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It's just days now before thousands will strut their stuff down Martin Luther King Blvd.
But just a few months ago, that almost didn't happen, after the Chattanooga Police Department and city officials cited security when they tried to pull the plug.
That's when the Bessie Smith Cultural Center stepped up to the plate. But is it more than they can handle?
"We're working with the fencing company to finalize the fencing plans as the event will be fenced in this year," says Paula Wilkes, Coordinator for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center.
That's with the help of Friends Of The Festival.
"We partnered with them, helped them, work with them as a team to create plans and I think it's going to be better than ever this year," says Chip Baker, Executive Director for Friends Of The Festival.
But is it safe? Crews are putting the finishing touches on the three, secure entrance gates. All of this was done to ensure security. Something the Chattanooga police department worried even they couldn't do. But Wilkes says the planning hasn't gone without it's hiccups.
"There have been times but we've worked through it really well through the details,"says Wilkes.
So how many people will go through the secure checkpoint with bag checks and police? That answer is still up in the air.
"The Kangaroos are still selling, a lot of our merchants here on MLK are starting to pick up, our online sales within the last four days has picked up tremendously," says Wilkes.
Even with the uncertainty of ticket sales, she is confident that the Cultural Center has the safety issue covered.
"The Chattanooga Police Department has worked very closely with us. We've met weekly since we found out we were taking over the strut and actually I think we're going to be quite covered," says Wilkes.
Wilkes says the Cultural Center will still have to rely on ticket sales to cover the event's total cost, after last minute expenses crept into their budget.
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Last Update on June 18, 2013 07:10 GMT
"THE VOICE" FINAL PERFORMANCES
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Adam Levine doesn't have a singer left on "The Voice." But he has a prediction. Levine says 16-year-old Danielle Bradbery will take it all. But Usher doesn't agree. He's coaching Michelle Chamuel (sham-yoo-EL') and proclaimed her the winner after one of her songs last night. Blake Shelton has two acts going into tonight's finale, Danielle and the Swon Brothers. The Swon Brothers blew the lyrics on "Danny's Song." But it didn't matter to Shelton. He says it will be a hit on Oklahoma radio later this week. Shakira is fan of the brothers, too. She says they have universal appeal. The winner will be announced tonight.
SOUND:
<<CUT ..001 (06/18/13)>> 00:23 ""
Excerpt of Danielle Bradbery, singing "Maybe It Was Memphis"
Excerpt of Danielle Bradbery singing "Maybe It Was Memphis." COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..002 (06/18/13)>> 00:06 "it, thank you"
Adam Levine and Danielle Bradbery
Adam Levine makes a prediction after Danielle performs. COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..003 (06/18/13)>> 00:26 ""
Excerpt of Michelle Chamuel (sham-yoo-EL'), singing "I Knew You Were Trouble"
Excerpt of Michelle Chamuel singing "I Knew You Were Trouble." COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..004 (06/18/13)>> 00:14 "your defining moment"
Usher
Usher predicts Michelle is going all the way. COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..005 (06/18/13)>> 00:33 ""
Excerpt of the Swon Brothers, singing "Danny's Song"
Excerpt of the Swon Brothers singing "Danny's Song." COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..006 (06/18/13)>> 00:15 "and reinvented it (cheers)"
Blake Shelton
Blake Shelton says the Swon Brothers could have a hit right now. COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
<<CUT ..007 (06/18/13)>> 00:15 "do, thank you (cheers)"
Shakira and the Swon Brothers
Shakira says the Swon Brothers have appeal beyond their genre. COURTESY: NBC ((mandatory on-air credit))
FINALE OF "THE VOICE" TO BE PACKED WITH PERFORMANCES
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tonight's finale of "The Voice" will be packed with performances before the winner is announced. Cher will make her first live TV performance in more than a decade. She'll sing the title track of her upcoming album "Woman's World" that'll drop in September. Christina Aguilera, Pitbull, Bruno Mars and Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly will also perform.
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS TO STAR IN REVIVAL OF "HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH"
NEW YORK (AP) -- Neil Patrick Harris will sing about a botched sex-change operation in his next Broadway show, a revival of the rock musical "Hedwig (HEHD'-vihg) and the Angry Inch." He'll get to wear some crazy outfits, too. John Cameron Mitchell originated the role that he created. He's glad Harris will be filling his sparkly shoes. He asks "Who better to pass the wig to but the finest entertainer of his generation?" Harris says he's both "ecstatic and terrified to be stepping into Hedwig's heels." The show will open sometime in the spring.
BEYONCE CONGRATULATES KIM AND KANYE
UNDATED (AP) -- Beyonce is congratulating Kim Kardashian and Kanye West on the birth of their daughter. Beyonce writes on her website, "enjoy this beautiful moment together." She posted it with a photo of Kardashian and West smiling at each other. She and Jay-Z are friends with West.
E! WON'T SAY HOW MUCH KIM'S BABY WILL BE PART OF THE SHOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- We got to see Kim Kardashian's baby when she was still inside her on "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," but we don't know how much we'll see of her now. E! wouldn't say how much the baby will be part of the show. It says "out of respect for their privacy," they won't be commenting on the possibility.
FINAL BOX OFFICE FIGURES
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "Man of Steel" is now officially the movie with the biggest June opening in Hollywood history. Final figures show it made nearly $117 million. It's already made nearly $400 million around the world. "This is the End" is a strong second with $21 million. "Now You See Me" is hanging in there in third with $11 million. "Fast and Furious 6" is fourth, followed by last week's number one "The Purge."
(note nature of the following)
"MAN OF STEEL" - RUSSELL CROWE'S DIAPER-CHANGING
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Russell Crowe had to deal with four babies on the set of "Man of Steel." Each baby was rotated playing Kal-El. Crowe has two kids of his own. Charles is nine and Tennyson is nearly seven. Crowe says he was "pretty "slick with a nappy" when they were young. He says he "managed to dodge" being covered in poop or pee.
(note nature of the above)
SOUND:
<<CUT ..013 (06/18/13)>> 00:05 "with a nappy"
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe says his two kids haven't made a mess while he has been changing their diapers. ((note language of cut))
<<CUT ..014 (06/18/13)>> 00:11 "essential Kryptonian material"
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe says the four babies used to play Kal-El were messy. ((note language of cut))
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