ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

TELEVISION

Oprah Declines Bush Invitation to Travel

In a measure of Oprah Winfrey’s clout, the Bush administration reportedly asked the talk-show host to join an official U.S. delegation to tour Afghanistan’s schools, celebrating young girls’ return to the classroom.

Winfrey begged off, however, saying she didn’t have the time. “Given her responsibility to the show, she isn’t adding anything to her calendar,” a representative of Winfrey’s Chicago-based production company told the Chicago Tribune. “She was invited, but she respectfully declined.”

The White House postponed a trip that was to have included Bush advisor Karen Hughes and possibly National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

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POP/ROCK

Estefans Granted Restraining Order

Singer Gloria Estefan and her husband, Emilio, obtained a permanent restraining order to keep a Venezuelan actor-singer away from them, their family, home, businesses and their gym. The Estefans had been granted a temporary restraining order against Juan Carlos Diaz in January.

Diaz, who faces trial for criminal trespass at the Estefans’ estate, did not challenge the order and dropped his request for a stay-away order against the Estefans and their bodyguard. “I agree with this because I don’t really want any relations with the Estefans,” Diaz told a Florida judge Thursday.

The judge banned contact with the Estefans in any way.

Diaz, 33, initially accused Emilio Estefan of making unwelcome sexual advances toward him at a gym. The Estefans sued Diaz for defamation and accused Diaz of stalking them.

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Springsteen Contributes to Sept. 11 Charity

A New Jersey charity for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks is creating an educational foundation and a wellness center with help from Bruce Springsteen.

The Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County said the educational foundation will provide financial aid and assistance to spouses and children of attack victims. The wellness center will offer services to meet the emotional needs of families and the community, the group said.

Springsteen asked that the amount of his donation not be disclosed, said Corinda Carford, one of the group’s founders.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Essence Awards Come to Los Angeles

The 15th annual Essence Awards will unveil the Entertainer of the Year, a new honor awarded as part of an online Essence reader’s poll, when the event is held May 31 in Los Angeles. This is the first time the awards have been held locally.

The top five contenders in the awards, which honor the achievements of preeminent African American entertainers and local community leaders, are Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Janet Jackson, Jill Scott and Michael Jackson. Voting continues through April 12.

The Essence Awards will be taped on May 31 at the Universal Amphitheatre and will air on Fox June 6. Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.

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THE ARTS

‘Body Worlds’ Draws Crowds, Criticism

A protester threw a blanket over a likeness of a pregnant woman and her 7-month-old fetus during the first week of the “Body Worlds” exhibit at a gallery in London.

According to BBC News, the show of 175 healthy and diseased body parts and 25 whole bodies at a gallery in London attracted criticism and huge crowds as it toured Europe.

The bodies of the people were donated by people before they died to Prof. Gunther von Hagens. The German artist proceeded to drain the corpses of fluids and replace them with a type of plastic.

The protester, Martin Wynness, also dropped paint on the floor and was removed by security guards. Calling the show horrifying and disrespectful, he said he acted out of concern for his children.

British politicians had expressed disgust with the show, but the government failed to turn up evidence of laws being broken. Legal challenges in other countries were also unsuccessful. Organizers say that the show has been seen by 8 million people in Japan, Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

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Orchestras Commit to Three New Works

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra will commission at least three new works that both will perform as part of a new partnership. The orchestras will split the $130,000 cost of commissioning the new works and will take turns playing them for the first time.

“That way we both get the most visibility out of one project,” said Gideon Toeplitz, managing director of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

The plan helps the orchestras save money and attract the works of high-profile composers, who will get exposure to a wider audience. Each orchestra typically budgets $100,000 a year for new music.

“What is unusual here is the number of works over a number of years,” said Jack McAuliffe, vice president of the American Symphony Orchestra League. Orchestras co-commissioning single works are more common.

If the orchestras like the partnership, it will continue beyond the initial three pieces, said Philadelphia Orchestra President Joseph Kluger.

The companies will premiere “Violin Concerto” by Oliver Knussen, Roberto Sierra’s “Concerto for Violin and Viola” and a yet-to-be determined work by Russian Sofia Gubaidulina.

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QUICK TAKES

David Bowie announced this week that he has signed with Columbia Records to release “Heathen,” his first album in three years. For the new album, due out June 11, Bowie has revived his partnership with Tony Visconti, who produced such albums as “Low,” “Heroes” and “Scary Monsters.” ... Turner Classic Movies will honor celebrated director Billy Wilder, who died Wednesday, with an 11-film festival Wednesday and Thursday.... Film critic Henry Sheehan finished his run at the Orange County Register Friday. According to the L.A. Weekly, the Register will go with a critic from one of its parent company’s other papers: Craig Outhier of the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz.... New Wave French director Alain Resnais (“Hiroshima Mon Amour”) will be honored at the Cannes Film Festival, where his “Je t’aime, je t’aime” will be screened 34 years after its initial Cannes premiere was canceled.... “Judging Amy” co-star Richard T. Jones and his wife, Nancy, welcomed Elijah Richard to their family last Friday.... TV Cares, honoring responsible programming in the areas of AIDS education and awareness, will honor Tyne Daly April 27 at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in North Hollywood. Programming honorees include “Queer as Folk,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and BET.

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Lisa Boone