Pop singer Beyonce Knowles performs scantily-clad dance on tomb of President Ulysses S Grant

BBC News/Entertainment On Line ^ | Monday, 14 July | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Monday, 14 July, 2003, 08:46 GMT 09:46 UK

Beyonce's 'grave dance' causes grief

Beyonce took part in the annual Macy's Fourth of July celebrations

Pop singer Beyonce Knowles should not have been allowed to perform a scantily-clad dance on the tomb of former United States President Ulysses S Grant, a historical group has said. The star danced in a "patently inappropriate" way on the steps to the tomb during a nationally-televised 4 July concert, according to Frank Scaturro, president of the Grant Monument Association.

The Destiny's Child chart-topper used "lascivious choreography" and her backing dancers were barely dressed, Mr Scaturro said in a letter to NBC, which filmed the performance.

Her latest single, Crazy In Love, is currently number one in the UK and US.

A certain decorum should have been observed from which popular entertainers are not exempt

Frank Scaturro Grant Monument Association And her album held onto the top spot in the UK on Sunday but was knocked off the summit in the US by Ashanti last week.

In his letter, Mr Scaturro wrote: "At that location, a certain decorum should have been observed from which popular entertainers are not exempt."

The letter also went to the Secretary of the Interior, Gale Norton, and National Park Service director Fran Mainella.

Watch Beyonce perform Crazy In Love on Top of the Pops Ulysses S Grant was a Civil War hero who became the 18th president, between 1869-77.

His tomb, erected as a national monument in 1897, is in New York. The concert was part of the annual Macy's Fourth of July celebrations.

Also performing were American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson plus Sheryl Crow and John Mellencamp.

'More thoughtful'

Ulysses Grant Dietz, the great-great-grandson of Ulysses S Grant, said he did not object to most live performances, as long as the tomb was looked after.

But organisers could have been more thoughtful, he added.

"If they're doing a Fourth of July celebration and they're doing it at a grave of a president, maybe they should look a little more closely at what the performances are."

NBC and Beyonce were not available for comment and a National Park Service spokesman did not want to comment because he had not seen the letter.

[ken5050]

Beyonce, no doubt, was asked "who's buried in Grant's Tomb?"

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[A_perfect_lady]

I saw a clip of her performance. She was presenting like a cat in heat. Really classy stuff, that.

[Redbob]

Disrespectful dance on the tomb of a Yankee general?
I guess Beyonce so bad after all.

[ffusco]

Smile when you say that!

[mgc1122]

I doubt if Grant would have minded ...

[goldstategop]

So much for respect for the dead. I don't think any further comment's necessary. This display speaks for itself of a kind in keeping with the Paul Wellstone memorial last year. We all saw and felt the tasteless of liberals then and now.

[cubreporter]

Like I said some people have class others don't.

[stainlessbanner]

I doubt if Grant would have minded ...

His decendants don't seem to mind either.

[ewing]

10 posts and no pics! What is happening to FR..

[presidio9]

Disrespectful dance on the tomb of a Yankee general?

Yes, but only because her master allows it, right?

[goldstategop]

Yup. To the Left its cool to celebrate being trashy. I mean, look at Bubba, the ultimate symbol of post modern tastelessness.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

"Get you hair out of my face!"

[Only1choice____Freedom]

Pretty tame compared to the Wellstone Rally!

[Pharmboy]

Baby's got front...

[Carbonsteel]

When I'm dead, I sure wouldn't mind having half-naked women dance on my grave.

[Ronin]

Don't think he would either, to tell the truth.

[Pharmboy]

So sorry!! I assumed you wanted a picture of Beyonce, but you may have actually wanted a pic of

...Grant's Tomb

[ewing]

You aint kiddin!