AP Entertainment SummaryBrief at 5:54 p.m. EST

Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist for The Cure, dies at 65

NEW YORK (AP) — Perry Archangelo Bamonte, longtime guitarist and keyboardist for the influential goth band The Cure, has died. He was 65. The band announced his death on their official website on Friday. Bamonte worked with the band as roadie and guitar tech from 1984 to 1989. He officially joined the band in 1990 when keyboardist Roger O’Donnell quit. He played guitar, six-string bass and keyboard. Having joined just after the mainstream breakthrough, 1989’s “Disintegration,” Bamonte is featured on a number of The Cure’s albums, such as the 1992’s “Wish,” including the hits ″Friday I’m in Love″ and “High.” He is also featured on the 1996’s “Wild Mood Swings,” 2000's “Bloodflowers” and 2004's self-titled release.

New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns and influencer Jordyn Woods are engaged

NEW YORK (AP) — Influencer Jordyn Woods and New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns are engaged. The couple announced the news Thursday in a joint Instagram post captioned with the pun “Marry Christmas” and including 15 proposal photos taken on a rooftop in New York City. The couple have been dating for five years. Woods is a model and actor best known for her appearances on the reality shows “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and “Life of Kylie,” the result of her close friendship with Kylie Jenner. Towns is a four-time All-Star who began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Last year the team traded him to the New York Knicks.

Timothée Chalamet wants to be great. ‘Marty Supreme’ might get him there

NEW YORK (AP) — Since his breakthrough performance in 2017’s “Call Me By Your Name,” Timothée Chalamet has been on an ever-ascending path that seemed to reach a culmination when he declared that he’s “in pursuit of greatness” while accepting the best actor award from the Screen Actors Guild for his performance as Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown. “But “Marty Supreme” is yet another new level for Chalamet. His Marty is far from a period-piece study. He's a blur of forward motion. He’s a quintessentially American hustler, and it’s probably the defining performance of Chalamet’s young career. A year after he come so close, it may win him his first Academy Award.

Times Square to feature patriotic crystal ball for New Year's Eve, kicking off US's 250th birthday

After the crystal ball drops on New Year’s Eve in New York City, it will rise again, sparkling in red, white and blue. The patriotic touch kicks off months of celebrations for the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. The head of America250, a bipartisan commission overseeing the anniversary, says there will be a second confetti drop afterward. Another ball drop is also planned for July 3. It will mark the first non-New Year's Eve drop in 120 years. Organizers say the celebrations aim to unite the nation with events ranging from fireworks to community programs, engaging millions across the country.

Soprano Asmik Grigorian to lead 'Carmen' and sing mezzo-soprano role this summer

NEW YORK (AP) — Soprano Asmik Grigorian is to sing the title role in Georges Bizet's “Carmen,” a mezzo-soprano touchstone, for the first time at the Salzburg Festival this summer. Getting ready for a concert this weekend at New York's Carnegie Hall, the singer said this was the right time to sing in a lower vocal range than the parts that earned her renown, such as the title characters in Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” and “Manon Lescaut,” and in Richard Strauss’ “Salome.” She says: "I never know if I can sing something before I start to do it, so maybe it will be my failure? Who knows? Let’s see.”

From red donkeys to vibrant art: Fernando Dávila's colorful journey as a colorblind painter

DORAL, Fla. (AP) — Fernando Dávila, a 72-year-old artist in Florida, paints vibrant works despite being colorblind. As a child in Colombia, he failed a drawing class for painting donkeys red. Now, he embraces color with the help of special glasses developed in the 1980s. Dávila initially painted in black and white due to his condition, which makes distinguishing colors difficult. He studied graphic design and has exhibited internationally, influenced by artists like Rembrandt. His work explores themes of duality and human relationships. Dávila continues to share his passion for art, saying color is vital to his life.

Tyler Perry sued for sexual assault by 'Boo! A Madea Halloween' actor seeking $77 million

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Perry faces a lawsuit for sexual assault by actor Mario Rodriguez, marking the second such case against him recently. Rodriguez filed the lawsuit Thursday in California, accusing Perry of unwanted sexual advances over several years, including incidents at Perry’s Los Angeles home. Rodriguez seeks at least $77 million in damages and also sued Lionsgate, the distributor of “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” for allegedly ignoring Perry’s misconduct. Perry’s lawyer denies the allegations. Rodriguez claims he was approached by Perry in 2014 and faced multiple inappropriate encounters. He decided to file suit after learning of similar allegations by another actor, Derek Dixon.

Kennedy Center criticizes musician who canceled performance after Trump name added to building

WASHINGTON (AP) — The president of the Kennedy Center is criticizing musician Chuck Redd for canceling a Christmas Eve performance. Redd withdrew after the White House announced President Donald Trump's name would be added to the venue. On Friday, the center's president, Richard Grenell, called the decision "classic intolerance" and threatened to seek $1 million in damages. Redd, a drummer and vibraphone player, has led holiday "Jazz Jams" at the center since 2006. The renaming, approved by Trump's board, reportedly violates a law prohibiting changes to the center's dedication to President John F. Kennedy.

Movie Review: An electric Timothée Chalamet is the consummate striver in propulsive ‘Marty Supreme’

A pitch-perfect Timothée Chalamet finds his greatest role to date in “Marty Supreme,” a breakneck ride from director Josh Safdie. Marty's a brash dreamer. His goal: to show the world he's the best table tennis player alive. It's a tall order for a kid from the Lower East Side but Marty never wavers in his self-belief. Chalamet, wire-thin with acne-scarred skin, small spectacles and a skimpy mustache, puts in an electric performance, writes Associated Press critic Jocelyn Noveck. And he's joined by an astonishing array of supporting players, especially a stylish Gwyneth Paltrow and terrific newcomer Odessa A'zion. Opens in theaters Christmas Day.