Four lucky people will be joining Michael for lunch and a private cruise around Alamitos Bay and the charming canals of Naples in Long Beach, California this September. Attendees will be drawn from M.C.I.F.A. members who are donors to the M.C.I.F.A. 'Million for Michael' charity campaign. Past donors are already 'in the pool', and new donors can become eligible by participating in the current opportunity drawing.

Non-members are encouraged to join the M.C.I.F.A. now and participate in this wonderful effort to help children in need, as well as becoming eligible for the lunch cruise!

As we prepare to celebrate the 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the M.C.I.F.A. we are also entering the last leg of our 'Million for Michael' charity campaign. Our current Member Only opportunity drawing features a RARE, limited edition Phantom of the Opera San Francisco Music Box Company musical ornament, SIGNED by Michael.

TWO lucky winners will be drawn from the members who have already donated to ANY of the 'Million for Michael' campaign raffles, as well as our Sick Children’s Trust Raise the Roof, Eckersley House and Red Cross Haiti efforts.

And - To make THIS raffle especially appealing, TWO ADDITIONAL winners will be drawn from all members who participate this new musical ornament raffle.

Michael says that, "I am very happy to have this chance to thank members for their wonderful support in the past and to encourage new support from those who may not have had the opportunity to do so before. We are doing important and good work for so many children and families who are in desperate need, and I'm so proud of the M.C.I.F.A. for their efforts. Plus - I like spending time in Bobbee & Doug's electric bathtub!" [Ed. Note - M..C.I.F.A. Executive Director Bobbee Cline & husband Doug's Duffy boat.]

Tony and Olivier-award winner Michael Crawford has penned the foreword to a new children's book, "The Bravehearts of Bluebell Woods" hitting shelves in January to raise funds for the Bluebell Wood's Children's Hospice in North Aniston, England.

In early Fall, the MCIFA was contacted by the Bluebell Hospice for children, requesting that Michael write a forward for their book and he was happy to do so. He shared with us that he takes something like this "...very seriously. You have to get just the right tone, so it it will be meaningful and sincere."

Click Here for More Information

Michael Appears on BBC Talking About Sick Children's Trust

On Tuesday, July 28 Michael appeared on the BBC programme 'Look North' in a brief segment as he toured the Sick Children's Trust home in Leeds, UK.

Update: Michael recorded a second video interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, which is available by clicking here.

Exciting News - Michael Attends Summer 2009 Member-Only Event in Southern California!

On Sunday, June 14 Michael spent the day with M.C.I.F.A. members signing autographs and answering questions as part of the 'SAILING into SUMMER' weekend at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel in Long Beach, California.Michael looked incredibly fit (he shared with members that he's been swimming and doing LOTS of 'Wii Fit' exercising) and was charming, thoughtful, and funny during the lengthy Question & Answer session. The day ended with one VERY lucky raffle winner being "Christine for a Moment" while Michael sang "Music of the Night" to her...sigh.

Click here for a video clip of the signing. Members may find additional video clips of the day, including a snippet of the 'Music of the Night' in the MEMBERS ONLY section of this site.

The weekend was designed as a time for members to spend time with Michael as well as old (and new!) M.C.I.F.A. friends and to support the charity work that was central to Michael's authorization of the organization in 1991. The weekend included a trip to the famous Getty Center and a private architectural tour. An awesome time was had by all, and we made great strides in our "Million for Michael" campaign and its goal to raise $1,000,000 for Michael’s charities; The Sick Children’s Trust in the U.K., Lighthouse Foundation in Australia and Free Arts for Abused Children in the U.S. If you’d like to learn more about these wonderful organizations, or donate to a VERY worthwhile cause, please click here.

Photos Copyright MCIFA - Members check the Members Only Area for More Photos

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Birthday Message from Michael

Michael recorded a surprise birthday message for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday, which was shown at his "Birthday in the Park" concert celebration in Hyde Park, London, on September 14th. He could not be there, as he was hard at work in California in creative meetings for his next project.

Michael provided the M.C.I.F.A. with a copy of the footage that he sent to the BBC, which can be viewed here. This footage is included as a 'bonus' on the M.C.I.F.A. DVD of Michael's live Web Chat in August, available through the Member Only section of the web site. Upcoming member Hotline Updates will have details. Click Here to Play!

Live Web Chat with Michael!

Saturday, August 2nd, was a milestone in M.C.I.F.A. history. We hosted our very first live web cast - a private chat with Michael for members only! Michael spent over an hour answering questions sent in by members, and was his usual hilarious, and sometimes philosophical, self. He spoke of his career plans, his family, his "life philosophy" and ended with answers to the 10 questions from "Inside Actors Studio" that gave real insight into him.

The chat was available on the web site in the Member Only section for members to review and replay for 48 hours and is now available to members as a DVD. The DVD includes behind-the-scenes shots, as well as footage of Michael with the winners of the charity drawing who spent the afternoon at lunch and boating with him. If you are not a member and would like to join in order to have access to the DVD, as well as having access to other benefits of membership, such as pre-public sale tickets when Michael performs, please use this link to join the M.C.I.F.A.

Michael can be seen (and heard) in this summer's Disney / Pixar Release - WALL*E

Michael wanted everyone to know that while he won't be able to attend the premier (he'll be in the U.K.) the clips are terrific and everyone should go see it!

"Wall*E" opens in the U.S. on June 27th.

The soundtrack from Walt Disney Records, scheduled for release on June 24, includes two songs from "Hello Dolly" as performed by Michael in the 1969 musical. The featured tracks are "It Only Takes A Moment" and "Put On Your Sunday Clothes". You can pre-order the soundtrack album from Amazon.com.

Michael Working on One-Man Show!

Michael announced to M.C.I.F.A. members that he is in the early planning stages of a new PBS special and concert tour, hopefully for 2008, though the timing is uncertain. Based on enthusiastic audience response in Long Beach and Lake Tahoe to the new songs and video bits he had added to the concert, he will be creating a brand new show, centered around this and other biographical material.

In Long Beach, he 'premiered' a new version of "It Only Takes a Moment" (from "Hello, Dolly!), orchestrated by Larry Blank and accompanied by a background of images from the movie, which generated an audible "Oh, my gosh - I didn't know that was HIM!" reaction from the audiences at both Long Beach and Tahoe. At the the end of the concerts, prior to his "Papa" encore, he added a lovely rendition of "Other Pleasures" which he dedicated to his daughters, Emma & Lucy. Images of the girls growing up, taken from his private family albums, were projected behind him, and the audience reaction was overwhelmingly appreciative, with wave after wave of applause reaching the stage.

Michael Performs 2 Sold-Out Concerts to Open Cerritos Arts Center Season and Celebrates at MCIFA Members' Only Event

Michael Crawford performed 2 high-energy, sold-out concerts on Saturday August 19th and Sunday August 20th at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center for very enthusiastic audiences. The occassion marked Michael's 3rd time at the Arts Center; his first appearance was taped for the Emmy-nominated PBS Special - Michael Crawford in Concert. On Monday, August 21st, at a Members' Only Event, Michael celebrated the success of the two concerts as well as the 15th anniversary of the Michael Crawford International Fan Association, which supports his career and lends a helping hand to children's charities around the world including the Free Arts Foundation (United States), The Sick Children's Trust (England) and The Lighthouse Foundation (Australia). For this weekend alone, MCIFA members raised more than $16,500!

Spending more than 2 hours with members, Michael also participated in a champagne toast to celebrate the organization's success. Members: check the Member's Only Area for additional photos and coverage.
Photos by Genevieve Rafter-Keddy (bottom) and MCIFA (top)

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Michael Appears at Opening of Sick Children's Trust New Extension

Michael visited the Acorn House in Cambridge to mark the opening of the new extension to the house which is now complete and ready for use. We will have full coverage and photographs of his visit in the next issue of Notes. M.C.I.F.A. members generously supported the campaign, achieving the highest 'Platinum Brick' level of donors, and will be honored on a glass plaque at Acorn House.
Cambridge Evening News: Crawford's cracker of a present to unit