Odds & Ends: Patti Smith, Snoop Dogg, And Axl Rose

Patti Smith Nixes Chelsea

Up until yesterday Patti Smith was planning to perform a free private show for the residents of New York City’s Chelsea Hotel. But it just wasn’t meant to be.

Located on West 23rd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues, the Chelsea Hotel occupies a unique place in music history. Long associated with the creative community, at one time or another the hotel has included Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Iggy Pop as well as Smith among its tenants.

Chalk up the cancellation to bad blood between the Chelsea’s tenants and the hotel’s new owners. While approximately 100 residents live in the building, the hotel has been closed to guests since summer 2011, according to the New York Times which states current tenants have been feuding with new owners the Chetrit Group. Last month the tenants’ association filed suit against the owners over alleged airborne dust and silica resulting from renovations.

Apparently some of the residents said they would not attend Smith’s performance because they believed she was appearing at the request of the Chetrit Group. According to the Times, Smith said the concert was her idea and that preserving the building as a home for artists is very important to her.

Smith ended up canceling the gig late Thursday afternoon.

“In respect for the wishes of the Chelsea Hotel Tenants Association, I have canceled tonight’s performance,” Smith said in a statement. “My motivation was solely to serve the tenants. If this serves them better, then I am satisfied.”

Snoop Dogg’s New Smoke

Seeing Snoop Dogg and the word “smoke” in the same sentence probably doesn’t conjure up a mental image of cigars. After all, the rapper has long been known as a connoisseur of everything ganja. Of course, that doesn’t sit well with law enforcement. He’s currently facing a minor drug charge resulting from his arrest this past weekend in Texas after border agents allegedly found several joints on his tour bus.

But Snoop’s latest smoke is perfectly legal as long as you’re over 18. It’s a new line of cigars, called “Executive Branch,” made from Dominican Republic tobacco. The cigars will be marketed in packs of two for 99 cents, according to Rolling Stone and will be introduced when Snoop and Dr. Dre play this year’s Coachella Festival.

Rose spent four days in the jury box of a civil trial in Santa Monica, Calif., which ended Tuesday, reports People magazine.

“It was relatively painless,” Rose said, according to People. “I was fortunate that everyone in the courthouse and jurors were all really great, plus I got to see daylight from a different prospect.”