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Catch Elton John concerts on YouTube

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Elton John is launching a weekly archival concert footage series titled “Elton John: Classic Concert Series,” featuring footage from concerts throughout his career on his official YouTube channel.

The series begins Friday exclusivel­y on YouTube with “Live at Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh” from 1976. Following the episode, a new, epic two-hour concert set will premiere on John’s YouTube channel every Saturday for six weeks. The series will raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in support of COVID-19 relief efforts.

John says: “My foundation’s COVID-19 emergency fund helps frontline partners prepare for and respond to the pandemic and its effects on HIV prevention and care for the most marginaliz­ed communitie­s. We cannot jeopardize HIV testing and care during this time or else the results could be disastrous for the 37.5 million people living with HIV. So, I’m really happy to connect this YouTube concert series to benefit our foundation’s urgent COVID response.”

Recorded as part of the Edinburgh Festival of Popular Music on Sept. 17, 1976, “Live at the Playhouse Theatre” dates from the height of John’s ’70s heyday. The solo performanc­e kicks off with his early hit “Skyline Pigeon” before concluding with “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting),” and includes “Rocket Man,” “Daniel” and “Bennie and the Jets.”

21 Savage launches financial program: Rapper 21 Savage will be launching a free online financial literacy education program for youth sheltered at home during the pandemic. The Grammy winner announced his new Bank Account At Home nationwide initiative

Wednesday. His efforts will include a partnershi­p with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to provide free Wi-Fi and tablets for undeserved students in the city.

“I feel like it’s important more than ever to give our next generation the tools to succeed in life,” the rapper said in a statement.

Austin City Limits fest canceled: Austin City Limits has joined the ranks of major music festivals to be canceled because of the coronaviru­s. Festival organizers said in a statement Wednesday that scrapping the three-day October event was “the only responsibl­e solution.” The announceme­nt comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Texas.

The festival is one of the largest in the country each year. A lineup had not been announced.

819 invited to join academy: Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Eva Longoria, Zendaya and Awkwafina are among the 819 people who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organizati­on that puts on the Oscars announced the new invitees Tuesday. If they accept, which most do, those in the new class will have voting privileges at this year’s Oscars.

The massive 2020 list includes a diverse swath of people from all sectors of the industry. Invited actors include Ana De Armas, Brian Tyree Henry, Florence Pugh, Lakeith Stanfield, Beanie Feldstein and Constance Wu. Directors like Lulu Wang, Ari Aster, Terence Davies and Matthew Vaughn are also on the list.

July 2 birthdays: Jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal is 90. Actor Robert Ito is 89. Director Larry David is 73. Actress Jerry Hall is 64. Singer Michelle Branch is 37. Actress Ashley Tisdale is 35. Actress Lindsay Lohan is 34. Actress Margot Robbie is 30.

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KERRY MARSHALL/GETTY

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