Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez, Backstreet Boys, Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Thomas, Frankie J, Gavin DeGraw, Simple Plan and Jesse McCartney are the first acts confirmed for New York radio station Z100's Zootopia 2005 concert. The event will be held May 22 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. Tickets go on sale April 25 exclusively to members of the station's ZVIP club.

As usual, Zootopia will be preceded by Z100's All Access Lounge, which will be held in the venue parking lot. The event will feature performances by Akon, Bowling For Soup, Natalie and unsigned rock act Last Week, autograph sessions and interactive fashion and beauty displays.

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.

---

Tyrese has signed on to star in "Waist Deep" for Focus Features. The R&B artist-turned-actor plays an ex-convict who gets caught up in gang violence and turmoil after his car is hijacked with his son inside. He manages to outsmart the gang leaders with the help of a young woman. Shooting is pegged to begin in August in Los Angeles.

As previously reported, Tyrese recently signed on to co-star with Mark Wahlberg and OutKast's Andre 3000 in "Four Brothers" and also filmed "Annapolis" last year for the Walt Disney Co. His other credits include "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Baby Boy."

-- Liza Foreman, The Hollywood Reporter

---

Contemporary jazz saxophonist David Sanborn will stage a free concert May 10 in New York in conjunction with a tennis exhibition tied to the Forest Hills Clay Court Classic.

The U.S. Tennis Association event will take place at Times Square Studios and will be hosted by the West Side Tennis Club. The Forest Hills Clay Court Classic runs May 7-14.

In January, Sanborn released his latest album, "Closer" (Verve), which bowed at No. 4 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart. He has a handful of tour dates on his schedule, including an April 29 show in Westbury, N.Y., and a May 6-8 stand in Las Vegas.

-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.