Look To The Stars News: Dennis Rodman

Stars Attend Life Ball For AIDS In Austria

Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

A host of celebrities descended on Austria on Saturday, May 16, to attend the annual Life Ball, a benefit gala that raises funds for HIV/AIDS charities that offer relief projects to international organizations that support the world’s worst affected areas.

Headlined by Katy Perry and organized by Aids Life, the event featured guests such as actress Fran Drescher, former Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson and model Amber Valletta.

“We know we live in an interdependent world where we cannot separate our fates from those a long way away,” said Bill Clinton, who also attended the event. “Tonight, you are not just enjoying an extraordinary extravaganza, you are helping children and women and men to live in far away places who would have no money, no medicine, no hope.”

Another guest, Eva Longoria, spoke about children in Asia who desperately need treatment for AIDS.

“There’s a terrible shortage of doctors and other health care workers who are trained to provide the proper treatment and care for those children,” she said.

To date, the Life Ball has raised over €10.5 million. It is the only AIDS charity event to take place in a government building. In 2008, the event raised € 1.4 million in one night.

Since 1993, world famous personalities and artists have lent their voices and support to Life Ball, giving their time and effort to make the charitable event successful every year. With their appearances, personal impulses and involvement, Sharon Stone, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, Kim Cattrall, Linda Evangelista, Heidi Klum, Dennis Rodman, Naomi Campbell, Randy Crawford and many more have inspired courage and promoted the joyful aspects of life and given a clear sign against discrimination and ignorance.

Stars Design Plates For Parkinson's

Tue, 05 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

More than 40 celebrities from around the world are doing their part to help the Parkinson Society Maritime Region (PSMR) fight a disease that affects over a million people in North America.

Plates for Parkinson’s is a collection of celebrity signed and designed plates that are auctioned on eBay to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s. Celebrities are asked to draw a tulip – the Society’s symbol of hope on a plate – and this year over 40 plates will be auctioned – including designs by Chris Daughtry, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dennis Rodman, Martin Sheen, Jeff Bridges, Rachael Ray, Eartha Kitt, Sidney Crosby, Muhammad Ali, Alan Alda, Robert Downey Jr., Peter Facinelli, The Cast of CSI and many more!

Canadian favourites Paul Gross, David Suzuki, Paul Brandt, Alanis Morissette, George Stroumboulopoulos, Jully Black, Serena Ryder, The Cast of Degrassi: The Next Generation and Nickelback are also joining the 2009 honor roll.

The plates will be launched on eBay in three batches beginning April 30th and will end in intervals until May 24th . Please visit eBay to bid or www.parkinsonmaritimes.ca to view all plates!

Funds raised through Plates for Parkinson’s help The Parkinson Society Maritime Region ease the burden and find a cure for Parkinson’s through support services, education, research and advocacy.

Katy Perry To Headline Life Ball

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:31:00 -0000

Singer Katy Perry is to perform at the annual Life Ball in Vienna, to raise support for the worldwide fight against HIV and AIDS.

Celebrating the beauty of life and the diversity of world cultures, Life Ball reinvents the great Viennese Ball tradition with glamorous, outlandish performances and inspirational speeches. It attracts huge interest in the media and is broadcast live on Austrian National TV prime time, with delayed airing in Germany.

To date the Life Ball has raised over €10.5 million. It is the only AIDS charity event to take place in a government building. In 2008, the event raised € 1.4 million in one night.

  A sparkling show with a series of music and dance performances opens the event on the square in front of the picturesque Vienna City Hall. Each year, some 40,000 Viennese, the international media and the city’s guests from around the world gather on the square to experience this glittering spectacle at close range. Live performances by international artists such as Anastacia, Scissor Sisters, Kool & The Gang, Julian Rachlin, INXS, Cyndie Lauper, Simply Red, Grace Jones, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir have raptured the crowds in years past.  

The opening ceremony features thoughtful moments with speeches by the Life Ball’s international partners, such as Sharon Stone representing amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) and Sir Elton John in the past years. Furthermore, a world-renowned celebrity presents the “Crystal of Hope” endowed with 100,000 Euro donated by Swarovski to honor the engagement of a pioneer in the field of HIV/AIDS.  

The opening’s grand finale is a glittering fashion show – so far Donatella Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Gianfranco Ferré, Missoni, Moschino, Agent Provocateur among others have presented their creations at the Life Ball. Both top models and dazzling celebrities can be seen on the catwalk. The involvement of the artists, models and hundreds of volunteers serves as a statement of humanity, tolerance and understanding.

  After the festive opening, the opulent Life Ball night starts inside the Vienna City Hall. Open exclusively to 4,000 holders of Life Ball tickets, all halls and courtyards of the building are transformed into richly decorated ballrooms and dance floors. A versatile show and entertainment program with live performances by international stars, various music styles and many other entertainment facilities await the audience throughout the night. With their performances, participating artists make a strong statement for life and against ignorance and prejudice.  

The Life Ball is organized by Aids Life, an independent non-profit organization, created with the objective to raise money to support people in areas of the world most affected by HIV and AIDS. In 2008, a record result of 1.4 million US-Dollars was raised. In 2007 an additional 1 million US-Dollars was generated at the Dinner Gala with Bill Clinton the night before Life Ball 2007. Half of the raised funds go to national relief projects and half go to international organizations in support of HIV/AIDS treatment, research and prevention.

This year’s Life Ball is on May 16. More information can be found at the official website.

Annie Duke Blogs About Celebrity Apprentice 2

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Poker star Annie Duke is currently appearing on Celebrity Apprentice 2 to raise money for Refugees International, and she is blogging about her experiences.

Every week Duke writes about what goes on behind the scenes of the show, which sees celebrities such as Dennis Rodman, Brian McKnight, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Clint Black, Tom Green, Khloe Kardashian and many others raising money for charities such as the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, the Lili Claire Foundation and StandUp For Kids.

As well as writing about the show, Duke is also guest blogger for Refugees International.

“I find it kind of shocking that there is more attention to the poker tournaments I participate in than in the tragedy ongoing in Darfur,” she wrote. "Since 2003, nearly 2.5 million people have been forced out of their homes, living in makeshift huts in large, sprawling camps in this western region of Sudan. Up to 400,000 people have been killed according to some estimates.

“A few years ago, [”Don Cheadle":http://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/447-don-cheadle] and I were having lunch in Los Angeles and started talking about the crisis in Darfur. He had just released his book Not on Our Watch and was actively campaigning for more attention and meaningful action on Darfur. I felt that what was happening in Darfur was so horrible, and just said, “Nobody knows what’s going on in this part of the world. We should do a poker event for them.” At the time I thought it would raise around $25,000 or $50,000. This small idea turned into Ante Up For Africa — a hugely successful celebrity-studded series of charity poker events that has raised $2.5 million since July 2007.

“This year, I have added Refugees International as one of our partners. Why? Because organizations like Refugees International affect lasting change. Governments can do more to help refugees in Africa and around the world, but that’s not going to happen without pressure.

“It makes me even more excited to be supporting Refugees International knowing that the organization is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. For thirty years, the organization has demanded that policy makers save lives and respond to crises that the world is neglecting. Their work on Darfur is one powerful example.

“In 2004, the fighting in Darfur had barely registered on anyone’s radar. However, Refugees International knew that hundreds of thousands of people had fled Darfur and crossed the border into neighboring Chad. They traveled to Chad where they discovered that some of these Darfur refugees were near starvation. Agencies had underestimated the number of people in need and were distributing too few supplies. “Tell the world what is happening to us,” one of the refugees said.

“Refugees International did as they were told. They immediately called on the United Nations and aid agencies to address this problem. Within weeks, the number of refugees receiving assistance rose from 110,000 to 200,000.

“Since then, through op-eds, media interviews, and meetings with elected officials and aid organizations, RI has continued to urge more action in Darfur. They’ve convinced agencies to increase reproductive health care services for Darfur’s women. They’ve successfully called on Congress to fund a stronger peacekeeping force that can protect people living in desolate camps from more attacks. And today, they’re working to make sure that the U.S. does not forget about the people of South Sudan with their fragile peace agreement – there will never be peace in Darfur if another region of Sudan returns to war.

“This is why Refugees International calls itself “a powerful voice for lifesaving action.” And this is why I’m proud to help strengthen that voice."

Annie Duke’s blogs can be read here.

Former NBA Star Rodman And Bikers Ride For Charity

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:15:58 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On September 1st, Harley Davidson bikers revved up their motors and joined former NBA badboy Dennis Rodman for the second annual South Florida charity bike ride. Over a hundred bikers paid the $20 entry fee before flocking to the North Federal highway in Broward County in efforts to raise money for the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Known as one of the most controversial basketball players of all time, Rodman may have made a name for himself by donning tie-dyed hair, tattoos, and numerous body piercings, but he’s also got a big heart. Rodman, who’s ‘never too busy to enjoy the beautiful weather and people of Florida’ made several stops along the route, posing for photos and signing autographs. “These are good people and I’m not too good to come and hang around with the locals, and it’s for charity,” said Rodman.

The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America have a mission: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Boys & Girls Clubs provide a safe place to learn and grow, create ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals and life-enhancing programs and character development experiences as well as hope and opportunity.

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