If you're a fan of old rock music you've probably already heard that Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for legendary American band the Doors, died yesterday from cancer at the age of 74.

I wasn't a huge, diehard fan of the Doors, but I did enjoy a lot of their songs. I mean, what's not to like about "L.A. Woman", "Love Her Madly", "Light My Fire", "Break On Through (To the Other Side)", "People Are Strange", and "Riders on the Storm"?

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First we got the sad news yesterday that former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek had died from cancer at the age of 74.

Now comes word that bassist Trevor Bolder, former member of David Bowie's amazing backup band the Spiders from Mars, has succumbed to the Big C at only 62.

Bolder is best known for his work, alongside guitar legend Mick Ronson and drummer Woody Woodmansey, on the iconic '70s Bowie albums Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, Aladdin Sane, and--with Aynsley Dunbar replacing Woodmansey--Pin Ups.

This Saturday (May 25), the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre will be awash in space cowboys as the eighth annual Can't Stop the Serenity fundraiser touches down.

Held at select locations around the world, Can't Stop the Serenity raises awareness and money for Equality Now, an organization dedicated to improving the civil, political, economic, and social rights of girls and women. The Vancouver event also helps out B.C. Women's Hospital & Health Centre Foundation and Avalon Recovery Society.

Two of the world’s most successful and storied sports organizations are teaming up to add a second professional soccer team in New York City.

Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and English Premier League club Manchester City FC will jointly manage the 20th member of North America’s Major League Soccer, according to an announcement by MLS commissioner Don Garber on Tuesday (May 21).

The New York City Football Club will join future crosstown rivals New York Red Bulls for the 2015 season. The two teams reportedly paid $100 million to acquire the expansion franchise, a deal that was in the works for three years, Garber said.

Some of B.C.’s hottest indie bands return to New Westminster for Uptown Live 2013, a free music and arts street festival taking place Saturday (May 25) from 1 to 7 p.m.

Presented by Royal City Centre and Westminster Centre, Uptown Live kicks off outside the Uptown shopping district (6th Avenue at 6th Street) after the Key West Ford Hyack International Parade. Three performance stages will showcase bands, such as the Boom Booms, Good for Grapes, Bend Sinister, the Belle Game, the Shilohs, Buckman Coe, and New Westminster’s own Warren Dean Flandez.

Along with live music, the festival will also feature a BMX bike demonstration, food trucks, and a family fun zone.

Women Transforming Cities presents Engaging Women, Transforming Cities: Designing Ideal Cities for Women and Girls as part of its national conference on May 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features international, national, and local speakers at SFU’s Segal Graduate School of Business (500 Granville Street).

Keynote speakers at the event include Caroline Andrew, president of Women in Cities International; Prabha Khosla, an urban planner; Karen Leibovici, president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Sylvia Bashevkin, professor of political science at the University of Toronto.

The 16th annual European Festival takes place on May 25 and 26 at Swangard Stadium (3883 Imperial Street). This year, the family-friendly event opens from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday (May 25) and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (May 26).

Highlights of the 2013 festival include a European talent show on Sunday at 3 p.m., live music and dance performances on the festival stage and arts plaza stage, an ABBA tribute show on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m., a Beatles tribute on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., and an after-party dance with DJ Cris.

Switzerland has been chosen as this year’s featured country, but a total of 30 countries’ cultural displays, including dishes, will be available.

UBC law prof linked to payment  CTV News has reported that Benjamin Perrin, an associate professor of law at UBC, helped draft an agreement for a $90,000 payment from Nigel Wright to Sen. Mike Duffy. Perrin was a special adviser in the Prime Minister's Office and Wright was chief of staff to Stephen Harper. Both no longer work in the PMO. (Editor's note: Perrin later denied being consulted on the payment from Wright to Duffy.)

Sedins help Swedes win  The host country, Sweden, won the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship by defeating Switzerland 5-1. The Swedes benefited from two goals by Canucks captain Henrik Sedin.  

Ottawa makes it a series  Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson scored a short-handed goal in the final minute to tie the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, setting the stage for Colin Greening's winning goal in double overtime. Pittsburgh leads the series 2-1.

Boston Bruins take charge  The Bruins have a commanding 2-0 series lead over the New York Rangers after a 5-2 win yesterday.

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