Tonight's edition of London newspaper the Evening Standard was the first to get Madonna on it's cover to tell the story of Live 8 - to read the article click on the images to enlarge:

 

Sir Bob Geldof confirmed in a press conference today the details and confirmed the artists featuring in Live 8 - a series of five live shows in London, Paris, Philadelphia, Rome and Berlin on Saturday 02 July.

The concerts have been organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure as part of a campaign to force the world's richest nations to relieve poverty in the third world.

It has been confirmed that Madonna will perform at the London concert in Hyde Park which has a capacity of 150,000 people.

The BBC states that: A text message lottery is being held on 6 June to determine who will gain tickets to the UK concert. Listeners to breakfast shows on BBC and commercial radio stations will be asked to send a text message at 0800 BST containing the answer to a multiple choice question. The winners will get two tickets to the show.

Other acts performing in London include Mariah Carey, Coldplay, Dido, Keane, Sir Elton John, Annie Lennox, Muse, Scissor Sisters, Sir Paul McCartney, Joss Stone, Stereophonics, Sting, Snoop, Robbie Williams, U2 and REM.

Daryl Mattson the Events manager for Borders Inc, has written to madonnalicious to inform all it's visitors on how they can gain one of the coveted tickets to meet Madonna at Borders:

It is with great excitement that I announce that Borders Columbus Circle (on the second floor of the Time Warner Center: 212.823.9775) will be hosting a reading and meet and greet with Madonna on Tuesday, June 7 at 3pm!

As you can imagine, there are a number of logistical challenges to hosting an event with the most famous woman in the world. The event will not really be open to the public, but I did want to announce the event, and to distribute details for media and listing purposes.

She will do a story time at 3pm, and then meet 250 people, and give them a pre-signed copy of her new children's book, Lotsa De Casha. Illustrated by Portuguese muralist Rui Paes, Lotsa De Casha is the story of the richest man in the world, who loses everything but gains a friend. It is the fifth and final installment of Madonna's best-selling series of books for children.

The 250 people that get to meet Madonna will be determined via a sweepstakes run by 4 radio stations, and the winner will receive a ticket:

WHTZ - Z -100
WPLJ - 95.5
WQEW - Radio Disney
WKTU - 103.5

Each will run a contest from Tuesday, May 31 - Thursday, June 2. This will be the only way that people will get to meet Madonna. Additionally, those who win the contest should be advised that:

This ticket grants entry to one adult (18+) only. One child under the age of 12 is welcome with adult ticket holder.
This ticket will be exchanged for one pre-signed copy of Lotsa de Casha. The author will not be signing any items during the event.
ALL bags will be checked at the entrance to the event, including purses. Please leave any unnecessary personal belongings at home.
Absolutely NO cameras OR cell phones will be allowed into the event.
Please bring your photo I.D. on the day of the event. This ticket does not guarantee your admittance. Ticketholders without photo I.D will not be allowed to enter the event.
This ticket is non-transferable.

Madonna is due to appear on two US TV shows to promote Lotsa de Casha - on Wednesday 08 June she will appear on both The Today Show (from 7am EST) and The View (from 11 am EST).

Dannii Minogue performed in California this week in her first ever US concert, and during the show she talked about Madonna and Dannii's use of Into The Groove in one of her song mixes.
madonnalicious visitor Richard was there and sent this report in:

One of the songs she performed in her seven-song set was 'Don't Want To Lose This Feeling'. She made a little speech about how she admires Madonna as an artist, and how a DJ mixed the track with 'Into The Groove' and how it was sent to Madonna. Apparently, the track was sent back with a thumbs up!
She also told the crowd how you could hear Madonna's one line in the mix, which is 'Now I know you're mine'. During the awesome performance of the 'Into The Groove/Don't Want To Lose This Feeling' mix, she sang the full chorus of the original 'Into The Groove' and the crowd went absolutely wild!
It was definitely one of the highlights of the night, as well as Dannii calling up her sister Kylie on her cell phone and having the whole crowd wish her a happy birthday!

Madonna was photographed cycling to the Kabbalah Centre in London on Saturday 28 May - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

Visit fellow fansite www.madonna-tv.com to download a news report featuring footage of Madonna and Guy arriving at the Sin City premiere at the Empire Leicester Square in London last week.

Madonna was snapped cycling around London's Hyde Park on Thursday 28 May wearing dressed in all in blue - wearing her favourite uniform of tracksuit and cap.

 

In the latest issue of the London listing guide Time Out an article talks about the 100 Greatest Gigs, Madonna's 1990 Blond Ambition show is featured at number 26:

Madonna, Wembley Stadium, July 10, 1990 - Pop puppet turns svengali

We'd seen her in June 1983, lip-synching to 'Physicial Attraction' at a London club called the Music Machine. We'd even seen her first UK tour in July 1987, when she played three dates at Wembley. But this, The Blonde Ambition tour, was Madonna at the peak of her power: a mix of McLaren-esque hyperbole, hubristic flight of fancy and unalloyed pop genius.

Also included in the article is this quote about the show:

'It was colourful,pacy and really, really exciting. I remember being 'thrilled' when she started saying 'fuck!' a lot. In public! It set the bar enormously high: I had to resign myself to the fact that not every gig features eight costume changes and a troupe of fit dancers.' Sophie Harris

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their site with a picture of Madonna and Guy attending the London premiere of Sin City.

May 24 - On the one year anniversary of her Re-Invention tour opening night Madonna steps out with her husband Guy Ritchie for the UK premiere of Sin City.

Urgent! Stop the presses! This just in....Madonna is calling all ICONers for help with a special cause. On June 7 in New York City, Madonna is hosting a party at Bergdorf Goodman's that benefits UNICEF. It is very important that we get the word out about the power of UNICEF's charitable work. Madonna has requested that an ICON special reporter be selected from the fan club to attend this event and write a story for ICON magazine & Madonna.com. The ICON special reporter will work amongst international press as they cover this very important party.

To enter this contest, you must be a member of ICON and submit a 200 word essay by May 30th at 6PM PST as to why you are qualified to be the ICON special reporter. Madonna will review all valid entries submitted and pick the most qualified member.

For more competition details visit the www.madonna.com NEWS section.

Madonna appears in the top 10 of a survey commissioned by the UK based Carling to celebrate the Britain's live music scene and that lists the 10 best live solo artists of all time. The 2 different created lists, 'Best Live Solo Artist Of All Time' and 'Best Album Of All Time' go as follow:

BEST LIVE SOLO ARTIST OF ALL TIME
1. Robbie Williams
2. David Bowie
3. Morrisey
4. Elvis Presley
5. Elton John
6. Jimi Hendrix
7. Paul Weller
8. Madonna
9. Michael Jackson
10. Bob Dylan

BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME
1. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
2. Nirvana - Nevermind
3. Oasis - Definitely Maybe
4. Radioheads - The Bends
5. Coldplay - Parachutes
6. The Beatles - Revolver
7. U2 - Joshua Tree
8. Guns 'N' Roses - Appetite for destruction
9. Madonna - Like A Prayer
10. Stereophonics - Performance & Cocktails

Insiders have informed madonnalicious that Madonna will be doing a photoshoot in London in the first week of June before she jets off to New York City for the Lotsa de Casha promotional blitz. The photoshoot will be for a Vogue magazine cover.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have published this piece of Album Teaser Alert:

If you haven't heard that Madonna is back in the studio recording, then you might be living under a rock! Chatter & speculation about the new album has been non-stop. What will be the theme of the album? Who does Madonna collaborate with? When will the album be released? Fans everywhere are dying to find out the truth. At this time, Madonna.com can confirm that Madonna is busy in the studio collaborating with new producers that she has never worked with before. Can't confirm any names yet, but stay tuned to Madonna.com for more insider information.

Madonna was photographed again as she left her North London gym yesterday - to view the pictures click here, here and here.

madonnalicious has been informed that a screening of the documentary recently took place at Maverick Films with Guy Oseary present.

The documentary is currently being shown to potential distributors at the moment, and there are still plans to have a premiere for the film, although a date and venue are yet to be confirmed.

Fellow fansite MadonnaTribe reports that Madonna attended a screening of Re-Invented Process at a private London cinema today.
Visit MadonnaTribe to see a large full-length picture courtesy of Sorena Armani of Madonna arriving at the cinema today.

Madonna has stayed out the public eye recently but surprised crowds by turning up unannounced at the UK premiere of Sin City with her director husband, Guy Ritchie.
'We think she wanted to come and support her friend Mickey Rourke but also to show the world that she, too, wants to get back in films,' says our man at film studio Miramax.
'She didn't make a fuss or any special requests, just one security guard of her own. I guess she fancied a night at the movies.'
Indeed, during the film, stewards only had to fufil one humble request from the queen of pop: a cup of Starbucks coffee for her security guard. Not suck a material girl after all, eh, Madge?

Today's edition of US newspaper the New York Daily News featured in it's Rush and Molloy column this article about Madonna's tour documentary and it's involvement with kabbalah:

Madonna may have found inner peace - but will her kabbalah-induced serenity put movie audiences to sleep?
Last summer, Her Madgesty hired Swedish director Jonas Akerlund and a small army of cameramen to make a documentary about her Re-Invention tour. Word is she saw the film as a sequel to 'Truth or Dare,' the 1991 concert film directed by her previous instrument, Alek Keshishian.
Madonna and Akerlund have spent much of the past six months editing the film, which tentatively has the catchy title 'The Re-Invented Process.'
Cannes Film Fest officials turned down a rough cut of the film - which doesn't surprise some who've seen it.
'More than half of the film is about how the kabbalah has enriched her life,' an insider tells us. 'People do not want to see this from Madonna. They want to be shocked. All of the juicy stuff - like Madonna and [husband] Guy Ritchie arguing - was cut out by Madge herself because she wanted to show how much the kabbala has changed her.'
The Cannes committee seemed to want to make it up to Madonna by inviting her to be a juror, but she reciprocated their rejection. Some say the whole experience has put her in a foul mood.
'Guy has been getting the Madge attitude 24/7,' claims our source.
Madonna rep Liz Rosenberg says that, according to one person who saw the 'Re-Invented' film, 'There really isn't that much kabbala in it. The movie has terrific performance footage. And how could it be like 'Truth or Dare'? Her life is so much different now.'
'She's already back in the recording studio. Her tracks are said to be incredible. Believe me, Madonna's never been one to wallow in depression.'

Some of today's UK newspapers featured coverage of last nights premiere of Sin City which Madonna and Guy attended. Even though Madonna was not a star of the film, all the press coverage features her!

Featured below are articles from the Evening Standard, Daily Mirror and Daily Star.

 

Madonna and Guy caused great surprise on the red carpet at the London Leicester Square premiere of new movie Sin City last night. They were reported to have been added to the guest list at the last minute and even one of the stars of the film, actress Brittany Murphy was shocked when she saw Madonna saying....'It's probably the second time I've ever been star-struck in my life....She's my idol. If I meet her at the party I will shyly and meekly shake her hand.'

Madonna has hit out at reports she is undergoing fertility treatment to conceive a second child.
British magazine Star today (24 May) claimed the Material Girl was trying out 'Indian fertility treatments' to help her become a mother for the third time at the age of 46.
Madonna is quoted in the magazine saying, 'I'm going to have fun with my husband and see what happens.'
But a spokesperson for the star insists, 'There is absolutely no truth to that story.'

Today is the first anniversary of the Los Angeles premiere of the Re-Invention tour. In celebration madonnalicious brings you some previously unpublished pictures taken by Adi at the 21 June 2004 show at Madison Square Garden in New York.

 

 

 

 

 

There is also a great selection of fan shot videos in our Downloads section.

The June issue of US magazine B&W features Curtis Knapp's famous portrait of an early Madonna that went on to be featured on her first-ever magazine cover.

UK fans should know that they can now buy the magazine from large retailers.

madonnalicious also brings you a HQ scan of the cover for you to download.

Check out more about the photographer at www.curtisknapp.com

The London flagship Versace store in New Bond Street have updated their window display to feature a new picture from the advertising campaign.

 

UK viewers can catch Madonna and Sean Penn's 1986 movie Shanghai Surprise on ITV1 tonight at 11.30pm.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their site with a picture to help celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Blond Ambition tour.

Madonna has been turned from Material Girl to African coffee trader to help a campaign to boost fair trade.The amazing transformation is the result of hours of work by digital artists to morph Madge into real-life coffee trader Alivera Kilza.
The image, together with ones of Richard Branson and Bill Gates as fellow coffee traders are being used to promote a pop concert at the London Eye on June 21st.
The event, called Flight 5065 is being put on by CafeDirect to help raise awareness so that growers of coffee and their communities get to SHARE in the profits of their labour.
Each of the 32 capsules on London's giant wheel will play host to artists and performers while the 20 passengers in each capsule watch in amazement.
There will be a different show in each capsule with exclusive live performances of music, theatre and comedy, including Damon Albarn, Beth Orton, Turin Brakes, as well as actors from the National and Royal Court theatres.
For more information about the event visit www.flight5065.com

Hip-hop beauty Eve finds her own style so contradictory, she often fantasises about raiding Madonna's closet.
The Satisfaction rapper, who has her own clothing line called Fetish, admits Madonna's style has always fascinated her.
She says, 'Some days I look like I'm a schoolteacher and some days I look like a whore, so I'd be amazed to see what (Madonna) has (in her closet).'

A statement by Madonna about Kylie Minogue has been published on Madonna.com

I was saddened to learn about Kylie Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis. I'm so grateful that they found it early. (Yet another reminder for all women to have annual mammograms.) Aside from being tremendously talented, Kylie's a fighter and I know this is a battle she will win. Let's all pray for her speedy recovery and send all of our best wishes her way. With love and light to you Kylie....Madonna

Pop superstar Madonna is being sued by a Belgian composer, who accuses the Material Girl of stealing the melody from his song My Life's Getting Nowhere for her 1998 hit Frozen.
Salavatore Acquaviva testified yesterday (18 May) at Belgian's Mons court that Madonna lifted several bars from his song, which he wrote five years earlier (1993).
His lawyers also argued Madonna may have heard the song when she met Acquaviva's producer.
But the glamorous 46-year-old's lawyer Fabienne Brison denied the plagiarism accusations, insisting Acquaviva's lawsuit is motivated by a desire for Madonna's money.
Acquaviva explains, 'I was in the bath. I was listening to the radio, and thought that's strange, I know that melody. I said it's not possible.'
But Brison counters, 'Just because there are similarities between two songs it doesn't mean it has been plagiarised.'
'There are certain artists who hear songs on the radio, see that they are very successful and say to themselves, 'Why shouldn't I try it on?''
Royalties for Frozen have been halted until hearings on the case resume next month (June 2005).

The latest edition of The Book of British Hit Singles and Albums, which looks at the amount of time music acts have spent in the UK charts from 1952 onwards, has just been published.
Madonna retains her position in the chart as the top-placed female act and the number five act overall. Here are the top ten acts:

1. Elvis Presley
2. Cliff Richard
3. The Beatles
4. Queen
5. Madonna
6. Elton John
7. The Shadows
8. Michael Jackson
9. David Bowie
10. U2

Another plastic surgery rumour started in the US tabloid press again, but this time Madonna's rep came back at the press with one of her quotes!

Is Madonna pondering a face lift? Despite her eerily smooth skin, the Material Girl denies ever having gone under the knife for a nip and tuck, but according to a report, that may change.
'Seems she flipped when she saw her close-ups in the yet-to-be-released documentary of her last tour,' according to the new issue of US magazine, which reports that 'two plastic surgeons have visited her London home, and she is expected to meet with others in New York City in early June.'
'I’m not saying she would never have plastic surgery,' Madonna’s rep retorted. 'But definitely not this week.'

Many visitors have written in madonnalicious to show their support for Kylie Minogue in her fight to beat her newly diagnosed breast cancer.
The Queen and the Princess of Pop have had many connections over the years, including Madonna wearing a Kylie t-shirt at the 2000 EMTV Awards, to Kylie watching Madonna in action at the Re-Invention tour in London.

For more information visit: Breast Cancer Care

madonnalicious has been informed that entrance to the Borders booksigning event in New York City on 07 June will be limited to around 250 people.
The tickets will be issued in a lottery run by a local NYC radio station - more information should be available next week.

Today's edition of US newspaper the NY Daily News gave a round-up of what promotion Madonna will be doing in New York this June for her new children's book Lotsa de Casha:

Hark, the Madonna publicity juggernaut approaches! Her Madgesty has the second week in June booked end to end to hype her new children's book, 'Lotsa De Casha.' On June 7, she'll be doing an in-store appearance at the Time Warner Center Borders - where 200 lottery-chosen fans will get a signed copy. (Don't even try pulling out a camera: The most photographed woman in the world wants no pictures. Or touching, it's said.)
That evening, she'll stop by a kabbalah-themed UNICEF fund-raiser at Bergdorf's. The hosts are 'Today' anchor Matt Lauer and his wife, Annette (assuming there's no truth to those marital breakup reports).
The next day, Barbara Walters will finally get a crack at her on 'The View.' Though Madonna has resisted a hanky-twisting interview with Walters for 20 years, a source says, she feels that all of the moms who watch the show are the perfect audience for the book.
She'll also appear on the cover of, yes, Ladies' Home Journal. The former Material Girl, who turns 47 in August, 'doesn't have any prejudice against that demographic,' says her rep. 'She's also going to be on the cover of Teen People.'

Today's UK press looked at stories surrounding the possible Live Aid 2 concert (known as Live 8).
Although Sir Bob Geldof stills denies the concert is taking place, the Daily Mirror reports that he has made a deal with the BBC to broadcast the fund-raising concert.
The newspaper also states that talks are taking place with various acts including Madonna, although it is still not known if she can appear.
London's Hyde Park would stage the event on Saturday 02 July, with another concert taking place in Washington DC. An official announcement regarding Live 8 is expected in a few days.

Madonna has inadvertently sparked a major rift within Israel's government after the Foreign Minister's wife failed in her quest to be photographed with the pop singer.
Silvan Shalom's spouse Judy Shalom Nir Moses ordered her aides to arrange a meeting with the Material Girl - who is as famous in Israel for her music career as she is for her devotion to mystical Jewish offshoot Kabbalah - during her visit to the war torn country.
However, when Shalom missed her opportunity, she reportedly flew into a rage - and fired a senior member of staff at Israel's Washington embassy for failing to fulfil her wishes.
Instead, Madonna was snapped with Ehud Olmert, Israel's Deputy Prime Minister.
In response to the media frenzy ignited by the political spat, Shalom has vehemently denied she played any part in the US Embassy aide's sacking - and claims she's been made the scapegoat.
She says, 'I don't get involved. It's not me. You know, it's very easy to blame me for everything.'

In addition to the Borders book reading/signing event in New York City on 07 June, inside sources have confirmed exclusively to madonnalicious that Madonna has signed a deal last week to do another book signing in the New York area at a major chain store on Long Island.

At the moment no details have been released yet of the date of the signing or how people can attend the signing, but stay tuned for more details!

On 07 June in New York City, Madonna's latest childrens book Lotsa de Casha will be launched at a party to benefit UNICEF the children's charity.

The event will be hosted by US TV presenter Matt Lauer. Madonna is expected to attend with her family and many celebrities, industry and publishing figures have been invited to attend.

Invites have been sent to many people who know and have worked with Madonna including Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Missy Elliott, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino.

Madonna was involved with the planning of this party at the UNICEF headquarters in New York City which she visited back in January this year.

Today's edition of UK newspaper the Daily Mirror featured a bizarre story about Madonna having giant fertility tablets flown over especially from India for her and Guy to take to help with having another child. The reporter claimed that Madonna had been visiting a clinic in North London after recommendations from friend Gwyneth Paltrow.

 

Madonna was offered a role on the Cannes Film Festival jury, but turned it down because didn't want to miss her Kabbalah meetings in London.
According to the Daily Mail festival chief Thierry Fremaux said: 'We talked about her being on the jury, but her religion meant this could not happen. It is a regret because she has valuable knowledge.'
'She would have to return to London every Saturday, or maybe it was every Friday, so for two days during our festival she would not be here and that could not work.'
Madonna was also reported to be taking a documentary film based on her last tour to Cannes, but it was not finished in time.
Mr Fremaux added: 'Madonna takes the cinema world seriously, she doesn't treat it in a superficial way. I saw three hours of film from the documentary in the form of rushes and some completed footage, but it wasn't ready.'
Madonna has been a Kabbalist for nearly eight years and attends weekly meetings in London.

Today's edition of free London newspaper Standard Lite features pictures of Madonna heading to her local pub to meet up with Guy after she her dinner at The Ivy with Rupert Everett. Click on the image to read the article.

Madonna met up with long-time friend Rupert Everett in London this week. They visited The Ivy restaurant on Tuesday 11 May - to see the pictures click here, here and here.

Madonna and Rupert also watched the play Blood Wedding at the Almeida theatre in Islington, London.
The play is described as ....a story of love, lust and betrayal. While a husband-to-be waits for his Andalucian bride at the altar, she elopes with her childhood sweetheart. As the passions of both lover and jilted fiancé run high, the plot moves towards a dramatic conclusion. The play stars Gael Garcia Bernal who was last seen in The Motorcycle Diaries.
To see the pictures of Madonna and Rupert at the theatre click here, here and here.

UK fans who have digital or satelite TV can catch Madonna's documentary Truth Or Dare (In Bed With Madonna) at 10.00pm on Saturday 14 May on Living TV.

This review is from UK magazine hot stars (17 May issue).

Madonna will yet again be having a book signing in New York City to promote one of her childrens books.

This time she will be reading from and signing copies of Lotsa de Casha at Borders Manhattan Columbus Circle on 07 June 2005.

It is understood that tickets will be issued in a lottery/raffle type arrangement.

More information can be seen at the Borders website when it becomes available.

NOTE: (16 May 2005) The Borders website has now taken this information down, this maybe due to a high volume of calls from fans regarding the event.

FASHIONISTAS: These ladies don't just set music trends - with their unique style (and, sometimes, their own clothing lines), they create fashion fads as well. Which one do you think is really dressed to impress? Vote for your fave fashionista now.

You can vote for Madonna's Hollywood video to top the charts Yahoo! Music.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their site with a picture of Madonna in 1998's Ray Of Light video directed by Jonas Akerlund.

UK newspaper the Daily Mirror reported what madonnalicious published last week, saying that Madonna had attended Kylie Minogue's last London concert:

The love-in between Madonna and Kylie Minogue continues apace. We're told Madge, who once wore a Kylie T-shirt during a gig, pitched up at the Aussie pop pixie's sell-out London concert on Saturday.
A reveller says: 'She arrived a bit late, so someone was in her seat. But she didn't seem fazed - she went to sit with Rupert Everett and looked like she really loved the show.'

MTV Asia are looking for the 50 Most Stylish Videos - Madonna has three nominations Frozen, Human Nature and Nothing Really Matters.

To vote Madonna to the top click here.

There will be no news updates on madonnalicious until Friday, so take time to explore the rest of the site :-)

A photographer has contacted madonnalicious looking for Madonna look-a-likes to photograph for an upcoming exhibition in London.

If you think you have what it takes, you can submit a JPEG image to angelinacruise@zubairproductions.com

Madonna attended Kylie Minogue's last Showgirl concert at London's Earls Court last night. She was sitting off stage-left in the VIP section.

Kylie pointed at Madonna several times during the show and sang 'then there was you' at her during Love at First Sight.

Madonna left before the end of the show to avoid the crowds.

Madonna was again photographed as she cycled to the Kabbalah Centre in London yesterday, to view the pictures click here, here and here.

Sir Bob Geldof has confirmed plans for a second Live Aid concert, which will take place on July 2nd.
The Sun claims that the concert will be called Live 8, as a reference to the G8 summit of world leaders in Scotland on July 6th.
Previous rumours suggested that Geldof is hoping to sign up acts such as U2, Coldplay, Madonna and Robbie Williams for the event.
A source told the newspaper, 'Geldof has taken on one of the biggest projects of his life with this - but it's a brilliant idea. He's the only man who could pull it off, and it is the best way of forcing Bush, Blair and the heads of the world's most powerful countries to put their money where their mouths are.'

Madonna's Mother And Father has climbed the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart this week from number 35 to number 21.

Madonna is on the cover star of the current issue of US magazine B&W magazine.

The magazine website can be found at www.bandwmag.com

Johann, the editor of Madonna's official fanclub magazine ICON, has confirmed to fellow fans on the ICON message boards that Madonna WILL NOT be visiting Lisbon this June for a book signing to promote Lotsa de Casha as previously reported by fellow fansite Madonna Online Brasil.

UK newspaper The Sun started a rumour this week suggesting that Britney had asked Madonna to be the Godmother of her baby and that Madonna had turned her down saying that she was 'too busy' to accept!
This rumour travelled around the world to various other press publications (see an example below of a newspaper, Le Hora from Chile relaying the story) and eventually US TV show Extra! tried to get to the bottom of the story.

Extra! called Madonna up and she replied that 'no the story wasn't true and that she had never been asked to be Godmother.'

The Portugese editors Dom Quixote has spoken to fellow fansite Madonna Online Brasil and confirmed the following promotional events in Portugal for Madonna's new childrens book Lotsa de Casha which is out in June.

Madonna herself will visit Portugal on 01 June, the Dia Mundial da Criança - International Day of the Child for the launch of her new book.

Madonna will have a book signing for about 200 lucky readers at the Centro de Cultural de Belém, in Lisbon, at 2 pm.

Portuguese actress Carmen Dolores will read from the book to an audience of Lisbon primary school children.

The book's illustrator Rui Paes will also be meeting the press during these events.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have updated their site with a picture of Madonna performing during 1985's Virgin Tour.

Fans in Seattle, USA can take part in Madonna Mania Bingo on 14 May.

Hey, Mr. DJ, put a record on ‘cause I wanna dance to Madonna! Join GLAMAZONIA, Miss Intermission, and the rest of the Gay Bingo maniacs on Saturday, May 14th, as we celebrate everyone’s favorite material girl! And don’t forget your costumes! Which era of Madonna will you be? From pointy cones, to kimono flaps, to cowgirl chic! She’s done it all! And the more creative you are, the better, because this year we have a $50 cash prize for best costume at each month’s Gay Bingo!

For more information visit www.lifelongaidsalliance.org/events/gay-bingo.html

64 pictures have been uploaded to the galleries, you can view these pictures here.

The choreographer who put Madonna and Ricky Martin through their paces is now offering fitness classes to all at a Los Angeles gym.
Jamie King, who most recently choreographed Shakira's sexy new dance routine for her latest video La Tortura, is showing the health conscious how to shake their booty at Los Angeles' famous Crunch gym.
King's classes, the Nike Rock Star Workout, specialise in dance moves from his ancestral Brazil.
He says, 'If you like the way Madonna and Rocky move when you see them, then these classes are for you. They're also a great way to shape-up.'

Fans can also check out an exclusive interview with Jamie King at fellow fansite MadonnaTribe.

The May issue of Attitude magazine (issue 133) features an interview with Tony Ward. Tony was Madonna's boyfriend around 1990/91 and appeared in the Justify My Love and Erotica videos, and was also in the Sex book.

In the interview he was asked about his relationship with 'that lady'....

That lady - I was never a fan. I saw her in that silly Lucky Star video in the early days of MTV, and I knew I would be reunited with my mother/ lover/ teacher/ friend/ bitch/ cheater/ liar/ goddess/ student/ poetess/ angel/ pain/ tears/ broken-heart/ inspiration/ intrigue/ and human awe.
We fell hard immediately too much, too soon for the both of us. In the end, when you love something, let it go.

Madonna as a talent? Superior to all; she is a classic. I wish she would sing the standards. That is what her voice is made for. When she would sing around the house, I would close my eyes and melt. I was so privileged to be there.

She never knew how I really felt with her, and to put all the stories straight, those unauthorised biographies are all full of lies. You dummies don't buy it. I was not her toy-boy, or a gift to her from her brother, Chris. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I love you always, lady.

British designer Scott Henshall is Hollywood's new darling since designing costumes for Madonna's new film.
The 29-year-old style guru is famed for his glamorous creations for the rich and famous - including the stunning $9 million (GBP5 million) diamond studded dress worn by Samantha Mumba at the premiere of Spider-Man 2 last summer - so he was the first choice to work on the pop queen's movie Material Girls.
He says, 'I've just got back from designing the outfits for Madonna's new film, Material Girls.'
'She's producing it and decided to get me involved. It stars Hilary Duff and will go on general released later this year.'