Look To The Stars News: War Child

Matt Damon Joins Entourage For Charity

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Matt Damon will make a cameo appearance on the latest season of Entourage to promote a charity he is involved with.

“It wasn’t hard to get him,” Entourage executive producer Doug Elin told TV Guide. “Matt came on the phone with me and wanted to do something that focused on his charity, [charity:ONEXONE}, which helps kids all over the world.”

Damon will join NBA star LeBron James in the episode, which features Damon forcing Adrian Grenier’s character to donate more to the charity than he intended to.

“The joke is that Matt is very passionate about his charity—almost in a stalkerish kind of way,” said Grenier. “Vince [Grenier’s character] becomes [intimidated] by his intensity. He ends up bullying Vince into giving much more than he should.”

Damon has hosted several galas for ONEXONE, and undertaken several overseas visits to promote the charity’s work. ONEXONE is well known for supporting, preserving and improving the lives of children in Canada and around the world. ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than four years ago by Joelle Adler, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations, such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net.

The episode will screen as the finale of Entourage’s sixth season finale on October 4.

War Child Album Cover Artwork To Be Auctioned

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Artist John Squire’s artwork for the new War Child Heroes compilation is to be auctioned off for the charity.

The former Stone Roses guitarist has donated the image for the online auction on eBay.

“For me the appeal of War Child is pretty simple, they help the hungry, the displaced and the traumatised children in certain war zones to deal with that situation and they involve them in deciding how that help is organised,” he said. “Anything I can do to support them is no trouble at all.”

It is the third time the musician/artist has created a cover for the charity’s benefit albums.

“I did the first two War Child albums, so why not make it a hat trick?” Squire told NME.COM. “They told me Bowie and the Ramones might be involved, so the first two things I offered them were based on lyrics. They rejected those, I think over the last few years I’ve forgotten how to make record sleeves! So this is the final offering, it’s a bit literal now. I did some exhaustive research, found some psycho website full of guns.”

Also up for auction are copies of the Heroes album and t-shirts signed by Coldplay.

The album features a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world: to place faith in the next generation. The project paired stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Brian Wilson with up-and-comers such as Duffy and The Hold Steady.

The auction can be accessed here.

Coldplay Joined By Bono For Charity Gig

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

After attending the annual Brit Awards in London last night, Coldplay raced across town to play a special charity gig with some very special guests.

The British band joined The Killers and members of U2 for a concert at O2 Shepherds Bush Empire to benefit War Child.

The concert kicked off with a loud and exquisitely played set from The Killers, who took the crowd through renditions of songs such as Spaceman and Human. Then it was Coldplay’s turn, who weaved songs from their entire back catalogue into a seamless set.

But it was the encores that raised the biggest interest. Coldplay returned to the stage to play Take That’s Back For Good with special guest Gary Barlow, and then were joined by The Killers and the one-and-only Bono for a rendition of All These Things That I’ve Done.

The exclusive gig celebrated the launch of Heroes, the new album that aims to raise money for War Child and features a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world – to place faith in the next generation.

“In our eyes, War Child is one of the world’s most important charities, and The Killers are one of our favorite bands, so playing this concert is an absolute pleasure for us,” said Coldplay singer Chris Martin.

Coldplay Join The Killers For War Child Gig

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rockers The Killers are to join Coldplay on stage for a special charity concert.

The exclusive gig will celebrate the launch of Heroes, the new album that aims to raise money for War Child and features a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world – to place faith in the next generation.

The concert will take place at the newly renamed O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London on February 18 in front of 2,000 fans. Tickets to the event are £50 and will be available via a lottery system. To enter the lottery, you will need to register your details and registration will commence at 9am on Friday 30th January.

“In our eyes, War Child is one of the world’s most important charities, and The Killers are one of our favorite bands, so playing this concert is an absolute pleasure for us,” Coldplay singer Chris Martin said in a statement.

Ticket registrations will be available at the War Child website.

Lily Allen To Go Abroad With War Child

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British singer Lily Allen has announced her plans to travel overseas for charity and explained why.

“I sometimes feel like my life is a bit empty – as ridiculous as that sounds to some people, a bit vacuous,” she told Q Radio host Samanthi. "It is pop music and people do talk about it too much and sometimes I feel like I want to have a bit more substance in my life.

“I am going to be going to Afghanistan or the Congo in a few weeks to help [”War Child":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/298-war-child]. They want me to go there and see how the money I have earned for them in the past is being used. And that is the stuff I get really excited about."

War Child is a network of independent organizations, working across the world to help children affected by war, and advancing the cause of peace through investing hope in the lives of children caught up in the horrors of war.

The charity is currently getting ready to release their long awaited Heroes benefit album on February 16. The CD features a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world – to place faith in the next generation. Stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Brian Wilson have selected one of their best-known classic songs and nominated a new artist to record a cover of the track. Artists taking part include Beck, who will cover Dylan’s Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat; Rufus Wainwright, who will perform a medley from Wilson’s Smile; and The Kooks, who will cover The Kinks’ Victoria.

Springsteen Chooses Rockers For Charity Album

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The long-delayed Heroes charity album will finally get its release in February, and anticipation is already high from music fans and musicians alike.

“We’d already done ‘Atlantic City’ at a charity benefit, so we kind of had an arrangement worked up, so we decided to record that,” Craig Finn, lead singer with The Hold Steady told XFM radio after Bruce Springsteen chose the Brooklyn-based band to cover his song for Heroes. “It’s a pretty fun song, and I’m pretty happy with our version of it. We’ve been compared to Bruce Springsteen a lot, and he is a hero to all of us. It’s flattering that he’d think of us, given the choice. We hope our version of the song conveys the respect we have for him as an artist.”

The album will raise money for War Child, and features a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world – to place faith in the next generation. Stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Brian Wilson have selected one of their best-known classic songs and nominated a new artist to record a cover of the track. Artists taking part include Beck, who will cover Dylan’s Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat; Rufus Wainwright, who will perform a medley from Wilson’s Smile; and The Kooks, who will cover The Kinks’ Victoria.

“I have been supporting War Child since 1995,” said McCartney, whose 1973 hit Live and Let Die is being covered by Duffy for the album. “Their work with children in war zones saves lives and their work with those who take decisions that help them to do something about it saves even more lives. I think Duffy’s version of ‘Live And Let Die’ is great – I was really impressed. The breadth of talent on this project is amazing; it’s great that so many people gave their time, energy and support to this initiative. I urge everyone to support War Child.”

The album will be released on February 16, 2009.

Damien Hirst Doodles For MRI Scanner

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British artist Damien Hirst has donated three sketches to a charity auction to raise money for the New Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The drawings – which are expected to raise US$3,500 each – feature a shark, a skull, and a butterfly. They will be auctioned at the Buy Art Fair, to be held at Manchester’s Urbis centre from Thursday to Sunday, and will raise money for the Five Stars Scanner Appeal – a campaign aiming to raise US$1.7 million for an MRI scanner for the hospital.

Boxer Ricky Hatton and Rocky Horror Picture Show creator Richard O’Brien have also donated drawings and doodles to be auctioned.

In February, the 42-year-old artist organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity that made over $42.6 million. He regularly donates artworks to help charities such as ARK, War Child, the Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Great Ormond Street Hospital and many others.

Musicians Band Together To Make Signs

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

Written by Tim Saunders

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.

Singers Cover Heroes For War Child

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

War Child has announced the release of their biggest and most ambitious album to date: Heroes.

The album – to be released on November 24 – will raise money for the charity, which works to help children around the world affected by war. It will feature a series of once-in-a-lifetime collaborations between some of the best known names in the music world and up-and-coming stars – a concept that mirrors one of the intrinsic aims of War Child’s worldwide efforts in war zones across the world – to place faith in the next generation.

The idea behind the project is to have stars such as Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Brian Wilson select one of their best-known classic songs and nominate a new artist to record a cover of the track.

Other artists taking part in the project include Beck, who will cover Dylan’s Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat; Rufus Wainwright, who will perform a medley from Wilson’s Smile; and The Kooks, who will cover The Kinks’ Victoria. Other musicians will be announced over the next few months.

“Heroes (Vol 1) is the most innovative and exciting War Child album to date and therefore it was essential for me that Parlophone be involved,” said Miles Leonard, Musical Director for Parlophone. “It is very rewarding to see so many artists giving so generously of their time for such a worthwhile cause. I’ve admired the War Child organization for many years now so I am delighted that Parlophone has been able to lend its support.”

The album follows the highly successful Help benefit album – also featuring McCartney – that was released in 1995.

“The prosecution of war on children outrages us,” said Mike Waddinton, CEO of War Child UK. “And War Child shares this outrage with many, many people. The generosity of the legendary and talented artists who have made this album happen is helping us to harness this outrage and do something really positive for children marginalized by war, the real heroes.”

Heroes will be available wherever good music is sold, and Look To The Stars will bring you more information as it is released.

Matt Damon Hosts ONE X ONE Awards

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Matt Damon returned to Toronto on Monday to host his third consecutive Difference Awards ceremony for ONEXONE.

Over 500 guest attended the gala, which featured performances from Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Nikki Yanofsky, and the African Children’s Choir.

ONEXONE is a non-profit organization that supports children in Canada and abroad. Established less than four years ago by Joelle Adler, it has already raised over $5 million and created partnerships with major corporations and foundations, such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net.

“This is stupid poverty we’re talking about,” said Damon, during his speech about helping people in Africa. “Every day, malaria claims thousands of lives that we didn’t need to lose.”

Damon also revealed that he credits becoming a parent for his commitment to helping children through charity work: “At a certain point it becomes difficult to look at other children and not see your own. Something does change in you once you become a parent… There definitely is a shift there that makes you, I think, a little more obsessed about helping children – But it’s not like before I had kids, I was like: ‘to heck with those kids!’”

ONEXONE will launch in the US in October, with an event featuring Carlos Santana planned for San Francisco. And Damon is proud to announce that next year Eddie Vedder has been confirmed to perform for the organization.

“A lot of my friends and a lot of the people I admire in the business choose to spend their celebrity capital trying to raise awareness about things and improve the conditions in people’s lives,” said Damon. “We’ll all be lying on that bed one day, and you have to make your peace with who you’ve been.”

Matt Damon Returns For ONE X ONE

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

For the third year in a row, Matt Damon will host ONEXONE’s annual charity benefit gala, where celebrities and activists will gather for an evening of musical performances, words from key speakers, fundraising and entertainment.

ONEXONE’s Difference Awards will also be presented at the gala, recognizing individuals for their extraordinary efforts in fighting child poverty and suffering. One of last year’s honorees, Wyclef Jean, is returning this year as musical director and performer. Other entertainment will include John Legend and the African Children’s Choir, which is raising awareness of the needs of Africa’s orphans and destitute children.

A fairly young organization, ONEXONE raises millions of dollars each year for projects within Canada and abroad for partners such as H2O Africa, the Yéle Haiti Foundation, Millennium Promise, War Child and Spread the Net to “directly impact children in need around the world – one by one.”

“There is an old biblical adage that says ‘You save one life, you save the universe,’” said Joelle Adler, ONEXONE’s founder. “That should be our motto. We cannot look across the water and pretend it is not our responsibility because together we can change the world.”

The gala and concert will be held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on September 8 and a second gala will take place at Exhibition Centre in San Francisco on October 23 honoring Carlos Santana.

Girls Aloud Show Their Humanitarian Side

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A special auction on eBay last week helped raise more than $18,000 for children’s charity War Child.

A host of celebrities, including Girls Aloud and Keane, donated items for a special celebrity auction for the charity, which raises money to support children acutely affected by conflict in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones.

A number of items at the auction gained special attention, including a pair of signed Spin paintings by Damien Hirst that sold for around $8,000 each. A pair of shoes donated by Keane vocalist Tom Chaplin sold for $900, and a painting by Girls Aloud went out for $160.

Girls Aloud, a British girl group formed in 2002, also showed their humanitarian side last week when they met a little girl backstage whose father had recently died.

Macie Nunn, five, wrote to the group to tell them about the difficult year her family has had since her dad Mark, 37, collapsed and died of an undetected heart condition at work last May.

“We were going to the concert anyway but I thought it would be extra nice if Macie could meet the girls,” said Macie’s mother, Jude. “We were amazed when we got a call on Sunday at 7am from one of the girl’s assistants saying that she’d like to organize a meet and greet for us before the concert.”

Macie was extremely excited about the band’s invitation, and it will be an experience she will remember for a long time.

“Kimberley [one of the singers] hugged, cuddled, and kissed Macie the way I do,” said Jude. “She was so nice and all of the girls were so moved by her bravery. Macie had lipstick on her cheek and she didn’t want to wash it off. It was so nice that the girls took time out to meet their fans, and Macie was over-the-moon. We’ve both been hyper ever since.”

Raine Maida Building Schools for War Child

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:10:26 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Raine Maida traded in his Our Lady Peace fame for the black garb of a busker last week to give a 12-hour performance on Toronto’s financial district sidewalks and street corners. His goal was to raise $30,000 to rebuild a school in the Democratic Republic of Congo through War Child.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, where a decade of war has killed millions and displaced countless more, has entered a ceasefire with a new, elected government. People have been returning home, but there is little to return to.

So far, War Child’s efforts in the Congo include the rehabilitation of 11 schools, helping over 4,000 children to an education. Says James Topham, spokesman for War Child, “There is a direct link between education and child mortality.”

This is the second school rebuilding project Maida and his wife, singer Chantal Kreviazuk, have become involved in. Just back from visiting a War Child project in Ethiopia, Ms Kreviazuk says: “I have never been more certain of this grass roots charity’s authenticity, or its integrity. Never have I been more excited about aid and development by War Child Canada. Our money and our time and energy are NOT going to waste!”

Maida agrees: “You give money to a charity and you don’t know where it goes. At the end of this, you’ll be able to see a school. It’s pretty amazing that $30,000 can change the lives of so many kids.”

As Maida’s open guitar case began to fill with donations from passersby, Maida said “I’m amazed at the generosity of everybody. I don’t know if I set my expectations too low, but I figured a bunch of loonies and toonies (Canadian $1 and $2 coins), and there was that, but a lot of people were giving bills, 20s. One guy walked by and gave us $100. Pretty amazing.”

A film crew taped Maida’s day of busking, and the film will debut in mid-November, when he releases his new solo album, “The Hunter’s Lullaby”. The short documentary will accompany the album’s first single, Yellow Brick Road, which Maida says “will be a testament to human goodwill and made for the cost of a cup of coffee.”

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