Beyonce to play Etta James on big screen

Washington, Jan 27: Singer Beyonce Knowles is all set to play legendary singer Etta James in a new movie, it has been revealed.

The former Destiny's Child singer has given a nod to undertake the lead role in new Hollywood drama Cadillac Records.

The singer, who is dating hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, will star as jazz legend Etta, whose most famous hits include 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' and 'At Last'.

"Beyoncé is a massive fan of the superb Etta. She's honoured to play her," Contactmusic quoted a source, as saying.

The movie discovers Chicago in the 1950s, looking at the lives of American musical legends such as Muddy Waters and the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley.

Beyonce, who last starred in Dreamgirls, will join Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright and Cedric the Entertainer in the film.

Brody will play the role of Leonard Chess, the founder of legendary blues label Chess Records.

Filming is due to take place later this year (08) in New Jersey and Mississippi.

New Year's Eve Openning of Palazzo

New Year's Eve on a Monday is the perfect storm for the casinos. They can pack the extended weekend with concerts and club events, and still get out of the way of the free fireworks display on the Strip.
The power couple of Jay-Z and Beyoncé appear to have the most prosperous start on 2008. Starting with the New Year's Eve opening of Jay-Z's $20 million 40/40 Club at the Palazzo (The Venetian's new sister property that otherwise gets a low-key soft opening).

Since they already would be here, why not do some shows? Beyoncé announced a Sunday encore of the concert she brought to the Strip in late August. Jay-Z waited until Dec. 15 to put tickets on sale for a Saturday show at the Palms.

The two also are expected to perform together during the two-night kickoff of the sports-themed 40/40 Club on Sunday and the club's official New Year's bash on Monday.

Competition on the club scene results in a crush of celebrity-hosted events. They make it confusing to sort out who's in town for a traditional show and who isn't.

Jay-Z to Sign Apple Deal

Rap mogul JAY-Z is to launch a brand new record label with computer company Apple, according to reports.
The hitmaker, real name Shawn Carter, stunned the music world last month (Dec07) by announcing his decision to retire as Def Jam Records president.
Now the rapper is rumoured to be going into partnership with the owners of music download service iTunes to become head of the company's hip-hop division.
Jay-Z's girlfriend, singer Beyonce, is not believed to be attached to the Apple deal.

Are Jay-Z and Beyonce planning their wedding?

Beyonce Knowles is rumored to be planning her wedding, after Jay-Z finally agreed to marry her.

The R&B star and rapper have been engaged since last June, according to reports, but Jay-Z wasn't ready to wed.

It's claimed Jay-Z told Beyonce he is now ready to walk down the aisle with her during a recent trip to Paris and told her to start looking into possible venues for their ceremony.

"There was a time when Beyonce wanted an enormous fairy-tale wedding, but now she's a masterminding a smaller party in New York," a source says. "At the moment, she considering either The Carlyle or Peninsula Hotel."

It has also been rumoured that Jay-Z and Beyonce married during their Paris vacation.