Colombian president supports Shakira at NYC show

[September 22, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The president of Colombia might be in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, but he also found time to attend a concert by Shakira.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, along with the former president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, Queen Rania of Jordan and actor Jim Carrey, came out to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night to watch the hip-swiveling Shakira perform before an energetic crowd.

"It's really an honor for us," Shakira said, thanking the president of her homeland for attending.

The bilingual singer kicked off her show with a slow groove to "Pienso en Ti" -- wearing a hot pink ensemble that covered most of her body, revealing only her face and some of her blond curls -- while she sang and gave hugs to people in the crowd. She walked to the middle of the stage, tore off the ensemble to reveal a shiny gold top with black tights and knee-high boots and performed the thumping "Why Wait."

"I'm here to please you!" she yelled. "Remember tonight I'm all yours."

The 33-year-old continued with rock-filled versions of "Te Dejo" and "Whenever, Wherever," then sang lyrics from EMF's 1990s hit "You're Unbelievable."

The crowd got rowdy during the electric guitar-fused "Si Te Vas" and the explosive "She Wolf."

But the highlight was Shakira's cover of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters." Wearing a silver tank top, a flowing maroon skirt and no shoes, the singer belted the drum-filled jam, also highlighted by the violin. That was followed by a sensual Shakira dancing to the beat of the drum, then falling to the floor -- and dancing again.

Shakira brought four fans onstage and gave them a dance lesson while others waved the Colombian flag throughout the show, which lasted for nearly two hours.

The Grammy-winning singer, whose new album "Sale el Sol (The Sun Comes Out)" is due out next month, performed songs from the CD, including the soft rock title track. She also grinded to her latest single "Loca."

"For a few months I've been different. I feel like the sun has been shining on me, brighter than ever!" she yelled.

She returned for an encore in a bright blue ruffled dress, performing the soft "Antes de las Seis." She then ripped off the dress to shake her hips -- even imitating Beyonce's signature booty dance -- to her largest U.S. hit, the uptempo "Hips Don't Lie."

Shakira closed the show with her international smash, the World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)." But before she began, a video of African children saying what they aspired to be played in the background. Green, red and yellow confetti began to fall as Shakira sang the song, saying loudly: "We're all Africa!"

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Online:

http://www.shakira.com/

[Associated Press; By MESFIN FEKADU]

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