Tag Archives: Japanese Earthquake

SUPERSTAR ARTISTS AND WRITERS SUPPORT SECOND PHASE OF CHARITY AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR JAPAN

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Personal items donated by global stars to aid the Japanese Red Cross’s disaster relief efforts, via charity auction at www.ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan

Artists and songwriters including Katy Perry, The Beatles, David Bowie, The Beach Boys, Iron Maiden, Gorillaz, Sting, David Gilmour and Tinie Tempah have donated exclusive personal items and memorabilia to the second phase of the EMI family’s charity auction to raise funds to help the Red Cross support people affected by last month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The latest round of the charity auction, which is one of the biggest in eBay’s history, kicks off today and closes on April 21. There are still four days to go until the end of the first phase of the auction, featuring items from artists and writers including Coldplay, Beastie Boys, Jane Birkin, Depeche Mode, 30 Seconds To Mars, Simple Minds, Alice In Chains, and The Chemical Brothers.

Items added to the auction today include the 1987 Ferrari 412 as featured in Daft Punk’s film ‘Electroma’, a cupcake trampoline used on stage in Katy Perry’s current California Dreams world tour, access to private concert rehearsal by Sting, a one-off diamante head used onstage by Deadmau5, a limited edition ‘Yellow Submarine’ bicycle issued to mark the re-release of The Beatles’ famous movie, three framed and signed prints of David Gilmour taken in Gdansk, and more than 30 albums individually signed by David Bowie.

Also included in the auction is the MacBook used by David Guetta to create the demos for his hit album ‘One Love’, the hand written lyrics to ‘God Only Knows’ from the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Tinie Tempah’s pink blazer from the ‘Frisky’ video, and one of the four original handmade “Zero” shirts worn by the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan for the release and tour of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’.

All funds raised from the charity auction will be used towards the Japanese Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Funds will be used for the on-going provision of immediate relief to support the affected population during their recovery. EMI Group has committed to match all funds raised from the auction up to a maximum of one million euros.

The first phase of the charity auction ends on April 15th, with the second phase ending on April 21st. All the items can be viewed at ebay.com/EMIfamily4Japan.

Beastie Boys said: “Japan has always been a special and important place for us as a band. We’ve made so many friendships there in our personal and professional lives. We hope in some way that our donation can help the people of Japan rebuild after the devastating earthquakes and tsunami.”

Billy Corgan, the vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter for The Smashing Pumpkins, commented: “The people of Japan are an incredibly strong and proud people, and their love of life and culture has had a profound and positive affect on the way I view my own life. There are a million things I wish I could do right now to help soothe the pain and sorrow that so many of our fans and their families are experiencing, and my heart hurts when I think of the losses they have suffered, and are still suffering. I wanted to contribute to this auction to show my gratitude to the Japanese people and offer something that was particularly meaningful to me. I’m also proud of all the other artists who have pitched in to help, as well as my old label EMI for stepping in to organize and also match donations.”

The list of items for sale in the second phase of the charity auction from April 11th – 21st includes the following:

Anne Murray – 18 holes of golf with Anne Murray at the prestigious Angus Glen Golf Club course
Arcade Fire – four VIP tickets to their Hyde Park show on 30th June 2011
B-52s – signed guitar
Beach Boys – signed limited edition Pet Sounds plaque, plus hand-written, autographed & framed lyrics to The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” from Brian Wilson
The Beatles – the last of an extremely limited edition Schwinn bicycle featuring the ‘Yellow Submarine’ artwork
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) – one of the four original handmade “Zero” shirts worn by Billy Corgan for the release and tour of ‘Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness’, with a letter of authenticity signed by Billy
Billy Idol – limited edition portrait print by Shepard Fairey, signed by Billy Idol and Shepard Fairey
Bret Michaels – signed cowboy hat
Chris Tomlin – handwritten and signed lyrics
Coldplay – a framed guitar signed by all members of the band and a triple platinum sales award from Canada for ‘Viva La Vida’
Corinne Bailey Rae – a personal favourite Prada dress worn by Corinne on her first album tours, along with a note from Corinne
Daft Punk – 1987 Ferrari 412, used in the Daft Punk film Electroma
David Bowie – 35 albums signed by the artist
David Crowder Band – signed Yamaha keytar
David Gilmour – three framed and signed prints of David Gilmour in Gdansk, photographed by Anna Wloch, including David, Polly and Lech Walesa, David on stage at soundcheck and a selection of David’s guitars.
David Guetta – his Apple MacBook, used to create the demos for his album ‘One Love’.
Deadmau5 – his famous diamante mau5head stage costume, autographed, plus VIP tickets to Deadmau5’s live concert in London’s Victoria Park later this year
Dean Martin – the opportunity to record a duet with Dino at the world-famous Capitol Studios
Duffy – the bicycle used by Duffy in the making of her 2009 Diet Coke commercial
Duran Duran – a painting by the band signed by Simon Le Bon
A Fine Frenzy – the outfit worn by Alison to the 2011 Grammys, plus the handwritten lyrics to a song of the winning bidder’s choice
Gorillaz – limited edition lithograph, with certificate of authenticity, signed by Jamie Hewlett and Damon Albarn
Helene Fischer – a dress worn by Helene on stage
Huey Lewis & The News – hand-written, autographed & framed lyrics, plus a personalized gold album award for Greatest Hits, and a VIP concert experience & personal phone call from Huey to the winner
Iron Maiden – exclusive limited edition ‘Ed Force One’ A2 print signed by Iron Maiden, two pieces of original Iron Maiden Japan 2011 event artwork signed by artist Herve Monjeaud, plus signed Nicko McBrain drumsticks as used on The Final Frontier World Tour
Jeff Bridges – signed guitar including a drawing of a symbol that is meaningful to him, “The Seed”
JLS – Aston and Ortise’s bowling shirts from the filming of ‘Stars & Strikes’, plus two signed albums
Jonas Brothers – signed record bag
Juan Luis Guerra – the hat worn on the cover of ‘La Llave De Mi Corazon’, signed by the artist
Katy Perry – a cupcake trampoline featured on stage on her current California Dreams tour
Kylie Minogue – signed ‘Kylie’ large lettering in white wood, from the ‘Fever’ album promotional campaign
Lykke Li – waistcoat worn by Lykke at the Way Out West festival last year
Marisa Monte – signed limited edition CD kit
Megadeth – a guitar signed by Dave Mustaine
Norah Jones – a signed guitar
Pat Benatar – Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo autographed B.C. Rich Eagle 1 electric guitar
Pet Shop Boys – the Rubik’s Cube jacket worn by Chris Lowe on the US leg of the Pandemonium tour in 2009
Philippe Jaroussky – signed and framed gold disc
Priscilla Ahn – a watercolor painting created by Priscilla following the Japanese earthquake, entitled ‘Falling, Tumbling, Raindrop Hearts’
The Prodigy – Signed Roland tr707 drum machine used by Liam Howlett on ‘Invaders Must Die’, along with a signed 7” limited edition of the single
Professor Green – large signed poster of the album art to ‘Alive Till I’m Dead’
Rosanne Cash – the blouse designed by Catherine Malandrino that Rosanne wore on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno’ in 2006, autographed copies of her “Black Cadillac” and “The List” albums, autographed copy of her memoir “Composed,” and two tickets to any concert of the winning bidder’s choice with a meet and greet backstage
Scouting For Girls – signed Brits memorabilia
Selena – framed commemorative Selena stamp, signed by the Quintanilla family and Chris Perez
Simply Red – signed and framed setlist from their last ever gig in Japan
Slash – signed Gibson Slash ‘Appetite For Destruction’ Les Paul electric guitar
Sting – attend the private rehearsal for Sting’s forthcoming exclusive fanclub-only show at the Apollo Theater in New York featuring the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as VIP tickets to the show itself on the 28th April
Tinie Tempah – his pink blazer worn in the video for ‘Frisky’
VV Brown – signed megaphone as used on stage
Willie Nelson – signed guitar

Japan Disaster – How you can help

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Relief organizations are quick to respond to the plea for help from the Japanese Government for the provision of aid to victims of Japan’s massive earthquake and tsunami. The twitter has tag being used to keep informed on developments within the country is #prayforjapan. Somehow, praying doesn’t seem to be enough and if you want to help in some way, here’s a few ways in which you can donate:

Japanese Red Cross: You can donate directly to the Japanese Red Cross from their website or from the Google resources page.

American Red Cross: The American Red Cross is collecting text donations, according to Renee Kelly, an American Red Cross spokeswoman. To contribute, send a text with REDCROSS to 90999 and $10 will be donated to the relief efforts. You can also donate on line on the American Red Cross web site.

Natori Yagawahama Before-After
Before and after the earthquake and tsunami. Above is Yuriage in Natori, below is Yagawahama. Both are in in Miyagi prefecture. © 2011 Google, GeoEye, DigitalGlobe, Cnes/Spot Image, TerraMetrics

Shelterbox: Author Maureen Johnson has launched an online fundraiser for Shelterbox, collecting money for earthquake and tsunami relief in Japan. Johnson led a similar fundraiser for earthquake victims in New Zealand, raising more than $15,000. According to the organization’s website, Shelterbox is an organization that goes into areas of the world affected by disaster with large green boxes that contain shelters and the materials needed for people to restart their lives on some level. The boxes always include a top-quality tent, and they usually include stoves, blankets, water purification systems, and tools. This is true, life-saving stuff, hand-delivered by volunteers trained in survival techniques.

Save the Children: Save the Children says it is mobilizing global resources to respond to the needs of children and families affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. The organization’swebsite reports that an international emergency team has been dispatched to assist staff in Japan.

The humanitarian agency, which is based on Westport, Connecticut, says it has been operating in Japan for 25 years along with other Pacific nations impacted by tsunamis. Donors may make charitable contributions to the group’s Children’s Emergency Fund.

GlobalGiving: This Washington, D.C.-based group has launched the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund. According to the organization’s website, it will disburse donations to groups providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations.

Convoy of Hope: Convoy of Hope, a global relief organization based in Washington, D.C., is accepting online donations. You can also text TSUNAMI to 50555 to donate $10 to the group’s disaster response efforts. According to the organization’s website, the Disaster Response team “has established connection with in-country partners in Japan who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance.”

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army, which has had a presence in Japan since 1895, says it is mobilizing relief efforts in response the earthquake. According to a spokeswoman, the Salvation Army in Tokyo is sending an assessment team to the city of Sendai to assess damage and will begin providing basic necessities, such as food and water, beginning as soon as March 12.

You can get more information on the organization’s website, Facebook page and on Twitter. Donations are being accepted by texting JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888 to make a $10 donation to the group’s relief efforts.

Give2Asia: The Give2Asia Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Fund is raising funds to support immediate relief and short-term to long-term recovery projects undertaken by the affected communities. The organization said in an email that it is working with local advisors based in Tokyo to assess the current situation and to obtain more information on the needs of survivors.

Donations to the fund can be made online. For more information, contact info@give2asia.org.

International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps is mobilizing relief teams and supplies to respond to the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. “We are communicating with local partners in Japan on the most pressing needs,” says Crystal A. Wells, a communications officer at the Santa Monica, California-based group. “We will be responding to needs on the ground, which may include sending supplies to local partners and/or deploying emergency response teams.”

People can help in the relief effort by visiting the organization’s website or texting MED to 80888 to donate $10.

For those who are worried about relatives, friends, loved ones who haven’t been able to get in touch, Google have made a person finder especially for the Japan crisis or The Foreign Office has established a crisis unit and set up a helpline for UK nationals in Japan and their relatives back home. That number is +44(0)207 008 0000.

If you can think of any resources we’ve missed off, let us know and we will add it to the list.

[via Reuters]