The Circus by the Numbers

Last night, Britney announced that she's extending her 'Circus' Tour for eight more European dates.

Have you ever wondered what goes into making a production as dazzling as Britney's concert?

Just a few of the staggering statistics include:

*Nearly 50 dancers, magicians, clowns, and acrobats
*A traveling staff of over 200
*$50 million
*60 tons of equipment
*34 trucks

Source: BritneySpears.com

Updated: Britney Spears Announces European Tour!

"The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour" Comes to Europe This Summer for an Exclusive Limited Engagement

After an extraordinary run of 39 North American tour dates Britney Spears is bringing "The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour" to Europe. The largest arena concert spectacular to ever tour Europe will begin its run with 8 nights at London's O2 Arena starting June 3. "The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour" is a dazzling display of music, dance, magic and theatrics. With its cast of nearly 50 dancers, magicians, clowns and acrobats and a travelling staff of over 200, the 50 million dollar extravaganza will travel Europe with an unprecedented 60 tons of equipment in 34 trucks for what is sure to be the most electrifying musical event ever.

The North American leg of the tour started March 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the highest grossing tour of 2009 in North America to date. As "The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour" wound it's way across the U.S. and Canada, it garnered rave reviews from fans and media alike. MTV says "It's truly a sight to behold...the biggest show under one roof," "A fun spectacle that lives up to its 'Circus' title," claims the Baton Rouge Advocate and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram exclaims, "The textbook definition of a star certainly applies to the earthly Britney Spears...That description--blinding, scorching evanescence-- could also apply to her first tour in five years."

Britney Spears is one of the top-selling artists of the last decade, and to date she has sold in excess of 62 million albums worldwide. Her releases include: ...Baby One More Time (1999); Oops!... I Did It Again (2000); Britney (2001); In the Zone (2003) and Blackout (2007). Her current album Circus released on her birthday, December 2, 2008, debuted No. 1 in six countries including Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Top 10 in an additional seven countries.

New European Tour Dates:

June 19 - O2 Arena - Dublin, Ireland
June 20 - O2 Arena - Dublin, Ireland
July 5 - Bercy - Paris, France
July 6 - Bercy - Paris, France
July 9 - Sportpalais - Antwerp, Belgium
July 11 - Parken - Copenhagen, Denmark
July 13 - Globen - Stockholm, Sweden
July 16 - Hartwell Arena - Helsinki, Finland
July 19 - SKK - St. Petersburg, Russia
July 21 - Olimpiiski - Moscow, Russia
July 24 - TWKS - Warsaw, Poland
July 26 - O2 World - Berlin, Germany

Source: BritneySpears.com

Russel Brand Jokes About Britney

Britney's New Message

Sam Lutfi Ordered to Stay Away from Britney for Three Years

The following italicized article is from www.people.com:

It's official: Sam Lutfi is a threat to Britney Spears.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva Bobb issued a three-year restraining order against the singer's former manager on Tuesday.

Jon Eardley, a lawyer who has repeatedly challenged the validity of Jamie Spears's legal control over his daughter, was also slapped with a restraining order for three years.

Both men must stay at least 100 yards away from Britney, her two sons, and her family members' homes, and must not harass Britney and her children, or contact them through phone, mail and email. It also prohibits them from "acting on Ms. Spears's behalf or purporting to act on her behalf." The orders, however, do not specifically protect Jamie and Britney's mother Lynne Spears, which Jamie had sought.

The singer's father, who initially filed the request on Jan. 30, alleged that both men have harassed his daughter, adding Lutfi arranged the smuggling of a cell phone to the pop star at a hotel.

Lutfi Will Appeal

Bryan Freedman, Lutfi's attorney tells PEOPLE: "We absolutely will appeal this ruling. Never before in history has a restraining order been issued against someone who answered another person's cries for help."

The order followed several hearings in which Spears's father, her hairstylist, bodyguard, among others, testified that the singer was in fear of Lutfi. In his defense, Lutfi's younger sister Christina testified that it was Britney who hatched the cell phone scheme because she allegedly wanted Lutfi's help to end her father's control.

Last week, Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for the pop star, told the judge that "my client's situation has improved dramatically over the last fourteen months. [The orders against Lutfi] is in my client's best interest ... she has suffered emotional distress."

Meanwhile, Lutfi's lawsuit against the Spears family for defamation and battery is still pending.

Source: People

Britney to Sam Lutfi: It Was Nice Knowing You...

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney Spears' conservatorship was just granted a permanent restraining order on Brit's behalf against Sam Lutfi and a guy who once claimed to be Britney's attorney.

The restraining order lasts until April 28, 2012.

Britney and both her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, are protected under the order. Lutfi and Jon Eardley are not allowed to go within 100 yards of Brit's home, job or workplace.

Sam and Jon also have to stay away from K-Fed's place and any of Britney's family members' homes.

The conservators filed for the restraining order because they said Lutfi and Jon were trying to torpedo the conservatorship by contacting Britney behind their backs.

Source: TMZ