ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION'S PRESS. - Los Angeles Times
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ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

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PEOPLE

Divorcing: In a joint statement Friday, singer-actress Diana Ross and businessman Arne Naess confirmed news reports that they have separated and are filing for divorce after 13 years of marriage and two sons. Ross spokesman Paul Bloch said in a press release that Ross and Naess “stated that they will remain great friends and their main and only concern is the welfare of their two sons, Ross, 11, and Evan, 10.†The 55-year-old singer also has two daughters from a previous marriage and another daughter from a relationship with Motown founder Berry Gordy. She became a household name in the 1960s with the Supremes, whose hits include “Baby Love,†“You Can’t Hurry Love,†“Where Did Our Love Go?†and “Stop! In the Name of Love.â€

Just Married: Don Johnson married former debutante Kelley Phleger in a civil ceremony presided over by San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown at the estate of Ann and Gordon Getty. The 49-year-old “Nash Bridges†star and Phleger, 30, tied the knot Thursday night, Johnson publicist Elliot Mintz said. Best man was Robert Wagner. Kevin Costner and Cheech Marin were among the guests. Two youthful marriages for Johnson were annulled. He twice married and divorced Melanie Griffith. It’s Phleger’s first marriage . . . And in London, Paloma Picasso, 49, daughter of Pablo Picasso, wed gynecologist Eric Thevennet at St. Etheldreda’s Catholic Church--three months after she divorced her husband of 26 years, Argentinian playwright Rafael Lopez-Cambil. She and Lopez-Cambil built a fashion and perfume enterprise with yearly sales of up to $825 million.

Which Way Ventura?: Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is heading back to the radio airwaves--but at which station? Ventura had hosted a radio talk show on KFAN-AM in Minneapolis until he filed his candidacy for governor in July. Management then pulled the show, fearing the station would have to give equal time to his gubernatorial opponents. Ventura now has a tentative deal with WCCO-AM for an hourlong weekly program called “Lunch With the Governor,†to begin this month or next. The governor will not be paid. But Mick Anselmo, KFAN vice president, said this week that he considers Ventura still under contract to his station. “As far as I’m concerned, Jesse Ventura is still an employee of my radio station. . . . I’m seeking legal counsel.â€

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MUSIC/DANCE

Awards for Mauceri and Bondi: John Mauceri, principal conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and noted international maestro, has been awarded the prestigious Berlin Prize from the American Academy in Berlin, the first time the honor has gone to a musician. Previous winners include playwright Arthur Miller, poet C.K. Williams, writer Robert Koplowitz and historians. Later this year, Mauceri will spend several months at the academy, completing his book on 20th century music and the influence of World War II on attitudes and policies in classical music . . . The 1999 Heritage Award, California’s most prestigious dance award, will be presented to Don Bondi, who is retiring as dance department chairman of the 14-year-old Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, it was announced Friday. He’s been at the public high school since its creation by philanthropist Caroline Ahmanson.

Pasadena Civic Notes: The Pasadena Civic Auditorium will inaugurate its new subscription program, Pasadena Civic Musical Series, with the Dallas Summer Musicals’ production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific†(July 6-11), followed by the Olivier Award-winning “Jolson: The Musical†with Mike Burstyn (Oct. 26-31), “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat†with Patrick Cassidy and Deborah Gibson (Nov. 16-21), the Moscow Classical Ballet’s “The Nutcracker†(Dec. 21-26), and the world premiere production “A Celebration of the Classic Hollywood Musicals†(Feb. 1-6, 2000).

POP/ROCK

No Lollapalooza: It’s official--no Lollapalooza again this year. The pioneering alternative-rock fest, which toured every summer from 1991 through 1997, will remain on hiatus for a second straight year. The announcement didn’t cite any reasons, but there have been widespread reports that the event was having trouble booking a strong headliner. Organizers said they are concentrating on assembling an “ultimate lineup†for Lollapalooza’s return in 2000.

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TELEVISION

‘Death’ Takes a Rain Check: Fox postponed Robbie Knievel’s live “death jump†across the Grand Canyon to May 20 after snowy weather prevented the daredevil from risking the attempt Thursday night. The network still aired the one-hour special, which sought to build suspense as to whether Knievel would jump, even though he admitted the decision not to had essentially been made hours earlier. And the program drew 11.7 million viewers, according to Nielsen research, 1.5 million fewer than viewed Knievel’s last record-setting feat in February.

QUICK TAKES

Pearl Jam will release its cover of the 1964 ballad “Last Kiss†later this month as a CD single, with proceeds going to aid Kosovo refugees. The band’s version of the plaintive song has been getting strong airplay on KROQ-FM (106.7) but has not been available in stores . . . Actress Sharon Stone has been named a board member of the San Francisco Ballet . . . Doc Severinsen has quit as pops conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in a dispute with management over marketing.

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