Look To The Stars News: Wayne Brady

Joss Stone, Anita Baker To Shine for UNCF's An Evening of Stars

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Grammy-winning ladies of soul Anita Baker and Joss Stone are set to join Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and American Idol winner Fantasia at the UNCF’s tribute to Patti LaBelle.

The UNCF’s 30th Anniversary An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Patti LaBelle Presented by Target promises to be a night to remember as the charity salutes Patti LaBelle before a live audience on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Also scheduled to sing Patti LaBelle’s praises will be the incomparable Dionne Warwick, the soulful Brian McKnight, the multi talented comic and singer Wayne Brady and gospel legend Yolanda Adams. Additional performers and an all-star cast of presenters, to be announced later, will join UNCF’s salute to the soulful songbird during a two-hour tribute that will air in January 2009.

Patti LaBelle, who has been an active supporter of UNCF through her appearances on past AEOS® tributes and participation in numerous UNCF fundraising events, will be on hand to accept UNCF’s Award of Excellence, given in recognition of her distinguished career as an artist and for her longstanding support of UNCF. She joins the esteemed company of prior award honorees Lou Rawls, Quincy Jones, Steve Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson.

Returning for his twelfth year as executive producer and director of An Evening of Stars® is five-time Emmy® winner Louis J. Horvitz. Horvitz and his team received the prestigious NAACP Image Award for a Tribute to Stevie Wonder benefiting the UNCF earlier in 2007.

In a career that has spanned more than three decades, Horvitz has helmed many high-profile programs, including “Fashion Rocks,” “VH-1 Concert for New York City” benefiting survivors of 9/11, and “Live Aid”.

Tickets to An Evening of Stars® Tribute to Patti LaBelle Presented by Target are now on sale at the Kodak Theatre box office, the Ticketmaster web site and at all Los Angeles area Ticketmaster locations. Ticket prices start at $28.

For more information on AEOS, visit www.uncf.org/aeos.

The United Negro College Fund is the nation’s oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization. Its mission is to increase minority degree attainment by providing financial support to its 39 member institutions, reducing financial barriers to college and serving as a national advocate for minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF’s recently redesigned logo and brand identity feature UNCF’s torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at www.UNCF.org.

Cindy Crawford Hosts Mothers Day Spa For Ronald McDonald House

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:26:03 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of Tinseltown’s brightest female stars turned out for an early Mothers Day charity fundraiser event in Los Angeles today, April 29, to salute mothers staying at Ronald McDonald House.

Cindy Crawford, Dayanara Torres, June Ambrose, and Tamia hosted the “spa and wellbeing” event, and treated mothers with sick children to manicures and neck and shoulder massages, make-up tips, and consultations provided by JAFRA Cosmetics International Inc., as well as gift bags filled with beauty items.

“It will be very special to watch these incredible mothers take a break, relax, and enjoy the day,” said Crawford. “We know that the presence of families helps in the healing process for children. These moms give so much love and support to their children during such a difficult time, and in honor of Mother’s Day, this is a nice way to show our appreciation for all the sacrifices they make for their families each and every day.”

The stars took part in the event as Celebrity Friends of Ronald McDonald House (RMHC), part of the charity’s existing Friends of RMHC volunteer program which includes a network of 30,000 volunteers that allows RMHC to serve millions of children each year. Other celebrities involved in the program include Hayden Panettiere, Holly Robinson-Peete, and Wayne Brady. The celebrity program was launched in 2007, during McDonald’s annual World Children’s Day fundraiser for RMHC, and is designed to heighten awareness for the charity and inspire people to take action by actively donating their time, resources, or funds.

“Mothers who depend on the Ronald McDonald House to be a ‘home away from home’ while their children receive treatment at nearby hospitals often form a special bond with one other,” said Wai Ling Eng, RMHC Global Board Trustee. “I’m delighted to be part of this event that salutes these strong women and gives them a chance to further their connection with other mothers going through a similar experience.”

Today’s event at the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House followed the opening of a newly-built auxiliary property, which added 40 additional hotel-style bedrooms to the facility. The expansion means the charity can now provide low cost, often free, lodging to 75-families per night; an increase from the previously accommodated 35-families.

It's A Big Night In On Thursday

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:28:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The seasons may be changing, but there are still enough reasons to cuddle up on the couch in front of the television this week, especially on Thursday when two game shows see celebrities competing for charity. So grab a blanket, a cat, and a loved one, slip into some slippers, pour a drink, and put your feet up for a night on the couch.

The big attraction is NBC’s The Celebrity Apprentice, which comes to a conclusion this week, with the last two contestants battling it out for good causes and glory. Country singer Trace Adkins will go head-to-head with British media personality Piers Morgan for the finale, with Donald Trump awarding $250,000 to the winner’s chosen charity.

Adkins will perform his new single, You’re Gonna Miss This, during the show, and the song will be available on iTunes immediately after the program is aired. Proceeds from the song will go to FAAN (the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network), which is also the singer’s chosen charity for the show.

“I intend to conclude my time on this show with my dignity intact,” said Adkins. “I will try to be as respectful as Piers will allow me to be.”

But if country music isn’t your scene, and you spend your evenings reminiscing about torn jeans and long hair, then head over to the Fox Network for Don’t Forget The Lyrics. This week’s show will prove that the 80’s really was the best decade for music when REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin competes for MusiCares.

The show’s aim is simple – celebrity contestants compete to win $1 million for their favorite charity by recalling song lyrics from a variety of genres. So far, artists such as Boyz II Men, Kenny Loggins, and Poison’s Bret Michaels have all tried their luck with host Wayne Brady.

And no matter if Cronin wins or not, you are guaranteed to have “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” still running through your head at 3am.

Comic Relief Brings Laughter to New Orleans

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:12:33 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams are back to host the 20th Anniversary of the US Comic Relief event this Saturday, November 19th. After an eight-year hiatus, the beloved event has returned to raise funds for New Orleans and the people still suffering from the effects of last year’s hurricane. Comedians such as Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, Ray Romano and Roseanne Barr have joined the cause.

The show will take place at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas as part of The Comedy Festival, with tickets starting at $95. For those unable to attend in person, the three-hour concert will appear simultaneously on HBO and TBS from 9pm to Midnight EST.

This year a special Comic Relief concert has been scheduled in New Orleans to coincide with the regular Las Vegas show. The event will be held at Harrah’s Fulton Street promenade and is free to the public. Wayne Brady is the host of this show, and he will be joined by entertainers such as Louie Anderson and Tom Arnold.

Since 1986, Comic Relief has raised more than $50 million, with 100% of the proceeds going to programs such as aiding the homeless and helping victims of Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Much of this year’s proceeds will go to a local non-profit group which is rebuilding New Orleans’ traditional narrow, rectangular houses for low-income families.

Look To The Stars News: Wayne Brady

Joss Stone, Anita Baker To Shine for UNCF's An Evening of Stars

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Cindy Crawford Hosts Mothers Day Spa For Ronald McDonald House

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It's A Big Night In On Thursday

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