Look To The Stars News: Michael Stipe

Salman Rushdie And Michael Stipe To Host Charity Book Fair

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

March 21 will see The Lunchbox Fund hold its annual Book Fair and auction – hosted by Salman Rushdie and Michael Stipe – at the Piedmonte Room, Del Posto.

As well as the chance to enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and the most beautiful gathering of books to behold, the event will give you the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind handmade books created in collaboration with Ruth Lingen by Salman, Stipe, Sting, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mario Batali, Ben Kingsley, Yoko Ono, Tony Bennett, Shepard Fairey, Deepak Chopra and many more.

An online auction will also take place, which starts on March 20 and can be accessed here.

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.

Hanson Leads Celebrity Charity Telethon For Japan

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Hanson used their appearance at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, last night to stage a 12-hour telethon for victims of Japan’s devastating tsunami.

Featuring R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, The Parlotones and many others, the celebrity charity concert was streamed live online and raised money for the American Red Cross.

The telethon was drawn together in a short 24 hour period through tremendous efforts from all involved, with the aim of offering assistance and support to victims of the magnitude 8.9 earthquake on March 11th, 2011. The earthquake and resulting tsunami has left countless dead and homeless across Japan and the Pacific region.

Cyndi Lauper Launches Celebrity Charity Auction

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Between a whirlwind tour, launching a new campaign for MAC cosmetics, and filming a reality show, Cyndi Lauper has had a busy past year.

That hasn’t stopped the talented artist and gay-rights activist from rallying an impressive list of stars from music and entertainment to help kick off the True Colors Winter Charity Auction on charitybuzz.com to benefit the True Colors Fund in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Incredible experiences and memorabilia from Ricky Martin, Jason Mraz, Rosie O’Donnell, Dolly Parton, Sarah Silverman, David Gray, U2, Lady Gaga and many more celebrities and artists are up for auction now through February 10th at www.charitybuzz.com/TrueColorsWinter10.

Michael Stipe To Help Free The Slaves

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0000

R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe will join Helena Christensen, Katie Ford, Natane Boudreau, Andre Balazs and Steven Klein as a host of a special event to benefit Free The Slaves on Wednesday, October 20, in NYC.

The event will feature cocktails and entertainment, and will include a special live auction to raise funds for Free The Slaves, an organization that works with a wide variety of people, be it Restavek children in Haiti, war children in Uganda, women and children forced into prostitution in Nepal or entire villages in debt bondage in India. Free The Slaves rescues, rehabilitates and educates victims, and also does substantial advocacy on their behalf. Through on-the-ground partnerships in Haiti, Brazil, Ghana, Uganda, Congo, India and Nepal, Free The Slaves focuses on systemic changes to ensure that the communities they work with will never be vulnerable to slavery again.

The event takes place at the Top Of The Standard, 442 West 13th Street, at 7pm. Find out more here.

REM Fans Donate To Charity For Michael Stipe's Birthday

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Fans of R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe have donated to charity to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Led by fan Ethan Kaplan and his fan site Murmurs.com, donations went to Nuci’s Space, where Stipe’s late friend and fellow singer Vic Chestnut was being treated for depression prior to his suicide on Christmas Day. Nuçi’s Space is a non-profit health and music resource center in Athens, GA. The aim of the organization is to prevent suicide by providing obstacle free treatment for musicians suffering from depression and other such disorders as well as to assist in the emotional, physical and professional well-being of musicians.

“It’s hard to over state how important Michael has been in the lives of many,” wrote Kaplan. "He has been a mentor to musicians, the writer of lyrics for near 300 amazing songs, a visual artist, film producer and photographer. It’s hard to find a week when he isn’t cropping up in a story somewhere.

Top Rockers Protest Against Music Torture At Guantanamo

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

A coalition of US and international musicians, including Trent Reznor, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, Jackson Browne, Rise Against, Rosanne Cash, Billy Bragg and The Roots have announced they are joining the National Campaign to Close Guantanamo—a campaign led by retired Generals Robert Gard, John Johns, former member of Congress, Tom Andrews, and Vote Vets Chairman and Iraq War veteran, Jon Soltz.

The musicians have also launched a formal protest of the use of music used in conjunction with torture that took place at the prison and other facilities and announced they were supporting an effort seeking the declassification of all secret government records pertaining to how music was utilized as an interrogation device.

British Bands To Play For Youth Music Charity

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

British band The Enemy and singing sensation Little Boots are to play gigs as part of a forthcoming exhibition project by photographer Rankin for children’s music charity Youth Music.

Youth Music is the UK’s largest children’s music charity, set up in 1999 to promote and support music making opportunities and to provide advice to children from birth – 18 with the least access, including some of the UK’s most disadvantaged young people. Youth Music works alongside the formal and community-based sectors to support music-making and training.

The acts are set to play at London’s Phillips de Pury Gallery on November 12 and 13, and are part of a week-long series of music and art events.

Cyndie Lauper Launches Charity Auction

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Cyndi Lauper has launched the True Colors Fund online auction which aims to raise money to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender (GLBT) and allied community by growing the number of volunteers and donors to the non-profit organizations working on their behalf.

Items up for grabs include lunch and Tarot card reading with Lauper, tickets to the Entourage season premiere in LA, a meet-and-greet with Bette Midler in Las Vegas, a set visit to 30 Rock, meet-and-greets with Lady Gaga and Rosie O’Donnell, autographed items from Dolly Parton, one-of-a-kind handwritten lyrics from Jason Mraz, Peter Gabriel, Michael Stipe and many more, and items from Mark Wahlberg, Yoko Ono and others.

“I am excited to launch the True Colors Fund’s Summer Online Auction,” said Cyndi Lauper, who created the True Colors Tour, an annual music tour that tour benefits the Human Rights Campaign and other organizations that provide support to the LGBT community and to the straight friends and family who love them, including PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the Matthew Shepard Foundation, as well as local organizations in cities where the concerts were held. “There is literally something for everyone. All of the proceeds will go directly to support the True Color Fund’s work to get everyone – especially my fellow straight allies – to do what they can to help make equality a reality for the GLBT community.”

REM To Be Honored With Charity Tribute Show

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Rocker Patti Smith is to headline a tribute concert for R.E.M. next week.

The concert – which features 20 artists and bands performing the songs of the biggest band to ever come out of Athens, Georgia – will take place at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday, March 11, and will include Throwing Muses, Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish and many others.

Proceeds from the show will go to three organizations that provide music education for youth:

Jon Bon Jovi To Be Honored At Food Bank Event

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Mark down April 21 on your calendars for the annual Food Bank For New York City Can-Do Dinner, this year honoring Jon Bon Jovi.

The Food Bank For New York City coordinates the distribution of food donations from manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies to organizations providing free food to the city’s hungry. They work tirelessly towards their goal of feeding the hungry, and have chosen Jon Bon Jovi as this year’s honoree because of his efforts in making the world a better place.

The event will be held at Abigail Kirsch’s Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, on the corner of 23 Street and the Hudson River, and will kick off at 6pm with cocktails, followed by a dinner, live auction, and musical performance.

Youssou N'Dour Launches Charity Album

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Global non-profit IntraHealth International is partnering with Grammy Award-winning artist Youssou N’Dour on a charity album titled “OPEN Remix” benefiting a new initiative created to address critical health issues in Africa by putting the latest open source software technologies directly in the hands of health workers.

Nas, Duncan Sheik and Peter Buck of R.E.M. are among the headliners donating remixes of N’Dour’s song “Wake Up” to raise funds and visibility for the IntraHealth OPEN Initiative.

Starting February 11th and rolling through spring, free downloads of the songs will be available with a suggested donation through distribution partners including Rhapsody, iLike, Amazon MP3, and through IntraHealth’s website.

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.

Catch A Baseball Signed By Five US Presidents For Charity

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

A complete set of Harry Potter books signed by author JK Rowling and artworks signed by former president Jimmy Carter are some of the items up for sale in an exciting new auction to raise money for an organization that promotes peace and health worldwide and monitors elections in struggling democracies.

Over 100 items will be up for grabs in the auction, to benefit the Carter Center. One of the most sought-after prizes is a baseball signed by five American presidents – George Bush Sr, George W. Bush Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter. Also raising eyebrows and bids will be a a certificate commemorating the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, signed by Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong. There are also photographs taken on the moon and signed by the astronauts, as well as guitars signed by Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Michael Stipe, Bruce Springsteen and Kid Rock.

The auction will take place during the Carter Center’s annual Winter Weekend celebration Feb. 7 in Port St. Lucie. More information about the auction and how to bid online can be found at the Carter Center website.

The Blues Brothers Are On A Mission For Charity

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Legendary R&B soul revivalists, Elwood Blues and Zee Blues, have announced their first public performance in over two decades! Yes, The Blues Brothers will take the stage with the Sacred Hearts Band on February 7 in Atlanta for the Blues Brothers Formal Classic Revue – On a Mission From G-d Charity Event and Live Show.

The Blues Brothers Band features original member Dan Aykroyd as Elwood Blues and Jim Belushi as Zee Blues (Belushi’s late older brother John was Jake Blues in the original lineup). During the show, there will be a silent auction, or fans can bid by visiting the auction on-line to score such items as a five-day Caribbean getaway, tickets to Season 8 of Fox’s “American Idol,” tickets to “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart,” an autographed R.E.M. guitar, an autographed Dan Marino jersey and autographed official Blues Brothers memorabilia.

Proceeds from the show/auction will go to Hillels of Georgia, a multi-campus culture and lifestyle student organization. Tickets are $55-$75. Special VIP tickets are $180-$1,000, which includes VIP seating, green room access and Blues Brothers merchandise.

Visit Abbey Road Studios To Benefit Cancer Research

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Cancer Research UK has announced February 26 as the date of their annual Sound & Vision event at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Although full details have yet to be released, the event will feature champagne and canapés, access to the recording studios where The Beatles recorded, a stunning exhibition and auction of images featuring iconic musicians by famous photographers, the opportunity to purchase a piece of music history in a live auction, live performances, and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrity guests.

Patrons of the event include legendary Beatles producer George Martin and Whispering Bob Harris. Last year’s event raised over £160,000 for vital cancer research with live performances by Beverley Knight, 10cc and The Brand New Heavies and auction items such as a one-off Rickenbacker guitar designed and signed by R.E.M’s Peter Buck and handwritten lyrics from Bryan Ferry. Photos from the event can be viewed here.

Grab Heidi Klum's Jacket For 15 Below

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Fancy slipping into a jacket signed by supermodel Heidi Klum or Sir Elton John? Now’s your chance – the 15 Below Project’s charity auction has been extended.

The 15 Below Project is an initiative between clothes designers TAXI and The Salvation Army to create a cheap but high quality jacket for the homeless.

“It’s a lifeline for people without homes. They’re a pretty low-cost, immediate way to address a huge issue,” said Paul Lavoie, co-founder, chairman, and chief creative officer of TAXI. “Our approach to solving problems – of any sort – has always been to question convention. This won’t eliminate homelessness, but it can make a lot of people more comfortable.”

Have Lunch In Style With New Celebrity Auction

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 14:30:00 +0000

It’s that time of year again – time for the Annual Celebrity Lunchbox Auction to benefit the Food Bank For New York City.

The Lunchbox Auction is a non-profit organization that runs a yearly auction of celebrity designed lunchboxes and splits the proceeds between the Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund, a foundation that provides lunch to pre and high school children in South Africa.

This year’s auction includes lunchboxes designed and signed by celebrities such as Mario Batali, Beastie Boys, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Salman Rushdie, Cameron Diaz, the cast of Gossip Girls, Rachael Ray, Eva Mendes, Mike Myers, Ellen Page, Michael Stipe, Liv Tyler, Diane Von Furstenberg, and many others.

Bono's RED(Wire) To Launch Next Week

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:00:00 +0000

A new digital music service offered by Bono’s (RED) campaign is set to launch on Monday, December 1 – the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

The singer announced the new system in July, saying: “We are working on [a way that] will help change the way music is received, as well as change the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drug that (RED) can provide.”

RED (Wire) will be a subscription-based service that will deliver weekly magazine style installments. For $5/month, subscribers will receive an exclusive song from one of the world’s top artists, a song by an emerging artist, a piece of non-music content called a “Crackerjack surprise,” and stories of how (RED) funds are being used to combat the deadly disease.

Students Launch Fundraising For Burma

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:30:00 +0000

The US Campaign for Burma is excited to announce the launch of their first-ever Student Fundraising Challenge.

This fall, on campuses across the United States and around the world, students will participate in an effort to raise $32,000 to increase awareness of 3,200 villages that have been destroyed in Eastern Burma during the military regime’s ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Musicians Band Together To Make Signs

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0000

Michael Stipe, Jarvis Cocker, Death Cab for Cutie and OK Go are some of the musicians who have banded together for a new charity auction sponsored by Under The Radar Magazine.

The bands have created signs and banners using black paint on white card to raise money for War Child. Most of the signs display the musicians’ political commentary and slogans – such as OK Go’s They Bank on Your Apathy, Chuck D’s Fight the Power ‘Of Course’, and Michael Stipe’s Things I Hate: Gutless Puff Adder Journalists. However, others display more a individual style – such as Supergrass’ Dolphins Are Not Just Sex Objects and Peter Morén’s Down With Whistling.

The auction runs until October 7, and can be accessed through eBay.

Bono Wants You To Clean Up For Charity

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:30:00 +0000

It may seem weird – maybe even unbelievable – but Bono has designed a trash can and wants YOU to buy it for charity.

The unique bin is part of a new auction featuring a range of bins designed by celebrities and raising money for the Food Bank For New York City and the Chernobyl Children’s Project International. Joining Bono in designing the receptacles are a range of stars, including REM’s Michael Stipe, celebrity chef Mario Batali, models Helena Christensen and Christy Turlington, actress Mena Suvari, and many more.

The auction is part of a partnership between The Conran Store – an international chain of homeware and furniture stores – and Danish design company VIPP, who were the original designers of the classic pedal trash bin in 1939. The unique celebrity designs will be on display for public viewing and pre-bidding at The Conran Shop in New York (407 East 59th Street) from September 4, culminating in a live auction event on Thursday, September 18, at the Winston Wächter Fine Art Gallery.

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:11:22 +0000

Sotheby’s was seeing red last week as Bono and artist Damien Hirst organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity. And by by the end of the night, the U2 frontman had rallied deep-pocketed bidders to make the AIDS charity auction a raging success to the tune of $42.6 million.

“It is a historic night for artists” said Bono, “An extraordinary night in New York City. I am very moved.”

The U2 frontman was flanked by celebrity pals as he led the guests in a sing-along of the Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’. “I see myself as a servant for Africa,” Bono said, “Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Bono's Fishy T-Shirt Benefits African Farmers

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 09:41:00 +0000

Bono has designed a new T-shirt for charity, joining a host of other celebrities in an on-going and major charity campaign.

The 47-year-old singer from U2 is the 25th artist to design a shirt for Hard Rock Café’s Signature Series clothing line, an initiative started in 1990 as a way for musicians to raise money for charities of their choice. Sales from the shirts have raised over $6 million for a variety of causes.

Bono’s creation, available for $26 from the Hard Rock website, features his stylized drawing of a fish soaring past the moon, and is adorned with the words “Fish Can Fly”, as well as his signature. 15% of the proceeds will go to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Conservation Cotton initiative – a scheme designed to lift African farmers out of poverty by providing education on proper land management, organic cotton growing techniques, and wildlife conservation. The shirts will also support the trade for aid ethos of EDUN, the conscious consumerism fashion label founded by Bono and his wife in 2005, by being made from 100% African cotton and manufactured by African garment workers.

Shakira Joins Latin American Solidarity Action Foundation

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:53:00 +0000

Shakira has announced her plan to raise $200 million for the charity América Latina en Acción Solidaria (ALAS).

The singer, who is already a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and founder of Colombian charity Pies Descalzos, will stage four fundraising concerts in Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and New York this year.

ALAS is dedicated to aiding impoverished communities throughout all of Latin America, focusing on improved nutrition, health and education for children. “ALAS came about because of a social emergency: 350 thousand children die each year due to avoidable causes; 40 million children work and live on the streets,” Shakira said.