madonnalicious

'Don't Bungle the Jungle' jeans in Pop Culture Auction

The cut-off hand-painted jeans that Madonna famously wore at the 'Don't Bungle the Jungle' benefit that took place in New York City on May 24 1989 (24 years ago today!) are up for auction.

They are part of the Pop Culture Auction that takes place at Christies in London on Wednesday 26 June 2013 - for more information visit www.christies.com

Thanks to Rodrigo Madge Fan

Madonna sells Leger painting for $7.2m

A painting by Fernand Leger owned by Madonna has been sold for $7.2 million (£4.7m) in New York.
The singer bought the 1921 Cubist work, Three Women at the Red Table, in 1990 for $3.4m (£2.2m).
According to Sotheby's, proceeds from the sale 'will benefit Madonna's Ray of Light Foundation, supporting girls' education projects in the Middle East and South Asia'.
'Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen!' said the pop star on Facebook.
Before Tuesday's sale, Madonna said she wanted 'to trade something valuable for something invaluable - educating girls'.
The sale formed part of a Sotheby's sale of Impressionist and modern art that took more than $230m (£148.6m).
Les Pommes, a still life from by French artist Paul Cezanne, fetched the highest price, selling for $41.6m (£26.9m).
L'Amazone, a portrait of French socialite Baroness Marguerite de Hasse de Villers by Amedeo Modigliani, went for $25.9m (£16.7m).
A Pablo Picasso sculpture of his young muse Sylvette, meanwhile, sold for $13.6m (£8.8m).
Overall the auction failed to live up to last year's event, which saw a version of Edvard Munch's The Scream sell for a world record $119.9m (£77.4m).

From BBC News

Madonna selling Leger painting at NYC auction

Madonna is parting with an abstract French painting she's owned for more than 20 years to support educating girls in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries. It's expected to bring $5 million to $7 million.
Fernand Leger's 'Three Women at the Red Table' will be offered May 7 at Sotheby's auction house. All proceeds will benefit the Ray of Light Foundation.
The pop diva says she wants 'to trade something valuable for something invaluable' in countries where female education is rare or nonexistent.
She purchased 'Three Women' at Sotheby's in 1990.
Leger created the work in 1921 as part of a series depicting women with still-life compositions.
Other examples from the series are in the Dallas Museum of Art and the Beyeler Foundation in Switzerland.

From Associated Press Via Yahoo! News

Madonna to donate MDNA tour costumes for Sandy relief

Madonna is preparing to auction off a number of items used on her MDNA world tour to raise funds for those affected by Hurricane Sandy, according to U.S. reports.
The star is giving away her stage outfits including a majorette costume and a caged basque she wore during the record-breaking trek, report editors at the New York Post.
The Material Girl threw herself into the support effort for communities left devastated by the October superstorm, and she visited the neighbourhood of Far Rockaway, New York to help relief workers box up supplies for locals.
Her daughter Lourdes, who accompanied the singer on the visit, blogged earlier this week about how she was left stunned by the amount of damage caused by the storm, likening the devastation to 'the apocalypse'.

From OK! Magazine

Madonna’s conical corsets sell for £48,000

Two of Madonna’s conical bra stage costumes sold for just over £48,000 at a London auction.
The star’s outfits were among more than 150 items that went under the hammer during the pop culture sale at Christie’s auction house in South Kensington on Thursday.
Designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, the green and white couture corset with conical bra cups, beaded fringing and striped sequined embroidery became one of Madonna’s most famous outfits when she slid off a black gown and revealed it on her 1990 Blond Ambition tour in Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium after performing Sooner or Later.
Valued between £10,000 and £15,000, it sold for £32,450 to the same private bidder who then snapped up another costume worn by the singer on the same night as she sang Vogue.
The two-piece outfit, comprising a black satin bustier with top-stitched conical cups, which was worn underneath a black all-in-one suit with lycra shorts, stitched to a mesh bodice, fetched £16,250.

From standard.co.uk

Madonna's conical bra to fetch 15k at auction

Madonna's famous conical corset bra is expected to fetch £15,000 at auction today.
The Jean Paul Gaultier-designed green silk bustier with conical cups - which the 'Girl Gone Wild' hitmaker wore on her 1990 'Blond Ambition' tour - is going under the hammer at Christie's auction house in South Kensington, south west London.
The singer donned the garment - which also features peppermint bugle beads, with clustered sequins and beads at cups and hip line - during her performance of 'Hanky Panky' and 'Now I'm Following You' at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on August 1, 1990.
A black Lycra two-piece, which she wore while performing her 1990 hit 'Vogue' in the stadium, is expected to go for up to £12,000 in the sale of pop culture items.
The stage costume is made up of a black satin bustier costume with top-stitched conical cups complete with a black custom-made all in one suit, and Lycra shorts stitched to a mesh bodice.

From Monsters and Critics

UPDATE: The bustier sold for £32,450 and the black two-piece sold for £16,250

St. Louis MDNA concert tickets charity raffle

How would you like to see Madonna in her first-ever show in St. Louis? You could win two center-section seats ($170 tickets) for the November 1 show at Scottrade.

Raffle tickets are $20 each, and you are guaranteed a 1-in-500 or better chance to win. Winners will be drawn July 23 and you need NOT be present to win. All proceeds benefit Safe Connections. Purchase raffle tickets online now or contact Allison McDonald at 314.646.7500 x122.

The mission of Safe Connections is to reduce the impact and incidence of relationship violence and sexual assault through education, crisis intervention, counseling and support services.

To bid online or for more information visit www.safeconnections.org/SupportUs

Charity Auction for NYC Madonna VIP tickets

Want to score seats in the Sold Out VIP section at either of Madonna’s performances at Yankee Stadium? Friends of Hudson River Park is auctioning VIP passes for her September tour dates. These sections are already sold out, so place a bid and support the Park!

All proceeds go directly to support operations and park programs, both of which receive no public funds. Head to Charity Buzz to bid on theses seats and help support Hudson River Park at the same time.

'Stunning' nude shot of Madonna reaches almost £15,000

An 'absolutely stunning' photograph of Madonna posing naked on a bed while smoking a cigarette has sold for nearly £15,000 - nearly three times the estimate. This photograph, taken by Steven Meisel, is signed and annotated 'ed no.1' and was given an estimate of £5,000. The final price paid was $23,750 or £14,761.

'Stunning' nude shot of Madonna expected to fetch £5,000

An 'absolutely stunning' photograph of Madonna posing naked on a bed while smoking a cigarette has emerged for sale.
The black and white shot, taken in 1990, shows the singer reclining on a bed with her breasts exposed and just a white sheet covering her bottom half.
Madonna, who has bleached blonde hair and dark eye make-up in the picture, is seen holding a cigarette to her pouting lips, adopting a sexy, sultry pose.
This photograph, taken by Steven Meisel, is signed and annotated 'ed no.1' and is expected to fetch over £5,000.
It measures 21.5 inches by 19 inches and was bought by the vendor from a New York gallery.
The photograph, which was taken by the same photographer who did the work for Madonna's 1992 book Sex, is to be sold by Bonhams in New York on May 8.
Judith Eurich from the sale room said: 'This is an absolutely stunning image and it is just a beautiful tone of grey. It is not just black and white it is grey and silvery.
'Madonna was posing for a number of photographers at the time this was taken in the 1990s when she was in her early 30s.
'She was going through a phase of having bleach blonde hair and heavy dark eye make-up that gave her a dramatic look - and of course she has a gorgeous body.
'She is a very healthy person and I'd imagine the cigarette is just a prop to make her look sexy and sultry.
'There are Madonna superfans and devotees across the world who would love to own it.'

From: www.mailonline.co.uk

Bid on two tickets to the W.E. premiere in NYC

Fans have a chance to bid on two tickets to the New York City premiere of W.E. in a charity auction that is currently running at www.charitybuzz.com

The premiere takes place on Monday 23 January and the auction benefits LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Arts.

Two Madonna Lots in Bid 2 Beat AIDS Auction Now!

The annual Bid 2 Beat AIDS auction has launched on eBay. Proceeds benefit Lifebeat - Music Fights HIV. There are 427 lots of signed celebrity items and experiences. There are two Madonna lots in the auction:

The Ultimate Madonna Fan Pack - with 27 promotional items, including a numbered limited edition lithograph, a limited edition t-shirt, vinyls, CDs, promo flats, DVDs, and more.

A copy of Lotsa de Casha - Signed by Madonna.

Madonna bustier auctioned for £45,000

Madonna's iconic black bustier has sold at auction for £45,000.
The custom-made piece - created by Los Angeles-based store Trashy Lingerie - was worn with fishnet tights by the singer during her 1987 'Who's That Girl' tour, and went under the hammer in China for way above its pre-sale estimate of £4,000 to £5,000.
Previously displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Ohio and The Frederick's of Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles, the garment was sold by Beverly Hills-based auctioneers Julien's Auctions at the Ponte resort in Macau, China, alongside 23 other pieces of Madonna memorabilia.
Among the other items on sale were a signed copy of the star's risque 1992 'Sex' book and a recording of the song 'Simon Says' alongside her band Emmy and the Emmy's, with the auction drawing in a total of over £62,000.
Darren Julien, owner of Julien's Auctions, said: 'When you're buying these things, you're buying a memory.'
The outfit was specially selected for Madonna's first world tour - which took place 24 years ago - by her stylist and costume designer Marlene Stewart.
She said at the time: 'The most important ingredients are the crop top, the bare midriff, a hip-hugger skirt or pants and lingerie straps showing under your top.'

From contactmusic.com

More Madonna items up for auction

There are lots on interesting Madonna items up for auction at Julien's Auctions on Saturday 25 June at 10:00 PST.

Fans can check out all the items online at www.julienslive.com/view-auctions

Thanks to Vickster

Madonna Evita costume up for auction

A costume Madonna wore for the film Evita is being auctioned off in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday 18 June, 2011 at 12:00PDT.

The costume is part of film actress Debbie Reynolds massive film memorabilia collection that she is putting up for public auction.

Thanks to J

Charity Auction: Steve Sidelnyk's Confessions Tour Drum Set

Steve Sidelnyk is auctioning his DW Custom Series 8 piece Drum Set that he used on the Confessions Tour and at the Live Earth concert.

Up for auction is an amazing opportunity for the lucky winner to own a piece of music history. I am offering up this well documented DW Kit that has literally been around the world and played in front of some of the largest audiences of all time. This is the kit I have owned since new and that I used on the Madonna 'Confessions' tour in 2006, one of the Top 20 grossing tours ever. It was also played at Madonna’s Live Earth performance in front of millions of TV viewers world wide.
I am selling this kit to raise money for a Easter Seals Charity fundraiser, these guys need your urgent support and publicity, so bidders 100% of your money will go to a uniquely worthy cause. Easter Seals Southern California’s mission is to provide exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities and other special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities.

To view the auction and more information visit ebay.com/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem

Madonna's Chanel boots up for auction

Lourdes' school LaGuardia are holding an auction on Saturday 07 May to which Madonna has donated a pair of Chanel boots:

These gorgeous Chanel thigh-high black and white leather boots were chosen by Madonna right out of her closet exclusively to benefit the LaGuardia Arts High School in New York City for their annual fundraiser on May 7, 2011. Madonna boldly and beautifully signed each boot along the sides, 'Love Madonna,' in black sharpie pen. These gorgeous, tall, boots, are a European size 38 and close with snaps going up along each boot.
All proceeds will go directly to LaGuardia’s school programs and materials for their students, including: grants to each studio (art, music, drama, dance, and technical theater), substantial funding for the college office and college fairs, after-school enrichment, AP tutoring, library upgrade, sports equipment, sponsorship of Rising Stars (the unparalleled school-wide talent showcase), and other programming needs.

To view the auction visit: gottahaverockandroll.com or laguardiaarts.ejoinme.org

W.E. Premiere Tickets Up For Auction

Madonna is auctioning off the opportunity for two fans to go to the premiere of her new film, W.E. in New York City.

The proceeds will benefit The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, a non-profit organization that is committed to helping breast cancer patients and their families cope with the changing nature of the physical and emotional aspects of breast cancer.

Bidding is open now through Wednesday 08 September (14:10pm EDT) at: www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/206169

Thanks to Don

Melissa Crow's personal Madonna items on eBay

madonnalicious reader Axel has contacted us to get this message to all fans who may have noticed that lots of personal Madonna-related items belonging to Madonna's ex personal assistant Melissa Crow that have recently appeared on eBay.

I'm not sure if this is possible for you but Melissa Crow asked me in helping get the message out that the eBay auctions of her stuff are absolutely not endorsed by her! She is:

1) Doing everything she can to get these items back into her possession.
2) She wants to make sure that people know it is NOT HER selling these items!
3) And she asks fans NOT to bid on the items.

It would be totally awesome if Madonna fans would honour and respect her request. Thanks!

Madonna's Shoes Up for Auction

Celebrity acting coach Susan Batson will be auctioning off a slew of incredible pieces her pupils have given her over the years, among them an autographed pair of red platforms that Madonna wore during her 'Drowned World' tour in 2001.
According to WWD, Batson has worked with talents including Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Connelly, and Jamie Fox, and is holding the auction through December 12 at her Black Nexxus Inc. theater lab (300 West 43rd Street) to raise money for a scholarship fund for study at the theater.
In addition to the Material Girl's epic sandals (which are signed 'Love Madonna' on one shoe and 'If the shoe fits wear it' on the other), the auction items include an original script from the first episode of '30 Rock,' autographed by Tina Fey; a peacoat designed for Janet Jackson's 'Velvet Rope' tour; and even pieces donated by Liv Tyler and Alicia Keys.
Be warned: Bidding starts at $15,000, and we'd predict the prize red platforms go for much more than that.

From NBC New York / The Thread

Auction: Bid 2 Beat AIDS

The annual Bid 2 Beat AIDS auction has just launched on eBay, and once again there some Madonna items are featured, including a signed copy of Madonna's children's book Lotsa de Casha, a framed Evita movie poster, and a Madonna Ultimate Fan Pack, which includes a limited edition numbered lithograph and many rare promo items. The proceeds benefit LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS, and goes toward HIV/AIDS prevention youth programs.

For more information on the auction visit : spincyclenyc.com

To take part in the auction (use the 'store search' button to find Madonna items) visit: stores.ebay.com/Bid2BeatAIDS

From Elvis to Madonna, rare rock relics on sale

Have you ever had a burning desire to own a pair of Michael Jackson’s beaded socks? How about a suit tailor-made for John Lennon when he was a Beatle? Or you might like a size 42 jacket Elvis Presley wore in the film 'Speedway.'
Well, here’s your chance: Those items are among hundreds of rare rock relics being auctioned off this Saturday, Nov. 21, by Julien’s Auctions at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square in New York City and online at juliensauctions.com.

Another unique item is a demo tape an unknown performer named Madonna made in 1979 to send to record companies in an attempt to get a recording contract. Accompanied by an acoustic guitar, it’s just Madonna, her music unadorned by post-production magic and elaborate orchestration. The songs on the tape include 'All My Love,' 'Hear Me' (a song that evolved into 'Shine a Light'), 'Simon Says' (which became the familiar 'Love Express') and 'Little Lost Boy.'
Julien estimates the tape will bring $1,000 to $2,000, noting that the Material Girl still holds the copyrights to all the songs.

Play the video clip below to hear one of Madonna's songs or click here to view the clip.

From MSNBC.com

Madonna's autographed shoes raise $16,600 USD for charity

Madonna's one pair of designer shoes reportedly fetched about $16,600 USD for Roma children at a Romania charity auction.
Madonna donated one of her favorite specially made pair of autographed designer skyscraper gold heels Christian Dior shoes to a charity supporting education of Roma children, which was auctioned off at the fifth annual Ovidiu Rom Halloween Charity Ball held in Bucharest (Romania).
One of the golden heels was reportedly marked with kisses and a heart by her while the other was autographed 'Love Madonna'. Oscar nominated Hollywood star Ethan Hawke (Training Day) reportedly spoke at the Ball.
A gold chain donated by Oscar winner actress Vanessa Redgrave (Mary, Queen of Scots) was auctioned off at about $8,300 USD. Money thus collected will be used to buy clothes and schoolbooks for Roma children, according to reports.

From ANI / newKerala.com

Madonna shoes offered to Gypsy charity in Romania

Madonna is putting her shoes where her mouth is.
The Queen of Pop has offered one of her favorite pairs of Christian Dior shoes (which she has autographed) to a charity supporting Gypsy child education. Organizers said Tuesday the skyscraper gold heels, which are autographed by Madonna, will be sold at the Ovidiu Rom annual ball later this month.
Madonna drew international attention by saying during an August concert in Bucharest on her 'Sticky & Sweet' tour that widespread discrimination against East Europe's Gypsies, also known as Roma, should end.
Thousands of fans responded by booing her.
'Madonna's very mild comment regarding equality shone a spotlight on a common European attitude toward Gypsies,' Leslie Hawke, president of Ovidiu Rom, told The Associated Press. 'We're thrilled to have her donation because she is such an icon of innovation and vigor and 'can do' spirit.'
Hawke's son, actor Ethan Hawke, will attend the ball and speak to guests.
Guests at the ball will make donations to win raffle tickets for the auction of donated prizes. This year's items also will include a gold chain provided by actress Vanessa Redgrave.

From AP Via Yahoo! News

Auction: Win VIP Tickets to a Sticky & Sweet Tour show

The Ellen Hermanson Foundation's online charity auction to raise funding for the new Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital includes a great Madonna prize as one of their lots.

Currently they have available two VIP tickets (right next to the soundboard) to any of the Sticky & Sweet Tour dates listed below for the winning bidder:

8/13: Prague, CZ - Chadov Natural Ampitheatre
8/15: Warsaw, PL - Bemowo Airport
8/18: Munich, DE - Olympic Stadium
8/20: Ljubljana, SI - Hippodrome
8/22: Budapest, HU - Kincsem Park
8/24: Belgrade, RS - USCE Park
8/26: Bucharest, RO - Parc Izvor
8/29: Sofia, BG - Vasil Levski Stadium
9/1: Tel Aviv, IL - Hayarkon Park
9/2: Tel Aviv, IL - Hayarkon Park

The auction is running live now through August 28th at www.charitybuzz.com

Madonna 'erotic' tapes go on sale

Jimi Hendrix's first recording contract and erotic audio tapes sent by Madonna to her former bodyguard have gone on sale in an online memorabilia auction.
Hendrix's contract, which the musician had signed, is expected to fetch up to $250,000 (£151,287).
The tapes, recorded by Madonna in 1992 and 1993, have been estimated to sell for up to $40,000 (£24,205).
Items once belonging to John Lennon and Elvis Presley are also lots in the auction, which runs until 5 August.
The two Madonna cassette tapes each hold 17 minutes of material.
The messages recorded by the singer were left for James Albright, the bodyguard who eventually became her lover.
An intimate home video featuring Madonna, which she also sent him, has an estimated value of up to $14,000 (£8,461).
The Gotta Have It! auction house, based in New York, described the video as 'very personal and intimate', but refused to say exactly what was on it.

From BBC News

Madonna Teams Up with Ferragamo for Italian Earthquake Relief

Italian luxury designer Salvatore Ferragamo and stars like Jennifer Aniston, Madonna, Demi Moore, Gywneth Paltrow, Eva Longoria Parker, Marisa Tomei, Dita Von Teese, Lucy Liu and Debi Mazar are coming to the aid of the Italian town L’ Aquila that lost almost 300 people in a tragic earthquake in early April.
The A-list stars are auctioning off autographed Ferragamo handbags to benefit GlobalGiving’s Italy Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund. Bags on the eBay auction block include Aniston’s eco-friendly hobo, with her signature in hot pink ink on the inside natural hemp lining and a handwritten note from the actress herself. Bid on Jen’s bag and other personal Ferragamo bags from your favorite star at ebay.com/globalgiving-italyearthquake until June 12th.
You can also donate directly to the cause at globalgiving.com

One of Salvatore Ferragamo’s most popular bags - the Sophia, was named after Hollywood icon Sophia Loren. Madonna, whose family originated from L’Aquila, Italy, has generously donated her framed python tote with signature Ferragamo Gancio closure.
Madonna has signed her bag for the lucky auction bidder and has included a personal note that reads: 'Enjoy the handbag! All my love, Madonna'.

Update on Raising Malawi auction

Some great items are included in the Raising Malawi auction on ebay at the moment. There are several copies of the I Am Because We Are book signed by Madonna, a workout with Madonna's personal trainer Tracy Anderson and two VIP tickets to the Sticky & Sweet Tour in Werchter - seated at the sound board!

To view the auction visit www.ebay.com/raisingmalawi - the auctions end on Sunday 12 April.

Raising Malawi Charity Auction

Starting on Thursday 02 April there will be some special auctions listed on Ebay for the Raising Malawi cause.

The auction will include some 'very special items' including copies of the I Am Because We Are book autographed by Madonna.

More information about the auction can be found at ebay.com/Auction-Cause/Raising-Malawi

Thanks to Axel

Beat 2 Bid Auction Launches

The annual Bid 2 Beat AIDS auction launched Monday 01 December (World AIDS Day) on eBay, benefiting LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS. Last year's auction brought the tally raised to over $250,000. You can check out the auction at stores.ebay.com/Bid2BeatAIDS

In the auction is a signed copy of Madonna's book LOTSA DA CASHA. A framed Evita movie poster and a limited Edition Hard Candy Deluxe Edition are also in the auction.

Bid 2 Beat AIDS offers items in all price ranges, from signed CDs and photos to Celebrity Experiences, VIP tickets and personal meet and greets that this year include the Jonas Brothers, Michael Phelps, Harry Connick Jr., Estelle, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Tony Hawk, Harvey Fierstein, Michael Feinstein, Phoebe Snow, Paul Shaffer, and more.

Madonna's signed book is at ebay.com/BID-2-BEAT-AIDS-Madonna-Signed-Childrens-Book

Front row seats up for auction to aid charity

LIFEbeat – The Music Industry Fights Aids are offering the opportunity to see Madonna front row in different US cities in an auction until Monday 11 June.

2 tickets to see Madonna front row on November 4th at Petco Park in San Diego, CA
2 tickets to see Madonna front row on November 6th at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA
2 tickets to see Madonna front row on November 16th, 2008 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas
2 tickets to see Madonna front row on November 26th, 2008 at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida

To take part in the auctions visit the charitybuzz.com LIFEbeat auction page at lifebeat.charitybuzz.com/viewLots

Proceeds from the auction will benefit LIFEbeat - The Music Industry Fights AIDS. LIFEbeat is dedicated to reaching America's youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention. LIFEbeat mobilizes the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and to provide support to the AIDS community.

Vanity Fair Autographed Globe Auction

Vanity Fair will auction off the one-of-a-kind globe featured with Madonna on the cover of the May Green Issue and signed by her, along with two tickets to a very special performance by Madonna in New York City at the end of April. All proceeds will benefit Raising Malawi, a charity committed to revitalizing the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in Malawi, Africa.
The May issue marks Madonna’s 10th appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair. Shot by photographer Steven Meisel, she is pictured leaning against the globe, which is four feet in diameter and weighs approximately eighty pounds. The inspiration for the image came to editor Graydon Carter from a midcentury fashion-magazine cover, and Vanity Fair’s fashion and style director, Michael Roberts, sketched several images, channeling not just the fashion cover but also the work of Czech photographer Frantisek Drtikol from the 20s.
The orb was suspended from the ceiling during the photo shoot at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles on February 21, 2008. Following the shoot, Madonna signed the globe and drew a heart over Africa.
Bidders may go to www.vanityfair.com to be connected to eBay where they may bid on the globe and the tickets. Bidding begins today and will end on April 18.
The event is being managed on eBay Giving Works, eBay’s dedicated program for charity listings, by Auction Cause, a premier online auction management agency specializing in high-profile design, strategy, and cause marketing for corporations and nonprofits worldwide. For more information, please visit www.auctioncause.com

Thanks to Elizabeth at Vanity Fair

VF globe and tickets to be auctioned next week

This news brings fans more details on the auction of the Vanity Fair globe AND confirms Madonna's Hard Candy promotional show in New York at the end of this month!

Bosses at Vanity Fair are auctioning the polystyrene and plaster globe Madonna poses alongside on the cover of the magazine's May issue for an upcoming charity auction. The Material Girl signed the globe, drawing a heart over Africa.
The proceeds of the eBay.com auction, which starts next week (beginning Monday 07 April), will benefit Madonna's Raising Malawi charity, which helps orphans in the African nation - one of the poorest in the world.
The singer is also offering two tickets for a New York show she's planning at the end of this month, accommodation and dinner as part of the auction package.

From contactmusic.com

Madonna and Gucci aid Malawi orphans

Pop star Madonna hosted a celebrity-studded event on Wednesday on the lawns of the United Nations to aid Malawi orphans, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and - controversially - to inaugurate a new Gucci store.
Actors Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow and a heavily pregnant Jennifer Lopez were among many stars at the dinner that Gucci Chief Executive Mark Lee said has already raised $3.7 million.
But critics have objected to the use of the U.N. grounds to kick off a Gucci store opening and raised concerns about ties between Madonna's charity Raising Malawi and The Kabbalah Centre, a body devoted to a mystical form of Judaism followed by the pop star.
The accusations, made mainly by bloggers, appear to stem from the fact that Raising Malawi's founder Michael Berg is also co-director of The Kabbalah Centre.
'I don't really pay any attention to that. I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event - that's all that matters to me - their generosity. There's always controversy surrounding anything that involves change,' Madonna told Reuters.
'I want to put Raising Malawi on the map. I want credibility as a philanthropic organization. I want to inspire people. I don't want them to just write me a check: I want them to give me a piece of their heart,' she said.
Philippe van den Bossche, executive director of Raising Malawi, said it was 'absolutely not true' that any money raised would benefit Kabbalah. He said the organization was a nonprofit, registered, nonsectarian organization intended to provide support for orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi.
A huge tent was erected on the lawns of the United Nations for the event and security was tight. Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Rihanna were due to perform, while comedian Chris Rock was to auction off celebrity events, such as aerobics with Madonna and baseball batting practice with Yankee Alex Rodriguez. Despite announcing the fundraising event in November as a celebration of the opening of a new Gucci store in New York, Lee said on Wednesday that 'it's a coincidence that we happen to be here and we're opening an important store on Friday.'
'Really tonight is about the charities and the money we're raising,' he told Reuters, while Gucci's Creative Director Frida Giannini said that in the end the dinner was simply a 'fundraising event with glamour.'
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who did not attend the event, said on Tuesday that he understood the proceeds would 'be used for a proper purpose as agreed between UNICEF and the organizers.'
Gucci, which is owned by French retailer PPR, has paid for the entire event and said all money raised will be split between Raising Malawi and UNICEF.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

High-flying stars design kites for charity auction

Madonna, Angelina Jolie and Cher are among the celebrities designing kites for charity.
The high-flyers will auction off their authentic Afghan kites on eBay next month (05 December) as part of the launch of Participant Productions, a social action campaign which will coincide with the delayed release of new Afghan movie The Kite Runner.
Proceeds from the kite auction will benefit the Afghanistan Relief Organization (AFO), which helps raise cash for the training of teachers and the construction of rural libraries in Afghanistan.

From contactmusic.com