Web posted on:
Monday, February 15, 1999 3:22:06 PM EST

• 'Stella' finds its groove at Image Awards
• Pavarotti pulls plug on Canadian concert
• Brooks takes a second stab at spring training
• Aussie vacationers to Hasselhoff: Go home!

Angela Bassett in "How Stella Got Her Grove Back"

PASADENA, California (CNN) -- Angela Bassett's performance in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" earned her an NAACP Image Award on Sunday, one of three honors the movie claimed from the civil rights organization.

The film, about a middle-aged businesswoman's love affair with a younger man, won for outstanding motion picture at the NAACP's 30th Image Awards. Bassett won the outstanding actress award and her co-star, Whoopi Goldberg, won the Image Award for outstanding supporting actress.

"Beloved," Oprah Winfrey's much-touted drama about the aftermath of slavery, was nominated for six awards -- but picked up just one. That went to Danny Glover, named outstanding actor in a motion picture. Morgan Freeman's portrayal of a U.S. president in the end-of-the-world drama "Deep Impact" earned him a best supporting actor award.

Winners in television and music categories included "Cosby," "The Young and the Restless" and hip-hop artist Lauryn Hill. Sunday's presentation was recorded and will be broadcast March 4 on Fox.

Pavarotti

HAMILTON, Ontario (CNN) -- Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti will reschedule a $500-a-ticket performance after cancelling a planned Sunday night performance.

Pavarotti called off the show just before curtain time at the Copps Coliseum in Hamilton. A spokesman for the venue said the singer had strained his vocal chords.

The gala dinner that accompanied the show went ahead as planned, however, and ticketholders will get to see Pavarotti perform at a rescheduled concert July 11.

Brooks

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- It's becoming a routine for country singer Garth Brooks: a stint at baseball's spring training.

Nashville megastar Brooks will join the Padres for spring training as a non-roster player, the team announced.

It's the second year in the Padres' camp for the 37-year-old, black-hatted singer. Brooks, a lifelong baseball fan, worked out with the Padres last year. He got to play briefly in an exhibition game with the team, entering as a pinch-runner with the Chicago Cubs.

"Baywatch"

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Residents of a small Australian resort are perfectly content to keep "Baywatch" on their televisions -- and off their beaches.

The U.S.-produced, globally syndicated lifeguard drama shot two episodes at Avalon Beach, north of Sydney, and its producers are mulling a permanent move to the white sands of Australia. But some locals say the show already has worn out its welcome.

Avalon residents complain that "Baywatch" staff left sand in their swimsuits by hustling a local surfer off the beach and shushing skateboarders while the show's stars took naps. Anti-Baywatch graffiti appeared on Avalon's surf lifesaving club last week after news reports said producer Greg Bonnan would soon make the area the show's new home.

"Greg Bonnan has already said if there isn't community support, he'll go elsewhere," Mark Warren, a former world champion surfer, told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He should read the writing on the wall now and go to Mexico." For his part, Bonnan told the newspaper he won't put the show where it's not wanted.

Reuters contributed to this report.