newsmakers

newsmakers

Fun. plans to raise funds for LGBT youths

NEW YORK

The pop-rock trio fun. is launching a campaign to raise money for at-risk LGBT youths in Detroit.

The band said Friday it plans to raise $250,000 to build a community health center for the Ruth Ellis Center, which provides housing, meals, clothing and medical services for LGBT youths in need. Funds will be raised through its gay-support organization, The Ally Coalition.

Members of fun. are singer Nate Ruess, guitarist Jack Antonoff and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Dost, who is from Detroit. The group had a breakthrough in 2012, topping the charts with “We Are Young” and “Some Nights.” Last year, fun. won Grammys for song of the year and best new artist.

The band started The Ally Coalition with Antonoff’s sister, designer Rachel Antonoff.

Helen Mirren earns Hasty Pudding award

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.

Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren said that given her love of pudding of all kinds, she’s thrilled to be named woman of the year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

“How very saucy of the Hasty Pudding organization to offer me their award,” Mirren said in a statement issued with Friday’s announcement of her award. “As someone who adores pudding in all its manifestations ... suet, Christmas, treacle, bread and butter, Yorkshire, plum, figgy, etc., etc., I am so looking forward to the famous Hasty Pudding.”

Hasty Pudding Theatricals is the nation’s oldest undergraduate drama troupe, dating to the late 18th century. Its awards are presented annually to performers who have made a lasting and impressive contribution to entertainment.

Mirren, 68, won the 2007 best-actress Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen.” She has been nominated on three other occasions.

Associated Press