Look To The Stars News: The Edge

Sean Penn Honored At Happy Hearts Fund Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

More than 500 guests from over eight countries gathered on Saturday night in New York City to celebrate the Happy Hearts Fund Land of Dreams: Haiti event and to recognize “Heart of Gold” honoree Renee Haugerud and “Lifetime Achievement” honoree Sean Penn.

Photo: Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman, Happy Hearts Fund and evening performer Wyclef Jean.

Meet Bill Clinton And Play Presidential Golf For Charity

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

A new celebrity charity auction will give one person the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and take a photograph with Bill Clinton as well as play in the exclusive Presidential Golf Tournament on Oct. 16, 2011, in Los Angeles, CA.

The package also includes 2 VIP Garden Box Seats to “A Decade of Difference” Concert with special performances by Lady Gaga, Usher, Bono & The Edge and more on Oct. 15, 2011, in Hollywood, CA.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Clinton Foundation. Building on a lifetime of public service, President Bill Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment. Over the past 10 years, President Clinton’s vision and leadership have resulted in nearly 4 million people benefiting from lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment; more than 12,000 U.S. schools building healthier learning environments; more than 26,000 micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and smallholder farmers improving their livelihoods and communities; and more than 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gases cut or abated in some of the world’s largest cities.

Bill Clinton To Celebrate Charity Anniversary With U2 And Lady Gaga

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

Bill Clinton will celebrate 10 years of his William J Clinton Foundation next month with a special celebrity charity concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

A Decade Of Difference: A Concert Celebrating 10 Years of The William J Clinton Foundation will take place on October 15 and feature performances by Lady Gaga, Usher, U2’s Bono and The Edge and many more yet to be announced.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 15, with proceeds going to the William J Clinton Foundation’s mission to to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment.

CharityBuzz.com's Top 15 Celebrity Charity Auctions Of 2010

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:30:00 +0000

CharityBuzz.com has seen everything from Lady Gaga’s couture costumes to a workout with Hugh Jackman hit the auction block to benefit great causes around the world this year. But nothing compares with the whopping price tags in the Top 15 Celebrity Auctions of 2010 list. These celebrities, and countless more, have helped charitybuzz raise $25 million for charity in 2010.

Jay-Z takes the title for highest grossing auction item, beating out former President Bill Clinton, Sir Paul McCartney, Prince William and Robert Pattinson for the number one spot with his $220,000 signed limited edition Audemars Piguet watch to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

While some charitybuzz favorites like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber didn’t make the cut, their continued generosity still made a big impact. Lady Gaga raised more than $125,000 in total on charitybuzz this year, while Bieber raised more than $67,000 by auctioning off tickets and meet and greets along his tour. You can find the full list of the Top Grossing Celebrity Auction Packages below.

Christmas Gift Idea: Stars Sign Guitars For Amnesty International

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Last week, LookToTheStars.org suggested those looking for the perfect Christmas gift bid on Bruce Springsteen’s Amnesty International guitar. Now we have some other great celebrity charity gift ideas.

A host of other artists have also signed guitars designed by Fender to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights in 2008. Among the stars who have added their signatures to the instruments are U2’s The Edge, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie and The Cure.

Celebrities Donate Gifts That Give Twice For Charity

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Charitybuzz.com, the leading destination for online charity auctions, presents its second annual Gifts That Give Twice Holiday Auction, featuring hundreds of once-in-a-lifetime celebrity and luxury experiences to benefit more than 50 nonprofit organizations.

Carrie Underwood, Betty White, Justin Bieber, The Edge, Michael Moore, Ne-Yo, Quentin Tarantino and many more celebrities have signed on to give back this holiday season, in addition to coveted brands like HBO, Ritz Carlton, and Barbie. Bidding is open to the international community through December 21 at www.charitybuzz.com/HOLIDAY2010.

From magnificent tropical getaways to exclusive access to A-list stars, charitybuzz is the ultimate destination for luxury gifts that give back to those in need this holiday season. 100 percent of net proceeds from the Gifts That Give Twice Holiday Auction will benefit nonprofits such as TreePeople, The Art of Elysium, Operation Smile, Habitat For Humanity NYC, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Reality Cares, Better Life Foundation, Children Affected by AIDS Foundation, First Tee, TACA, Musicians on Call and many others.

Tom Jones To Make A Little Noise For Charity

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 13:00:00 +0000

To celebrate their 5th birthday, Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions have enlisted superstar Tom Jones, multi-platinum selling Paolo Nutini and band of the moment Hurts to perform at the legendary series of acoustic gigs taking place from 15th – 20th November at Islington’s Union Chapel.

Curated by Mencap Ambassador Jo Whiley, once again Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions will bring some of the hottest names in music, over six very special nights, to perform acoustically in the exquisite surroundings of the Union Chapel. The stripped back music mixed with the intimate venue gives the audience the chance to see something truly unique each night.

Kicking off Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions birthday celebrations in style on Monday 15th November is Welsh legend Tom Jones who will be performing a special set from his latest album Praise & Blame, enlisting support on the night from some special guests! The night will be opened by hot, new, soul songstress, Lauren Pritchard.

Michael Douglas Takes Part In Stand Up To Cancer Event

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Michael Douglas made an emotional appearance via video at the massive Stand Up To Cancer television event on September 10.

“Cancer doesn’t care how many Oscars you’ve won or how many tough guys you’ve played,” said the actor, who is currently battling stage 4 throat cancer.

A huge number of stars took part in the event – simulcast live and commercial-free on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Bio, Discovery Health, E!, G4, HBO, HBO Latino, MLB Network, mun2, Showtime, Smithsonian Channel, The Style Network, TV One, and VH1 – including Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Sir Richard Branson, Michael Chiklis, George Clooney, Baron Davis, Emily Deschanel, Bill Hader, Dorothy Hamill, Anne Heche, Cheryl Hines, Randy Jackson, George Karl, Dr. Jon Lapook, Rob Lowe, Jane Lynch, Marlee Matlin, Shareen Mitchell, Olivia Munn, Lisa Niemi, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Passmore, Will Smith, Sam Trammell, Denzel Washington, Aaron Yoo, Renee Zellweger, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tatyana Ali, Dave Annable, Christina Applegate, Lance Armstrong, David Boreanaz, Abigail Breslin, Cindy Crawford, Fran Drescher, Elizabeth Edwards, Donald Faison, Sally Field, Derek Fisher, Michael C. Hall, Alyson Hannigan, Tony Hawk, Jon Heder, Marg Helgenberger, Terrence Howard, Ken Jeong, Rashida Jones, Minka Kelly, Laura Linney, Zachary Levi, Ray Liotta, Seth MacFarlane, Mandy Moore, Apolo Anton Ohno, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Jim Parsons, Aubrey Plaza, Dr. Ana Maria Polo, Yarel Ramos, Naya Rivera, Robin Roberts, Seth Rogen, The Simpsons, Eric Stonestreet, Marcia Strassman, Alison Sweeney, Maura Tierney, Gabrielle Union, Sofia Vassilieva, Sofia Vergara, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Reese Witherspoon and Ethan Zohn.

George Clooney Joins Stand Up To Cancer Lineup

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:00:00 +0000

The extraordinary lineup of actors, musicians, athletes and journalists participating in the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) primetime roadblock television fundraising event (September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT) continues to grow.

The following supporters have now joined the broadcast: Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Sir Richard Branson, Michael Chiklis, George Clooney, Baron Davis, Emily Deschanel, Bill Hader, Dorothy Hamill, Anne Heche, Cheryl Hines, Randy Jackson, George Karl, Dr. Jon Lapook, Rob Lowe, Jane Lynch, Marlee Matlin, Shareen Mitchell, Olivia Munn, Lisa Niemi, Kelly Osbourne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Passmore, Will Smith, Sam Trammell, Denzel Washington, Aaron Yoo and Renee Zellweger.

The Edge Creates iTunes Playlist For Charity

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

One of the music industry’s greatest guitarists has recorded a special iTunes Podcast Playlist for his charity.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, U2’s The Edge knew something had to be done to preserve the rich musical heritage of the region. Along with producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, he co-founded Music Rising, a charity dedicated to replacing the instruments that had been lost or destroyed in the storm. Now more than ever, Music Rising is committed to keeping the region’s unique musical culture alive through its continued support of education and the musical community.

In a new exclusive iTunes Podcast Playlist, the Edge shares some of his favorite songs from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, reminding us that much of today’s music originated from a musical culture that we must fight to preserve for future generations.

Hope For Haiti Now - Muhammad Ali's Plea For Charity

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 10:08:00 +0000

As the stars came out and shone for Haiti last night during George Clooney’s Hope For Haiti Now telethon, it was boxing legend Muhammad Ali who spoke loudest about the need for charity in times of hardship.

Appearing on stage in a wheelchair and unable to speak, the former boxer – who suffers from Parkinson’s Disease – looked on as comedian Chris Rock read out a speech he prepared earlier.

“By any name, charity can bring the people of our planet together … charity changes lives and saves lives … we call upon all the good people in every corner of the world to help … please give now,” he said. “In my life I’ve been called by many names. There are many names for the charity of the people of the earth and one of them is Zakat.”

George Clooney Brings Hope To Haiti Tonight

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:30:00 +0000

It will be a big night for charity tonight, as George Clooney’s Hope For Haiti telethon hits TV screens across America and around the world.

Hosted by Clooney, Wyclef Jean and Anderson Cooper, the show will feature performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift in New York, as well as Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles. There will even be performances from Coldplay, Bono, Jay-Z, The Edge and Rihanna in London.

All performances will be available for download on iTunes for 99 cents on Saturday. The two-hour program will air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT on Friday at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The special will also air on PBS, TNT, Showtime, Comedy Central, Bravo, E! Entertainment Network, National Geographic Channel, Oxygen, G4, Centric, Current TV, Fuse, MLB Network, Epix, Palladia, SoapNet, Style, Discovery Health and Planet Green, as well as Canada’s CTV, CBC Television, Global Television and MuchMusic. It will also air internationally on BET International, CNN International, National Geographic and MTV Networks International, available in 640 million homes worldwide. “Hope for Haiti” will be the first U.S.-based telethon airing on MTV in China. Facebook and Twitter are the official social media partners who will help to drive donations and tune-in to the telethon.

Stars Record Songs For Charity

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:31:00 +0000

Lupe Fiasco and Jay-Z have taken to the studio to record songs to benefit Haiti after the recent earthquake, which has killed more than 200,000 people.

Lupe, who recently climbed mount Kilimanjaro with Jessica Biel and Emile Hirsch to raise awareness about the world’s water crisis, teamed up with Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda. Jay-Z worked with U2’s Bono and Swizz Beatz, a producer.

Guitarist The Edge said that Swizz called Bono, saying he and Jay-Z wanted to do something to help Haitians.

Bono And Friends Rock Carnegie Hall For Charity

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

U2’s Bono and The Edge led an assortment of stars – including Courtney Love, Lou Reed, Scarlett Johansson, Rufus Wainwright and Lady GaGa at the massive (RED)NIGHTS charity concert in New York on Sunday, October 4.

Held at Carnegie Hall, the concert will benefit Bono’s (RED) charity to eliminate AIDS in Africa, and follows the successful (RED)NIGHTS concerts that were held earlier this year, featuring Katy Perry, Fall Out Boy, The Veronicas and many others.

The musicians reportedly took part in some massive jam sessions during the concert, playing David Bowie’s Jean Genie and The Velvet Underground’s ‘Sweet Jane’.

Iconic Stars Reveal Inspirations For Charity Calendar

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

British charity CLIC Sargent is to benefit from sales of a new calendar featuring the inspiration selections of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and other icons for the music world.

Music and entertainment specialist HMV is to mark the third anniversary of its acclaimed my inspiration campaign by featuring memorable highlights in a charity calendar for 2009/2010.

These include the my inspiration selections of Bob Dylan – who selected Scottish poet, Robert Burns; Bono and Paul McCartney, who, in turn, cite Bob Dylan as theirs; Paul Weller, who was first inspired by the songwriting of Lennon and McCartney; Bruce Springsteen, who was influenced by Blues performer Woodie Guthrie; and Deborah Harry, who found inspiration in the songs of Leonard Cohen.

U2 Donates To The Future Of Irish Music

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0000

U2 has donated €5 million (US$7.12 million) towards a program that teaches children Ireland to play a musical instrument or sing.

The Ireland Funds is an international organization that raises funds for causes in Ireland that will help manage the money and raise a further €2 million for the program.

“Being around music at a young age was important for us and we were lucky to have it at school,” said The Edge. “We had been looking for some time for a way to get involved in an initiative in music education in Ireland. After talking to various people in Ireland about what to do, we came to the conclusion that the Music Network scheme is really well thought out and that we, in partnership with the Ireland Funds, should just get behind it.”

U2's Guitarist Becomes Charity Ambassador

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

U2 guitarist The Edge has been made a Mencap ambassador.

The rocker has been a longtime supporter of the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities. In 2007, he played a surprise acoustic gig with Bono at the charity’s annual Little Noise Sessions, and he joins stars such as comedian Mathew Horne, Christopher Eccleston, investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre, actress Kellie Shirley, Newcastle-born actress and TV presenter Donna Air, Paula Sage – who became an ambassador after she won a Bafta award for her role in the film Afterlife – actor and singer Will Young, and Lisa Scott Lee as an ambassador.

“Not many people know what a learning disability is, or the challenges people with a learning disability face,” said The Edge. “I’ve seen how much work goes into Mencap and want to continue to see it flourish.”

Bill Clinton’s iPod Nets Over $2,200 For Charity

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

An 8GB red iPod Nano signed by former President Bill Clinton has been auctioned off for $2,246. Proceeds benefit Music Rising, and will help replace instruments lost by musicians, schools, and churches as a result of the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast Region in 2005.

U2’s The Edge created Music Rising with the support of many industry insiders in order to “help rebuild the musical heart and culture of the Gulf Region by replacing the musical instruments and gear that were lost in the Inundation in 2005.” The campaign has raised money through the sale of memorabilia and concert events. To date, Music Rising has assisted over 2,700 musicians and almost 50,000 students and parishioners in continuing pursuing their musical passions.

The organization’s latest charity effort partners Music Rising with celebrities and other public figures to auction autographed iPods; the players are filled with music selected by the participant and sold through the website Tonic.com. Clinton, himself a saxophonist, created a playlist featuring eleven songs including Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Carly Simon’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well,” Joan Baez’s “Winds of the Old Days,” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”

Celebrities Sign iPods For Charity Auction

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Tonic.com has announced the launch of a new charity auction series. Leading celebrities from the worlds of music, film, television, and fashion have contributed an autographed iPod loaded with their personal playlist to be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Music Rising, a campaign founded in 2005 to replace lost or destroyed instruments of musicians in the Gulf Coast Region after the hurricane disasters.

Over seventy celebrities will participate in the auction series including U2’s The Edge, former President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles, Cher, Donna Karan, Warren Buffett, Christy Turlington, Britney Spears, Michael Stipe, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Ben Affleck, Ellen DeGeneres, Estelle, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson, Peter Wentz, Randy Jackson, will.i.am, Kevin Bacon, Gisele Bundchen, Marc Jacobs, Ed Burns, Samantha Ronson, Nick Lachey, Petra Nemcova, Mandy Moore and many others.

Each celebrity was given a new iPod which they each autographed and Tonic pre-loaded with a playlist of ten to twenty of the celebrities’ favorite songs. Beginning February 12 between one and five separate iPod auctions will simultaneously launch every week on eBay; playlists will be revealed to the public on both tonic.com and eBay when auctions are launched.

Bono Becomes A Man Of Peace

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Nobel peace laureates gathered in summit in Paris on Friday 12th December to award Irish rocker-turned-activist Bono the annual “Man of Peace” prize for his struggle against poverty, disease and debt in Africa.

Paul Hewson (born 10 May 1960 in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland), more commonly known by his stage name Bono, is the main vocalist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Ali Hewson, and the future members of U2. Bono writes almost all U2 lyrics, often using political, social and religious themes. During their early years, Bono’s lyrics contributed to U2’s rebellious tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences with members of U2.

Among his non-U2 endeavors, he has collaborated and recorded with numerous artists, sits on the board of Elevation Partners, and owns a hotel with fellow band member, The Edge. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which he co-founded DATA. He has organized and played in several benefit concerts and has met with influential politicians. He is the co-founder of EDUN, the ONE Campaign and Product (RED). Bono has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and was named as a Person of the Year by Time, among many other awards and nominations.

Annie Lennox - Human Rights Now!

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

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 Killers Play Surprise Charity Gig

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:30:00 +0000

The Killers played an unannounced acoustic set at the first of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions in London on Saturday night.

The British rockers made their surprise appearance at a show that also featured Glasvegas, White Lies and Cage The Elephant. They played 3 songs, including Human, Smile Like You Mean It, and an inspired performance of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

Surprise acoustic performances are a traditional part of Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions. Last year, Bono and The Edge from U2 took to the stage unannounced and played four acoustic songs.

British Rockers To Go Acoustic For Mencap

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Kasabian, Stereophonics, Keane, and Razorlight have all signed up to perform at this year’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions which take place across eleven days in November.

The acoustic shows will take place at Islington’s Union Chapel to raise money for the charity, which works with people who suffer from learning disabilities.

“We are really looking forward to playing the show for the Little Noise Sessions on behalf of Mencap,” said Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics. “To be able to do an acoustic show in such an intimate venue and be able to support such a worthy cause will be a really special thing to do and something we rarely get the chance to do. It will be beautiful.”

Peter Gabriel To Receive Amnesty International Honor

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Peter Gabriel is to receive a special award for his humanitarian work today, September 10.

The 58-year-old singer has been named as the recipient of Amnesty International’s 2008 Ambassador of Conscience Award, an acolade that recognizes exceptional individual leadership in the fight to protect and promote human rights. Inspired by a poem written for Amnesty International by Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, the award aims to promote the work of the human rights organization by drawing attention to the work high profile people carry out, and former recipients include Nelson Mandela, U2, Mary Robinson and Vaclav Havel.

Gabriel is well known for his work with human rights around the world, and first worked with Amnesty when he helped organize the Conspiracy of Hope Tour with Bono in 1986. He went on to found Witness, a video community campaigning for Human Rights, and more recently became a founding member of The Elders – a private alliance of senior global figures who want to launch diplomatic assaults on the globe’s most intractable problems – along with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Richard Branson, and Jimmy Carter.

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.