Boyz won't be men for D.C. school event

WASHINGTON (Variety) - R&B quartet Boyz II Men bowed out of a ceremony in the nation's capital Tuesday, a day after U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft issued another ominous terrorist threat, but 85-year-old actress Olivia de Havilland decided not to let the warning interrupt her routine.

Boyz II Men were supposed to fly in to help kick off the educational initiative "Songs of the Century" at the Oyster Bilingual Elementary School in Washington. The program highlights 365 songs from the 20th Century, with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" topping the list.
But they canceled their flight to D.C. Monday night, not long after Ashcroft asked Americans to go on high alert. The Recording Industry Assn. of America, which was behind the "Songs" initiative, said the group put off the trip because of "travel concerns."

Across town, Ashcroft's warning didn't stop de Havilland from attending a fund-raising dinner Tuesday night at the French Embassy. She told the Washington Post she was indeed a bit spooked about flying here, but was happy to report all went smoothly.