Look To The Stars News: Snoop Dogg

American Idol Gives Back $67 Million

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:30:00 -0000

David Beckham, Bono, Annie Lennox and Carrie Underwood have all accepted cheques from April’s Idol Gives Back event on behalf of the charities they support.

The show raised over US$67 million for charities such as the Global Fund, Malaria No More, the Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

“I saw first hand with my visit to Sierra Leone with UNICEF last year how devastating malaria can be to a country,“ said Beckham, who was presented with US$12 million by Idol winner David Cook on behalf of Malaria No More. “This money will help buy millions of bed nets and also protect many people, particularly the young children who are most vulnerable.”

Annie Lennox was also delighted to receive $500,000 for the Treatment Action Campaign.

“This is just to express my gratitude to everyone on Idol Gives Back, for putting together a show with a difference, and for inviting me to be part of it,“ she said in a statement. “Because of this event, and the generosity of the viewers, who donated so kindly, I have been able to hand over a cheque for the amazing sum of $500,000 to Treatment Action Campaign, in South Africa. I can assure everyone that every single dollar contributed will go to excellent use, in the work to educate, assist and support people living on the frontline of the HIV/Aids pandemic, many of whom are women and children. Thank you so much.“

Bono received US$10 million on behalf of the Global Fund For AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“The Global Fund will keep thousands of people safe from HIV/AIDS because American Idol has donated $10 million,” said the U2 frontman. “That’s YOU people, who sent in your hard earned cash.”

The Idol Gives Back show featured appearances and performances by Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Miley Ray Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Sheila E., Fergie, Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, and Reese Witherspoon, and pre-taped messages from David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama. Britney Spears, who couldn’t be at the event, donate $25,000 to the cause.

Whatever It Takes For Christmas

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

{Whatever It Takes} – the charity that offers artworks and clothing designed by celebrities – have some great gift ideas for the coming holiday season.

The charity – which raises money for all sorts of charities, such as Adopt-A-Minefield, Anti-Slavery International, Breast Cancer Campaign, CARE, Children of the Andes, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Christian Children’s Fund, City at Peace, Comic Relief, Dreams Can Be Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Greenpeace and many more – is offering T-shirts designed by the Kaiser Chiefs and Bloc Party; rings designed by Robbie Williams, Ozzy Osbourne and Snoop Dogg mouse pads from George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, and Coldplay bed linen from Joss Stone and a huge selection of plates and mugs designed by Bob Geldof, Paul McCartney, Ewan McGregor and many others.

To get your hands on one of these unique items – which would make the perfect gift – or to see the entire range, visit the Whatever It Takes website.

5 Friends Voting Video Makes A Comeback

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hollywood is a land of sequels – and so be prepared for another one. Hot on the heals of last month’s 5 Friends video organized by Declare Yourself comes 5 Friends 2.

With only days until the US elections, a new video has been produced to encourage people to get out and vote, with stars such as Orlando Bloom, Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Snoop Dogg, Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Ben Stiller, Will Smith, Steven Spielberg, Justin Timberlake, Zach Braff, Colin Farrell, Neil Patrick Harris, Scarlett Johansson, Shia LeBeouf, Tobey Maguire, Ryan Reynolds, and Jason Segal making an appearance.

Along with a selection of people off the street, the stars say exactly why they are voting.

Even Sacha Baron Cohen makes an appearance as Borat.

“What you do inside a voting booth is a secret,” he says as only Borat can. “Nice…!”

And they are not the only ones encouraging people to vote. Zac Efron, Monique Coleman, and the rest of the cast of High School Musical 3 have lent their voices to the Declare Yourself organization with a series of voting videos.

All the videos can be found on the Declare Yourself website. But hurry, you’ve only got until November 4 to make yourself heard and be counted.

Bid For Yoga With Russell Simmons

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One lucky bidder will have the chance to stretch their limbs with Russell Simmons at a private yoga lesson in a new charity auction the hip hop mogul has launched on eBay.

The 50-year-old has launched the auction to raise money for the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a charity he established to provide arts and education programming to New York City youth. Over 75 items have been donated to the auction by a variety of celebrities, all of whom want to reach out to urban youth and offer personal testimony to the transformative power of creative expression.

As well as the yoga opportunity, items up for auction include a one week internship with Simmons at his executive office, a personalized George Clooney cell phone, the chance to meet Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, and Dionne Warwick, the opportunity to attend a baseball game with Petra Nemcova, and a personal rendition of Happy Birthday from John Legend.

The auction runs until July 24, and can be accessed through Charity Buzz.

Cindy Crawford And Spike Lee Honored

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 08:19:07 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A model and a director were honored at two different charity events for their humanitarian work this week.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford was the honoree of the 10th annual Rick Weiss Humanitarian Awards in Palm Springs, California, earlier this week – an event that raised money for local charities such as Project New Hope, The Desert AIDS Project, the AIDS Assistance Program, the American Heart Association, Guides Dogs of the Desert, and the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

Crawford was presented with the award by Daisy Fuentes, and spoke of her brother’s death from leukemia at the age of four and her mother’s efforts to raise funds for research into the disease.

“It inspired me by showing me that everyone can do something and make a difference,” said the 42-year-old.

Over in Los Angeles, film director Spike Lee was the recipient of the sixth annual Behind The Lens Award, and spoke on the involvement of African-Americans in the film industry – both behind-the-scenes and in front of the cameras.

The evening included appearances by Laurence Fishburne, Bill Duke, Damon Wayans, and Snoop Dogg, and celebrated the outstanding achievements of African-Americans in film.

“We’ve got a long way to go to catch up to where we are in sports and music,” said the 51-year-old director of Do The Right Thing and Malcom X.

The event was organized by the Chrysler Foundation, who also donated $25,000 to Lee’s old college in Atlanta – Morehouse College – in recognition of his work. The money will go towards a program to expand the college’s School of Sports Journalism for African-Americans.

“Spike Lee epitomizes the ideal of the Behind the Lens Award,” said Frank Fountain, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Public Policy at Chrysler. “His thoughtful films and activism in Hollywood have inspired a generation of filmmakers, encouraged actors, challenged basic assumptions and expanded the field to include many more African-Americans in key roles behind the lens. We are thrilled to have him as the awards latest honoree and to celebrate his commitment and passion.”

Idol Gives Back On Wednesday

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:11:53 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It will be raining philanthropic celebrities on Wednesday night when American Idol Gives Back airs on the Fox Network. The “star clouds” are set to burst with a gala of music, fun, appearances, and surprises – all in the name of charity.

Idol host Ryan Seacrest will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which was taped in front of a lively audience at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and producers expect this year’s event to raise over $100 million for charity.

“Tonight isn’t just about raising money,” said Brad Pitt, one of the many guests to attend the gala. “Sometimes, to help people, we’ve got to travel outside of our comfort zone to really understand another situation.”

Pitt’s Make It Right campaign, which he launched to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, is one of many good causes to benefit from the event, which last year netted over $76 million for charity. Other organizations to benefit this year include the Global Fund, Malaria No More, the Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, and the Children’s Defense Fund.

“It’s not about self-promoting,” said former Idol winner Carrie Underwood, who will perform on the show. “It’s not about singing your latest single. It’s not about trying to be the most downloaded whatever on iTunes. It’s all about getting people to call in and do something.”

Viewers of the show on Wednesday can expect performances by Snoop Dogg, John Legend, Miley Ray Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, and Sheila E., as well as a surprise duet between Fergie and Heart. The show will also be sprinkled with appearances from Billy Crystal, Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, and Reese Witherspoon, and pre-taped messages from David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama will also be shown.

Stars Get Behind A Big Problem

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:10:29 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Lolita is a 42-year-old living in Miami. Originally from Puget Sound near Washington, Lolita was forcibly taken from her home in 1970 – when she was only six years old – and forced to perform for people who would pay money to watch her. Thirty-seven years later, Lolita is still living in cramped conditions.

Lolita is 22 feet long and weighs 7,500 pounds. She loves being wet, but lives in a tank only 80 feet wide and 20 feet deep at the Miami Seaquarium… a far cry from the wide-open spaces of her home.

Lolita is an Orca – also known as a killer whale – and the campaign to send her home has just hit an all time high, with a long list of celebrity supporters adding their names to a proposal to retire the aging mammal to her home.

The Orca Network is behind the campaign, with organization co-founder and president Howard Garrett recently announcing the support of actors Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford and rap stars 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.

“Momentum is building,” said Garrett. “A publicity campaign is in the works being directed by people in Hollywood.”

The Orca Network is also currently organizing a benefit concert to raise money for the campaign, perhaps featuring other celebrity supporters such as Janet Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, and Placido Domingo.

“Lolita is a very special orca,” said Garrett. “Her survival is beyond all expectations. Of the 45 of Lolita’s extended family, the Southern Resident orcas, captured and delivered to parks around the world between 1965 and 1975, all the others were dead by 1987. She is known to be courageous, yet so very gentle. She has endured 37 years of confinement while performing two shows per day, without the company of any other orca since 1980. She deserves a chance to retire to her home waters and visit with her family once again.“

Other celebrities to add their names in support of the “Free Lolita” campaign include Robert Downey Jr, Bob Barker, Hayden Panettiere, Billy Zane, and Jean Claude Van Damme.

People wishing to support the campaign or learn more can visit the Orca Network website.

American Idol Announces Second Annual Charity Show

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:37:27 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

American Idol fans and readers of Look To The Stars should mark April 9 in their diaries, as that is the date set for the second annual “Idol Gives Back” charity show.

The Fox Network announced the date yesterday, and the guest lineup already includes Bono, Brad Pitt, Miley Ray Cyrus, Fergie, Carrie Underwood, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Reese Witherspoon, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Daughtry, with more names to be added in the next few weeks.

Last year’s show, emceed by Ellen DeGeneres, raised a phenomenal $76 million to benefit underprivileged children in America and overseas.

American Idol is fast becoming a vehicle for good deeds. In 2007, former Idol winner Carrie Underwood visited children in Johannesburg, Clay Aiken took a trip to Mexico with UNICEF, and Idol judge Randy Jackson toured New Orleans and the region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Jackson worked with programs backed by Save the Children, and because of that trip has been named the organization’s first U.S. programs ambassador.

Mark Shriver, managing director of US programs for Save the Children, said “Idol Gives Back” is crucial for raising awareness about children in poverty and quickly provides money to programs that help.

“American Idol is fantastic for raising the visibility of poverty in the U.S.,” he said.

Shakira Sheds Threads For Charity

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:11:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Although the Northern Hemisphere is still gripped with winter chills, it has not stopped some celebrities from shedding their clothes… for a good cause, of course.

Latin American pop princess Shakira leads the pack by donating more than 40 items of clothing from her 2007 Oral Fixation Tour to a massive internet auction.

There is an impressive list of garments from the hip-shaking performer’s wardrobe, including a lavender skirt with turqoise and coral beading and a blue tank top emblazoned with the words “For Those Who Love To Rock”. And the demand has been overwhelming, with one dress attracting bids of $10,000, and a custom-made bra reaching $1,126.

“We have bids from all over the world,” said Eric Ganzin, president of Auction Cause. “It’s very exciting.”

Proceeds from the auction will go to the singer’s Pies Descalzos Foundation, and the money will be used for the construction of a school for impoverished children in North Colombia.

But bidders had better be quick – the eBay auction ends in just a few hours.

Former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has pushed the envelope a little further by allowing naked photos of herself to be auctioned on eBay.

But before you get too excited, they are not all that they appear: the 30-year-old actress originally posed for the photos in a little black dress that was later removed digitally.

The proceeds from the photos will go to the Coalition of Skin Diseases.

And even Donald Trump is getting in on the act… although thankfully he is keeping his clothes on.

A tie signed by Trump is currently up for auction on eBay, with proceeds going to the Spirit Fund, a fund established by radio station Warm 101.3 to help children in the Rochester area.

The story behind the tie is twisty and, you could say, knotty: When a Kodak executive arrived on set for a recent taping of The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump objected to his tie. He ordered the executive to replace it with one belonging to one of the security guards.

There are only a few hours left in the auction, and bids have already reached $759.

But the biggest celebrity auction on the Net right now is the 50th Grammy Awards Charity Auction on eBay. Over 100 items from some of music’s hottest stars is up for grabs, with all proceeds going to MusiCares.

The auction, which runs until February 21, features exciting and priceless items such as the chance to visit the set of LL Cool J’s next video, a guitar lesson with Joe Satriani, VIP tickets to concerts by Linkin Park, John Legend, and Rihanna, guitars signed by Richie Sambora, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Neil Diamond, a microphone signed by Joss Stone, posters and photos signed by Rod Stewart ($167), John Mayer ($170), and Sting ($482), as well as items from Avril Lavigne, Slash, Reba McEntire, Quincy Jones, Beyoncé Knowles, and Snoop Dogg.

The internet auction follows a live auction held on February 8 at Aretha Franklin’s MusiCare’s Person Of The Year Award ceremony. Items that were up for sale on that night included a private painting lesson with Tony Bennett, a saxophone signed by Bill Clinton, sheet music to Stairway To Heaven signed by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, as well as clothing and instruments donated by Elton John, Slash, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.

MusiCares is the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, the group that gives out the Grammys, and focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

Black Eyed Peas Rock The Peapod Party

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:10:28 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

The Black Eyed Peas held their fourth annual charity concert at the Avalon in Hollywood last week, with a plethora of celebrity friends turning up to raise money for charity.

And even before the concert started, front woman Fergie was eager to spread the love.

“Travelling around the world and seeing disease and poverty, for me it’s about giving back,” she said.

The Peas’ concert was to benefit their Peapod Foundation, which provides aid to underprivileged children while also introducing them to new musical and technological programs.

“We’ve been doing this since 1999, and it started with a toy drive for kids in Pasadena,” said B.E.P member Taboo. “But now we have all these artists coming to support us, and it’s good because we give back to the community and now to all different countries.”

Supporting the not-to-be-missed concert, and picking up the microphone at times, were The Roots, Natasha Bedingfield, M.C. Hammer, Snoop Dogg, Slash, and Ludacris. During the show, Snoop attempted to get Hammer to bust a move, and later, Fergie was joined by Slash during her solo set – for which she received a standing ovation from the audience.

“My kids love Slash, they be playing ‘Guitar Hero’,” Snoop said.

Earlier this year, the Peas kicked it up a notch when they opened the Peapod Music and Arts Academy at the Watts/Willowbrook Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles. In an interview with The Associated Press, Peas frontman will.i.am said one of the organization’s main goals is to teach children how to become music moguls.

“I would like to have these workshops all around the world, these music schools, that teach people technology, so that way they can bring back money into communities,” he said. “We gave them green-screens, ProTools equipment, high-definition digital cameras – everything they’d need to make music and cut films. Peapod gives them the same tools we have and a platform to showcase it.”

Even though the Watts center is a pilot program, that isn’t going to stop the Peas.

“We’re going to East Los Angeles next, and hopefully all over the country,” said will.i.am. “Afterwards, we hope to hit South Africa, the Philippines, Brazil and others. We want to continue to build these hubs all over the world to give inner-city kids tools to do these things.”

Celebrity Auctions For Christmas

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:34:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

As the clock counts down to Christmas, celebrities have been keeping busy and warm by signing as many different items as humanly possible and donating them to a plethora of auctions. The holiday season may be at fever pitch now, but there is certainly a wide range of gift ideas to ease the stress of last minute shopping.

The VH1 Holiday Auction is currently being held at www.vh1auctions.com, and includes a long list of memorabilia from the music industry. All proceeds from the auction will go to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, an initiative dedicated to restoring music programs in schools across the US.

Items up for grabs include a harmonica signed by Alice Cooper (which has already attracted bids of $250), signed photos of Aerosmith and Chris Cornell ($300), and a guitar personally autographed by Ryan Adams ($1500). Signed clothing is also big on the agenda, with a jacket from Snoop Dogg, a vest from Iggy Pop, and sneakers from Amy Winehouse.

Signed guitars are also available as part of the Private Sessions Charity Auction, with all proceeds to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. Avril Lavigne, the Goo Goo Dolls, Meat Loaf, the Barenaked Ladies, and Toby Keith are among the stars to sign both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar for the auction, which also includes movie clapper boards autographed by Queen Latifah, Michael Douglas, and Anthony Hopkins.

But if these items whet your appetite, you have to be quick. The auction ends on December 12.

For those people celebrating Christmas in Australia this year, the Starlight Children’s Foundation Australia is auctioning Christmas decorations signed by various celebrities. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, The Rock, Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, and rugby league stars Matthew Johns and Benji Marshall have all put their names on baubles to raise money for sick children in the country.

An auction is also being held by Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund, to raise money for education programs in African countries where diamonds are a natural resource. A variety of fine diamond pieces are up for sale at www.ebay.com/diamondsgive, including an exquisite diamond-encrusted Ohm watch from the Simmons Jewelry Company. The opportunity to take part in exclusive photo shoots with celebrities such as Petra Nemcova, Naomi Campbell, LL Cool J, and Cedric The Entertainer are also up for grabs in the auction.

Actress and environmental activist Daryl Hannah is also doing her bit to ease the shopping blues this year, and has launched a brand new online store. www.dhlovelife.com offers goods picked with serious consideration of their environmental, social, and animal welfare impact. And if special holiday items such as an organic peace wreath and 100% recycled cards do not excite you, the store also offers compost buckets, surfboards and guitars made from hemp, bamboo snowboards, organic dog treats, and even a solar powered boat. The actress will also sell her personal bio diesel car and home fueling system on the site on December 20.

And finally a little news from the recent Lightspeed Fine Art Celebrity Charity Auction, held in Lake Forest, California, on the weekend of December 1 and 2. Lightspeed specializes in artworks relating to science fiction, and their eighth annual auction attracted guests from shows such as Stargate, Voyager, and Battlestar Galactica.

A surprise guest at the auction was Leonard Nimoy, better known as Mr Spock from Star Trek. Nimoy, who is reputed to have a huge personal collection of Star Trek memorabilia, donated several items to the auction signed by himself and William Shatner, including a plaque awarded from NASA for “inspiring a generation of scientists and explorers”.

Nimoy’s contributions made over $14,000 of the total $40,000 raised during the auction, with proceeds going to the American Cancer Society and the Nimoy Foundation, an initiative that gives grants to artists-in-residence programs in museums and galleries around the US.

In the words of Mr Spock – “live long and prosper”.

Celebrities Lend Their Hands To Charity

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:58:29 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Over 40 celebrities from around the world are featured in a special new book to be released in time for Christmas.

“Celebrity Handprints”, set to be published on December 1, is the culmination of two years work for author James Preston. Since November 2005, Preston has scoured the globe in search of famous names who were willing to dip their hands in ink and leave a lasting mark on paper. And his peculiar pursuit opened doors to some of entertainment’s biggest stars, including Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Matt Damon, and Keira Knightley.

Over the course of his travels, Preston collected more than 100 handprints and accompanying photos of some of the brightest stars in film, television, music and sports, 42 of which are to be included in the new book. All of the proceeds from the publication will go to benefit two British children’s charities – Children in Need and the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Also available is a series of limited edition prints of the handprints, suitable for framing. The cost for each print, which also includes a photograph of the star involved, is $100. 30% of the total will go to both charities.

Other stars involved in the project include David Beckham, Robbie Williams, Will Smith, Joss Stone, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Tom Jones, Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne, Snoop Dogg, Samuel L. Jackson, Wyclef Jean, the Kaiser Chiefs, the Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, Star Wars creator George Lucas, and many more.

The book will be available for $40 from bookstores and Amazon, and both the book and the prints will be able to be purchased from www.celebrityhandprints.org.

Red Versus Blue

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:24:56 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Mission Australia and Make-A-Wish Australia are two charities reaping the benefits of the Microsoft sponsored ‘Red V Blue’ Charity campaign. Microsoft enlisted the help of some top-notch celebrities such as Snoop Dogg and Kanye West to sign one-of-a-kind airbrushed Xbox 360s before putting them up for bids on eBay to raise money for the two charities.

Only 30 exclusive Red v Blue Xbox 360’s are being offered during the course of the four-week auction. Each console is hand painted with the artists face on one side, and their signature on the other. Raising money for Mission Australia, team Red members include Snoop Dogg, Neyo, Ice Cube, Justin Timberlake, Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna and Kanye West. On the other side and raising money for Make-A-Wish Australia, are team Blue members: Lupe Fiasco, Evermore, Linkin Park, Talib Kweli, Paramore and Eskimo Joe. Bidding is currently open on Ebay, and so far, team Red has raised over AU$1,200 ($1000) and team Blue has raised AU$283.00 ($250). I’d get ‘em while you can, as they no doubt will become collectors items and a must have for Xbox junkies.

Snoop Dogg Donates Concert Fees To Grief Support Charity

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:07:29 -0000

The Exotic Erotic Ball proudly announced that it has combined with legendary rap artist, Snoop Dogg, to raise much-needed funds for The Healing Circle.

Snoop Dogg will perform live at a benefit concert at the Cow Palace on Friday evening, October 26, 2007, during the hours of the Exotic Erotic Expo. The Ball’s initial $45,000 deposit for Snoop’s services was committed to The Healing Circle in a personal presentation made by Snoop on August 12,2007.

Additional funds for the Healing Circle will be raised when Snoop Dogg performs live on Friday, and then returns Saturday night at the Ball, where he will join Tera Patrick and Danny Bonaduce as judges of the Ball’s World Famous Costume Contests.

“We are excited about Snoop Dogg’s live performance and his involvement with the show,” says Ball producer Howard Mauskopf, “but we are blown away by his generosity. This is a true case of an artist doing the right thing. Snoop’s people came up with the idea for all the initial money to go to a neighborhood charity called The Healing Circle – these are mothers who have lost children to inner city violence. The Healing Circle provides support for them, as they have already suffered the worst loss a mother can suffer, and are so easily forgotten by our harsh society. We think these are the most real victims of violent crime. We also like the fact that this is a charity you don’t read about in the society pages – no fancy dinners here. Money is paid directly to those in need; we sincerely hope to change lives. Snoop is doing a wonderful thing. We’re just glad the Ball can assist.”

“Snoop knows that every move he makes is big news,” adds JT the Bigga Figga, hip hop producer and Vice President of Doggystyle Records, who is working with the Ball on Snoop’s benefit performance. “Snoop can take the easy way and give to some big popular charity with a hundred other celebrities. But that’s not what Snoop is about. Snoop is about making sure that charity is really charity, that money really goes to the communities. He is all about neighborhoods. He’s about acknowledging them, educating them and helping to fix their problems. This is his roots. Snoop will never forget his roots.”

Healing Circle Co-Founder Mattie Scott is grateful. “The primary mission of The Healing Circle Soul Support Group is to promote sharing, healing, education, and action for survivors of homicide and victims of inner city violence,” she says. “We are about unity and we are about community. To remember our lost loved ones, we must first remember and care for those who are left to continue after their loss. We are grateful to Snoop Dogg, JT, and the Exotic Erotic Ball for their financial support, and commitment to bring awareness to our cause.”

Although many festivities take place at the Exotic Erotic Ball & Expo, there has always been a serious side to the show, where serious issues are discussed, and important monies are raised. Since its inception in 1979, the Ball has donated and raised well over a million dollars for causes that favor personal freedom, equality, and the fight against censorship. The monies raised by Snoop Dogg’s performance in 2007 will be in addition to the Ball’s 8th Annual Blood Drive, its panel discussions on First Amendment Rights, and its annual arts installation – this year’s theme “Make Love, Not War.”

“The phrase ‘Make Love, Not War’ was actually coined by my late partner Louis, and it was once the rallying cry of an entire generation,” says Ball founder Perry Mann. “But I don’t think that message has ever been more timely or important than it is today. I also don’t think there is a more worthwhile cause than The Healing Circle, whose message is to love your mothers and brothers and please stop with the violence.”

“Our goal is to put the neighbor back in the hood,” concludes Healing Circle Co-Founder George Jurand.

Those interested in donating or participating in The Healing Circle are encouraged to contact one of the Co-Founders directly.

Tickets to the Snoop Dogg Benefit Performance on October 26 are $35, include access to the Exotic Erotic Expo, and are available through TicketMaster, and through www.exoticeroticexpo.com. Ticketholders must be 18 and over to attend.

Live Earth Rocks the Planet

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:16:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They came, they rocked, they conquered. 07/07/07 saw the Live Earth concerts take place on 7 continents, and the event will go down in history and in people’s hearts as one of the greatest spectacles ever staged.

The nine concerts held around the globe attracted hundreds of thousands of music lovers, and another 9 million internet streams – a world record internet audience. Many more are expected to watch replays over the next few weeks. Concert-goers partied for a total of 22 hours at the events organized by Al Gore to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

“You are Live Earth,” Gore told the crowd in New Jersey, on a stage made from recycled tires. “Today 2 billion of us have come together in over 130 countries… Times like these demand action.”

Despite the rain and low temperatures, 30,000 fans in Hamburg enjoyed stunning and energetic performances by Yusuf – formerly known as Cat Stevens – Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias, and former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. German comedian Elton joked about the inclement conditions with the comment “We’re here to fight against global warming in such c—p weather.”

It was also a cold affair in Antarctica, where a previously unknown band Nunatak – made up of polar researchers – played for 17 fellow scientists, allowing Gore to keep his promise to hold concerts in all seven continents.

45,000 people turned out in warmer circumstances in Sydney, where they were treated to performances by Jack Johnson, Toni Collette’s band The Finish, and a newly reformed Crowded House. Sydney was the first of the concerts to open, and was followed by Japan, where thousands rocked to performances by Linkin Park, Rihanna, and a host of local acts.

Johannesburg, experiencing its first snow in ten years, swayed to the rhythms of some of their best known local acts, as well as an intense performance by Joss Stone.

It was a smaller and quieter affair in Washington, where a subdued crowd was entertained by a few lesser known blues and hip hop acts.

The most popular concerts were held in London and New York. The newly refurbished Wembley Stadium was rocking under the weight of 70,000 concert-goers, all enthralled by stellar performances from the Beastie Boys, Kasabian, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 1980’s comedy rock act Spinal Tap reformed for the event to perform their new single, “Warmer Than Hell”, and there was also a touching performance by singer/songwriter Terra Naomi. Naomi wrote the track “Say It’s Possible” after seeing An Inconvenient Truth, and was asked personally by Al Gore to perform it at Live Earth.

The finale of the Wembley show was a set by Madonna, which included “Hey You”, the song she wrote especially for Live Earth. She also thanked Gore “for giving the world the wake-up call it so badly needs, and for starting the avalanche of awareness that we are running out of time.”

Over 50,000 people crammed Giants Stadium in New Jersey to join Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Kevin Bacon for a night to remember. Cool rhythms from Alicia Keys and the Dave Matthews Band gave way to rockier beats later in the evening from Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, and Jon Bon Jovi. The show ended with Sting and The Police performing a duet of their hit, “Message In A Bottle”, with rapper Kanye West . The free show in Rio De Janeiro, almost cancelled over security concerns, drew a crowd of 600,000 to listen to sun-drenched performances by Lenny Kravitz and Macy Gray, and the show in Shanghai was also a success.

The Chinese crowd were made aware of the International Energy Agency warning that China could become the top emitter of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by later this year.

The Live Earth concerts were a great day’s entertainment for those who witnessed them, and only time will tell if they achieved their goals.

“Thank you for coming to Live Earth,” said Al Gore as the concerts ended. “Harness the energy in your hearts and help us solve the climate crisis.”

Online Charity Auction For Katrina Victims

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:28:51 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Habitat For Humanity and Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation have teamed up to host “Housewarming for Habitat”, a celebrity auction on Ebay from Feb. 20 to March 9.

Bidders have the chance to win celebrity-donated items and VIP events, such as a round of golf with Samuel L. Jackson or an hour in the studio with Snoop Dogg.

Look To The Stars News: Snoop Dogg

American Idol Gives Back $67 Million

Related past articles

Whatever It Takes For Christmas

Related past articles

5 Friends Voting Video Makes A Comeback

Related past articles

Bid For Yoga With Russell Simmons

Related past articles

Cindy Crawford And Spike Lee Honored

Related past articles

Idol Gives Back On Wednesday

Related past articles

Stars Get Behind A Big Problem

Related past articles

American Idol Announces Second Annual Charity Show

Related past articles

Shakira Sheds Threads For Charity

Related past articles

Black Eyed Peas Rock The Peapod Party

Related past articles

Celebrity Auctions For Christmas

Related past articles

Celebrities Lend Their Hands To Charity

Related past articles

Red Versus Blue

Related past articles

Snoop Dogg Donates Concert Fees To Grief Support Charity

Related past articles

Live Earth Rocks the Planet

Related past articles

Online Charity Auction For Katrina Victims

Related past articles