Look To The Stars News: Stevie Wonder

Children In Need Concert Makes History

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

British broadcasters Terry Wogan, Tess Daly, and Fearne Cotton hosted the annual BBC Children in Need charity concert on Friday, November 14.

The epic seven hour show featured performances from the Sugababes, Boyzone, Leon Jackson, McFly, the Stereophonics, John Barrowman, Il Divo, Jason Donovan Russell Watson, Alesha Dixon, Razorlight, Sharleen Spiteri and many others. Girls Aloud also made a special appearance, and there were surprise contributions from Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Black, Will Young, Richard Hammond, and Stevie Wonder. Take That donated £250,000 from their ticket sales and a recent Marks and Spencer modeling deal.

But perhaps the funniest highlights of the night came from a performance of Abba hits from six BBC newsreaders. The cast of Eastenders also took to the stage for a song and dance.

A total of £20,991,216 had been raised at the end of the broadcast making it likely that donations could be higher than last year’s total of £37 million.

“I am completely overwhelmed by the way the country has come together in support of BBC Children in Need, demonstrating such generosity in these tough times, and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone involved,“ said David Ramsden, BBC Children in Need chief executive. “We can now focus our attention on finding more great projects that can change young lives for the better.”

Andre Agassi Grand Slam For Kids This Weekend

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rod Stewart, Sheryl Crow, The Killers and David Spade will headline the 13th annual Andre Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas this weekend.

“I’m thrilled to have so many amazing performers donate their talents to help us help children,” said Agassi. “We look forward to celebrating with our partners what we’ve accomplished in Las Vegas with the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and our future efforts to transform public education for underserved children nationwide.”

The concert will raise funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls. The concert will be preceded by an invitation-only concert tonight – October 10 – featuring James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

“This year the Grand Slam for Children is being held at Wynn Las Vegas, which offers a first-class, intimate experience for our guests,“ said Agassi. “The event is sure to be a hit with top exclusive entertainment at this beautiful venue.”

Since its inception in 1995, the Grand Slam for Children has been distinguished by its roster of entertainers, including Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Jerry Seinfeld, Stevie Wonder, Ellen DeGeneres, Jamie Foxx, Robin Williams, Don Henley, Tony Bennett, Luther Vandross, Usher, Goo Goo Dolls, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, John Mayer, Ray Romano, Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Seal, Duran Duran and Josh Groban. More than 98,000 fans and VIP guests have attended the past 12 Grand Slam events, raising more than $70 million for charity.

Agassi’s 2008 Grand Slam for Children will take place tomorrow night, October 11, with musical direction by David Foster. More information about tickets can be found at the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation website.

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.

Grammy Auction Has Something For Everybody

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Another incredible Grammy auction benefiting MusiCares is currently running on eBay, giving bidders the opportunity to pick up some very special memorabilia for a good cause.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will take place in February next year, and to celebrate there are all sorts of exciting items on offer. Maybe you fancy books signed by Ringo Starr, John Legend, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, Little Richard, or Carole King, or postcards signed by Rihanna. Or perhaps you would be more interested in grabbing a guitar signed by Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, or the Eagles’ Joe Walsh. Or, if strumming chords seems too hard and you want to hear real musicians play, you might want to make a bid on tickets to see Bette Midler, America, or 3 Doors Down. Whatever your taste, the auction has something for you.

So head over to the eBay Grammys Auction now to find yourself a once-in-a-lifetime bargain to raise money for MusiCares, an organization that works to help those in need in the music industry, and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education.

The auction runs until July 31.

Celebrities Raid The ARK In Charity Auction

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A role in the next film made by Uma Thurman, a Damien Hirst painting, a Fiat 500 decorated by the artist Tracey Emin, and a private jet tour of the Château Cheval Blanc and Château d’Yquem wineries were all up for auction on Wednesday night to raise money for ARK.

The event was the annual ARK Charity Dinner, and was held at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London. A host of celebrities attended the function, including Sarah Ferguson, Jemima Khan, Elizabeth Hurley, and Simon Cowell, each paying up to $98,000 for a table of 10.

The 1,000 attendees were entertained by a special performance by Stevie Wonder and a speech from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Over £25.5 million ($50.23 million) was raised this year, coming close to meeting the success of last year’s £26.6 million ($53 million) event. A downwards trend is currently being seen across the board – the Robin Hood Foundation in New York raised $56.5 million for charity in an evening last week, $15 million less than a year earlier.

ARK, or Absolute Return for Kids, is an international charity whose purpose is to transform children’s lives. Founded in 2002 by a group of senior figures in the alternative investment industry, the organization works to pool the skills and resources of the industry to improve the life chances of children.

Idol And Dancing With The Stars Auctions For Great Causes

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:59:51 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

What’s better than an auction featuring items from your favorite television show? An auction featuring items from two of your favorite television shows! Fans of American Idol and Dancing With The Stars will be jumping up and down with excitement when they see what’s on offer over at www.clothesoffourback.org this week, with a mouthwatering assortment of garments and other surprises up for grabs.

The auction presents a unique opportunity for all those people who have watched Dancing With The Stars and said to themselves “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.” A host of the best celebrity dancers from the show are selling their fancy footwear for charity, and are inviting people to step up and make a bid. Melanie Brown, Vivica Fox, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Samantha Harris, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Jane Seymour, and Lisa Rima are all putting their best foot forward and donating shoes to the auction, and the highest bidders will also receive a selection of products from Dr Scholl. Proceeds will go to a selection of charities chosen by the stars.

Anybody interested in the auction should hot-foot it over there soon – the auction ends on May 7.

Following hot on the heels of the shoe auction is a sale from American Idol’s Kimberley Locke. The Season 2 finalist is auctioning the dress she wore when she performed her song “Fall” on the show, and it just happens that the garment was designed by Project Runway’s Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano. The auction ends on April 18, and proceeds will benefit Camp Heartland.

And just in case you want to put your feet up after all of your hard bidding, why not check out the Modern Studio Furnishings celebrity signed couch that is also on offer over at Clothes Off Our Back. A colossal crowd of celebrities have autographed the sofa, used at last year’s BET Awards, including Patti La Belle, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, Akon, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, and many more. Proceeds from the auction – which ends April 18 – will go to the BET Foundation.

What a pity it is only signatures on the couch… it would make for a cosy and interesting evening squeezed up to all those celebrities!

Elton's Oscar Party Raises $5.1m

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:50:42 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Sunday night saw the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 16th annual Academy Awards viewing party, which this year raised $5.1 million thanks to its spectacular guest list.

The Pacific Design Center venue saw even more of Hollywood’s glitterati than anticipated, boasting the attendance of “Best Actress” award winner Marion Cotillard and “Best Supporting Actor” nominee Tom Wilkinson. Further top names present included Amy Adams, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, Sean Penn, Patricia Clarkson, Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford, Josh Groban, Faye Dunaway, Sean Combs, Seal and Heidi Klum, Prince, Kate Beckinsale, Billy Joel, Courtney Love, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Petra Nemcova, Jeremy Piven, Roberto Cavalli, Minnie Driver, Simon Cowell and Herbie Hancock.

The gala was co-hosted by Elton’s partner David Furnish, and included dinner, a musical performance by Elton himself and a live auction.

Sharon Stone acted as auctioneer, and Elton offered to remove his trousers if it would raise more money. Stone added that she wouldn’t follow suit.

Yet more stars seen at the event included Natasha Henstridge, Larry King, Eric McCormack, Jason Lewis, Jonny Lee Miller, Brett Ratner, Jason Reitman, Rupert Murdoch, Jennifer Coolidge, Russell Simmons, Cheryl Tiegs, John Waters and Ziyi Zhang.

Since its inception in 1992, Elton’s foundation has raised more than $125 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries.

A Very Special Christmas

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:14:56 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Christmas may already be upon us, and Santa may at this very moment be squeezing his way down your chimney, but there is still time for one last fix of Christmas shopping.

Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, U2, and Eric Clapton are just some of the stars to be featured on the first ever DVD collection from the “A Very Special Christmas” holiday music series to benefit the Special Olympics.

“A Very Special Christmas – 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection” is out now, and is the latest release in the series that has already raised more than $100 million for Special Olympics programs around the world.

“A Very Special Christmas is a fitting way to spread holiday cheer,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics chairman. “But more importantly, this gift will help bring the joy of Special Olympics to many more children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them the chance of a new life – a life of participation, pride, friendship, and joy.”

The project was launched in 1987, when record producer Jimmy Iovine decided a Christmas album would be a suitable memorial to his father. His wife Vicki suggested that the album benefit the Special Olympics, which she was working for as a volunteer. Bobby Shriver, son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Shriver, signed on as producer, and A&M Records backed the project with an agreement to cover all costs.

Over the years, A Very Special Christmas has attracted a plethora of heavy-weight artists, and past releases have featured songs donated by Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, the Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, Enrique Iglesias, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, and Reba McEntire.

“I am full of admiration for the many artists who have helped us,” said Eunice Shriver. “It’s a great tribute that these men and women say to themselves ‘I’ll use my talent to help others’.”

The full list of songs on the 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection is:

Run DMC – Christmas In Hollis
U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Here)
No Doubt – Oi To The World
John Mellencamp – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Sting – Gabriel’s Message
Jon Bon Jovi – Please Come Home For Christmas
Vanessa Williams – What Child Is This?
Eric Clapton – Christmas Tears
Tracy Chapman – Oh Holy Night
Sheryl Crow – Run Rudolph Run
Wyclef Jean – Little Drummer Boy/Hot Hot Hot
Stevie Wonder – Merry Christmas Baby

A Wonderful Night For Charity

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:31:02 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It was a night to warm you both inside and out, with good music to dance to, and a cause to make the warm fuzziness spread from the dance floor to the soul. And all due to the return to the stage of one of music’s best known entertainers.

The 12th annual Stevie Wonder House Full Of Toys charity concert was held on December 15 at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, with a host of performers joining the legend on stage for an evening of exceptional music and fun. Proceeds from the show benefited underprivileged children during the holiday season, and provided toys, clothing, and food for needy families in the LA area. Ticket holders were asked to donate an unwrapped toy worth at least $10 at the door, and with over 5000 people attending, the results were phenomenal.

Wonder, who has just finished his first full tour in over a decade, was in fine form for the show, and drew heavily on hits from his 1973 album, “Innervisions”, with songs such as “Higher Ground” and a stirring version of “Golden Lady.” He also showed his wild, zany side as he played extensively with his talkbox, distorting his voice into a robot-like growl to cover some unlikely holiday tunes by other artists. He explained that this is the second Christmas since the death of his mother, and the emotions of grief and loss flowed through with an especially poignant version of “Ava Maria”.

The 57-year-old singer was joined on stage by John Mayer, who performed a duet on his own song, “Waiting On The World To Change”, and then provided cuttingly funky guitar licks on “Superstition”. This was followed by the appearance of John Legend, who laid down a soulful rendition of “Ordinary People” with Wonder.

“I’m honored to be in his presence, on his stage,” said Legend as Wonder swayed in joyful bliss to the music. “And to call him one of my biggest influences.”

Other performers on the night included Danny Carreras, a former bodyguard of Wonder’s who is now a successful gospel singer, and Edwin Hall, who performed just days after the death of his wife. The Hollywood Pop Academy Choir, made up of children and young people, also performed.

“I see everything as a blessing from God; the awards, the tributes from the stars, all of it,” said Wonder just before the show. “I don’t question anything. I just want to thank everyone for their support through the years because it means the world to me, it really does.”

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