Look To The Stars News: Yoko Ono

Djimon Hounsou Joins Stars In Supporting Strong Arms Trade Treaty

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:45:00 +0000

As the United Nations gears up for a final round of negotiations on the international Arms Trade Treaty, Oscar-nominated actor and Oxfam America Ambassador Djimon Hounsou joins a number of Nobel Peace Prize winners, celebrities, faith community leaders, retired generals, and civil society organizations calling on President Obama to support a robust Arms Trade Treaty.

More than 325,000 people are estimated to have lost their lives because of armed violence since negotiations for the treaty were halted last year, and next week negotiators start anew in the hope of finally delivering an international treaty. Fresh from a trip to South Sudan where he saw first-hand the devastation that the poorly regulated weapons trade is having on families and communities, Hounsou arrived in Washington to make the case for Washington support.

“It felt like a Hollywood movie to see young boys carrying AK-47’s,” said Hounsou. “A strong Arms Trade Treaty would help restrict the flow of such weapons and bullets to countries like South Sudan. We all have a moral obligation to bring about a robust ATT and make the world a safer place.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9884-djimon-hounsou-joins-stars-in-supporting-strong-arms-trade-treaty

Uma Thurman Attends Tibet House US Auction

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:30:00 +0000

This past Tuesday Charitybuzz and Tibet House US joined forces for the fourth year in a row to produce the 10th Annual Tibet House Benefit, at Christie’s Auction House in New York City.

Tibet House was established in 1987 at the request of the one and only

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9472-uma-thurman-attends-tibet-house-us-auction

Tibet House Launches 10th Annual Benefit Auction

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Tibet House US is proud to announce its 10th Annual Benefit Auction, to be held on December 18, 2012, at 6:30p.m. EST at Christie’s Auction House (20 Rockefeller Plaza) in New York City.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 845-658-4150. This year’s event, which has grown to be a staple on New York City’s social and philanthropic calendar over the past decade, will once again feature luxury goods, exciting trips, rare items, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, stunning art and more.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9415-tibet-house-launches-10th-annual-benefit-auction

Yoko Ono Supports Imagine There's No Hunger Campaign

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:45:00 +0000

In his iconic song “IMAGINE,” John Lennon asked us all to picture a world free from hunger – a message that lives on today through the global IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER campaign.

For a fifth year artist and musician Yoko Ono Lennon generously lends her support to Hard Rock International and WhyHunger for IMAGINE THERE’S NO HUNGER, a global campaign to combat childhood hunger and poverty through the backing of sustainable agriculture education and feeding programs for children and families in need.

Proceeds from Hard Rock’s campaign will directly benefit WhyHunger and its grassroots partners worldwide, working to advance long-term solutions to hunger and poverty by supporting community-based organizations that empower individuals and build self-reliance.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9282-yoko-ono-supports-imagine-theres-no-hunger-campaign

Stars Donate To Charity Clothes Throw

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Coleen Rooney, Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby, Jameela Jamil and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen are amongst the first celebrities to donate to this year’s Alder Hey ‘Clothes Throw’.

The Clothes Throw, which is proudly supported by online retailer Littlewoods, centres around an exclusive auction where stars from the worlds of entertainment and fashion donate stylish outfits to raise much-needed funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Other donations have come from high profile celebrities, including Twiggy, Paloma Faith and Vivienne Westwood.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9128-stars-donate-to-charity-clothes-throw

Lady Gaga To Be Honored With LennonOno Grant For Peace

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:30:00 +0000

On October 9th, 2012, in Reykjavik, Iceland, Yoko Ono will give the Biennial LENNONONO GRANT FOR PEACE to five activists, including Lady Gaga, Pussy Riot, Rachel Corrie, John Perkins, and Christopher Hitchens.

“Lady Gaga is one of the biggest living artists of our time,” said Yoko. "She is not only an artist, she is also an activist, using her art to bring better communication to the world. She is being acknowledged for her activism, and how her album “Born This Way” has widely changed the mental map of the world. And how it has made us deal with the future world, which happens to be here already."

Lady Gaga will accept the award in person, and accept a charitable donation that she will in turn gift to the Elton John AIDS Foundation to support their work combating HIV among disadvantaged youth in the U.S.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9060-lady-gaga-to-be-honored-with-lennonono-grant-for-peace

Yoko Ono Helps Charity With Imagine Peace Jewelry

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 11:30:00 +0000

This fall, Swedish jewelry designer Efva Attling will collaborate with Yoko Ono to benefit Doctors Without Borders, a cause that Yoko Ono has been a strong supporter of throughout the years.

To raise more funds for Doctors Without Borders, 30% of all proceeds from Attling’s silver collection “Imagine” will be donated to the cause. The jewelry will be available in Efva Attling concept stores, at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm and online at efvaattling.com.

A special “Imagine” necklace in white gold and diamonds was designed for this cause. It will be auctioned off at a silent auction that will take place in Efva Attling stores and on efvaattling.com. An entry fee of $10 will be charged for all auction entries and all proceeds will go to the cause.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/9041-yoko-ono-helps-charity-with-imagine-peace-jewelry

Scott L. Schwartz Returns To Chicago To Support Alicia's House Food Pantry

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:00:00 +0000

On September 7, 2012 Actor/Producer/Director Scott L. Schwartz will return to Chicago, IL to show his support for Alicia's House Food Pantry for a week of fundraising events and appearances.

Scott L. Schwartz visits children's hospital
Credit/Copyright: Extreme Public Relations

Last year, Scott helped Alicia’s House Food Pantry raise over $50,000. While Scott is in town he plans to visit the children at Children’s Memorial Hospital and Lutheran General Hospital again. Scott is a essential part of the fundraising for Alicia’s House Food Pantry along with former Chicago Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas, and former Chicago Cubs catcher Randy Hundley. They will start the week of fundraising with “Tip A Star” (celebrities serving for tips) at Aurelio’s Pizza (1372 Main St., Crete, IL 60417) on Saturday September 8th from 5pm-8pm, a return visit to Manteno Veterans Home on the 12th and The Egg & I on the 13th.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8886-scott-l-schwartz-returns-to-chicago-to-support-alicias-house-food-pantry

Taylor Swift Donates Shoes To Celebrity Charity Auction

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:30:00 +0000

Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity, announced today a complete line-up of a-list celebrities who decided to take off their shoes for a good cause, including shoes from Taylor Swift, Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Fallon, Chase Crawford, and more.

The charity is also auctioning off 4 destination trips that will go towards supporting their mission of providing shoes for individuals living in poverty. The auction is being hosted on the charity auction site CharityBuzz.com.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8864-taylor-swift-donates-shoes-to-celebrity-charity-auction

Yoko Ono And Sean Lennon Launch Artists Against Fracking

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 20:10:00 +0000

Artists Against Fracking has been launched by Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon as a new coalition of artists, musicians, filmmakers and public figures opposed to hydraulic fracking.

The growing coalition now includes more than 180 members, including Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Anne Hathaway, Alec Baldwin, Marina Abramovic, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cindy Sherman, MGMT, Wilco, Bonnie Raitt, Liv Tyler, Mario Batali, Roberta Flack, Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo, Uma Thurman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Susan Sarandon, Graham Nash, Zooey Deschanel, Anthony Edwards, Flea, Scissor Sisters and many others.

The group will work to expose and stop the harmful and contaminating practice of fracking for natural gas and oil through mass awareness and peaceful democratic action.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8859-yoko-ono-and-sean-lennon-launch-artists-against-fracking

Stars Unite Over Arms Trade

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:10:00 +0000

International artists including Keira Knightley, Yoko Ono, Scarlett Johansson, Coldplay, Tim Roth, Annie Lennox and Kevin Spacey have joined forces to demand governments take immediate action to help improve regulation of the international arms trade.

Later today, representatives from more than 190 governments meet in New York for the first day of a month-long negotiation at the United Nations to agree an Arms Trade Treaty, which will control the supply of weapons, ammunition and armaments.

An effective Arms Trade Treaty would be based on a “Golden Rule”: if there is a substantial risk that arms exported to another country are likely to be used for serious human rights abuses; violations of international humanitarian law; or to undermine sustainable development, those arms supplies must be stopped.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8592-stars-unite-over-arms-trade

Stars Sign Letter To Presidents On Behalf Of Women In Afghanistan

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:30:00 +0000

A plethora of stars have signed an open letter from Amnesty International to President Obama and Afghan President Karzai in support of Women’s Rights.

Among the signatures on the letter are Yoko Ono, Patrick Stewart, Joan Baez, Sting, Stephen King, Cynthia Nixon and Meryl Streep.

“As champions of women’s rights who are dedicated to protecting women’s human rights, we are deeply concerned that the significant gains made by women and girls in Afghanistan may be threatened as U.S. and allied troops leave the country,” reads the letter. "We urge you to adopt a comprehensive action plan to guarantee that the clock is not turned back on a decade of strides in education, health, security and employment for women and girls. At stake is the future of Afghanistan, after billions of dollars and tens of thousands of lives have been sacrificed. We believe if women’s progress cannot be sustained, then Afghan society will fail.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8413-stars-sign-letter-to-presidents-on-behalf-of-women-in-afghanistan

Manta Rays Get Celebrity Names In Mozambique

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Mozambique is a goldmine for marine megafauna researchers. Unlike other locations in the world where elusive giant manta rays and whale sharks only appear periodically, such as at times of high plankton availability for feeding, Mozambique’s coastline is home to these enormous animals year round.

This constant access to marine megafauna provides a unique opportunity for researchers to better study these graceful giants and create an in-depth library of data. The ability to record the populations and to study their habits and biological and ecological data means that the conservation requirements of these threatened species can be determined with authority and thus presented to policy makers.

Tofo researchers Dr Simon Pierce, who specializes in whale sharks, and Dr Andrea Marshall, founder of Foundation for the Protection of Marine Megafauna and a world-leading specialist in manta rays, have been recording identities using the animals’ markings, which are as individual as human fingerprints.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8272-manta-rays-get-celebrity-names-in-mozambique

Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Yoko Ono And Many More Occupy This Album

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:45:00 +0000

Legendary and emerging artists inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement have come together to lend their voices on Occupy This Album: a compilation of music by, for and inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Occupy This Album

Released by Music For Occupy through Razor & Tie distribution, the four-disc physical and 99-track digital compilation is due out May 15th. Proceeds received will go directly to the Occupy Wall Street movement, which began in the financial district of New York on Sept. 17, 2011.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8224-steve-earle-joan-baez-yoko-ono-and-many-more-occupy-this-album

Unique Books By Sting, Tutu, Chopra And Others Up For Auction

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:02:00 +0000

On March 21st at Del Posto, The Lunchbox Fund hosted an auction of one-of-a-kind books, prints and book objects, hand created by a collection of artists, celebrities and newsmakers.

Contributors to the auction include Sir Ben Kingsley, Chuck Close, Archbishop Desmond Tutu with South African artist Paul Du Toit, Hugh Masekela, Kelsey and Tony Bennett, Michael Stipe, Phillip Glass, Mick Rock with Shepard Fairey and many others.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8126-unique-books-by-sting-tutu-chopra-and-others-up-for-auction

Jillian Michaels To Be Honored With Spirit Of Excellence Award

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Jillian Michaels is to be presented with the TJ Martell Foundation's Spirit of Excellence Award.

The T.J. Martell Foundation, the music industry’s largest charity foundation that funds innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research, will be holding its annual “ARTWORKS for the Cure 2012,” on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica, CA. The event brings the greater Los Angeles community together to enjoy two offbeat, eclectic events featuring contemporary art, music, food and wine while raising money for groundbreaking medical research. The weekend festivities include a cocktail reception and honoree dinner, as well as an art show, auction and sale.

T.J. Martell Foundation’s “Spirit of Excellence Award,” will be presented to Alex Hodges, CEO of Nederlander Concerts; Harvey Mason, Jr., celebrated music producer and songwriter; and Jillian Michaels, leading health and wellness expert. The award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves through professional leadership and humanitarian efforts. The honoree cocktail party and dinner will take place on Saturday, April 28, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pier 59 Studios. All of the art that will be featured in the Sunday art show will be available for preview and purchase on Saturday evening.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/8031-jillian-michaels-to-be-honored-with-spirit-of-excellence-award

Salman Rushdie And Michael Stipe To Host Charity Book Fair

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

March 21 will see The Lunchbox Fund hold its annual Book Fair and auction – hosted by Salman Rushdie and Michael Stipe – at the Piedmonte Room, Del Posto.

As well as the chance to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the most beautiful gathering of books to behold, the event will give you the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind handmade books created in collaboration with Ruth Lingen by Salman, Stipe, Sting, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mario Batali, Ben Kingsley, Yoko Ono, Tony Bennett, Shepard Fairey, Deepak Chopra and many more.

An online auction will also take place, which starts on March 20 and can be accessed here.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7792-salman-rushdie-and-michael-stipe-to-host-charity-book-fair

WhyHunger Celebrates Successful Hungerthon

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

2011 marks a banner year for WhyHunger with the most successful Hungerthon in the annual event’s 26-year history! Aided by its partners at SiriusXM, CBS Radio (including NYC’s WFAN 660 and WCBS 880), and charitybuzz, WhyHunger raised a record $764,000 for the fight against hunger and poverty, via its online auction and two-day radiothon.

This year’s top Hungerthon earners, some of which brought in bids over $20,000, included:

Bruce Springsteen-autographed guitar

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7539-whyhunger-celebrates-successful-hungerthon

Yoko Ono's Globe Of Goodwill Project Benefits Children With Disabilities

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:45:00 +0000

Icelandic charity The Benefit Society of Children With Disabilities has launched its ninth Globe of Goodwill project – this time spearheaded by Yoko Ono, and titled “Draw Your Own Map.” The project sells hand blown glass ornaments decorated by Ono and celebrated Icelandic artists.

Yoko Ono's Globe of Goodwill 2011 Project Benefits Children
Credit/Copyright: Consulate General of Iceland

Ono herself made the announcement at a crowded Reykjavik Art Museum in Iceland on October 11, encouraging the audience to do what they can to make the world a better place. Being nominated to head the yearly Globe of Goodwill project, which dates to 2003, is in itself an honor. Every year the Globe Of Goodwill is awarded to a worthy role model whose work has challenged traditional values and views, inspired others to think differently, and bettered the lives of their fellow citizens and society as a whole.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7492-yoko-onos-globe-of-goodwill-project-benefits-children-with-disabilities

Celebrities Create Secret Postcards For Charity

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Leading names from the worlds of contemporary art, design, fashion and film donated a record 2,900 postcard size artworks to the Royal College of Arts annual RCA Secret event, which culminated in a massive sale in London in the weekend.

Artists including Tracey Emin, Anish Kapoor, Grayson Perry, Yoko Ono, Olafur Eliasson, John Baldessari, Richard Wilson, Jeremy Deller and Christo; designers Sir James Dyson and Kenneth Grange; fashion designers Sir Paul Smith, Erdem, Manolo Blahnik and Dries Van Noten and film-makers Nick Park and Mike Leigh all produced mini masterpieces that went up for sale at just £45. The only twist was that buyers didn’t know who had designed the postcards until after they purchased one!

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7430-celebrities-create-secret-postcards-for-charity

Imagine There's No Hunger With Yoko Ono

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:45:00 +0000

On November 1st, Yoko Ono Lennon, Hard Rock International and WhyHunger invited the world to join them as they launched Imagine There’s No Hunger, a global campaign to raise awareness and funding for the fight against childhood hunger and poverty.

At Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square, Yoko Ono Lennon, joined by Hamish Dodds, President and CEO of Hard Rock International and Bill Ayres, Executive Director of WhyHunger, showed her support by providing the first “Tweet” in a Global Movement to “Imagine a World Without Hunger.” The event was also marked by a moment of silence and white balloons, a tribute to John Lennon's release of 365 balloons during his and Yoko Ono Lennon’s first full art exhibition.

Celebrating John Lennon’s extraordinary vision articulated in his 1971 release “Imagine,” the campaign, which runs through December 31, 2011, invites fans to participate by taking a moment to Imagine a nourished and abundant world, where “the world will live as One.” Fans can further show their support by purchasing the campaign’s signature limited-edition bracelet, joining in the celebrations at various Hard Rock locations around the globe, tweeting, posting or even texting the word IMAGINE to 50555 to donate directly to WhyHunger.org and help feed a hungry child.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7275-imagine-theres-no-hunger-with-yoko-ono

Charity To Benefit From John Lennon Celebrity Tribute Album

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Theatre Within has announced the November 15th release of a live album chronicling the sold out, star-studded 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Live from the Beacon Theatre NYC.

The 15-song release will be available digitally via iTunes, Amazon and other major online music outlets. The album can be pre-ordered now at iTunes. Proceeds from the sales of the digital release will be shared with the Japanese Red Cross for its ongoing Earthquake/Tsunami Relief efforts.

“John would have loved that Theatre Within has produced a special live album of his songs to benefit the Japanese Red Cross and the people still suffering from the tsunami and earthquake,” states Yoko Ono.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7224-charity-to-benefit-from-john-lennon-celebrity-tribute-album

Paul McCartney Gets Behind Meat Free Cookbook

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:30:00 +0000

A new cookbook inspired by the Meat Free Monday campaign – and featuring a foreword by Paul, Stella and Mary McCartney – has hit the shelves of bookstores in the UK

Following the huge success of the McCartney family’s Meat Free Monday campaign, the new cookbook launched yesterday and was inspired by the simple idea that going without meat for just one day of the week can make a huge difference to the planet, our health and even our pocket.

The campaign, which was launched in 2009, came about after the United Nations issued a report which stated that the livestock industry as a whole was responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the whole of the transport sector put together. Meat is in fact responsible for a staggering 18 per cent of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7203-paul-mccartney-gets-behind-meat-free-cookbook

Stars Donate Clothes For Children's Hospital Events

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Girls Aloud's Nicola Roberts is fronting a charity Clothes Throw to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.

The Girls Aloud star turned solo artist revealed how pleased she is to support Alder Hey when she visited patients on their cancer unit: “I am really excited to be fronting the Clothes Throw 2011 campaign! I’m an avid supporter of Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. I visit Alder Hey and the patients there really touch my heart.”

The Clothes Throw is in its third year but has been able to expand greatly with the help of Liverpool ONE. Alongside Nicola a host of celebrities and retailers have donated clothes and accessories to raise money for the children’s hospital.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7123-stars-donate-clothes-for-childrens-hospital-events

Stars Take Part In A Week Of Giving For Alicia's House

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Alicia's House Food Pantry closed out their week of celebrity charity events with donations totaling over fifty thousand dollars to help feed the needy.

The week of fundraising started out with Actor/Director/Humanitarian Scott L. Schwartz returning to WGN for an interview, making a first time appearance on NBC’s “The Talk” and visiting the South Chicago Heights Fire Department in Steger, IL.

Later in the week Milt Pappas (Legendary All Star Chicago Cubs Pitcher) joined Kevin “The Butcher” Hughes and Scott L. Schwartz at Rasberry’s Pancake House for “Tip A Star” and Aurelio’s Pizza. The week of charity events ended at Lincolnshire Country Club for a day of golfing with the stars, dinner and silent auction. Some of the silent auction items included: Michael Jordan autographed picture ($500), Mickey Mantle autographed baseball ($800), Derek Jeter autographed picture ($500), Michelle Monroe handbag ($450). Other celebrity supporters included: Yoko Ono, The Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and Bears. Top sponsors included: Goldie’s Auto Body (Mechanical & Towing) in Beecher, Aurelio’s Pizza (Crete), Desiderio Landscaping, Enterprise, Quality Inn (Bradley), Country Financial (Steger), Thrivent Financial for Lutheran and Winpak Portion Packaging.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/7040-stars-take-part-in-a-week-of-giving-for-alicias-house