Look To The Stars News: Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams To Play Charity Concert On Friday

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:00 -0000

The Born Free Foundation has announced that Bryan Adams will be joining a major line up of stars for Wild & Live, the UK’s biggest ‘for one night only’ event in aid of the planet’s threatened wildlife.

Born Free Wild & Live! will be a unique celebration of wildlife, raising funds to help save the lives of 25,000 wild animals, stop suffering, rescue individuals and protect rare species.

Born Free Founder, actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna, spoke passionately about the star-studded line-up and the cause,   "I am overwhelmed – so many talented performers willing to stand up and be counted for animals in need."

Stars already signed up for Wild & Live, include Peter André, Mark Austin, Gabriella Cilmi, Martin Clunes, Rolf Harris, Joanna Lumley, Graham Norton and many more.

Long-time Born Free supporter Bryan Adams has sent us a message of encouragement from LA, calling on the public to back the event, “Wild & Live is a concert to help Born Free to save 25,000 animals. I’ll be there to lend my support – hope you will too.”

With tigers facing imminent extinction, lion populations crashing, elephants being butchered for their ivory, rhinos relentlessly pursued for their horns and gorillas lucky to see out the next century, the clock is counting down for some of the world’s most endangered wild species.

  Virginia McKenna OBE, recognized by The Queen for her services to conservation, said, “It’s a desperate situation for so many animals and we have to do something about it. Wild & Live gives us the chance to really make a difference and save endangered species. If you care about wildlife and love great entertainment then I urge you to join us!”

Wild & Live takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 14th November at 7:30pm and will showcase an international line-up of top stars from the world of music and entertainment.

Tickets on sale now so visit www.royalalberthall.com or call the ticket hotline today to guarantee your place at Wild & Live or call 0207 589 8212. Tickets start from £45.

World March For Peace Starts In New Zealand

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The World March for Peace and Non-Violence kicked off in Wellington, New Zealand, today, beginning a trek that will visit 90 countries on 6 continents, ending in Argentina on January 2 of next year.

Marchers braved chilling winds in the country’s capital to start the march, which has been endorsed by world leaders and celebrities such as Penelope Cruz, Viggo Mortensen, Desmond Tutu, Martin Sheen, Jane Fonda, Jimmy Carter, Lou Reed, Yoko Ono, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Bryan Adams and many more.

The 160,000-kilometre (99,419 mile) march has been organized by World Without Wars. A core group of 25 marchers will complete the entire journey, carrying with them a “nuclear abolition torch” taken from the Hiroshima Flame which was lit from embers following the 1945 nuclear explosion in Japan. The primary goals of the World March include:

nuclear disarmament at a global level
immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories
progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons
signing of non-aggression treaties between countries
renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts

A rehearsal march was held in New Zealand earlier this week, led by Xena Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless, who walked beneath a Chinese-style dragon made from the sails of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior, sunk by French agents in Auckland in 1985.

Earlier this year – as a lead up to the march – organizers created roving billboards and also recreated the famous Bed-In held by Yoko Ono and John Lennon.

Look To The Stars is proud to support the March For Peace and Non-Violence, and wish all those taking part a great and successful journey.

More info can be found here.

Love Our Children USA Launches Blue Shirt Day To Stomp Out Bullying

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Love Our Children USA has announced that NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proclaiming October 5th Blue Shirt Day to signify the importance of National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, October 4th – 10th.

Thousands of kids and adults will wear blue shirts as they make their way to school or to the office on October 5 as a grassroots national movement to STOMP Out Bullying.

The organization launched the STOMP Out Bullying Campaign in October, 2008. STOMP Out Bullying focuses its efforts to reduce Bullying and Cyberbullying, decrease school absenteeism and truancy, educate against homophobia and racism and deter violence in schools, playgrounds and communities across the country. To date over 53,000 have committed to STOMP Out Bullying on the site.

It’s not just our politicians who support STOMP Out Bullying an initiative of Love Our Children USA, but celebrities are out in full force to help.

Teen Celebrities Demi Lovato, JoJo and the latest children’s sensation The Oogieloves participate in the public service campaign which includes TV spots, videos, posters, brochures and wristbands. Additional celebrities such as Brittany Snow, Naturally 7 and others are slated to join the ongoing campaign created by the Geppetto Group.

In order to raise funds for bullying and cyberbullying prevention, education and peer mentoring in schools, Love Our Children USA is holding its Second Annual Celebrity STOMP Out Bullying Auction on CharityFolks from October 5th –16th.

This year’s celebrity contributors include: Elton John, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Ellen DeGeneres, Phil Collins, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Bryan Adams, Metallica, Guster, Dancing With The Stars, American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Bye Bye Birdie, Rock Of Ages, the NJ Nets and more.

“Kids who are intimidated, threatened, or harmed by bullies often experience low self-esteem and depression, whereas those doing the bullying may go on to engage in more serious antisocial behaviors. Some kids are so traumatized by being bullied, that they contemplate suicide. Bullies often have been the victims of bullying or other mistreatment themselves” said Ross Ellis, Love Our Children USA Founder and Chief Executive Officer. This campaign’s key purpose is to educate those kids who are being bullied and those who are bullying, that there are choices for them to get help.

To find out more about the campaign, go to LoveOurChildrenUSA.org and StompOutBullying.org.

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Prince Charles thanked a number of high-profile celebrities for their support of his Prince’s Trust this week by holding a special garden party at his Highgrove home near Tetbury, in Gloucestershire.

Along with the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles wined and dined over 100 guests, including Phil Collins – the Trust’s first ambassador – as well as Bryan Adams, Phillip Schofield, Gary Lineker, Sir Ben Kingsley, Jenson Button, Amanda Burton, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Jeremy Irons, Joss Stone, Kate Adie, Aleisha Dixon and many others. The celebrity ambassadors were given a tour of the Highgrove estate in the late summer sun before lunching on asparagus and pea risotto followed by summer berries with pannacotta.

“I have been a Prince’s Trust ambassador for going back 20 years and it is has been a real privilege to be able to meet people who have benefited from the scheme and turned their life around,” said Gary Linekar.

The Prince’s Trust gives practical and financial support to help disadvantaged young people aged between 14 and 30 develop workplace skills. The Trust offers support by training, mentoring and giving financial assistance to help disadvantaged young people achieve their potential.

Roving Billboards Marked Hiroshima Day

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Organizers of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence marked Hiroshima Day last week by launching roving celebrity billboards throughout midtown Manhattan.

The billboards featured the faces of many of the national presidents, Hollywood actors, musicians, Nobel Laureates and religious leaders who have endorsed the World March to demonstrate their deep concern about the unprecedented nuclear threat facing the world today. These included Penelope Cruz, Viggo Mortensen, Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter, Lou Reed, Yoko Ono, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Bryan Adams and many more.

“It’s important to mark this day not only to remember what happened but to prevent a future nuclear catastrophe,” said World March spokesperson Chris Wells. “The situation is far more dangerous and unstable than people realize. There is a growing call for abolition, in the UN, with Obama and Medvedev, and civil initiatives like the World March for Peace and Nonviolence and Global Zero. But we need to build up massive public support to make sure it happens.”

Initiated by the organization World Without Wars, the World March for Peace and Nonviolence begins its historic journey October 2 in Wellington New Zealand before traveling through seven continents, 100 plus countries and 300 plus cities. It will arrive in New York City on November 30, 2009 and reach its final destination in Punta de Vacas, Argentina on January 2. 2010.

The primary goals of the World March include:

nuclear disarmament at a global level
immediate withdrawal of invading troops from occupied territories
progressive and proportional reduction of conventional weapons
signing of non-aggression treaties between countries
renunciation by governments of the use of war as a means to resolve conflicts

To find out more, click here. To view the celebrity billboards, click here.

Lenny Kravitz To Headline Peace Day Concert

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Kasabian and Lenny Kravitz have been confirmed to play at a one-off gig at the Paris Le Grand Rex to mark Peace Day next month.

“I’m delighted to support Peace One Day once again to take the message of Peace Day to the people,” said Kravitz. “Peace One Day is all about uniting the world, and music can drive that message. I’m pleased to be carrying the torch for POD this year.”

The show will take place on September 19 – two days before Peace Day – and will also feature Keziah Jones, Ayo, Olivia Ruiz and Charlie Winston.

“These things are so intense, such hard work, with so much at stake,” said Jeremy Gilley, founder of Peace Day. “Take last year’s event at the Albert Hall. Introduced by [”Jude Law":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/145-jude-law], with live performances from Bryan Adams, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox and John Legend, with a surprise appearance from Lenny Kravitz, it was pretty mind-blowing but you can imagine how nerve-wracking it was bringing it all together. Underwriting something so big when you are such a small organization is quite a responsibility. Our margins are really tight and, just covering our costs takes an awful lot of hard work. More than anything, we rely on the good will of the artists themselves; their time is so precious and I am eternally grateful to all of them for their unerring support. Standing on the side of the stage watching Annie Lennox singing for Peace One Day was an incredible moment for me.

“With a matter of weeks to go, an awful lot of people are working incredibly hard to pull off an event that exceeds all expectations. An estimated 250 million people around the globe saw last year’s concert. We can’t yet give any details away but let’s just say that we are aiming for something even bigger and better to commemorate our ten-year anniversary. I can feel the insomnia coming on already…

“Our goal is to reach three billion people with the message of peace one day by 2012. It’s not a pipedream, it’s a strategic process, but we all need to get involved.”

For more information and tickets, click here.

Bryan Adams Comes In Third In Charity Race

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The stars hit the water during Cowes Week earlier this week, as celebrities competed in the annual Artemis Challenge, an event that saw a 50 mile high speed sprint around the Isle of Wight, with the winning skipper taking away £10,000 for their chosen charity.

Leading the pack of well-known faces was Bryan Adams, who was competing for the Bryan Adams Foundation, a charity he set up in 2006 to improve the quality of people’s lives around the world. Also in the race were Zara Phillips – daughter of Princess Anne, Princess Royal – as well as rugby stars Mike Tindall and Will Greenwood, and James and Oliver Phelps, aka the Weasley Twins from the Harry Potter films.

Unfortunately, lack of wind meant the race was abandoned after 7 hours, with final placings seeing Bryan Adams’ boat ranked third.

“It was a brilliant day sailing on Artemis,” said Adams. “The sun was out, we had some wind for a bit and we sailed a great race. We were even leading when the race was abandoned so I am claiming it as a moral victory.”

The race winner was declared as BT, with the £10,000 prize money going to the Ellen MacArthur Trust, a charity that inspires young people’s cancer recovery through sailing. To find out more about the charity, click here .

Bryan Adams Foundation Holds An Evening Of Opera

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:30:00 -0000

The Bryan Adams Foundation held its inaugural fundraising event, An Evening of Opera and Picnic, last month on the lawns of The Royal Hospital, Chelsea in London.

The Foundation was set up by Bryan Adams to improve the quality of people’s lives around the world, and aims to achieve this by providing financial help and support to those people who are committed to bettering the lives of other people, by providing grants to finance specific projects.

A 4 course picnic, donated by Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsay and eaten on rugs to the accompaniment of music by The Pavao Quartet, was followed by a performance of Opera in the hospital’s chapel sung by the Jette Parker Young Artists from the Royal Opera House, who sung pieces by Puccini, Bizet, Mozart, Verdi and others. Critically acclaimed UK violinist, Charlie Siem, also performed on the evening during the second half.

Adams performed as well, opening the concert singing a duet with the soprano Anita Watson: ‘Love Unspoken’ by Lehar. The evening concluded with a performance of ‘All for Love’ by the entire cast.

The funds raised from the event will support two projects. The Chelsea Pensioners’ Appeal, which is raising funds to modernize parts of The Royal Hospital – a home for around 300 veteran soldiers – and Switchback, which helps young offenders rebuild their lives when they come out of prison.

The evening was sponsored by Phonak, a leading and innovative hearing solutions provider, who are committed to supporting events that celebrate music and help emphasise the importance of good hearing.

The Bryan Adams Foundation was established in 2006, and has given grants to IIMPACT – an organization whose aim is to educate more girls in India – as well as to Brad Pitt’s Make It Right, Build It International, Nordoff-Robbins, the Gaza Emergency Appeal, the Breast Cancer Haven in London and many more.

Presently all fundraising is done through Bryan Adams’ photography and with private donations associated with photography. For more information, click here.

Bryan Adams To Sail For Charity

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bryan Adams is to compete in a major yacht race in England for charity.

The singer will join up with a professional crew in this year’s Artemis Challenge at Cowes Week. The race will see yachts in a 50 mile high speed sprint around the Isle of Wight, with the winning skipper taking away £10,000 for their chosen charity.

Adams will race on “Artemis The Profit Hunter”, skippered by Simon Clay. If they win, the money will go to the Bryan Adams Foundation, a charity set up by Adams in 2006 to improve the quality of people’s lives around the world. The Foundation aims to achieve this by providing financial help and support to those people who are committed to bettering the lives of other people, by providing grants to finance specific projects.

The Foundation seeks to protect the most vulnerable or disadvantaged individuals in society. It aims particularly to advance education and learning opportunities for children and young people worldwide, believing that an education is the best gift that a child can be given. The Foundation’s area of support is broad and far-reaching, enabling grants to be given for projects supporting the elderly, victims of war and natural disasters, and those suffering from mental or physical illness.

For more information on the race, click here.

British Stars Sing For Palestinian Refugee Children

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Dozens of British celebrities were out in force at the Cafe de Paris in London last night for the annual Hoping’s Got Talent charity karaoke event.

Judged by Kate Moss and X Factor’s Louis Walsh, the event raised money for the Hoping Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to showing Palestinian refugee children that their struggle to transform their lives is encouraged and supported by people in Britain and throughout the rest of the world.

The evening attracted a plethora of British entertainers, including Lily Allen, Guy Ritchie, David Walliams, Jeremy Clarkson, Sienna Miller, Jemima Khan, Will Young, Tracey Emin, Shane MacGowan and socialite Kimberly Stewart. Lost’s Matthew Fox also made an appearance.

Last year’s event raised £319,000 for the charity, and featured Gwyneth Paltrow singing “Killing Me Softly”. 2007’s event featured Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and Bryan Adams.

The Hoping Foundation provides grants to community projects working with children in Palestinian refugee camps

Sheryl Crow And Sting Perform One Night Live

Mon, 25 May 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singers Sheryl Crow and Sting performed last Thursday in Toronto at the One Night Live benefit to support a new health program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Sunnybrook is a world leader in perinatal and gynaecological research and care, particularly in high risk pregnancies, and houses a multiple birth clinic that specializes in caring for women carrying more than one baby at a time. Their state-of-the-art, 150,000-square-foot centre for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program is still being expanded in order to accommodate hundreds more babies each year.

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Sting explained why he decided to perform in the fundraiser: “I did it because Sheryl was doing it.” Crow added, “And I did it because Sting was doing it.”

As parents, Crow and Sting both see the value in the Sunnybrook unit and were happy to participate in the concert. Crow said, “My son is the most important person in [my life]. I love it when there’s a charitable component. .. And to be part of something that is doing good work.”

Last year’s performers – Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the centre. The new complex is due to be completed mid-2010.

Bryan Adams Plays Prince's Trust Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bryan Adams has played at an auction gala event that raised over £1 million (US$1 million) for the Prince’s Trust.

The Prince’s Trust Invest in Futures Gala Dinner and Charity Auction was hosted by Ben Elton at Old Billingsgate, east London, over the weekend, and featured lots such as tea at The Ritz with Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, a flight with The Red Arrows, artworks by Prince Charles, a chance to meet Donatella Versace at Milan Fashion Week, and the opportunity to meet Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole during an X Factor taping.

“It is an honor for me to perform at such an incredible event which raises a huge amount of money for The Prince’s Trust,” said Bryan Adams. “Support from the financial community is more important now than ever and The Prince’s Trust is giving young people the skills and confidence to get into work in this increasingly uncertain global climate.”

Annie Lennox Hosts Amnesty Arts Fund Launch

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Singer Annie Lennox hosted the launch of the Amnesty Arts Fund at The Twentieth Century Theatre in London last night, September 25.

The Amnesty Arts Fund brings together people who believe passionately in freedom of expression and projects which have the potential to reach new audiences and inspire creative activism around the world. Amnesty International has a long and proud tradition of working with creative industries and individuals to raise awareness for human rights issues across the globe. This work has inspired change, action and momentum throughout the audiences which have been reached. The launch event celebrated past, current and future creative projects and creative activism.

“Arts and artists have the unique power to bring people together and inspire positive action,” said Lennox. “The Amnesty Arts Fund recognizes that power and uses it to call for change.”

The Amnesty Arts Fund will provide essential resources and funding to creative projects across the arts including film, photography, music, fashion, art, comedy, theatre and literature. It will also support creative projects and individuals to ensure that the human stories behind the statistics and reports of global human rights violations are understood and brought further into the public consciousness. Founding members include Elton John and Nicolas Cage.

Lennox’s attendance at the launch follows her appearance at the World Peace Day concert at the Royal Albert Hall on September 21. The concert – which also featured Bryan Adams, John Legend, and Peter Gabriel – was a resounding success, and raised awareness for the annual Peace One Day campaign founded by Jeremy Gilley.

To view a video of the Peace Day Concert, visit the iConcerts website, or to hear Annie Lennox talk about the Amnesty Arts Fund, click here.

Dave Dobbyn Promotes Hearing Awareness In Fiji

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You may have heard of Heal The World – well, now some of the world’s greatest musicians are taking part in a campaign to raise awareness of hearing loss called Hear The World.

Hear the World is an initiative by Phonak – a leading manufacturer of hearing aids – that aims to raise awareness of the topic of hearing and hearing loss and to promote good hearing all over the world, and musician Dave Dobbyn spent the weekend in Fiji doing exactly that.

“I see other people who support ‘Hear the World’ like Harry Belafonte, Annie Lennox, Placido Domingo,” said 51-year-old Dobbyn, whose new album, Anotherland, has just been released. “I’m in great company when we’re all thinking about our ears and our health. Your ears get fatigued like every organ in your body so to treat them with respect and keep the volume down.”

One in five children in Fiji are profoundly deaf, and there is no audiology service in the South Pacific nation – children with hearing loss are often not diagnosed until they reach school.

“A child needs to be able to hear sounds in the environment to hear speech and language in order to produce speech and to develop language,” said Logan McMeekin, a Phonak Audiologist who is fitting hearing aids – free-of-charge – to children affected by hearing loss in Fiji. “Our goal isn’t to restore normal hearing we try and give them cues for awareness of their environment so they’re able to be safe in their environment.”

Dave Dobbyn – who has had 10 songs in New Zealand’s Top 100 Songs of All Time, including Loyal and Slice of Heaven – joins a long list of celebrities who support the Hear The World campaign. Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox, Bobby McFerrin, Michael Buble, Common, Dave Stewart, Dionne Warwick, Franka Potente, Josh Groban, Jerry Hall, Harry Belafonte, Joss Stone, Chad Kroeger, Diane Kruger, Lindsay Lohan, Moby, Placido Domingo, Kelly Osbourne, Eric Roberts, and Rod Stewart are all ambassadors for the initiative, whose goal is to educate the general public about the importance of hearing, the social and emotional impacts and the benefits of available solutions for those with hearing loss. Rocker Bryan Adams is the official photographer for the campaign, and his photos of the ambassadors can be seen on the campaign’s website.

Dave Dobbyn’s message is simple – don’t take it for granted because the ability to hear is a gift. To see a video of him performing for Fijian schoolchildren, click here. To learn more about Hear The World, visit www.hear-the-world.com.

Jude Law's Peace Tour

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Jude Law returned to Afghanistan earlier this week for a two-day mission in support of Peace One Day and UNICEF.

Film director and Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley was also on-hand, encouraging people to once again observe Peace Day on September 21st as part of Peace One Day’s global campaign for ceasefires and non-violence.

While in Kabul, the pair screened a new documentary, The Day After Peace, about how ordinary people in Afghanistan are working towards an end to the conflict.

The documentary shows the events that took place in Afghanistan in September of 2007, and highlights the support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The two groups have immunized 1.4 million children against polio, with last September seeing more than 10,000 vaccinators visiting insecure areas of the country as part of a ‘National Immunization Days’ polio immunization campaign.

“This is about saving lives despite anyone’s political beliefs. We hope to see the same commitments that we saw last year from all parties to the conflict. Our goal is to reach every child in Afghanistan,” said said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Catherine Mbengue.

Peace One Day supporters will celebrate 21 September with a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London featuring Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams and John Legend. Law is also scheduled to attend as one of the special guests. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Peace One Day website.

Said Law: “The message is simple. What will you do to make peace on 21 September?”

Bryan Adams To Play Charity Concert

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:31:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rocker Bryan Adams will play a special concert straight from the heart next week to benefit breast cancer research.

The 48-year-old will make a night to remember at Bethany Community Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, on September 3 for what promises to be an intimate solo acoustic performance. Only 1,000 tickets are available to the gig, and proceeds will help buy a new $800,000 digital mammography unit for the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation.

It is the second time the star has given fans a slice of heaven in the city – he performed to 3,000 fans in 1998 with Linda Evangelista and raised $250,000 for breast screening equipment. The proceeds from that show funded Niagara’s first breast screening centre, which was eventually named the Evangelista/Adams Centre.

Adams has devoted concerts and his photography to breast cancer fundraising for more than a decade, and is proud about the work the Centre carries out.

“It’s really something that should be all over the country,” he said. “Perhaps that is a greater goal to be considered.”

The Centre is equally excited about the equipment the upcoming concert will provide: “It will enable us to see more patients, in a much more efficient manner,” said Sandra Wilkes, executive director of the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation. “This sort of equipment is vitally important for the early detection of breast cancer.”

Tickets to the show cost $150, and are available at www.scghfoundation.com.

New York City To Host Peace Day Concert

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New York City has been named the latest venue of a Peace Day Concert, and will rock the Nokia Theatre 12 days before London’s extravaganza.

Grammy-award winning singers Annie Lennox and Bryan Adams will perform acoustic sets alongside international sensation Natasha Bedingfield during the September 9 concert. The evening will also feature video messages of peace from celebrities and artists including Jude Law and Lenny Kravitz, speeches from international luminaries, and clips from the acclaimed documentary, The Day After Peace, will add to a remarkable night of entertainment.

“What I love about Jeremy Gilley and the Peace One Day campaign, is that the whole thing was started by just one individual who is trying to make difference, despite the odds,” said Annie Lennox, who also took part in last year’s concert in London. "We all have so much potential, but we don’t tend to realize it, so we take it for granted. The work of Peace One Day encourages and inspires people to think about we can all do, both at individual and “collective” levels. There are better and alternative means to conflict resolution than “killing and maiming the enemy”. Political leaders and power brokers have too much invested in the industry of war, rather than implementing peaceful solutions. What is life without peace? Peace is for the highest good, and as a global community it is one of the things we need to value above everything."

Proceeds from the concert, which will also be televised, will assist the organization’s ongoing mission to raise awareness of Peace Day. As a direct result of Peace One Day’s campaigning in 2007, 1.4 million Afghanistan children were vaccinated against polio, and 100 million people in 200 countries were engaged in Peace Day activities.

Tickets to both the NYC and London Peace Day Concerts are available through www.ticketmaster.com.

Peace Day Concert 2008 To Rock London

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

After last year’s sell out show, the annual Peace One Day concert is set to rock the Royal Albert Hall in London.

World Peace Day has been held on September 21 annually since 2001, when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted September 21 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The initiative came from an idea by Jeremy Gilley, who founded his non-profit organization – Peace One Day – in 1999. Since then he has amassed an impressive list of supporters, including Chris Martin, Sir Richard Branson, Angelina Jolie, Alan Rickman, and Michael Douglas.

This year’s concert will see performances from Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, and a guest appearance from Jude Law. There will also be a gala screening of The Day After Peace, the acclaimed new documentary film made by Jeremy Gilley. The film, which received a great reception at its premiere during the 61st Cannes Film Festival, features Kofi Annan, The Dalai Lama, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Annie Lennox and Jonny Lee Miller.

The 2007 concert featured acts such as Corinne Bailey Rae, Kate Nash, James Morrison, and Yusuf, with video segments from David Beckham and the Dalai Lama.

Tickets to the 2008 Peace Day Concert can be bought from Ticketmaster, and cost between £35 and £55.

Leona Lewis Promotes Sun Safety For Summer

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Leona Lewis has designed a special headscarf to raise funds for a major charity’s new education campaign.

The 23-year-old was made an Ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Sunburn campaign – a program to encourage young people to use sunscreen when out in the sun – in May, and has designed an exclusive limited-edition headscarf decorated with butterflies to celebrate her involvement.

The scarves will be available exclusively from British chain “Superdrug”, and cost £2.99 ($6US). They officially go on sale on July 2, but can be pre-ordered from the Superdrug website from today.

Lewis was also recently named – along with Red Hot Chili Peppers singer, Anthony Kiedis – the “Sexiest Vegetarian of 2008” by PETA. The pair beat opposition from Pink, Natalie Imbruglia, Bryan Adams, and others for the honor. She is also due to play at Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert in London this Friday.

Stars Perform One Night Live For Hospital

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:31:03 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Singers Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Bryan Adams, Jann Arden, and RyanDan played a One Night Live concert last month in Toronto which – along with a private $8 million donation from Aubrey and Marla Dan – raised $12 million for the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, a world leading hospital in perinatology and gynecology.

“Aubrey and I… wanted to give back to the hospital to help provide the leading-edge facilities that mothers and their babies deserve,” said Maria Dan. “Our miracle baby [delivered at Sunnybrook] is now a 15-year-old teenager.”

Sarah McLachlan also remembers the 21 hours of hard back labor with her first child and caesarean section with her second, “I understand the need to have a really good facility, in particular for high-risk babies, and just to give mothers and babies every opportunity to get the best foot forward. I think this is a really good unit that they’re building.”

The generous gift and concert proceeds will be put towards the construction of a new state-of-the-art, 150,000 square foot home for the High Risk Mothers & Babies Program at Sunnybrook. The current facility is in serious need of space in which to conduct its life-saving work for the 4000 babies born there each year. The new complex, due to be completed mid-2010, will increase that number to 4,500.

“Donors like the Dans, and everyone attending One Night Live, enable us to help families at this most important time — childbirth,” said Dr. Jennifer Blake, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sunnybrook. “We will be there for families with happy, uncomplicated pregnancies, but thanks to this wonderful generosity, we will also be able to give the best start possible to those moms and babies who most need the expert care for which our program is known.”

“The success of this event brings us even closer to our $300 million Campaign for Sunnybrook goal,” said Jennifer Tory, Chair of the Sunnybrook Foundation. “This has exceeded all our expectations.”

Elton John Crowned Karaoke King

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 08:09:59 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sir Elton John has given hope to aspiring singers everywhere by being crowned Karaoke King in a recent charity auction.

The event, held at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London on June 21, raised funds for the Hoping Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists children in Palestinian refugee camps. Bidders at the auction were able to “buy” their favourite singer to perform a song of their choice, or in some cases to perform a duet with them.

Sir Elton gave his rendition of the Elvis Presley tune “Are You Lonesome Tonight” in front of an audience that included Kate Moss and Elle Macpherson. His talents were bought by Elizabeth Hurley for $200,000 as a birthday gift to herself.

Other popular choices included Australian-born singer Nick Cave, well known for his dark songs, who raised $150,000 by singing Destiny Child’s “Bootylicious”, and Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, who performed Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire” for $60,000. Bryan Adams shook the building to its foundations with his version of “Rocking All Over The World”, and James Blunt serenaded the audience with his gentle tones on “Summertime”.

A total of $700,000 was raised during the evening, much of which will go towards providing university scholarships in Lebanon, as well as emergency relief for Palestinian families forced to flee their camps at Nahr Al-Bared during recent fighting.

Look To The Stars News: Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams To Play Charity Concert On Friday

Related past articles

World March For Peace Starts In New Zealand

Related past articles

Love Our Children USA Launches Blue Shirt Day To Stomp Out Bullying

Related past articles

Prince Charles Thanks Celebrities For Charity Support

Related past articles

Roving Billboards Marked Hiroshima Day

Related past articles

Lenny Kravitz To Headline Peace Day Concert

Related past articles

Bryan Adams Comes In Third In Charity Race

Related past articles

Bryan Adams Foundation Holds An Evening Of Opera

Related past articles

Bryan Adams To Sail For Charity

Related past articles

British Stars Sing For Palestinian Refugee Children

Related past articles

Sheryl Crow And Sting Perform One Night Live

Related past articles

Bryan Adams Plays Prince's Trust Gig

Related past articles

Annie Lennox Hosts Amnesty Arts Fund Launch

Related past articles

Dave Dobbyn Promotes Hearing Awareness In Fiji

Related past articles

Jude Law's Peace Tour

Related past articles

Bryan Adams To Play Charity Concert

Related past articles

New York City To Host Peace Day Concert

Related past articles

Peace Day Concert 2008 To Rock London

Related past articles

Leona Lewis Promotes Sun Safety For Summer

Related past articles

Stars Perform One Night Live For Hospital

Related past articles

Elton John Crowned Karaoke King

Related past articles