http://stacks.msnbc.com/n....asp?cp1=1

Prince to headline SARS benefit

Rolling Stones, Santana also to play at Hong Kong concert


ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONG KONG, Sept. 19 — Prince will headline a government-sponsored music festival aimed at boosting the image of SARS-battered Hong Kong. He’ll perform at the opening of the concert series, “Hong Kong Harbour Fest,” on Oct. 17, organizers said Thursday. Top tickets for his show are priced at $127.

I saw a commercial for Hong Kong tourism. It was very nice. Kinda made me wanna go check it out.

Bittersweettears said:

Excuse me!! Where have u been the past month - 6 weeks?? The Hong Kong Harbourfest with Prince headlining has been in constant discussion here!!

I don't know why SARS needs a benefit. It seems to be doing pretty well on its own...

Gold319 said:

Sorry I'm new

The Rolling Stones aren't going to be there anymore. Wonder if Prince will not play also?

Rolling Stones won't play Hong Kong fest Organizers withdraw offer

Saturday, October 11, 2003
HONG KONG, China (Reuters) -- Organizers have withdrawn an offer to the Rolling Stones to perform at a government-funded pop fest in Hong Kong after criticism that the veteran British rockers were being overpaid.

"After a period of discussion with the Rolling Stones, during which we made them a firm offer and had a contract ready to be signed, we realized that the Rolling Stones were unable to commit to our offer in a timely manner. We have, therefore, decided to withdraw our offer," the organizers said in a statement.

Although the fee offer was kept confidential, Hong Kong media have speculated that the joint organizers -- the American Chamber of Commerce and a government-funded investment promotion unit -- might be overpaying the four-decade-old band.

In hopes of relaunching Hong Kong as a tourist destination after the economic disaster of this year's deadly SARS epidemic, the government promised to underwrite the three-week musical event to the tune of HK$ 80 million. But the gesture aroused public concern that the money might not be well spent.

The Harbour Fest, set to kick off on October 17, features artists such as Prince and Irish boyband Westlife.

A Hong Kong television station also reported that the Stones had cancelled what would have been their first performances in Beijing and Shanghai in November.

I don't think the Rolling Stones withdrawing reflects at all on the likelihood of Prince withdrawing.

- The Rolling Stones stated that they withdrew because they couldn't secure other concerts in the region - this doesn't apply to Prince.
- The Rolling Stones fee would be much higher than Prince's
- It is very close to the concert date now, and Prince is still selling on the web site, unlike the Stones which disappeared from the web site quite some time ago
- Prince is playing on the opening night, so it would be a bad move by the organisers to cancel his spot
- There isn't anything to suggest that Prince won't play

And besides, I just bought my plane ticket over there so he'd better play!!

I thought SARS was over! Oh is it back ? I guess the CDC needs to bring down another economy. What they are backing the Iraq Occupation. Then their gonna get a SARS outbreaka.

Rainbow Children RISEUP!

sabaisabai said:

Add to that:

Prince NEEDS the cash, the Rolling Stones don't.

The Event will pay for his crew and gear to be shipped over and returned to the US, all Prince has to do is pay the HK - OZ fee (he may have got a deal where the event will even cover this..) therefore his overheads for the OZ leg of the tour is minimal... = High Profits from OZ...

if the event was cancelled, i'm sorry to say Prince would more than likley cancel the OZ tour also.