Look To The Stars News: Joan Baez

Chimes Of Freedom: Stars Cover Bob Dylan For Charity

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Two iconic forces that have impacted the past 50 years – the life-saving human rights activism of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Amnesty International and the incomparable artistry of Bob Dylan – are being saluted by 80 musicians who contributed new or previously unreleased recordings to Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.

The collection is scheduled for physical (4 discs) and digital release in North America on January 24, 2012 through Fontana Distribution. It will be distributed internationally through Fontana International, a Universal Music company, on January 30.

Chimes of Freedom features a stellar and diverse group of artists across the generational and musical spectrum. The performers, including many of Amnesty International’s longtime supporters, range in age from teenage pop star Miley Cyrus, 19, to folk music legend Pete Seeger, who, at 92, records Dylan’s poignant “Forever Young,” with a children’s chorus.

Celebrities Support Troy Davis Ahead Of Execution

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:05:00 +0000

On September 21, the state of Georgia is set to execute Troy Davis in the face of overwhelming evidence that he is innocent, and a number of celebrities are lending him their support through Amnesty USA.

Troy Davis was convicted of murdering a Georgia police officer in 1991. However, the case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state’s non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony.

Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

Joan Baez Spearheads Amnesty International Membership Drive

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 14:05:00 +0000

Legendary singer Joan Baez is encouraging people to support Amnesty International this month as part of the organization’s membership drive.

“All my life I’ve felt humbled in the face of the suffering of others,” she says. "It is only that I, by accident of birth, was born in the right place at the right time, and that someone else, not me, huddles in a prison cell, is tortured, and faces the unbearable consequences of having been born in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or, as the legendary Phil Ochs song says, there but for fortune, go you or I.

“Happily for me, I discovered early on that, in the words of Swedish Ambassador Harald Edelstam, “I cannot tolerate injustice.” This inability to tolerate injustice has brought me to the roots of human misery, called me to engage in the fight for the rights, freedoms, and the dignity of others. And in so doing, has helped me to maintain my own dignity.

Springsteen, Mellencamp, Harper To Perform at Clearwater Concert

Fri, 01 May 2009 14:30:00 +0000

This Sunday, May 3rd, will see star performers such as Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Juanes, John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen come out to support Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday bash benefitting the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.

The Clearwater Concert: Creating the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders is a one night only concert, which raises awareness and funds for continuing Clearwater’s work educating the public and protecting the Hudson river. The event begins at 7pm, at Madison Square Garden, and will feature over 40 artists from a wide variety of musical genres.

Some of the scheduled performers are Joan Baez, Ani DiFranco, Michael Franti, Emmylou Harris, Tao Rodriguez–Seeger, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Keller Williams Billy Bragg, Tom Morello, Tom Paxton and Eddie Vedder.

Joan Baez to Sing for Burma

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:30:00 +0000

On May 1st, in remembrance of the first anniversary of Cyclone Nargis, an extraordinary Burmese choir will bring the gift of their music to the Cowell Theater in San Francisco. Their stories of courage and hope will honor the strength of the human spirit through song, and the evening will include a special guest performance by Joan Baez.

Tickets for the event begin at $25 for general admission, and go up to the $500 Saffron Supporter level, which includes admission for 2 at the pre-event Mingala Reception with the Gitameit Choir, 2 reserved tickets, plus $350 tax deductible donation to Foundation for the People of Burma.

For more information on the event, visit the Foundation for the People of Burma website. To purchase tickets, click here.

Bruce Springsteen To Headline Pete Seeger's Charity Birthday Concert

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, Steve Earle, Ben Harper, Tom Morrello and Billy Bragg have been confirmed to perform at Pete Seeger’s 90th birthday gig in May, with proceeds going to charity.

Also set to perform at the gig at Madison Square Garden on May 3 are Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson and many more. The show is set to benefit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater , a non-profit organisation created to defend and restore the Hudson River.

From the charity’s website: "Clearwater is a 106-foot wooden sailing sloop designed after 18th and 19th century Dutch sailing sloops. In 1966, folk singer and activist Pete Seeger had the vision that the public would come to care for all of our threatened waterways by learning to care for one boat and one river. He inspired a group of dedicated people who made the dream a reality. Launched in 1969, Clearwater serves as a moveable classroom, laboratory, stage, and forum. More than a dozen national and international programs have successfully modeled programs after those pioneered by Clearwater.

Benefit Tickets Available For Jackson Browne And Bonnie Raitt Shows

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Non-profit organization The Guacamole Fund has some exciting fundraising events and raffles for 2009.

Singer Jackson Browne is set to embark on a world tour in the summer, and special tickets benefiting the Fund are available for many of his gigs in the US. Several of these concerts also feature Steve Earle and Shawn Colvin, and include dates in Boston, San Diego, Oklahoma and many more in July and August. More info on purchasing these tickets can be found here Raitt also has benefit tickets for her tour in May, including dates in Texas, Tennessee, and Florida. More information about these tickets can be found here.

The Guacamole Fund is also raffling off a unique Fender Squire Strat “Affinity Series” Guitar taht was signed by Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, Jackson Browne and Ry Cooder at the Cuba, Haiti and Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief Benefit Concert in Santa Monica late last year. Proceeds from the raffle will go to continue help in efforts to support community based organizations that assist victims of the disaster. Second Prize is 2 premium tickets to a choice of a Jackson Browne show on this summer’s tour. To buy tickets in the raffle, click here.

Jackson Browne And Friends: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Jackson Browne is getting together some of his best musical friends for a benefit concert this weekend.

Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder, and Joan Baez will band together to raise money for Operation USA on Saturday, November 29, to support the organization’s ongoing disaster relief efforts in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Cuba and Haiti, with specific focus on programs addressing the urgent local needs of displaced families and health facilities stretched to breaking point.

Jackson Browne is no stranger to benefit concerts – his No Nukes concerts in 1979 with Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen and a host of the era’s biggest stars were one of the earliest examples of large-scale, organized rock concerts for a cause. Last year he joined with Raitt and Graham Nash to record a version of Buffalo Springfield’s For What It’s Worth to raise awareness of the dangers of nuclear power.

Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Party Rocks London

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Hyde Park was transformed into a giant birthday bash Friday night as 46,664 people joined “birthday boy” Nelson Mandela and a stellar lineup of entertainers to raise funds and awareness for his 46664 charity.

It had been raining on and off all day in London, but the skies cleared just in time for the once-in-a-lifetime lineup of musicians and entertainers to take the stage in honor of Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday. The event was hosted by an enthusiastic Will Smith, and performers included Jivan Gasparyan, Razorlight, the cast of Into the ’Hoods, Sipho Mibuze, Leona Lewis, Zucchero, Suzanna Owiyo and D’Gary, Sugababes, Annie Lennox (who performed with the Agape Children’s Choir), Emmanual Jal, Vusi Mahlasela, Jamelia, Loyiso, Johnny Clegg, Joan Baez, Eddy Grant, Kurt Darren, Simple Minds, Brian May and Andrea Corr, Amy Winehouse, 9ice and Bebe Cool, Josh Groban, Amaral, and Queen and Paul Rodgers. The renowned Soweto Gospel Choir accompanied many of the acts. Additional entertainers who introduced the musical acts included Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Geri Halliwell, Peter Gabriel, Stephen Fry, and Jerry Dammers.

After Jivan Gasparyan opened the show with an instrumental piece to accompany a moving series of photographs of Mandela, Will Smith took to the stage with his wife Jada and announced, “The party starts now.” An energizing performance by Razorlight set the tone for the rest of the evening.

More Artists Confirm For Mandela's Birthday Bash

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:38:00 +0000

Multi-million selling classical pop singer Josh Groban, legendary folk rock singer Joan Baez, and a special appearance by Jerry Dammers – one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert, and whose song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ became a banner for the 80’s anti-apartheid movement in the UK – are further highlights added to the forthcoming Nelson Mandela 90th birthday concert taking place in London’s Hyde Park on the evening of Friday, June 27.

These additional artist appearances were announced today by the concert organisers who said, “these three artists hold a special place with Nelson Mandela.”

The announcement comes only a week after singer Amy Winehouse confirmed she was adding her voice to those who will show their support for Mr Mandela and his 46664 organisation by taking part.

Natural Heroes' Stories Told By Green Stars

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 14:14:28 +0000

“All over the world, ordinary citizens are finding ways to bring clean air and water back to their communities, preserve open spaces, protect endangered species, and ensure that their schools and neighborhoods are healthy.” The show Natural Heroes’ stories is back for its third season, narrated by a host of celebrities, and jointly made by award-winning non-profit organization Green Treks Network and KRCB Public Television.

The show’s stories span all types of environments, across the globe:

Plantations: impoverished coffee farmers gaining little from the increased sale price of coffee, American apple farmers losing their land and others who hold the answers to renewal, and the largest urban garden in the US, the South Central Farm in LA, where Daryl Hannah, Joan Baez, Martin Sheen and Willie Nelson profile the benefits, supporters, evictions, developers and farmers.