This Saturday's Live8 Concert 2 comments

30 Jun 2005 @ 23:55, by Alana Tobin LIVE8 - THE BIGGEST SPIRITUAL EVENT EVER - JOIN IN WITH MEDITATION, PRAYER AND HEALING This Saturday's Live8 Concert will be the biggest spiritual event that humanity has ever experienced. This is an extravagant claim, but two things are for certain. First, never before in the history of humanity have so many people been involved in a single shared experience. Second, the core of the experience is both celebratory and moral - 'spiritual' by any other name. To watch the flash video The figures and reality of the event are impressive and worth repeating. Live8 will be the biggest broadcast ever, with more than 5.5 billion people able to tune in through a variety of media. The global population today stands at 6.5 billion which means that 85 per cent of all people will be able to watch or listen to the concert. This surpasses the previous 2004 record of the 3.9 billion people who watched the Olympic Games. No matter how cynical some may be about its showbiz buzz, the whole happening can be positively described as contemporary collective religion and spirituality at its best. It has all the features of great worship. Song, rhythm and noble ideals. Whether it is the Gregorian chant of Christian monks, hymn singing, tribal and pagan dance, Buddhist mantras, Islamic song-prayers or one of the many other cultural forms - throughout history, in all times and places, people have come together to share their spirituality through music. Today the shared music of our globe is rock and pop. This Saturday the congregation is almost everyone on the planet. Global, collective worship. And the event has depth - the depth of true meaning, compassion and relevance. It is concerned with the suffering and deaths of millions of children and adults, condemned by a poverty that can be remedied. It will raise consciousness and open hearts. It is fully engaged in social and political realities, bringing direct pressure to bear on the 8 world leaders who will meet in Scotland for the G8 summit and who have the opportunity now to increase aid, release debt and create a global trading system that is fair, immediately saving lives that are otherwise slaughtered by our gods of uncaring commerce and power politics. But as a spiritual event, Live8 will also carry atmosphere and energy. It will call in and transmit love, compassion and connection. Anyone who remembers the LiveAid concert of 20 years ago, or the opening and closing of the last Olympic games, will remember the powerful emotion and energy of those events. This Saturday, then, is also an opportunity for prayer, meditation and healing. There is occasion here for everyone to participate. As well as being enthusiastic supporters and spectators, we can also give co-creative spiritual engagement. Whatever the event appears to be on the outside, in the inner world it also has immense power. During the worldwide concert, we can pray and meditate for global healing and justice for all the world's people. We can call for and send healing. We can increase our commitment to a life style that harms no one and no being. Religion by religion there is a common myth that their saviour will return and lead humanity to a better world, to heaven on earth. This is an old model, a hope dependent on a single leader. Today's world is more democratic, less hierarchical. There is the possibility that humanity as a whole can manifest its spirituality and love of freedom. As with the fall of the Berlin Wall or the response to the Tsunami disaster, the heart and passion of humanity can manifest in enormous group events. As we know every few seconds a child dies of extreme poverty. A lost life, a devastated family. I cannot live with this any more. Most of us cannot bear it. Linked by the global communications network, linked by our shared prayers and meditations, let this coming Saturday truly be the greatest spiritual event ever. Let it move and transform the hearts of all of us, manifesting practically in a transformed world. Enjoy the party. Anchor the passion. Heal the world. William Bloom June 2005 www.williambloom.com www.holism.info *************************** Here's where the concerts are taking place: When: Saturday 2nd July, 2005. Where: UK – Hyde Park, London Edinburgh - Edinburgh 50,000 - The Final Push France – Palais de Versailles, Paris Germany – Siegessäule, Berlin Italy – Circus Maximus, Rome USA –Museum of Art, Philadelphia Canada –Park Place, Barrie Japan –Makuhari Messe, Tokyo South Africa –Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg The Russian Federation - Red Square, Moscow **************************** - Scheduled Star Line-up - London - Slated to perform on July 2 are Paul McCartney, Elton John, Bob Geldof, U2, Madonna, Sting, R.E.M., Snoop Dogg, Annie Lennox, Robbie Williams, Mariah Carey, The Cure, Joss Stone, Snow Patrol, Dido, Coldplay, Keane, Muse, Razorlight, Scissor Sisters, Stereophonics, Velvet Revolver, The Killers Philadelphia - In the U.S., Will Smith hosts an all-star lineup that includes Dave Matthews, Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, Josh Groban, Def Leppard, Toby Keith, Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, P Diddy, Linkin Park, Destiny's Child, Keith Urban, Maroon 5, Rob Thomas, Kaiser Chiefs. Barrie - African Guitar Summit, Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams, Motley Crue, Run DMC, Sam Roberts, Simple Plan, Tegan & Sara The Tragically Hip, Tom Cochrane Berlin - Crosby, Stills And Nash, Lauryn Hill, Brian Wilson, Bap, A-ha, Die Toten Hosen, Peter Maffay Paris - Andrea Bocelli, Placebo, Craig David, Jamiroquai, Youssou N'Dour, Yannick Noah, Calo Gero, Kyo, Axelle Red, Johnny Halliday, Manu Chao, Renaud Rome - Duran Duran, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Irene Grandi, Jovanotti, Nek, Laura Pasini, Vasco Rossi, Zucchero Edinburgh 50,000 (Murrayfield stadium, July 6) - Annie Lennox, Snow Patrol, Travis, The Sugababes, Ronan Keating, Beverly Knight, The Corrs, Natasha Bedingfield, Proclaimers, Texas, Youssou N’Dour and McFly are scheduled to perform on opening day of the G8 summit. For more information: Chiff Site Tickets - Tickets for the London and Edinburgh events have been given out via a June lottery. Winners will receive a pair of tickets to the Live 8 show. Tickets will NOT be required for concerts in Berlin, Philadelphia, Rome and Paris. TV & Internet Broadcasts - An estimated 2 billion people will watch the event live on July 2. In the U.S., ABC Television will broadcast highlights on July 2 beginning at 8pm EDT. In Philadelphia, the Live 8 concert will start about noon on July 2 and run for about six hours outside the Art Museum, where giant screens will be placed to enhance viewing. Watch TV listings for live local coverage. Broadband users can additionally look forward to a Live 8 AOL Internet broadcast planned for the day. In the U.K., Live 8 will also be shown on giant screens in seven cities across the UK and broadcast live on BBC TV & radio. In Australia, the Nine Network and FOXTEL television will jointly broadcast the historic LIVE 8 concerts covering five global locations. Watch for additional global television broadcasts to be announced linking up all five international concerts around the world. For more information:{link: Tickets - Tickets for the London and Edinburgh events have been given out via a June lottery. Winners will receive a pair of tickets to the Live 8 show. Tickets will NOT be required for concerts in Berlin, Philadelphia, Rome and Paris. TV & Internet Broadcasts - An estimated 2 billion people will watch the event live on July 2. In the U.S., ABC Television will broadcast highlights on July 2 beginning at 8pm EDT. In Philadelphia, the Live 8 concert will start about noon on July 2 and run for about six hours outside the Art Museum, where giant screens will be placed to enhance viewing. Watch TV listings for live local coverage. Broadband users can additionally look forward to a Live 8 AOL Internet broadcast planned for the day. In the U.K., Live 8 will also be shown on giant screens in seven cities across the UK and broadcast live on BBC TV & radio. In Australia, the Nine Network and FOXTEL television will jointly broadcast the historic LIVE 8 concerts covering five global locations. Watch for additional global television broadcasts to be announced linking up all five international concerts around the world. ******************************** The LIVE 8 concerts taking place around the world will be watched and listen to by more than 2 billion people. In the UK, the BBC is the host broadcaster for LIVE 8 London with coverage across BBC ONE, TWO and THREE, with radio broadcasts on Radio's 1 and 2, the BBC World Service and across the BBC's regional stations. Commercial Radio will also be broadcasting live from backstage at Hyde Park and The Museum of Art in Philadelphia, with reporters at every live 8 gig across the world, to an estimated audience of over 28million listeners across 200 stations. Partner broadcasters in Europe and America will also be working to bring this huge international event to the world. You can find exclusive live coverage--including behind-the-scenes tidbits, special blogs, and all the performances--during and after the concerts on July 2nd. And log onto aolmusic.com now for breaking concert news leading up to the event. This Long Walk To Justice culminates on Wednesday 6th July – the eve of the all-important G8 Summit - with a celebration of the largest and loudest cry to make poverty history the world has ever seen at Murrayfield Stadium called Edinburgh 50,000 – the Final Push. Going to Edinburgh? Here’s what’s happening in the Scottish capital as part of the Long Walk To Justice: The G8 Gallery As part of The Long Walk To Justice a huge photo-campaign - The G8 Gallery - will see hundreds of thousands of pictures posted along two miles of railings in Princes Street, Edinburgh. This visual statement will show that you and millions like you, want our leaders to use the power they have to end poverty - for good. If you make it to Edinburgh on Wednesday 6th July you can attach the pictures of you, your friends and your family to the gallery yourself. If you can't be in Edinburgh you can send us your pictures and we will attach them for you. Upload your image or text it to 0044 7774 777 444. Other Events There will also be numerous special church services across the capital and also the wrapping of the world famous Edinburgh castle in a huge white banner Edinburgh Council also have a host of events lined up in support of the Long Walk To Justice. To find out more visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/G8summit “Edinburgh has inspired generations of thinkers and inspires still its residents and visitors. No city is better placed to rise to the challenge of providing a suitable backdrop for the decisions made by the G8 Leaders. “We have organised a range of special events in the city to spread the word and encourage discussion. These include the J8 Summit for young people, art and photography exhibitions, a series of public talks, 'Film Africa' series at the Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh-South Africa school exchange and musical events.” For accommodation and campsite information go to www.visitscotland.com Can't make it to Edinburgh? If you can’t make it to Edinburgh, you can still be part of The Long Walk To Justice: The Live 8 List Tell the leaders of the world that enough is enough by signing the Live 8 List and your name, along with hundreds of thousands of others will be delivered to the G8 leaders on the eve of their summit. G8 Gallery As part of The Long Walk To Justice a huge photo-campaign - The G8 Gallery - will see hundreds of thousands of pictures posted along two miles of railings in Princes Street, Edinburgh. This visual statement will show that you and millions like you, want our leaders to use the power they have to end poverty - for good. Upload your image or text it to 0044 7774 777 444. Sign the LIVE 8 List Wear a White Band Email your Leader If you’re a teacher or a student Find out more about how your school can take part in The Long Walk To Justice. Educate for LIVE 8 Live 8 and Make Poverty History are about highlighting the inequalities between rich and poor countries and sending a clear message to the world’s leaders that this must change. The concerts and the Long Walk to Justice present a unique opportunity for people to come together in a global call for an end to extreme poverty. The G8 may have the power to make these decisions but we have the power to make them use it. This summer offers schools one of the most exciting opportunities they’ve ever had to energise a whole generation and help them realise that their voices matter and should and can be heard. As a school community, you can use this opportunity to speak up and tell the G8 leaders that we want them to make poverty history once and for all. How schools can take part in Live 8 and The Long Walk to Justice: Run a Live8/Make Poverty History assembly to offer students the chance to explore their role as Global Citizens, make up their minds about the issues and speak out about them. You can find a ready-made assembly on makepovertyhistory.org/schools. Schools can join London, Philadelphia, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Johannesburg, Tokyo and Toronto in hosting their very own School Live 8 concert for parents and friends. Arrange a school trip to represent your school and join thousands of others at the rally in Edinburgh on Saturday 2nd July. For more information look at makepovertyhistory.org/edinburgh. If schools can’t make it to the rally in Edinburgh in person there is another way teachers and pupils can show the G8 leaders it is time to face up to world poverty. Text a photo of your class now to 07774 777 444 or upload your image online. Your photo could be part of the huge G8 gallery of supporters displayed along Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh. Get everyone at your school to wear a white band on White Band Day, July 1st. Like people, buildings all over the world will be wearing white bands to make a statement to the G8. Schools can join St Paul’s Cathedral and the Sydney Harbour Bridge in being wrapped in a white band. Kids in over 6000 schools in the UK and in over 100 countries around the world have made over 2 million messages, in the form of child shaped cut outs called ‘buddies’, to ask world leaders to make decisions at the G8 Summit to help the 100 million children around the world who are too poor to go to school. It’s not too late to send a message too. Go to www.sendmyfriend.org and make a buddy online. Wear a White Band 2005 offers a unique opportunity for everyone to come together and ask the G8 to make poverty history. LIVE 8 is one event of many around the world supporting the aims of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. The global symbol of the campaign is a white band. To find out how to get one, and for more information about what is happening near you, visit one of the sites below. In the United Kingdom www.makepovertyhistory.org In the United States www.one.org In Canada www.makepovertyhistory.ca In France www.2005plusdexcuses.org In Germany www.weltweite-aktion-gegen-armut.de In Spain www.pobrezacero.org In Japan www.hottokenai.jp If your country is not listed above, please visit www.whiteband.org for a list of current international partner campaigns. Email Your Leader Our leaders have the power to change the world. But only we have the power to make them use it.

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