In the news

Dylan concert in Ark. moved to smaller venue

Bob Dylan's concert set for Sunday has been moved from the 18,000-seat Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Ark., to a nightclub on the south side of the river.

Promoter Butch Stone said slow ticket sales prompted the move to the private club Nitelife Rocks in Little Rock, a venue that holds 2,400 people.

Stone said about 1,300 tickets had been sold for the folk singer's show and said the club will honor tickets for the arena concert. Ticketmaster's Web site on Tuesday showed the concert would be at the nightclub, with all tickets costing $35. Dylan, 61, is set to play the St. Pete Times Forum with the Dead on July 30.

Maybe Katie Couric has a future in show biz, after all.

The Today show host drew boffo ratings Monday for her one-night turn as Tonight Show host, part of a job switch stunt that had Jay Leno take over her job at Today.

Couric's overnight ratings among the nation's top media markets were 42 percent over what Leno has drawn on a typical Monday this season, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Monday's Today ratings were 9 percent higher than normal.

Nielsen Media Research did not immediately have its more complete measurements of the entire country, or have estimates about how many people watched both shows. The metered ratings measure how many television sets were on in big-city homes.

Even though American Idol's season finale is May 21, fans of Fox's hit reality show can still get another dose of Clay, Kimberley, Ruben and company. The top 10 finalists are set to visit Tampa for the American Idols Live show at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Tickets ($26.75-$46.75) go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the box office or Ticketmaster: (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.

Tommy Chong pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Pittsburgh court to a federal conspiracy charge of selling drug paraphernalia over the Internet.

The 64-year-old actor and his family-run business, Nice Dreams Enterprises, admitted conspiring to sell marijuana pipes via Web site promotions with the comedian's endorsement.

Chong could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He has been released on a $20,000 bond and will be sentenced Sept. 11.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright