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Jay-Z Plans Red Hook Party After City Cancels Midtown Show, Officials Say

By  Alan Neuhauser Leslie Albrecht and Ben Fractenberg | July 3, 2013 5:21pm | Updated on July 3, 2013 5:51pm

 Jay-Z is planning a private party in Red Hook on Wednesday July 3, 2013.
Jay-Z is planning a private party in Red Hook on Wednesday July 3, 2013.
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Getty Images/Mike Coppola

RED HOOK — Hova's concert was canceled, but that's not stopping him from throwing a party.

Jay-Z's plan to perform atop the Ed Sullivan Theater marquee was dashed when the city pulled his permit, but the hip-hop superstar is holding a private VIP-only party on Wednesday night to launch his new album, "Magna Carta Holy Grail," a police source said.

The invite-only soiree will be held from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Pier 41 in Red Hook. About 500 guests are expected at the event, which is a joint venture with Samsung.

"[Jay-Z's team] scrambled all day yesterday, and finally found a venue last night," the police source said on Wednesday afternoon.

Crowd control is expected to be relatively easy for the event, because the area is gated, but parking is expected to be "a pain," the source said.

Community Board 6 District Manager Craig Hammerman Tweeted on Wednesday afternoon, "#RedHook be warned. Jay-Z and his VIP friends are coming over tonight for a visit, after getting booted from Times Square."

Sam Thompson, 25, said news of the shindig in her neighborhood was a shock.

"I'm very surprised," she said, adding that he should swing by the area's venerable Fairway Market for some pre-party snacks.

"Maybe he'll do some grocery shopping while he's here."