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CLOUDY Temp: 39 °F Wind: SSE at 4 mph Wednesday, April 2, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2003 Musician cancels gigs to protest war By BILL VARBLE Mail Tribune An April 22 date at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford is among the concerts scratched when singer Youssou N’Dour canceled a seven-week tour of North America. In a statement, the singer said the cancellation was in protest of the threatened U.S.-led war on Iraq. "It’s a bummer," says Maria Kelly of the One World concert series of Southern Oregon University and Jefferson Public Radio, the concert’s presenter. "It was the highlight of our season." Those who bought tickets will get refunds, Kelly said. N’Dour, of Senegal, a world music star here and in Europe, had planned a 38-city tour. Senegal is a predominantly Muslim country. "I believe that coming to America at this time would be perceived in many parts of the world — rightly or wrongly — as a support of this policy, and that, as a consequence, it is inappropriate to perform in the U.S. at this juncture," N’Dour’s statement said. Kelly said the no-show probably would cost the One World series several thousand dollars. Normally, an artist canceling a contract for any reason other than an act of God must make a payment to presenters. But Kelly said in this case that does not appear likely. She said representatives of the Grammy-nominated singer notified her by e-mail of the decision, then faxed a statement. The statement said in part: "It is my strong conviction that the responsibility for disarming Iraq should rest with the United Nations. As a matter of conscience I question the United States government’s apparent intention to commence war in Iraq. ... I find it impossible to imagine playing concerts in America when such grave issues are confronting all the peoples of the world." Kelly said she tried to find a show to replace N’Dour but was unable to come up with an artist of equal stature on such short notice. "It would have to have been something that could have been done with other Northwest concert presenters in a block," she said. The One World series celebrates diversity and expresses the message of world peace through the medium of music. Kelly lamented the effects of politics on a series dedicated to multicultural understanding. "His cancellation is a powerful message," she said. "But without condemning him, what’s more powerful, silence, or one’s voice?" Reach reporter Bill Varble at 776-4478 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S