January 22, 2002
Christina to debut new song at first live appearance in 2002; helps close Olympic Winter Games
Christina will unveil a new song 'Infatuation' from her upcoming CD at the closing ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. The song is not the first single from Christina's upcoming release, but just the kind of exciting sneak preview her fans have been anticipating for months.
The closing ceremonies will explode with music, as Christina, 'NSync, and Bon Jovi and are among those who have signed on to perform at the Sunday, February 24 event. To be held at the Rice Eccles Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, the extravagant affair will also feature Charlotte Church and Josh Groban, who plan to sing a duet, and Harry Connick Jr., who will be accompanied by acclaimed dancer Savion Glover.
Christina is no stranger to blockbuster events. She headlined the 2000 Super Bowl half-time show, and has performed for the President of the United States (Bill Clinton) and England's Prince Charles.
The musicians won't be alone in entertaining a projected worldwide audience of 3.5 billion viewers. A cast of 4,000 -- ranging from 6- to 91-years-old -- will be on hand for the conclusion of the winter games, which will also feature talents of skaters Kristi Yamaguchi, Scott Hamilton, Oksana Kazakova, Artur Dmitriev, Ilia Kulik, Renee Roca, and Gorsha Sur.
Don Mischer, executive producer of the Opening and Closing ceremonies, said the Winter Olympics will take on a special importance because it will mark the first time that nations have come together since the September 11 terrorist attacks. 'We're finding that a lot of performers understand that and would now like to be a part of the ceremonies,' he said. 'The mood has changed. It's almost as if the Olympics are more important now than they ever could have been. Participation in the Olympics is strictly a volunteer affair,' Mischer said.
Bleacher seating for the opening and closing ceremonies, set at $320 per ticket, is now on sale through Smith'sTix (800-888-TIXX or smithstix.com) stores and through 800-Tickets and Saltlake2002.com. Tickets for prime seats are priced between $320 and $885.
- Barry A. Jeckell for Billboard and
Tamara Conniff for The Hollywood Reporter
with reports from Al Gomes
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