Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

The Malaysian government, under pressure from China, has canceled a dance performance containing acts referring to the Falun Gong spiritual movement, an official and the U.S.-based organizer said Monday.

About 20 people who had bought tickets for the weekend show (March 22-23) protested Monday outside the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, which issued the order to cancel the Divine Performing Arts troupe performance.

The ministry revoked the show’s permit because the Chinese Embassy complained that the organizers — U.S.-based New Tang Dynasty Television station — were supporters of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement that Beijing bans as a dangerous cult, said a ministry official.

“We have to take care of our relationship with China. It’s very important,” an official, who declined to be named

The Chinese Spectacular show which was originally scheduled to run from April 7 to April 30, 2008 is also canceled. The cancellation for the March 22-23 show cost organizers about $31,800 as at least 2,000 tickets were sold. The organizers is refunding the tickets, but people from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore, who had already booked their flights, had still traveled to Kuala Lumpur.

What’s your say on Malaysia’s bowing down to China?

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Once again, the Muslim group in Malaysia has done it! What meant to be Beyonce’s first show in Malaysia has been cancelled by Pineapple Concert after the protests staged by local Muslim groups.

Beyoncé’s planned concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has been canned amid protests by local Muslim groups, Billboard reports. The groups are reportedly upset that the singer has refused to obey the country’s strict dress code for performers, although the November 1 concert’s promoter, Pineapple Concert, did not give a reason for the cancellation in a statement issued Friday (September 28). Female performers are not allowed to show skin from the tops of their chests to their knees. In August, Gwen Stefani’s concert in the country was also preceded by protests for the same reason — but she reluctantly abided by the guidelines, saying in a press conference before the show that she had made a “major sacrifice.”

Another sad day for Malaysia, for what it would have been a great bootilicious performance.

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JAY-Z has been banned from performing in Shanghai, Digital Spy reports.

The rapper can no longer perform at his Oct 23 concert because his music references violence, guns and drug dealers in the lyrics.

In April, the Rolling Stones were asked not to perform any tracks containing suggestive lyrics. The band agreed with lead singer Mick Jagger noting: “Fortunately we have 400 more songs that we can play so it’s not really an issue.”

In response to the cancellation of his upcoming concert in Shanghai, JAY-Z has issued the following statement:

“I look forward to rescheduling my concert date in Shanghai. This world tour has been a life changing experience and it has only been made better by touching the fans that I am seeing for the first time.”

(Via JAY-Z Hard Knock Site)

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