Look To The Stars News: Dan Aykroyd

The Blues Mobile Comes to the Beach

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:24:40 -0000

The Blues Brothers gave a live, oceanside performance last week at the Celebration Of The Sea Music & Film Festival. Jake and Elwood Blues, the only performers officially sanctioned by original Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd and the John Belushi Estate, arrived in the Blues Mobile and performed hits from the Briefcase Full Of Blues album on Miami Beach to raise money for the Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis.

The Buoniconti Fund seeks to raise funds and awareness for The Miami Project, the world’s largest spinal cord injury research center. Both orgaisations were co-founded by NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti after his son Marc’s football accident paralyzed him from the neck down.

“One day I was a normal kid thinking about school, sports and girls,” says Marc Buoniconti from his wheelchair. “The next thing you know I’m out there talking to people about paralysis.” Having raised over $150 million through the Buoniconti Fund, he says, “My goal is to get everyone out of these chairs.”

The April 26 Blues concert, put together in conjunction with the Miami Beach Polo World Cup and The Setai restaurant, began with a fashion show and a presentation by Judy Belushi Pisano, widow of the original Blues Brothers co-creator, John Belushi. The Blues Brothers act followed with a guest performance by sax man Alto Reed of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet band, and then a silent auction that included Blues Brothers memorabilia donated by Ms Belushi Pisano.

“The Miami Project holds tremendous promise for people who are spinal cord injured,” Marc says. “In 1985, the Miami Project was a dream. Today, it’s reality.”

Good Music, Excellent Wine With Aykroyd in June

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:16:31 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

June has been a busy month for Dan Aykroyd. On June 9th, he performed a free Blues Brothers concert with James Belushi, the brother of Mr Aykroyd’s late Blues Brother partner, John Belushi.

The show raised $100,000 in donations, which Eblen Charities, serving western North Carolina, will use to create the new Seven Falls Foundation. Various creative fund raising events and partnerships with companies, municipalities or other organizations enable Eblen to assist families and children who are battling the effects of illnesses and disabilities by providing medication, travel to hospital and information services. They also offer emergency services in the form of rent payment, utility assistance and food, and much more. Eblen hopes to increase their outreach from the 65,000 needy last year to 75,000 this year.

Last weekend Mr Aykroyd hosted the Niagara Wine Auction, featuring world class Ontario VQA wines and the finest food at some of the most beautiful wineries in Niagara. The 1,100 seats were sold out for the $500-a-plate fundraiser. Besides mingling with winemakers, wine tasting and celebrity chef food, guests bid on wine packages, merchandise and getaways. Proceeds will benefit SickKids Foundation and St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation.

Dan Aykroyd To Host Niagara Wine Auction

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 20:00:13 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Canadian-born comedian and actor Dan Aykroyd is to host the inaugural Niagara Wine Auction and Gala later this month. The former Blues Brother, an accomplished winemaker, plans to turn his epicurian passion to a good cause by involving himself in the event.

The Auction and Gala takes place in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, on June 22-24. The event plans to raise funds for the SickKids Foundation, although it will also support the local St Catharine’s General Hospital Pediatric Division.

The event includes a Winemaker’s Dinner, a garden party, and a main Gala Dinner, complemented by local award-winning and celebrity chefs. The venues are spread around some of the most beautiful vineyards in Ontario, and guests will have the opportunity to mingle with Aykroyd, as well as taste a variety of wines, and bid on special local wine packages.

Up for auction is an evening with Dan Aykroyd at his homestead in Kingston, Ontario. This includes a meal created and cooked by his personal chef, and featuring wines chosen by Aykroyd himself. Other items for sale include getaway weekends to several well-known vineyards in the area, golf tours, concert tickets, home theatre equipment, guitars, and more.

Look To The Stars News: Dan Aykroyd

The Blues Mobile Comes to the Beach

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Good Music, Excellent Wine With Aykroyd in June

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Dan Aykroyd To Host Niagara Wine Auction

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