VENUES TODAY Vol. II Number XVII May 28, 2003 | By Wahyuni Kamah
Bali to Hold Its Peace Concert
BALI, Indonesia - Seven months after the terrorist bombing on Oct. 12,
2002 that abruptly stopped the hordes of visiting tourists in pubs and
discos in Bali, the party will return with a vengeance on June 14,
2003. Musicindustry veteran Matt Taylor will promote the first World
Peace Music Awards (WPMA) in Bali where major pop stars from 25
countries - some with a history of suffering from war and violence -
will collaborate in a multi-national volunteer effort. This show is
expected to become an annual event.
Artists from Australia, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy,
Mexico, the Philippines, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United
States will perform in a show expected to capture over 1.5 billion
worldwide viewers. "The show is a multi-national volunteer effort of
people from over 30 countries that come together for a single cause to
honor musicians who have made major contributions to world peace
through their music and personal sacrifice," Taylor said. "This is what
makes the show different."
The World Peace Music Awards is the first-ever global-scale tribute to
musicianswho through their music, personal example, and sacrifice have
made major contributions to world peace, harmony and human
co-existence. The recipients are selected by a committee comprised of
Nobel Peace Prize winners, philanthropists, United Nations
representatives, religious leaders, heads of state and fellow
musicians. Chairing the committee is psycho-anthropologist Dr. Lawrence
Blair.
The "Life of Peace" trophy is the vision of sculptor Cindy McClure, and
preciousmetal jewelry designed by John Hardy. The 6-inch ring of silver
hands encircle aset of solid gold praying hands. The body of the
memento contains a detachable 2-inch brooch of the same design that can
be worn by recipients. Other awards presented are divided into several
categories, musical genre and geographic region among them.
The first concert will feature major international music acts, club DJs
and celebrity personalities from around the world. The concert will
take place in Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Jimbaran, Bali, an open-air venue
located atop a mountain. The producers of the three-hour concert will
deliver free satellite feeds to local TV networks in over 100
countries. Producers have made all 8,000 tickets available free to the
public through official sponsors and media networks. "We are trying to
accommodate as many of the local people as we can," Taylor said. After
thelive television broadcast, several of the artists will return to
play free for a special all-night "after party," which is open to
everyone.
Normally such an event would cost $8 million-$12 million (U.S.) to
produce. "However, because of the charitable nature of WPMA's, many
people have donated theirtime, service and talent to make this show
happen for a fraction of the normal cost," said Taylor. David Wilson,
General Manager of The Ritz Carlton Bali Resortand Spa, one of the
concert sponsors, said that he put $300,000 in trade into the event, in
terms of free accommodation for crews, singers and organizers.
Other sponsors of the show include: Japan Airlines, which is donating
flight tickets to singers, organizers and crews; Garuda Indonesia; the
Four Seasons ResortBali; Grand Hyatt Bali and Intercontinental Resort
Bali.
Other producers of the show include industry veterans like Miles
Copeland and Jay Coleman. The worldwide satellite broadcast will be
directed by Dick Curruthers(Elton John, Aerosmith, The Who, Rolling
Stones).
WPMA will handle the food and merchandise, which is the only revenue
from the show. All proceeds will go to several different charities. One
of them is an International Scholarship Fund for Children and Spouses
of Victims and Global Terrorism, which was established by the WMPA
executive committee. The sponsors expect that the event will be
positive public relations for Bali after the devastating bomb attack.
"Bali recovery is what we expect from the concert," David Wilson said.
"It is worthy of our time and effort, and nobody else has done it,"
replied Taylor when asked why he is doing the concert. "Moreover,
global harmony and peace through music and understanding are the
benefits," he added. - Wahyuni Kamah Interviewed for this story: David
Wilson, +62 811 389 542; Matt Taylor,taylor@4dmatrix.com
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