work was perhaps expected to provoke controversy and in the exhibition's opening days, The Suter Gallery defended its inclusion. But a statement on its Facebook page late Thursday said a "sharp escalation in the tone and nature of the discourse, moving well beyond the bounds of respectful debate" had prompted the flag's removal. "This should not be interpreted as a judgement on the artwork or the artist's intent," the statement said. The gallery didn't detail specific incidents of concern and a gallery spokesperson didn't respond to a request for an interview on Friday. New Zealand's Police said in a statement Friday that while officers were investigating complaints, they weren't called to any disturbances at the exhibition. Prince said when she revived the work in 2024 that threats of prosecution by law enforcement had prompted its removal from the Auckland gallery in 1995. The Nelson gallery didn't suggest in its statement that police involvement had influenced Thursday's decision.

byRobert Mejias

in

May 30, 2025

Protests over ‘please walk on me’ flag artwork prompt its removal from New Zealand gallery — again

Protests over 'please walk on me' flag artwork prompt its removal from New Zealand gallery — again WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — AN...

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Big Ocean breaks new ground as K-pop’s first deaf group

Big Ocean breaks new ground as K-pop's first deaf group

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Big Ocean, a three-member K-pop group composed entirely of artists with hearing disabilities, is redefining the limits of music and performance — one beat at a time. When Big Ocean takes the stage, they seamlessly incorporate sign language into their performances. But their polished shows are built on extensive preparation using high-tech tools born from necessity — vibrating smartwatches that pulse with musical beats and LED visual metronomes that flash timing cues during practice sessions. This technological approach represents significant progress in South Korea's entertainment industry, where career opportunities for people with disabilities have historically been limited. The trio, PJ, Jiseok and Chanyeon, made their debut in April 2024 and recently wrapped a solo European tour marking their first anniversary. The band performed in four countries, including France and the U.K., while promoting their second mini-album, "Underwater," which dropped on April 20. PJ rose to prominence as a YouTuber who educated viewers about hearing disabilities. Chanyeon previously worked as an audiologist. Jiseok was a professional ski racer. To achieve the precision crucial in K-pop's demanding choreography and music, Big Ocean relies on technologies rarely seen in the genre. Members wear modified vibrating smartwatches that deliver rhythmic cues to their wrists and practice with visual metronomes — flashing light guides displayed on monitors — to help stay in sync when audio alone isn't enough. Chanyeon uses a hybrid hearing device with Bluetooth that streams music directly from mobile devices. The group also uses a pitch-checking app and AI voice conversion technology to support vocal training and enhance audio output after recordings. Dancing to visual cues "We each felt rhythm differently when dancing," PJ told The Associated Press. "So when we'd play the same song and dance in front of the mirror, one of us would move faster while another would move slower. To solve this timing issue, we decided to memorize everything together and create our own cues with each other." This precision becomes critical during live performances, where unexpected disruptions can derail even experienced performers. "When we performed in France, our fans were cheering so loudly we lost the beat," said Jiseok. "But we looked at each other and quickly handled the situation — just like we practiced." Stage effects and certain musical styles create additional obstacles. "When a lot of smoke comes up, sometimes we momentarily can't see the stage movements in front of us," PJ said. "Our concentration gets disrupted instantly in those moments." "When there's no clear beat in a song, it's really hard for us to stay synchronized," Jiseok said. "When the bass is overwhelming, it's difficult for us to catch it accurately." Promoting accessibility Despite these challenges, Big Ocean's commitment to accessibility and inclusion has inspired their global fanbase. Big Ocean's global fanbase — known as PADO — has responded with similar commitment. "While communicating with PADO, we've heard that they're actually learning Korean sign language for us, or learning various sign languages to communicate with us," Jiseok said. "When we see how much they're preparing and putting in that effort, we feel so grateful." The group uses English for basic communication with international fans and incorporates Korean Sign Language, American Sign Language and International Sign to promote accessibility and inclusion. Jiseok credits BTS's RM with inspiring his musical journey. He said RM's donation to his former school — a private institution for deaf and hard of hearing students — gave him access to music and dance for the first time. "Without those learning opportunities, I probably never would have dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol," he said. Fostering collaboration Looking ahead, Big Ocean hopes to build on its growing global profile. "We recently saw Justin Bieber's Instagram post asking for music collaborators, so we sent him a DM," PJ said. "All of us would love the opportunity to work with him. And personally, I'd also love to work with Billie Eilish." As the band reflects on its first year, Chanyeon said their biggest growth has been internal. "I've always liked playing it safe — even with food, I only ate what I was used to," he said. "But through Big Ocean, I've gained confidence in trying new things. That's what I'm most satisfied with."

byRobert Mejias

in

May 30, 2025

Big Ocean breaks new ground as K-pop’s first deaf group

Big Ocean breaks new ground as K-pop's first deaf group SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Big Ocean, a three-member K-pop group composed entirel...

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Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Case

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Case

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Caseoriginally appeared onParade. Josh Klinghoffer is best known for his time as the guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but what a number of folks don't know is that he's been dealing with a major lawsuit since 2024. The 45-year-old musician took a no-jail plea deal for a vehicular manslaughter charge on Wednesday, May 28, according to a Thursday, May 29 report byPeople. The outlet noted that Klinghoffer was present in an Alhambra courthouse on Wednesday, where he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence charges. Los Angeles County Judge Rosa Fregoso sentenced the guitarist to one year of informal probation and 60 days of community labor, according toRolling Stone. The outlet also reported that Klinghoffer must pay restitution – which is set to be decided at a later date – and complete a driver safety class as well. The sentencing comes just over a year after Klinghoffer allegedly failed to yield at a crosswalk and accidentally struck and killed 47-year-old Israel Sanchez on March 18, 2022. Officials revealed that the guitarist was driving a black 2022 GMC Yukon and confirmed that Sanchez's death was caused by blunt force trauma. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 Sanchez's daughter was also in attendance at the Alhambra courthouse, where she wept as she read her victim impact statement aloud. "My father was an extraordinary grandfather to my [children]," she said to the courtroom, before she added, "His absence has left an irreversible void in our lives." She went on to note that her father's death was an "avoidable loss that has shaken [her] family." The date for the civil case hearing was set for July 1. Klinghoffer was a part of the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 2009 to 2019, when John Frusciante – who joined the Peppers in 1988 after the death of their original guitarist Hillel Slovak – returned to the band. The rocker has since joined Pearl Jam as a touring guitarist for the band. Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Casefirst appeared on Parade on May 29, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon May 29, 2025, where it first appeared.

byRobert Mejias

in

May 29, 2025

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Case

Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Manslaughter Case Former Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist Takes Plea Deal In Mansla...

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