Look To The Stars News: Sting

Celebrities Support The Amazon At "Crude" Screening

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:30:00 -0000

The New York Times’ Stephen Holden called it “A sprawling legal thriller with rare depth and power.” Village Voice’s Ed Gonzales called it “A Herculean work of investigative journalism.”

They’re talking about Crude, a new feature-length documentary meant to bring attention to and lay out both sides of the 27-billion-dollar lawsuit surrounding Chevron’s polluting of the Ecuadorean Amazon during its years of oil exploration.

While the press has been extolling the film’s efforts, celebrities such as Sean Penn, Rosanna Arquette and Dave Navarro are helping to bring attention to the 16-year trial by attending Crude’s premiers that are running through major US cities. Trudie Styler went so far as to invite 6,000 Chevron employees in San Francisco to see the film.

“You may know me as Sting’s wife,” she wrote, “and you may know of my work for the environment and human rights. You may also have heard my name mentioned as one of the celebrities speaking out in support of the 30,000 Ecuadorean citizens who are pursuing Chevron to clean up the pollution the company left behind in their homeland. Many people will assume that you and I must be on different sides of the fence on this issue. But I don’t believe that. I’m willing to bet that you and I, and all of your colleagues, agree that everyone has the fundamental right to the life-supporting elements of clean air and clean water…I’d like to give you the opportunity to make up your own mind about what has been going on in Ecuador, and to consider how justice can be achieved for the people suffering there. I’d like to invite you to the movies.”

Atossa Soltani, Executive Director of Amazon Watch, which hosted the Hollywood premier last month, is pleased with the reaction to Crude: “The film shows both sides and allows the audience to be the judge on whether Chevron is guilty. Chevron is fast losing the battle in the court of public opinion and showing clear signs that it is afraid of Crude.”   Amazon Watch’s Corporate Accountability Campaigner, Mitch Anderson wants as many people to see the movie as possible, and “to let Chevron know that it can no longer afford to evade it’s clean up responsibility in Ecuador.”

  You can visit the official film website here.

Stars To Come Out For The Art Of Elysium Genesis Event

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

The Art of Elysium – a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging actors, artists and musicians to share their time and talent with children who are battling serious medical conditions – has announced their next annual event: The Art of Elysium GENESIS.

A celebration of emerging talent, Genesis will bring together artists, creative thinkers, and social leaders in support of this wonderful organization. This event will allow for a new generation to come together and celebrate individuality and the arts while supporting The Art of Elysium’s programs and mission. The evening will include specialty cocktails by Death & Co., “Coffee Bar” provided by Coffee Bean, custom “Jean Bar” provided by Current Elliott, an art exhibition by Last Legion Games, and special musical performance by Fight from Above, sponsored by Rogue Pictures.

Among the guests expected to attend the event are Sophia Bush, Beth Riesgraf (Leverage), Edi Gathegi (Twilight: New Moon), Madeline Zima (Heroes), Bonnie Somerville (The Ugly Truth), Jaime Ray Newman (Eastwick) and many more.

The event will take place on October 10 at HD BUTTERCUP at 3225 Helms Avenue, LA.

Since its inception, The Art of Elysium has provided artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and creative writing and their results have been astounding; producing a mutual exchange of hope and appreciation between both children in need, as well as, the artists themselves.

The Art of Elysium holds their annual HEAVEN gala on the eve of the Golden Globes in Los Angeles, CA and is supported by corporate sponsors that have included Cartier, Vogue, Ford and Relativity Media. The 2009 gala was their biggest success to date and raised over $1,000,000 for the organization, as well as, receiving more than 197,500,000 media impressions in major publications throughout the world. Guests included Sting, Golden Globe nominee Marisa Tomei, Kirsten Dunst, Eva Mendes and Tobey Maguire among others. In addition to HEAVEN, The Art of Elysium hosted its first annual PARADIS at the Cannes Film Festival this past May sponsored again by Cartier & Relativity Media as well as Soho House and Grey Goose. The event was incredibly well attended by industry insiders as well as by Cannes jury member Robin Wright Penn and festival darling Quentin Tarantino.

To find out more about the Genesis event, click here.

Trudie Styler To Fly Water Tanks To Ecuador

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Trudie Styler is behind a new clean water campaign in South America.

Styler – who is married to musician Sting – recently visited natives in Ecuador whose water supply has been polluted by years of rainforest devastation at the hands of Chevron. She tells the story of this in a new film called Crude.

Now, her own charity the Rainforest Foundation Fund – along with UNICEF in Ecuador – have joined together to fly water tanks into the worst hit areas.

“These enormous water tanks will have purified water, because these are tropical areas and it rains every day,” she said. “For the first time in 35 years these people in the 1,700 square mile radius of this polluted land are having cleaner fresh water. This project will go on for a couple of years and we do need the public to help us, to contribute because these water tanks are $400 each; they’re robust and last about 15 years, so it’s the best alternative that they’ve got, quite frankly.

“This is my baby and I really want to follow it very carefully and make sure that we’re getting the tanks in on time.”

Trudie Styler Explores Ecuador In Crude Film

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Trudie Styler has teamed up with moviemaker Joe Berlinger to make a documentary film about a community of 30,00 tribal members in the Amazonian jungle of Ecuador who hold a corporation responsible for its crimes against their land, their livelihood, and their lives.

Crude follows a trip to Ecuador that Styler – wife of Sting – and Berlinger – director of Metallica’s Some Kind of Monster – took to chronicle the effects that Chevron’s oil production facilities are having on locals. The company has spent the last 30 years contaminating the air, land, and water of the area, and cancer, leukemia, and birth defects have become a major problem.

“I saw the most appalling human rights violations I’ve ever witnessed,“ said Styler. “I’ve seen some pretty grim sights, but nothing could prepare me for the sight of indigenous people with no access to clean water who have been systematically poisoned.”

To find out more about the movie, visit the official Crude website.

Stars Want Bluefin Tuna Off The Menu

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of actors has written to Robert DeNiro’s Nobu restaurant chain to ask them to stop serving endangered Bluefin Tuna.

According the Britain’s The Telegraph, Sienna Miller, Charlize Theron, Jemima Khan, Woody Harrelson, Laura Bailey, Alicia Silverstone, Zac Goldsmith, Sting, Trudie Styler, Elle Macpherson and Stephen Fry have "written to the restaurant to say they can no longer dine with a clear conscience as long as the restaurant continues to serve bluefin tuna – a species considered by many to be as endangered as the white rhinoceros, panda or tiger.“

The plight of the bluefin tuna has been highlighted by the release of The End of the Line, a film narrated by Ted Danson that shows the effects of overfishing on the world’s oceans.

“The possibility that the magnificent bluefin tuna, one of the fastest creatures on the planet, could be extinct in as little as four years is a tragedy,“ wrote the stars in their letter. “Continuing to serve bluefin leaves Nobu vulnerable to public criticism and lagging behind Moshi Moshi, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Itsu and numerous others. We all love [Nobu, but bluefin tuna] must be completely removed from the menu due to its perilous position as an extremely endangered animal”.

“It’s astounding lunacy to serve up endangered species for sushi,“ added Stephen Fry. “There’s no justification for peddling extinction, yet that is exactly what Nobu is doing in restaurants around the world.”

A spokesperson for the restaurant said they are taking the issue “very seriously… The consumption of this fish is a cultural institution in Japan and there is still an enormous demand for this delicacy at all our restaurants. In the specific case of the menus at our London restaurants it should be noted that the statement that informs diners that the tuna served is Bluefin was included at the behest of Greenpeace, with whom we have continual dialogue. We are also currently looking at Australian farm-raised tuna as an alternative.”

Stars Duet With Cuban Musicians For Climate Change

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Amy Winehouse, The Killers and The Rolling Stones have teamed up with a group of Cuban musicians on an album designed to fight climate change.

The artists will perform duets with Rhythms Del Mundo on the CD, titled Classics, with proceeds from the project going to fund climate change projects and natural disaster relief around the world.

Inspired by the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the album will contain musical gems such as The Killers singing The Eagles’ Hotel California, and The Rolling Stones taking on The Drifters’ Under the Boardwalk. Also included on the album will be Amy Winehouse’s take on Sam Cooke’s Cupid. But perhaps the real highlight will be Fall Out Boy and John Mayer teaming up to cover Michael Jackson’s Beat It.

The album will follow the first Rhythms Del Mundo album which was released in 2006 and featured an all-star cast of Cuban musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club and international artists such as the Arctic Monkeys, Dido, U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, and Kaiser Chiefs. Proceeds from the CD went to environmental nonprofit organization Artists Project Earth.

The new CD is due for release in July.

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.

Sting To Perform At Charity Concert For Injured Boy

Fri, 01 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Christopher Rodriguez is a 10-year-old boy who was left paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a stray bullet while attending a piano lesson in Oakland California on January 10th, 2008. Chris and his family face a difficult road ahead, but thanks to some big hearts, Christopher is about to benefit from an amazing event.

On May 25th, 2009, the Narada Michael Walden Foundation will produce a concert at the Louise M Davies Symphony Hall to benefit Christopher.

The concert, which is sure to be a sell out, will feature a performance by Sting. Joining the ex-Police front-man will be Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis of 5th Dimension Fame, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Earl Klugh, David Grisman, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Gerald Alston of The Manhattans, Lisa Fischer, Tevin Campbell, Shanice Wilson, Jeanie Tracy, Ralphe Armstrong, Dale “Satchmo” Powers, the Narada Band, AND an orchestra of students from The San Francisco Conservatory of Music conducted by Michael Morgan of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, along with many other surprise performers.

The Concert will also benefit the work of the Narada Michael Walden Foundation and a portion will go to create a scholarship chair for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

For more information, please visit The Narada Michael Walden Foundation

The Narada Michael Walden Foundation was created by Grammy award winning producer, drummer, performer and hit songwriter, Narada Michael Walden. The Narada Michael Walden Foundation’s focus is to serve, inspire, educate and provide financial support to children, adults, musicians and worthy organizations through the vehicle of Music, Music Production, Music Management, Concerts and Donations.

Charitable Stars Shine For Obama

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Celebrities were out and about in droves on Tuesday to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration by attending several charity balls.

One of the largest was the Creative Coalition Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington DC. The sold-out event cost between $10,000 and $100,000 to attend, and attracted appearances by Ashley Judd, Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Leigh Cook, Ron Howard, Heather Graham, Forest Whitaker, Magic Johnson and many more. Entertainment was provided by Elvis Costello, Sam Moore and Sting.

The Creative Coalition is a nonprofit public charity organized by the creative community to learn about pressing issues so they can better inform and influence the community and nation.

Also taking place on the other side of town – at Club Ibiza – was a ball organized by the Recording Industry Association of America to benefit Feeding America.

Hosted by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, the evening attracted big names such as Rihanna, Shakira, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, Cher, T.I:, Kanye West, Josh Groban, and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Rihanna To Play Inauguration Show For The Hungry

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pop star Rihanna is set to perform at Barack Obama’s inauguration to benefit hunger relief.

The 20-year-old has been confirmed to sing at the Recording Industry Association of America’s Presidential Inauguration Charity Ball in aid of Feeding America.

“We could not be happier that Rihanna will be performing at the Inauguration charity ball to benefit Feeding America,“ Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), told people.com. “Rihanna’s involvement will help raise awareness about the prevalence of hunger in America and help bring more aid to the 36 million Americans who do not always know where they will find their next meal.”

The concert will take place in Washington DC, and will also feature Aretha Franklin. Look To The Stars will give you more info about tickets when it comes to hand.

Also taking place on inauguration night – January 20 – is a charity concert benefiting the Creative Coalition, a nonprofit public charity organized by the creative community to learn about pressing issues so they can better inform and influence the community and nation. Performing at the sold-out event are Elvis Costello and Sting, with appearances from Seal, Ashley Judd, Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Marcia Cross, and film director Spike Lee.

Annie Lennox - Human Rights Now!

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Annie Lennox was awarded a Special Achievement Award at the German Sustainability Awards last week.

The ceremony – which took place in Düsseldorf – recognized the music legend’s commitment to a sustainable future through her work in the fight against HIV/AIDS, including her commitments to the Treatment Action Campaign, Oxfam, the 46664 Campaign, and SING.

The event was followed this week by a special documentary that aired on BBC2 radio. Human Rights Now! was a 1 hour presentation hosted by Lennox that highlighted the important part artists and musicians play in generating support and awareness for Amnesty International.

The program included a discussion of the Secret Policeman’s Ball events and the Conspiracy Of Hope and Human Rights Now! tours which featured performances from such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel and Bono.

The program – which celebrated International Human Rights Day on December 10 – included contributions from U2’s The Edge, Sting, and Pete Townshend from The Who.

The program can be heard at the BBC website.

Phil Collins Joins Drummers For Charity Auction

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

If you are a fan of drummers, why not have a bash at the fabulous new charity auction being held right now at www.buyoncegivetwice.co.uk.

A selection of drums signed by bands and drummers are currently going under the hammer (or should that be drumstick?) to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. Snares, cymbals, toms and bass drums autographed by Phil Collins, Sting and The Police, Elton John, Iron Maiden, Kasabian, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and members of backing bands for Pink and Paul Weller are all on offer for a very limited time.

“I’m delighted to be supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s Drummer Night auction and hope it will raise as much cash as possible for the charity,“ said Mark Schulman, backing drummer for Pink. “I am a cancer survivor myself, as is my ex-wife, Kelly. I understand the challenges that patients go through, and I want to use my credibility as a drummer to raise awareness about such issues. I hope the auction can help raise enough money so that teenagers and young people going through cancer have access to specialized treatment centres, like those provided by Teenage Cancer Trust.”

Six young people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK, and the Teenage Cancer Trust builds units in hospitals to help improve their quality of life and increase their chances of survival.

The auction runs until December 15, and the drums can be viewed here.

Give Landmines The Boot With Charity Auction

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A British charity for victims of landmines has launched their annual online celebrity shoe auction.

The Mines Advisory Group has gathered footwear from over 50 celebrities for the auction, which will raise vital funds for their projects and draw attention to the part of the body most vulnerable to landmines.

The auction was launched by model Kelly Knox, the glamorous winner of BBC 3’s best disabled model competition, at Merchant Taylor’s Hall in London.

“We are extremely honored to have Kelly launch our shoe auction this year,” said MAG’s Chief Executive Lou McGrath OBE. “Despite being born without a left forearm, Kelly has proven disability is not a deterrent to success. She should be an inspiration to the many thousands of people who have been cruelly maimed by the thousands of landmines still threatening lives and communities worldwide.”

Celebrities who have donated their soles to the cause include Judi Dench, Geri Halliwell, Chrissie Hynde, Beverley Knight, Ian McKellen, Shirley Bassey, Russell Brand, Jarvis Cocker, Heather Mills, Joanna Lumley, Susan Sarandon, Pete Townshend, KT Tunstall, Chris Martin, Rolf Harris, and many others.

The auction ends on December 4 and can be accessed via the MAG eBay site.

British charity auction site Buy Once Give Twice also currently has some exciting opportunities for philanthropic bargain hunters.

Rays of Sunshine – a charity that grants wishes to seriously and terminally ill children in the UK – have a whole bunch of VIP tickets up for grabs on the site right now, including concert experiences with Coldplay, Madness, and the Kaiser Cheifs. There is also a Fender guitar signed by Sting up for grabs, as well as a Chelsea football shirt signed by the whole team, and the chance to hang out with Emma Thompson on the set of the new Nanny McPhee movie.

But you better be quick, this auction ends tomorrow, November 26.

Oceana Awards To Honor Clinton And Sting

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bill Clinton, Sting, and Trudie Styler will be honored at the annual Oceana Partners Awards this weekend.

Chaired by Sam Waterston and Ted Danson and hosted by Pierce Brosnan, Ron Howard, and Robert Redford, the event honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions through their personal commitment to the cause of protecting and conserving the environment. Past honorees include Ted Turner, Don Henley, James Cameron, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and Christopher Reeve. Past hosts have included Salma Hayek, Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Ron Meyer and Jamie Lee Curtis.

Bill Clinton has been selected as this year’s recipient because his Clinton Climate Initiative – launched in 2006 – works with over 40 of the world’s largest cities to reduce greenhouse emissions. Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, were chosen due to their efforts to raise more than $25 million dollars through 15 benefit concerts for The Rainforest Foundation, which has now expanded to a network of interconnected organizations working in 23 countries around the globe.

The event will take place at the Pacific Palisades home of Jena and Michael King on Saturday, October 18, and will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30PM, followed by a cocktail party at 6:00PM and the awards presentation at 7:00PM.

Ticket information can be found at the Oceana Partners Awards website.

A Big Concert For A Big Man With A Big Heart

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity concert honoring Luciano Pavarotti took place at the site of the ancient Jordanian city of Petra on Sunday night.

The show – which featured many of Pavarotti’s friends from across the music industry, including Sting, Jose Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Jovanotti, Laura Pausini, Angela Gheorghiu, Andrea Griminelli, Cynthia Lawrence, and Roberto Alagna – raised money for projects in Afghanistan run by the UN Refugee Relief Agency and the World Food Program, as well as for the Petra archaeological site 180km south of Amman where the concert took place.

Organized by Nicoletta Mantovani – Pavarotti’s widow – with the support of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan, a UN Messenger of Peace, the concert was attended by 500 guests, including Jordan’s Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

Pavarotti actively supported UNHCR projects in Kosovo, Pakistan, Zambia, and Iraq before his death. For his continuous commitment to refugee causes, he received UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award and was named a UN Messenger of Peace.

Secret Policeman's Ball Returns This Weekend

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:00:00 -0000

Amnesty International has revealed some of the names to take part in its famous comedy event The Secret Policeman’s Ball, which returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall on Saturday 4 October.

The event – which made its name with seven shows between 1976 and 1991 – is a star-studded night of comedy, entertainment and music. It is set to feature some of the most cutting edge and leading comedic and musical talent and will also highlight some of Amnesty International’s campaigning activities for human rights all over the
world.

This year’s Secret Policeman’s Ball will also mark the start of Amnesty International’s celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in December.

This year’s show will feature a lineup of some of Britain’s best comedy talent, including Frank Skinner, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, Sean Lock, Katy Brand, Tim Minchin, Kristen Schaal, Sarah Millian, Kayvan Novak, Russell Peters, Fearne Cotton, Meera Syal, Sean Williamson, and many more.

The first Secret Policeman’s Ball took place over four consecutive nights in London in June 1979, and featured John Cleese. In 1979, Pete Townshend became the first major rock musician to donate his services to the human rights organization when he performed three songs for the show, a performance that went on to inspire the human rights work of Bono, Sting, Bob Geldof, and many others.

This year’s show will be “cinecast” in cinemas all around the world, from Canada to Australia. A list of the cinemas who will be showing the Secret Policeman’s Ball live – and ticket information – can be found at the Amnesty International website.

John Mayer Explores Arts With Tony Bennett

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

John Mayer joined Jerry Seinfeld, Whoopi Goldberg, and Terrence Howard at a special art’s education benefit on Tuesday night.

The 30-year-old singer/songwriter performed 3 songs – “Waiting on the World to Change,” “Daughters,” and “Find Another You“ – at Tony Bennett’s Exploring The Arts gala held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Hosted by Goldberg, the evening raised over $1.2 million for Bennett’s charity that supports arts education in public schools. Honored at the event were Reed Hastings, Chairman, President and CEO of Netflix; Sumner Redstone, Executive Chairman of Viacom and CBS Corporation; and Steve Wynn, Chairman of Wynn Resorts. Also in attendance were Katie Couric, Quincy Jones, and Rachael Ray. Tony Bennett closed the evening with trademark renditions of “Watch What Happens,” “For Once In My Life,” “I Got Rhythm,” “Who Cares,” “Fly Me To The Moon” and “I Left My Heart In San Francisco.”

As part of Bennett’s charity drive for the Exploring The Arts organization, an online auction is also currently running. Items up for grabs include meet-and-greets with Elton John, Katie Holmes, Andre Agassi, Bette Midler, Stephen Colbert, Kevin Spacey, Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire, as well as a dress owned by Christina Aguilera, signed prints and sunglasses from Bono, guitars signed by KD Lang and Sting, and many more items from Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Bruce Springsteen and others.

The auction – which ends on October 1 – can be accessed through the Charity Buzz website.

Pavarotti To Be Honored With Charity Concert

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti is to be honored at a tribute charity concert in Petra, Jordan, a year after his death.

Proceeds from the concert – to be held on October 12 – will go towards projects in Afghanistan by the UN Refugee Relief Agency and the World Food Program, as well as to the Petra archaeological site 180km south of Amman where the concert will take place.

The audience – limited to about 500 people – will be entertained by many of Pavarotti’s friends from across the music industry, including Sting, Jose Carreras, Andrea Bocelli, Jovanotti, Laura Pausini, Angela Gheorghiu, Andrea Griminelli, Cynthia Lawrence, and Roberto Alagna. The event is being organised by Nicoletta Mantovani – Pavarotti’s widow – with the support of HRH Princess Haya of Jordan, a UN Messenger of Peace.

“This is an event born of the desire of everybody to remember Luciano, with songs dedicated to him or ones that he had sung,” said Mantovani.

Pick A Guitar For Charity

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:30:00 -0000

A new charity auction featuring rare guitars will take place in New York next month.

Christie’s and C.F. Martin Co. are thrilled to announce the Fine Musical Instruments sale on October 10, featuring a remarkable collection of Martin guitars. In honor of the legendary guitar makers’ 175th anniversary, the sale will include 49 guitars – the majority of them are limited edition prototype guitars culled from the vault of Martin Guitar and have never been offered to the public.

Embraced by artists all over the world, these guitars have helped define every music genre, from country and blues to rock and roll. The sale will pay tribute to this great musical tradition with all proceeds from the 49 lots benefiting The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, an initiative established in 1996 to encourage and support charitable organizations that have a positive impact on the acoustic music community and also provide programs and services that benefit the greater Lehigh Valley in eastern Pennsylvania.

“The artistry and craftsmanship of the Martin brand are without equal,” said Kerry Keane, Head of Musical Instruments at Christie’s. “Christie’s is excited to offer a remarkable collection and to support the ongoing work of the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.”

Highlights of the sale will include an exciting assortment of limited edition proto-types, unique experimental editions, inactive models and signature series. Featured guitars include the D-50 Deluxe (estimate: $24,000-35,000), a D-28 Authentic (estimate: $15,000-25,000), a 00-45ST Stauffer commemorating the 200th birthday of C.F. Martin Sr. (estimate: $4,000-6,000) and a D-50 Koa (estimate: $20,000-30,000). Additional artist signature models Christie’s will be offering include those from Hank Williams (estimate: $10,000-15,000), Eric Clapton (estimate: $1,500-2,500), Sting (estimate: $1,500-2,500), Graham Nash (estimate: $1,600-2,800), Sir George Martin (estimate: $2,400-3,500), and Woody Guthrie (estimate: $1,200-2,000).

More information on the auction can be found at the Christies website.

The Police Auction Signed Instruments

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

There is still a chance for you to get your hands on instruments signed by Sting and The Police in the Public Television Rocks auction.

The soon-to-be-disbanded Police play their final concert ever on August 7 at Madison Square Garden and – to prove there is still a sting in their tail – the band has donated a complete set of autographed instruments to be auctioned online through eBay.

The auction has been running for the last few weeks, and the band has already raised over $50,000 for Public Television Rocks! from the sale of VIP ticket packages to the final show.

Beginning August 4, a complete set of The Police’s instruments will be available for bidding, including Sting’s Signature Bass and Sennheiser Microphone (used during the 2007/2008 World Police tour); Andy Summer’s Signature Fender Telecaster; plus Stewart Copeland’s Tama Star Drum Set (played at the 2007 Grammy Awards) that features his current set up of Paiste cymbals including the Signature Blue Bell Ride, which Paiste developed in collaboration with the legendary drummer. All of the items are autographed and come with letters of authenticity.

100% of the proceeds from the auctions will benefit Public Television Rocks!, an initiative formed between NY Public Television stations, Thirteen/WNET (www.thirteen.org) and WLIW21 (www.wliw.org). The Police chose to support these stations in recognition of their contributions to art, music, and culture – both in New York and nationally. For more information, visit www.publictelevisionrocks.org.

The auction is running on eBay until August 14.

Stars Sing Songs For Tibet

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sting, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, and Alanis Morissette are just some of the artists who are donating songs to a new album to raise awareness for the International Campaign for Tibet.

Due for release on iTunes on August 5 and through other retailers on August 12, the album – called Songs For Tibet – will hit the airwaves just three days before the opening of the Beijing Olympics.

“This album will focus people’s attention on the importance of Tibet, the gifts of its culture, and the crisis the Tibetan people are facing today," said Michael Wohl, from the Art of Peace Foundation. “We wanted to express our support for the Tibetan people and their message of peace through music – a fundamental means of expression – at a time when the eyes of the world are on China.”

It is a sentiment shared by the International Campaign for Tibet – a organization whose board of directors includes Richard Gere – with spokesperson Kate Saunders adding: “We support this unique project as a heartfelt expression of solidarity with the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people at a time when the survival of Tibet’s religious culture is under threat.”

Proceeds from the album will go towards raising awareness and support for Tibet and the Dalai Lama, as well as towards projects inspired by the Dalai Lama’s promotion of peace.

Songs For Tibet also features new music from Moby, Damien Rice, and many more, and was produced by Rupert Hine.

“The commitment and enthusiasm from such a wide group of artists has been astonishing and truly heartfelt,” said Hine. “It’s been exciting orchestrating such an historic project.”

VIP Tickets For The Police's Final Concert Up For Grabs

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Police will play their final concert ever on August 7, and they want YOU to be there. To celebrate, the band has released a limited number of once-in-a-lifetime concert experiences and memorabilia to be auctioned online through eBay Giving Works.

The band is auctioning off four very special VIP packages to the Madison Square Garden show that will include intimate meet and greets, personal photos with the band, front row seats, access to the final sound check, special pre-concert dinner and cocktail reception invitations, and limited edition concert souvenirs. And if that is not enough, the boys are also putting a complete set of their autographed instruments up for grabs, including Sting’s Signature Bass, Sennheiser Microphone and Stand (used during the 2007/2008 world Police tour); Andy Summers’ Signature Fender Telecaster; and Stewart Copeland’s Tama Star Drum Set ( which he played at the 2007 GRAMMY Awards).

And not to be left out, support band The B52’s have also put a special VIP concert package up for auction, featuring a private meet and greet, access to their sound check, four front row seats, and four one-of-a-kind signed memorabilia gift sets.

The VIP ticket auctions run until July 24, and the opportunity to get your hands on the instruments runs until August 14. All of the auctions can be accessed through eBay.

Police To Bail On Career After Final Charity Gig

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:29:57 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Police plan to finish up where they began, with their final performance of their reunion tour taking place in New York this summer. The group said in a statement: “We kicked off our very first American tour at CBGB’s in 1978, and this summer, 30 years later, our journey will come full circle as we play our final show here in New York City.”

Proceeds of the concert will benefit public television, and the band also plans to give more, donating $1 million to a city program that aims to plant 1 million trees by 2017.

Sting said, “We have a long history here. We wanted to leave a gift with our last performance that would keep on giving year after year, decade after decade — the gift of trees does do that.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city will match their donation, providing for the planting of 10,000 trees across the city. Unable to resist, Bloomberg said the contribution will “ensure that ‘every breath we take’ is cleaner and greener.”

Sting’s 20th Year Saving Rainforests

Mon, 05 May 2008 11:44:38 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, will celebrate their 15th annual Rainforest Foundation Fund benefit concert, Some Kinda Legacy, at Carnegie Hall May 8.

The Rainforest Foundation Fund (RFF) came out of Sting and Styler’s Rainforest Foundation International (RFI), created in 1989 to raise awareness about the need to conserve tropical forests, support indigenous peoples, their land, their rights and to develop resource management. RFI began its focus on Brazil and then spread throughout Latin America, Africa and Asia. RFF has continued funding the programs and creating new ones to this end since 1999.

To help raise awareness of both the rainforest and the Fund’s mission, the Mayor’s office has declared May “Rainforest Awareness Month” and the Empire State Building will be lit in green Thursday evening during the event.

Besides Sting, the many other performers at the concert will include Billy Joel, James Taylor and Brian Wilson, followed with a gala dinner at the Grand Ballroom at Plaza Hotel, and then impressive items will be up for auction, such as a smart car, an opera night in Paris and stay at the Ritz, Bruce Springsteen memorabilia and concert tickets, tickets to a Police concert, a meeting with Tiger Woods, a visit to the set of Law & Order, and more.

Tickets to the concert range from $150 to $600, and can be purchased through Carnegie Hall

A Recipe For Organic Living - Stars Feast For A Cause

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:01:58 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a delectable night of weird and wonderful gastronomic delights when a group of celebrities were served a meal made from ingredients totally grown, plucked, picked, fished, harvested, collected, reaped, and gathered from in and around London late last week.

Over 400 guests, including Annie Lennox, Mick Jagger, Colin Firth, Jemima Khan, Richard E. Grant, Jamie Cullum, Sophie Dahl, and Sting’s wife Trudie Styler, gathered in Guildhall for the “Feast Of Albion”, an event masterminded by TV chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Money raised from the $2000-a-head evening, which included a performance from Lennox, went to the Soil Association, the UK’s leading environmental charity promoting sustainable, organic farming, and championing human health.

Guests were served a selection of unique dishes, including nettles picked from Hyde Park, wild fennel from the banks of Regent’s Canal in Hackney, organic beetroot from Romney Marsh, oysters from the Blackwater river in Essex, and venison from the Windsor Estate, with many of the ingredients being transported by bicycle up to 50 miles to the venue to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. The aim was to encourage supermarkets to stop flying out-of-season produce across the world and to promote locally grown foods.

“Organic farming enables poor farmers in developing countries to get into growing food for their families and communities in a way that’s genuinely sustainable,” said Lennox. “Eat organic, save the planet – it’s that simple.”

A live auction – which included items such as an environmentally friendly holiday at a Himalayan retreat – raised more than $600,000 for the Soil Association.

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.

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