yoko's shades up for bid in the UK
AP (August 29th 2005): "Some 150 celebrity fashion items to be auctioned next month on the Internet auction site eBay, with proceeds going to international aid agency Oxfam. Also up for bid: Yoko Ono's sunglasses and a pair of Stella McCartney's thigh-high fake leather boots. Online bidding will be held Sept. 18-25, coinciding with London Fashion Week.

Celebrities were asked to donate belongings with stories behind them. Each successful bidder will get the item and a copy of its accompanying story. ''We wanted people to give things that were personal and had a story behind them because bidders will then know they are getting something particularly special to the person concerned and all in aid of a good cause."

lennon musical proves poignant
BBC (August 14th 2005): "The focus is very much on Lennon outside the Beatles, and on his relationship with Ono. Lennon made its New York debut at Broadhurst Theatre The show includes only one original Beatles song - The Ballad of John and Yoko - plus two cover versions performed by the Fab Four, here an all-girl band played by the cast's female Lennons. Scardino says he chose songs from Lennon's solo catalogue because he wanted the musical storytelling to be from "John's words alone".

Photos from the Lennon musical opening on August 2005

yoko ono to headline arthurfest / september 5th 2005
From the press release (July 20th 2005): "The stellar line-up includes headliners Sonic Youth, Sleater-Kinney, The Black Keys, Cat Power, Spoon and Olivia Tremor Control, who will all perform on Labor Day Weekend. The festival, co-produced by Arthur magazine and Spaceland Productions, will take place Sept. 4 and 5 at the historic Barnsdall Art Park in the Los Feliz/Little Armenia area of Los Angeles.

Ono will be combining all elements of sound and vision that she has used throughout extensive multi-media career. Arthurfest will also be screening two of ONO's classic film shorts, "Apotheosis" (1970) and "No. 5" (aka "Smile") (1968).

lennon's childhood is brought to life
Liverpool Echo (July 18th 2005): "Yoko Ono has donated memories of John Lennon's childhood to the National Trust to mark his 65th birthday. The items, including paintings, certificates and a programme for the St Peter's church fete in 1957 where Lennon and McCartney first met, will go on display at Menlove Avenue, Lennon's childhood home."