Annie Lennox, who founded the feminist NGO The Circle in 2008, launched The Circle Music Auction Tuesday (June 16) to raise funds for women around the world who are disproportionally impacted by coronavirus.
The Circle Music Auction invites fans to bid on auction items, such as an autographed acoustic guitar from Taylor Swift, an Alberta Ferreti dress worn by Lennox and an autographed outfit from Madison Beer‘s “Good in Goodbye” music video. BRITs Rising Star Award winner Celeste also offers a virtual afternoon tea party with two song performances, but she’s not the only one bringing her dazzling pipes to the table.
Participants can also buy tickets (starting at $10) for a sweepstakes competition involving performances from Lennox, Sting, Emeli Sandé, Jessie J, Yola, Paloma Faith, Jessie Ware, Hozier, Anoushka Shankar, Jack Savoretti, Skin of Skunk Anansie, Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro, and Frank Turner. These artists offer two exclusive, pre-recorded performance videos with personal messages as part of the auction, one for the winner of the highest bid and another for the winner of the sweepstakes.
“The crisis for thousands of women living in poverty is acute. Many no longer have any income, are suffering domestic violence and have nowhere to turn,” Lennox said in a press release. “I am delighted that such incredible musicians are stepping up to join me and offer support.”
All proceeds raised by The Circle Music Auction will benefit The Circle’s COVID-19 emergency appeal The Women and Girls Solidarity Fund that provide female survivors of violence with their immediate needs, from food, hygiene kits and menstrual products to an hour of online counseling to 10 days of safe refuge.
“The COVID pandemic has turned the work upside down and recent events have rightly seen an outpouring of support for marginalized communities. The Circle stands in solidarity,” said The Circle CEO Raakhi Shah in the release. “It has long been there for the world’s most vulnerable women and girls and we continue to provide support at a time of great urgency with the launch of The Circle Music Auction.”
Sting, Sandé and Hozier echoed their support for Lennox in the press statement, all shedding light on marginalized women experiencing violence across the globe who are now heavily impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The auction closes on July 10, while the sweepstakes competition closes on July 31. Watch The Circle Music Auction trailer below, and enter the auction here.
