Beyonce Dominates Nation's Film and Concert Ticket Sales Over the Weekend

Beyonce Dominates Nation's Film and Concert Ticket Sales Over the Weekend

Superstar's Latest Film, "Obsessed," Opens At #1, Raking In An Estimated $28.5M In Receipts

Second Madison Square Garden Show Added to "I AM..." Concert Tour Itinerary In Response To Overwhelming Demand

NEW YORK, April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- International superstar Beyonce, a Golden Globe nominee and multiple Grammy Award winner, is dominating both the music and film industries this week.

"Obsessed," Beyonce's latest film (and first to feature the artist in a non-singing role), is the #1 film at America's box offices, bringing in an estimated $28.5 million for its opening weekend. A taut stalker-thriller, "Obsessed" holds the record as the all-time highest grossing film for the last weekend in April (surpassing 2004's "Mean Girls").

"Obsessed" is Beyonce's third feature film to open at #1 (following 2002's "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and 2006's "The Pink Panther"). "Obsessed" is Executive Produced by Mathew Knowles, Founder/CEO of Music World Entertainment and Beyonce Knowles. The film is being released by Sony Pictures Screen Gems division.

Beyonce launched the European portion of her "I AM..." world tour on Sunday night with an electrifying sold-out performance in Zagreb, Croatia. More than 17,500 ecstatic fans -- the largest single audience for an international artist in Croatian concert history -- danced, sang-along and partied with the iconic superstar during an unforgettable two-hour show at Zagreb's Arena.

"Halo," the current single from "I AM....SASHA FIERCE," Beyonce's latest chart-topping album, is a bonafide international smash. "Halo" has been the #1 on the UK airplay charts for five weeks running and is the #1 single in Norway. The single is #4 this week on Europe's airplay charts and #6 on the singles chart. "Halo" is already Top 10 or better in Ireland (#3 airplay, #4 singles), Germany (#6 singles), Austria (#5 singles), Sweden (#10 singles, #1 CHR), and Switzerland (#9 airplay, #5 singles).

The Northern American leg of the "I AM..." world tour will begin in New York City on June 21. General public tickets for Beyonce's "I AM..." world tour went on sale Friday, the same day as the opening of "Obsessed." Overwhelming demand for premium packages and general tickets for the shows have made the "I AM..." tour one of the fastest selling concert events of the year. A second Madison Square Garden concert date has been added in New York City on June 22. Beyonce will cap off the tour with a four-night residency at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas July 30-August 2 (following is the tour itinerary).

VIP Premium Packages(TM) and general tickets are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.com/beyonce. As a special offering, in order to make the concerts affordable to all her fans, there will be a select number of seats available at each venue for $20 (plus applicable service charges). Information on tickets for the four-night residency at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas is available at www.encorelasvegas.com.

The 2009 "I AM..." World Tour is offering fans an unprecedented concert experience. VIP Premium Packages include select seating options, backstage access to meet and take photos with Beyonce, special front row tickets, pre-show parties, Limited Edition Dereon bags and collectables, fan club memberships and an up-close and personal dance experience in the "Diva-Zone" at the stage. Expanding beyond the normal concert setting, the "I AM..." performances are featuring two stages at the venue.

The most heavily-anticipated concert event of 2009, Beyonce's "I AM..." world tour occasions the artist's first full-length concerts since 2007's sold-out "The Beyonce Experience" shows. Beyonce's current tour premieres live performances of songs from "I AM...SASHA FIERCE," her latest international #1 chart-topping album.

Thierry Mugler, world-renowned designer, is working as creative advisor and costume designer on Beyonce's "I AM..." world tour. He has designed 71 new costumes for the event, highlighted by his bold signature look.

The "I AM..." world tour production showcases the music and film superstar like you've never seen her before. Beyonce's extraordinary all-female band will join her again to perform musical hits, classics, and surprises in a newly-created high-tech state-of-the-art concert environment. Winners of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" Video Dance contest will see themselves on-screen during one of the centerpiece sections of the "I AM..." extravaganza.

Beyonce is co-sponsoring food drives along her tour itinerary as part of the Show Your Helping Hand(TM) initiative, a national hunger relief campaign created by General Mills' Hamburger Helper(R), in partnership with Beyonce and her Survivor Foundation. The campaign goal is to help Feeding America(TM) deliver more than 3.5 million meals to local food banks. Consumers can get involved in the effort by submitting codes on specially marked boxes of Hamburger Helper(R), by donating non-perishable food items at Beyonce's concerts in select cities across the U.S., or by donating money at www.showyourhelpinghand.com. Beginning April 25, visit www.showyourhelpinghand.com for more information.

L'Oreal Paris, one of the co-sponsors of Beyonce's "I AM..." North American Tour, is celebrating 100 years of legendary beauty with the iconic superstar. Concertgoers will be invited into the L'Oreal Paris Glam Station where the LP Pro Team will provide mini makeovers and touch-ups. Then, fans will walk out onto the red carpet in front of the L'Oreal Paris Infallible Step and Repeat banner for a VIP photo session and reception. Concertgoers can enter the L'Oreal Paris 100th Anniversary Legendary Beauty Sweepstakes for a chance to win the grand prize, a fabulous 5 day/4 night trip for two to Paris including a beauty makeover. They could also win one of L'Oreal's 100 anniversary gift baskets, which include L'Oreal Paris products.

About Music World Entertainment: Music World Entertainment (MWE) is one of the world's leading entertainment and music conglomerates dedicated to bringing quality entertainment around the globe. The MWE worldwide ventures include successful record labels, top recording artist and producer management, artist development services, a Master catalog series, film ventures and investment and property holdings with offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London. The Founder, President and CEO, Mathew Knowles, is the powerhouse force behind the successful artist management of Grammy Award-winners Beyonce and the global phenomenon Destiny's Child. The trio became the most successful "girl group" in history. Music World Entertainment has become one of the most prominent label and management companies in the world with award winning and commercial successes. Over 200 million records have sold worldwide by the artists and music projects that include Destiny's Child, Beyonce, Solange Knowles, Michelle Williams, Sunshine Anderson, the "Dreamgirls" Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack, "Roll Bounce" Soundtrack and the popular Music World Master Series releases which include Chaka Khan and The O'Jays.The Beyonce "I AM..." North American Concert Tour is co-sponsored by L'Oreal Paris and General Mills and produced by Live Nation and Music World Entertainment.

   Beyonce "I AM..."  2009 NORTH AMERICAN CONCERT DATES*      DATE        CITY                      VENUE   Jun 21   New York City        Madison Square Garden   Jun 22   New York City        Madison Square Garden   Jun 24   Washington DC        Verizon Center   Jun 26   Philadelphia, PA     Wachovia Center **   Jun 27   Greensboro, NC       Greensboro Coliseum Complex   Jun 29   Ft. Lauderdale, FL   Bank Atlantic Center   Jul 1    Atlanta, GA          Philips Arena   Jul 3    New Orleans, LA      Superdome (Essence Music Festival)   Jul 4    Houston, TX          Toyota Center **   Jul 5    Dallas, TX           American Airlines Center   Jul 7    Phoenix, AZ          US Airways Center   Jul 9    Sacramento, CA       Arco Arena   Jul 10   Oakland, CA          Oracle Arena   Jul 11   Anaheim, CA          Honda Center   Jul 13   Los Angeles, CA      Staples Center   Jul 16   Minneapolis, MN      Target Center   Jul 17   Chicago, IL          United Center   Jul 18   Detroit, MI          Palace of Auburn Hills   Jul 23   Uncasville, CT       Mohegan Sun   Jul 30   Las Vegas, NV        Encore Theatre, Wynn Las Vegas   Jul 31   Las Vegas, NV        Encore Theatre, Wynn Las Vegas   Aug 1    Las Vegas, NV        Encore Theatre, Wynn Las Vegas   Aug 2    Las Vegas, NV        Encore Theatre, Wynn Las Vegas    *Future dates may be added.   

** For the Philadelphia show, VIP packages and Fan Club pre-sale tickets may be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com/beyonce April 20 -24 and general on sale tickets after April 24 can be purchased through the venue website www.wachoviacenter.com and the venue box office.

** For the Houston show, VIP packages and general tickets may be purchased online through the venue website www.houstontoyotacenter.com and the venue box office only.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Music World/Columbia Records

CONTACT: Yvette Noel-Schure, Columbia Records,
yvette.noel-schure@sonymusic.com; or Mark Young, Music World Entertainment,
mark@thefamefactory.net

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Profile: International Entertainment