The youngest member of the original Pointer Sisters trio has been charged with cocaine possession, reports say. June Pointer Whitmore, 50, was arrested in Los Angeles on Thursday, according to the Reuters news agency. Ms Whitmore was arrested with two other people outside the Hollywood apartment of her sister, Bonnie, who was not charged in connection with the case. She was charged with one count of cocaine possession, as well as possessing an "illegal smoking device". Prison sentence:  Whitmore, who has not performed with the Pointer Sisters in more than three years was released on bail. She could face a maximum penalty of three years in prison, if found guilty. The original Pointer Sisters trio produced a string of hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including Slow Hand and Jump (For My Love). The two remaining members of the original line-up, Anita and Ruth Pointer now perform as a trio with Ruth's daughter, Issa.

 A native of Beaufort, NC, Angela walked away from the October 3rd "Online Country Music Awards Show" in Nashville, Tennessee as the "1999   Female Vocalist Of The Year (United States)." Angela was given the prestigious award by Nashville-based Indie Tracker Magazine, a publication that monitors national and international progress of independent artists in the country and gospel music fields and in 2003, she has been elected the  New Female Vocalist of the Year by the US Country Gospel.  And in the US country music industry and arena, Angela picked up more awards and nominations, to name a few:  "Female Rising Star Of The Year", "Album Of The Year" for "That's How Much I Love You", "Christian / Positive Country Artist Of The Year", "Entertainer Of The Year", "Artist Of The Year". By the way, did you that Angela is a 3rd Cousin of Actress Ava Gardner? Where is she now? Well, she is re-recording and singing the lovely old bouquet of splendid country, gospel and inspirational songs of her old CD "The Hurt in My Heart" released by Platinum Plus records in Nashville. This lady can sing!  If you are an inspirational music lover, we encourage you to acquire her CD. You will enjoy it for years to come.

 Photo: The company will be premiering its production of Romeo and Juliet. Jane Turner will be dancing the part of Juliet.

The Royal New Zealand ballet hopes to build on its growing international reputation with a new tour of the UK. The company, which specialises in major 20th Century ballets and new works, will give the premiere of a new version of Romeo and Juliet in London. It will also be showing a range of new ballets in London, including FRENZY, with music by cult band Split Enz. The company's artistic director, Gary Harris, has strong roots in the UK. Mr Harris told BBC News Online he had been captivated with New Zealand when he went there initially to teach the company. Mr Harris, a former dancer with the English National Ballet, and ballet master with the Royal Ballet, says that the enthusiasm of Kiwis for their own cultural institutions is infectious. After taking residence in newly built premises at St James Theatre, Wellington, Mr Harris proceeded with commissioning a series of innovative modern ballets (for the company's 50th anniversary last year) to complement the modern classics of Stravinsky and Balanchine that it had become known for. Now he is hoping to show the rest of the world the fruits of his labour, with a tour of the United States already penciled in for next year. In a bold move, he is planning on showing one of the UK's favourite ballets, Romeo and Juliet, in a new version by choreographer Christopher Hampson. His Romeo, he says, combines elements of Baz Luhrmann's avant-garde styling with the classic love duets and authentically vicious fight scenes reminiscent of the Matrix series of films. Blood-red lighting adds to the atmospheric effect, allowing his young athletic ballet stars show both physicality and tenderness. There is a strong influence of the UK's Ballet Rambert in the recent repertoire of the NZ Ballet.

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