Boys choir appearing in CitiesThe white-robed boys choir Libera from South London, who have sung for Pope Benedict and former President George W. Bush and rack up a million-plus YouTube views on their concert videos, will make their first concert stops in the Twin Cities this week. Twenty-eight boys, ages 8 to 16, gave up their summer break for the U.S. tour, continuing to Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas and Houston. But it's not all business and no pleasure for the Brits. The boys spent a couple of days at Madden's Resort in Brainerd. On Thursday, they'll hit Valleyfair. Tickets for the shows, Wednesday at St. Mary's Basilica in Minneapolis and Friday at the Cathedral of St. Paul, both at 7:30 p.m., are available at www.ticketweb.com or at the door. Prices range from $10 to $40.
'Goodnight, my angel,' says Winehouse's dad
JESSICA BAKEMAN
Wearing dark suits, black dresses and the occasional beehive hairdo, friends and family said goodbye to soul singer Amy Winehouse Tuesday with prayers, tears, laughter and song at an emotional funeral ceremony.
"Amy was the greatest daughter, family member and friend you could ever have," said her father, Mitch Winehouse, in a section of the eulogy released by a family spokesman.
The singer's father, mother and brother were joined by Winehouse's close friends, including beau Reg Traviss, and band members and celebrities for the service at Edgwarebury Cemetery in north London. Kelly Osbourne was one of several women to wear their hair piled beehive-high in an echo of the singer's trademark style.
Fans and photographers thronged the lane outside, but the funeral was for several hundred friends and family only. Winehouse was found dead at her home Saturday.
Mitch Winehouse told mourners that his daughter had recently found love and had beaten her drug dependency three years before her death, but he admitted she was still struggling to control her drinking after several weeks of abstinence. "She said, 'Dad I've had enough of drinking, I can't stand the look on your and the family's faces anymore.'" Winehouse said.
He ended his eulogy with the words "Goodnight, my angel, sleep tight. Mummy and Daddy love you ever so much." The service, led by a rabbi, ended with a rendition of Carole King's "So Far Away," one of Winehouse's favorite songs.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Boys choir appearing in CitiesThe white-robed boys choir Libera from South London, who have sung for Pope Benedict and former President George W. Bush and rack in a million-plus YouTube views on their concert videos, will make their first concert stops in the Twin Cities this week. Twenty-eight boys, ages 8 to 16, gave up their summer break for the U.S. tour, continuing to Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas and Houston. But it's not all business and no pleasure for the Brits. The boys spent a couple of days at Madden's Resort in Brainerd. On Thursday, they'll hit Valleyfair. Tickets for the shows, Wednesday at St. Mary's Basilica in Minneapolis and Friday at the Cathedral of St. Paul, both at 7:30 p.m., are available at www.ticketweb.com or at the door. Prices range from $10 to $40.
JESSICA BAKEMAN
