Sir Elton John will welcome Grammy-winning performer Diana Krall as his special musical guest for the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 15th annual fall gala, An Enduring Vision, on Wednesday, November 2, 2016, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
“I’m so thrilled Diana will be joining us for our fall gala this year,” said Elton John. “Diana is an extraordinary performer and a dear personal friend, and I’m thrilled beyond belief to welcome an artist of her caliber to our annual New York event.”
Emmy award-winning producer and popular talk show host Andy Cohen will emcee the evening. EJAF will honor internationally-renowned philanthropists Frank Giustra and Steve Tisch with the Foundation’s Enduring Vision Award and present its second Founder’s Award to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
Diana Krall took the jazz world by storm in the late ‘90s. By the turn of the century she was firmly established as one of the biggest sellers in jazz. Her 1996 album, All for You, was a Nat King Cole tribute that showed the singer/pianist’s roots, and since then she has stayed fairly close to that tradition-minded mode, with wildly successful results. When I Look in Your Eyes followed in 1999. Whatever renown she had earned over the years for her work exploded with this album, which became an international best-seller and earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. It was also the first jazz album to be nominated for Album of the Year in 25 years.
In 2001 she released The Look of Love, which topped the Billboard charts and went quintuple platinum in Canada, the first by a Canadian jazz artist to do so. The album also helped Diana win three Junos in 2002, taking home awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Then her Live from Paris (2002) album won a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
In 2003, Diana married iconic British rock musician Elvis Costello. A year later, she issued The Girl in the Other Room, which covered a few standards and also included original material – some co-written by Costello – for the first time in her career. More albums following, including From This Moment On (2006), Quiet Nights (2009), which debuted at number three on the Billboard Top 200, and Glad Rag Doll (2012), a collection of early jazz and ragtime tunes from the ‘20s and ’30s produced by T-Bone Burnett. In her most recent album Wallflower (2015), Diana covered a selection of pop songs from the ’60s onward by Bob Dylan, Elton John, Gilbert O’Sullivan, and the Eagles, all of whom had inspired her in her childhood.
Oct 25, 2016 12:30 pm
After a visit to Bhutan last week, actor and director Aamir Khan, a UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador, praised the country’s progress to end malnutrition and recognized young mothers’ efforts to safeguard their children’s health despite high levels of stunting.
Aamir Khan in Bhutan to help advocate against malnutrition
Credit/Copyright: UNICEFROSA/2016/PBrown
“While Bhutan has made amazing progress in areas of health and nutrition, there’s still work to be done and every child is yet to be reached,” said the Goodwill Ambassador.
A 2015 National Nutrition Survey revealed that although 98 per cent of households in Bhutan have access to food, 88 per cent of children between the ages of six and 23 months are not receiving the nutrition that they need. Throughout South Asia, an estimated 38 per cent, or 64 million children under the age of five are affected by stunted growth, which leads to cognitive and physical limitations. In Bhutan, one in five children is stunted.
Mr. Khan met with women and their children at the Drukgyel Basic Health Unit in Paro, including Namgay Zam, who gave birth 20 days before. His visit brought attention to the efforts of the UN Children’s (UNICEF), the Royal Government of Bhutan, and their partners to improve nutrition among young children and women throughout their pregnancies.
“We are delighted that Aamir Khan is here in Bhutan to help us shine a light on the impact of undernutrition and to show how by working together we can reduce stunting in children across the country,” remarked UNICEF Bhutan Representative Rudolf Schwenk.
In a press release, UNICEF called South Asia the “epicentre of the global child stunting crisis, compromising the future of the whole region.”
Stunting is caused by poor diet during the first two years in life, as well as inadequate nutrition before and during pregnancy, and poor sanitation conditions in households and communities. It has long-term effects on a child’s wellbeing and is an important indicator of social inequalities.
South Asian countries have endorsed global targets to reduce the number of stunted children by 40 per cent by 2025. In order to achieve this goal, UNICEF urges South Asian governments to invest in programs specifically designed to target childhood stunting.
In the latest issue of The Humane Society of the United States’ All Animals magazine, Torrey DeVitto talks about living a cruelty-free lifestyle.
When did you decide to switch to products not tested on animals?
It wasn’t ever really on my radar, and then once it was I made a point to look up every single product I used to make sure it was cruelty-free. I was really surprised by the products that were and were not. It was very eye-opening. I make sure that everything in my home — what I wash my hair with, makeup, everything — it’s all cruelty-free.
What makeup product is a must-have for you?
Hmmm, the one product I can’t live without? It’s kind of two. I can’t live without some type of lip balm, and I can’t live without some sort of mascara. Those are my go-to products.
What do you want your fans to know about finding products not tested on animals?
There is a plethora of brands that make the most beautiful makeup, equal to that of the ones who use animal testing. You don’t have to feel like you’re going to have to lose that product you love, because you will be able to find it elsewhere. There are major companies and amazing makeup companies that are not testing on animals.
You once shared that you were working on eliminating all animal products from your diet and your home. How’s that going?
There are times when I eat something and I didn’t know it was made with eggs, and I don’t beat myself up. I try to do the best that I can. I’m 100-percent vegan in my fashion. I’d been vegetarian, but I didn’t connect that by wearing leather I was wearing cows. When I became vegan, it hit me how hypocritical that was. I got rid of all of my leather jackets, and I never will buy leather again.
Oct 25, 2016 10:00 am
Today, the national nonprofit Farm Sanctuary is thrilled to announce that Alec Baldwin is speaking out for turkeys, who are among the most abused animals on Earth, as their 2016 Adopt a Turkey Project spokesperson!
Alec Baldwin Speaks Out for Turkeys
“Like most people, I don’t like thinking about things that make me feel bad,” said Alec. “But I also don’t like animal suffering, so I feel the need to speak out about it. At least 46 million turkeys suffer heartbreaking fear and pain before being killed each and every Thanksgiving. This year, I’m supporting Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project because turkeys are just as friendly, smart, and full of feeling as my dogs, and they deserve to be treated better. I hope you’ll join me by sponsoring.”
Since 1986, Farm Sanctuary’s Adopt a Turkey Project has inspired compassionate conversation about society’s relationships with turkeys and the measures we can take to improve the terrible conditions they regularly endure on commercial farms. Now celebrating its 30th year, the project has saved hundreds of lives while inspiring countless individuals to sponsor a turkey who resides at one of Farm Sanctuary’s three shelters in New York and California. For a one-time donation of $30, turkey sponsors receive a special adoption certificate with a color photo and fun details about their new friend.
Singer/songwriter Jackson Browne performed Tuesday evening at the Majestic Theatre in Ventura, CA as part of his Solo Acoustic Fall Tour.
The concert was a benefit for Malibu charity, Safety Harbor Kids, which Jackson has supported for many years and sits on the board.
Delighting the audience with stories and songs, Jackson’s show included “Living Off Wonderland” written about his antics with Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward and others in Laurel Canyon and other favorites including Jackson’s “Take It Easy” made popular by the Eagles version.
Jackson even invited a surprise guest to treat the audience. Guitarist Fred Tackett of the rock band Little Feat, came on to play “Willin” written by Lowell George. The song was recently featured on Cameron Crowe’s hit TV show “Roadies” on which Jackson played a part. Luke Wilson the star of “Roadies” was also in attendance.
In 2009 Jackson performed a duo with Inara George (Lowell’s daughter and member of Bird and the Bee), “Silver and Gold” for the Safety Harbor Kids Holiday Collection CD (available at www.safetyharborkids.org).
Safety Harbor Kids is a nonprofit with the mission to enrich the lives of orphans, foster and homeless children through education in the areas of College, Career, Music and the Arts.
Many music industry celeb’s, companies and individuals support the cause. The charities 9th Annual Music Fundraiser was supported by Jackson, McCabes Guitar shop and Stress and Pain deletion guru Marnie Greenberg with proceeds going to benefit education programs for parentless children.
Through its Enrichment Programs in academic tutoring, college planning, career development, internships and music and the arts, Safety Harbor Kids seeks to break the vicious cycle of homelessness, poverty and prison that have ensnares thousands of children each year.
Safety Harbor Kids is currently raising funds for 1,000 holiday gifts for parentless children. For more information or to donate a gift, visit www.safetyharborkids.org.
Oct 25, 2016 07:30 am
Last week in Los Angeles, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) honored actresses Beth Behrs (“2 Broke Girls”) and Sarah Hyland (“Modern Family”).
Sarah Hyland, Nina Dobrev and Beth Behrs
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images
Behrs was presented with the 2016 ASPCA Compassion Award for her extraordinary commitment of time and effort she has dedicated to directly impact the lives of vulnerable and victimized animals. Hyland received the ASPCA Voice for Animals Award recognizing her work in increasing awareness and inspiring action on behalf of animals in crisis. Proceeds from the event supported the launch of the organization’s new Los Angeles Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic.
Sarah Hyland and Friend
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images
The event, hosted by Kathy Taggares, featured music by DJ Saint Clair. Nina Dobrevand Jennifer Coolidge presented to a packed crowd including ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker, Rudy Dobrev, Dean Geyer, Michael Gladis, Brad Go, Greer Grammer, Lizzy Greene, Chandler Kinney, Marnie the Dog, Kayla Maisonet, Matthew Moy, Jillian Murray, Michael Nardelli, Michael Patrick King, Hugh Sheridan, Sophie Simmons, Harely Quinn Smith, Keith Stanfield, Katie Stevens and more.
Oct 25, 2016 06:00 am STOMP Out Bullying, a national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens, is a signature program of Love Our Children USA, the national nonprofit leader in fighting violence against children since 1999.
Created in 2005, STOMP Out Bullying™ focuses on reducing and preventing bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, educating against homophobia, racism and hatred, decreasing school absenteeism, and deterring violence in schools, online and in communities across the country.
It teaches effective solutions on how to respond to all forms of bullying; as well as educating kids and teens in school and online, providing help for those in need and at risk of suicide, raising awareness, peer mentoring programs in schools, public service announcements by noted celebrities, and social media campaigns.
An additional focus educates parents on how to keep their children safe and responsible online.
