By now, most people have probably heard about the devastating earthquake which ravaged one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti. The 7.0 quake demolished the capital city of Port-au-Prince, killing an estimated 200,000 people. Charity groups and organizations such as the American Red Cross, UNICEF, and OXFAM America sprung into action, assisting the island country that now lays in ruins. Millions of dollars from fundraisers such as text HAITI to 90999, which donate s$10 dollars to the Red Cross for every text,have been raised to assist them in Haiti.
Now it is music’s turn to help Haiti. Organized by the famous actor himself, George Clooney, and Haitian American multi-platinum musician Wyclef Jean, The Hope For Haiti Now benefit concert has been scheduled for Friday, January 22nd. The televised concert will take place in three locations: Los Angeles, New York, and London. And if being hosted by one of the biggest names in Hollywood wasn’t enough, it is scheduled to include performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in London. Dozens of other television and movie stars will also be manning telephones throughout the performances to raise money as well.
Keeping with the spirit of charity, the performances will be available for purchase on iTunes the following day with all proceeds going directly to organizations aiding in the Haiti disaster relief effort such as Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and Yele Haiti Foundation. The telethon is being broadcast across 30 stations, making it the most widely distributed telethon in history.
Music is such a vital part of human identity. For thousands of years people have used music to express not only joy and happiness, but sorrow and despair. Music also has a comforting power unlike any other means of expression, and when this expression comes together with a charitable cause like this on this scale, it is a thing not to be missed.
Tune in to ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, and CMT (youtube, Hulu, MSN and many other websites will be streaming live as well) on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT for the 2 hour Hope For Haiti Now telethon.
Read, Learn, Listen, Enjoy;
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