Celine Dion, who went into temporary retirement on January 1, 2000, in order to have a child, will be among the artists participating in a Canadian benefit concert this Friday in aid of the victims of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.
The Montreal crooner will join fellow Canadians Bruno Pelletier, Les Respectables, Offenbach, Luck Merville and Pierre Flynn in the show. The five-hour-long Quebec-New York – A Show For Life, featuring a total of 200 artists, including British musician Peter Gabriel and famed Cirque du Soleil, will be screened live on the TQS television network.
Celine, who took part in last week’s America: A Tribute To Heroes telethon where she performed God Bless America, will also appear on a live CD recording of the US concert. Also featured on the recording are Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Wyclef Jean and Willie Nelson. All artists royalties from the album will go to the fund to help families of victims of the terrorist attack.
“The CD will be colossal. The gig was a whole who’s who of music. A line-up like that is unlikely to be seen again,” said one music industry source. “It could well dominate the Christmas market, when many people will be reflecting on the terrible tragedy.”
The disc is expected to be released within a matter of weeks.
Meanwhile, other areas of the entertainment industry are also planning benefits. New York comedian Jerry Seinfeld has announced that he will be teaming up with fellow funnymen Bill Cosby, Colin Quinn and Will Ferrell for a one-night comedy show. The benefit, entitled Stand Up For New York will take place at Carnegie Hall on October 8 and is in aid of the families of slain emergency service workers.
“In the Jewish religion, the basic mourning period is the seven days of Shiva,” explained Seinfeld, adding that at the end of that time “you’re required to attempt to re-engage with the world and your life as it was.”
“It’s time to live again, and laughing is part of that,” said the TV star.
Sports stars including Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi and Venus Williams are also doing their bit to raise money for the various disaster funds through the online Auction For America. The event, organised by internet auction site eBay, features sports memorabilia donated by both athletes and their fans.
New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani was one of the first to contribute, promising a baseball autographed by Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, while Tiger Woods stumped up a framed autographed pin from the 2000 US Open.
The World Tennis Association Tour has authorised the sale of player-related items including a shirt autographed and worn by Anna Kournikova, a pair of Monica Seles’ sneakers and a Wimbledon programme signed “Pete Sampras 13” by the tennis star when he won his 13th Grand Slam.
And in the world of fashion, top designer Valentino is busy designing a special range of handbags, which will retail at around $250, also in aid of the various funds aimed at the bereaved families.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
