June 27th to July 3rd: LIVE 8 Brings Awareness to the World

Nine concerts were held on Saturday in Philadelphia, London, Paris, Rome, Edinburgh and Berlin, in an effort to bring awareness to the world about the G8 Summit being held in Gleneagles, Scotland, July 6^th through the 9th. LIVE 8 is calling for debt cancellation of the world’s poorest people as well as better aid and trade justice, by uniting the voice of millions worldwide.

“These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison,” said Bob Geldof, singer, activist and Live 8 organizer.

While much of the world’s eyes focused on LIVE 8, there was a major shakeup in Washington, D. C. After 24 years as a Supreme Court Justice, the first woman appointed to the Court is set to retire before the new term, which begins in October. Sandra Day O’Connor considered a moderate conservative by many, used her position as a key swing vote to bring the Democrats and Republicans together in compromise on a number of issues. To the dismay of many Republicans, she has also increasingly leaned towards the left in later years, such as in the landmark ruling in 2003, when her deciding vote upheld the use of affirmative action in college admissions.

O'Conner's retirement will possibly give President Bush the opportunity to choose two Supreme Court Justices as it is believed that Chief Justice William Rehnquist will soon retire due to his recent battle with thyroid cancer.

Amidst international headlines and government shakeups, New Yorkers had one thing on their minds. Preparing for the 2012 Olympics. A send-off rally was held on Tuesday for The Delegation to Singapore, which includes, Condeleezza Rice, Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Pataki and celebrity Senator Hilary Clinton among others. The Delegation will attempt, one last time, to convince the International Olympic Committee to give the 2012 Olympics to New York. July 6^th is decision day. IOC President Jacques Rogge will announce the winner at 7:30am ET and Rockefeller Center will broadcast the decision announcement live. Competing cities include Moscow, Madrid, London New York and Paris.

Also this week in New York, designer Mark Ecko hosted a Save the Rhinos benefit concert in Central Park. Performances included The Roots, De La Soul and Mos Def. The sold-out show raised $150,000 in support of the Rhino, listed as an endangered animal according to the World Conservation Union Red List.

Paramount Classics and MTV Films held a private screening of “Hustle and Flow” at The MGM Screening Room on Tuesday. The guest list included, Matt Dillon, John Singleton, Cris Rock, Terrance Howard, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Heather Graham. After the screening attendees headed over to Fizz nightclub for the after party.

Also This Week in NYC:

• Self Magazine hosts a private dinner to benefit Step Up Women’s Network and honor July cover star Jessica Alba at Rosa Mexicano on Wednesday.
• Janice Dickinson celebrates her birthday party at Quo on Thursday.
• Rocawear presents their Summer Fashion Show and concert featuring Memphis Bleek and Young Gunz at Macy's at Herald Square on Thursday.
• Martin Luther performs at The Cutting Room on Thursday
• Bilal and Martha Redbone performs in Prospect Park on Friday.