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Original Cast Showcases Stars In The Roles They Made Famous

Filed under: Events, Charity

original cast eventCertain stars, no matter what they do later, will always be identified with certain roles. The STAGE "Original Cast" event on May 1 at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles gives audiences a chance to see Tyne Daly in "Gypsy," Michele Lee in "SeeSaw," Melissa Manchester in "Song & Dance" and Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young doing "Jersey Boys" in a one-night only event. The event also includes a silent auction. The annual show is the world's longest continuously running AIDS fundraising event.

STAGE (Southland Theatre Artists Goodwill Event) was created way back in 1984 when a group of friends in the theatre community, devastated by the impact of HIV/AIDS, came together to create a unique event. Since its inception, STAGE has raised millions of dollars for HIV/AIDS services and charities throughout Southern California. The event begins at 6 p.m. with a VIP pre-show reception for "Premium" and "Most Preferred" package and individual ticket patrons. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and there is a post-show cast party for "Premium" and "Most Preferred" package and individual ticket patrons. A list of packages and prices is after the jump.

Graff Diamonds Leads Effort to Raise Money for Africa's Children

Filed under: Auctions, Art, Charity

damien hirstDamien Hirst is again playing the role of philanthropist (so I have to be nice), along with Raqib Shaw and Marc Quinn. The artists have donated paintings to an auction that London jeweler Laurence Graff is holding for FACET (For Africa's Children Every Time). Graff wants to raise $1.26 million for the organization, which seeks to support the education, health and quality of life of children in Africa ... where Graff Diamonds picks up most of its raw material.

Graff's event follows several other charity auctions this year, all of which were pretty impressive in their results. Sotheby's raised ₤453,950 for two organizations that help orphans in Africa, and Christie's raised an astounding €342.5 million at its Yves Saint Laurent collection auction back in February – the money will be used to fund HIV research and fight the spread of AIDS.

The first lot donated was by Graff himself: diamond earrings estimated to be worth around ₤80,000. The other paintings (e.g., by Hirst) are pegged at around ₤100,000 each.

Design with a Conscience at The Sky Lodge in Park City

Filed under: Decor, Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels

3formUSA's Ithema Screen

I was already loving the look of The Sky Lodge, a boutique five-star condo hotel in Park City, Utah, before I spotted these really cool screen-style doors that divides the bathroom from one of the three bedrooms in the penthouse suite. It turns out that those screens have a very interesting story, and it made me love the property even more.

But first let me back up and say that Sky Lodge's penthouse is where I'd want to a host a party during Sundance, since it's got 2,736 square feet inside, and almost as much -- 2,600 feet -- outside in the form of an enormous wrap-around deck with views of the mountains and Park City, all easily enjoyed from the hot tub. (Check it out in the gallery.) I'll further digress and say that while this suite runs approximately $5,000 a night during the winter season, if you visit during the summer, you can get this three bedroom suite for around $1,500 a night.

Back to the doors: they're made from an opaque ecoresin, into which is embedded beads and coiled copper wire. It turns out that these are "Ithemba", a product of 3form USA's "Full Circle" program, which attempts to marry environmental consciousness with social awareness to create beautiful design products. The beads and woven copper are created by South African women who are impacted with HIV, they recieve training in business skills, job skills training, marketing assistance while they're earning a living by maintaining traditional crafts. "Ithemba" means hope in Xosi. Just knowing this made me enjoy my time in Sky Lodge's Amatsu spa all the more.

If you're not in the market for a screen or a door, check out the cuff bracelet in the gallery below, which you can order here.

Nelson Mandela's 46664 Foundation, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Charity of the Day

The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.

Mandela will be 90 this year, and to celebrate, as well as to raise funds for 46664, there will be a global launch of limited-edition 46664 wrist bangles during the birthday celebrations in London on June 27. The goal is to create jobs as well as bring at least R1-billion (R=South African Rand, equal to $0.12587 on June 23) to the fight against HIV/Aids. Offered will be 90 platinum bangles (at the cost of R135 660 each), 90 24-carat gold bangles (R67 260), 466 18-carat gold bangles (R54 948) and 46,664 silver bangles (R1 995). The initiative will be a South African effort using metals from local suppliers, the skills of local craftsman and domestic suppliers from the tooling, machining and packaging industries. At least 60 percent of revenues from the sale of bangles will go to the 46664 HIV/Aids prevention campaign.

You can donate directly to 46664 here.

Keep a Child Alive, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity of the Day


AIDS is officially 25 years old and sadly in many ways it's as strong and as deadly as ever. In certain parts of South Africa as much as 41% of the population is afflicted with AIDS, and worldwide 90% of the people who have it don't know it. Ignorance is one of the biggest hurdles in treating and controlling the spread of AIDS, and Keep a Child Alive is an organization focused on helping with both education, treatment, and prevention of this devastating disease -- not to mention support of the children left in its wake.

To date over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to the AIDS pandemic, and for just $1 a day you can buy the drugs needed to keep a child alive.

UNICEF, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions, Charity of the Day

UNICEF is a well-known charitable organization that promotes the health and well-being of children with HIV and AIDS. And this season fashion house Moschino has collaborated with UNICEF and come up with a beautiful way to raise funds: The Love Clock.

It's a clear plexiglass "doll" with a bright red heart in the center where the clock hands are centered, and the design is the result of 70 Italian artists and designers gathering together in collaboration. The clock will go up for auction on December 18th at Sothebys and all proceeds will go to benefit UNICEF.

If you can't make the auction (or if you make it there but you lose the bidding) and you still want to support UNICEF you can do it any number of ways -- including through these darling seasonal cards.

Armani Inspi(Red) Watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Charity

(Red) is a charitable effort that is designed to raise money for the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, especially in underfunded and underprivileged areas of the world. Armani is one of the designers participating in the program and his newest addition to the Armani Red line is an Inspi(Red) Watch. The watch has a 43mm stainless steel case with a coin-raised bezel and a leather strap. The strap is available in either black with red contrast stitching or red with black (pictured). It is a unisex timepiece and has an extra-large numerical display for easy readability. It is available in all Armani stores and the retail price should be $225.

Bono, Armani and Others Join Forces For New Charity Venture

The Associated Press reports that Bono announced a new program to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. Products under the Red brand will divert some revenue to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. So far American Express, Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani have jumped on the Red bandwagon. The red American Express card will launch in Britain next month. Some of the products will be produced in Africa with African materials. It is hoped that the new initiative will raise millions of dollars for the Global Fund.

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