Surreal sale brings in $50 million

Paris — An auction of the trinkets and treasures of surrealism founder Andre Breton surpassed expectations, netting 50 percent more than expected for a total of $50 million, officials said.

Joan Miro’s “Le Piege” (The Trap) and a painted wood relief by Jean Arp, called “Woman,” both fetched the top bids of $3 million. The two works were among the items that filled the small Paris apartment of Breton, a poet and leader of the surrealist movement. Breton’s widow, Elisa, had preserved the apartment, clutter intact, after he died in 1966.

The collection took 52 hours to auction off. Above, auctioneers accept bids on a painting of Breton by Victor Brauner.

Etta James has her star at last

Los Angeles — Blues singer Etta James has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 65-year-old singer, nicknamed Matriarch of the Blues, on Friday became the 2,223rd star honored on the Walk.

James, perhaps best known for her 1960 version of “At Last,” is considered an influence on such singers as Diana Ross, Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt.

This year she was among the recipients of lifetime achievement awards from the Grammy organization, and she won an award for best jazz vocal performance in 1995 for the song “Mystery Lady,” from a tribute album to the late Billie Holiday.

Parton parts with thousands

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. — Country singer Dolly Parton will award four high school seniors in her native Sevier County $15,000 college scholarships.

Parton, who graduated from Sevier County High School in 1964, started the Dolly Parton Scholarship in August 2000. With support from other sponsors and her Dollywood Foundation, scholarships have been added for students at Seymour High School, Pigeon Forge High School and Gatlinburg-Pittman High School.

“I’m inspired when I see kids from my hometown who try their hardest and reach for their dreams,” Parton said in a statement Friday.

Pianist brings talents to Missouri

Kansas City, Mo. — Famed Uzbek pianist Stanislav Ioudenitch will join Park University as an associate professor, the Parkville private institution said.

Ioudenitch, 31, won a gold medal at the 2001 Van Cliburn Piano Competition, considered classical piano’s most prestigious prize.

Ioudenitch was born in Uzbekistan and now lives in Overland Park, Kan., with his wife and daughter. Among other duties, Ioudenitch will lead a music program for talented musicians ages 6 to 18.