CENTRAL PARK CHARITY CONCERT DRAWS THOUSANDS

CENTRAL PARK CHARITY CONCERT DRAWS THOUSANDS

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer:  George Whylie

Videographer:  Maxine Nolan

 

What to do on a brisk Saturday evening with the stars twinkling in the night sky above?

This past Saturday, September 29, 2012, Central Park came alive with the sounds of musical artists K’naan, the legendary Neil Young, Black Keys, Foo Fighters, Band of Horses and a surprise appearance by John Legend who wowed the concert goers with his rendition of ‘Imagine’ at a piano on the Great Lawn stage just steps from where John Lennon called home.

Over 60,000 fans crowded into the park eager to hear the lineup of fabulous performers at absolutely no cost.  Video was also streamed for the world to see. This was known as the Global Citizen Festival and its sole purpose was to call attention to worldwide poverty.  The concert purposely coincided with the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly last week.

Although it was a free concert, you were still required to have a ticket.  In order to receive that ticket, you had to learn about global problems of polio, malaria, child mortality and polluted drinking water.  Anyone who wanted a ticket had to register at globalcitizen.org and this also required watching a video or reading information related to poverty issues.

As materials were consumed, users earned points towards a drawing for tickets. You could accumulate these points by spreading the word on Twitter and Facebook.  The word certainly did spread like wildfire as close to 170,000 interested and caring individuals signed petitions via the site and 98,000 videos were viewed.  What is even more rewarding is that the financial goal has had overwhelming success as U.S. Fund for UNICEF, the Earth Institute and Rotary International have committed to securing $500 million in pledges to continue the fight against worldwide poverty.

The five hour show kept Central Park on their feet and brighter than the light of day as each performer/band played for one hour mixed in with videos and informative guest speakers such as Olivia Wilde, spreading the word on global poverty-related problems such as infant mortality and polio.

The very talented Neil Young made the finale memorable with one of his best known songs, “Rockin’ in the Free World”.  He was joined by Foo Fighters and the Black Keys.

This is such a positive response to an issue that continues to plague the globe.  With more events such as this, hopefully we can beat the battle.

PHOTO CREDITS:  Evan Agostini/Invision/AP