Briefly

Hollywood star Sean Penn will direct a movie in Winnipeg this summer. Buffalo Gal Pictures put out a casting call Tuesday for child actors for the feature film, about a father who lives a double life as a counterfeiter, bank robber and con man. It’s based on Jennifer Vogel’s book Flim-Flam Man about her father.

Lady Gaga has diffused fans’ pregnancy rumours with a cheeky tweet. Coming off recent Oscars and Grammys wins for her Star Is Born track “Shallow,” Gaga said the only major life event fans can expect is the release of her forthcoming sixth album. “Yeah, I’m pregnant with #LG6.”

Alicia Keys has a memoir coming out Nov. 5, to be published by Oprah Winfrey’s imprint. Flatiron Books says Keys’ More Myself is a “360-degree perspective” on her life, from her childhood in the Hell’s Kitchen neighbourhood of Manhattan to her Grammywinning rise.

The man who helped introduce J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books to U.S. audiences is leaving his longtime job at Scholastic and starting his own publishing house. Arthur A. Levine headed an eponymous imprint at the children’s publishing company since 1996.

Kesha is headlining the LOVELOUD Festival in Utah, the LGBTQ+ event founded by Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. Others to perform June 29 include Martin Garrix, Tegan & Sara, Laura Jane Grace, Daya, K. Flay, Grouplove and PVRIS.