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Bono, Shakira, Salma Hayek and More Team for Clean Water 'Mission'

Nearly 30 years ago, Live Aid proved that musicians from around the world could unite to raise money for charity and spread awareness of serious issues. In that spirit, Guy Laliberté's One Drop Foundation has teamed up with stars from around the world -- including Bono, Shakira, Salma Hayek, Peter Gabriel and Joss Stone -- for the 'Poetic Social Mission,' a program discussing issues related to access to water set to be webcast on Friday, Oct. 9 at 8PM ET.

Unlike Live Aid, the 'Mission' isn't just a concert; it's a "poetic tale" written by award-winning author Yann Martel ('Life of Pi') that will be told in installments from 14 cities around the world, many accompanied by multimedia works from local artists. The event will kick off from the International Space Station with an introduction by Laliberté (left), the founder of Cirque du Soleil. He will then introduce Al Gore and environmentalist Dr. David Suzuki, who will illustrate many of the problems relating to the safety and accessibility of the world's water resources.

From there, the program shifts into the artistic portion, beginning in Montreal, with Martel and Canadian astronaut Julie Payette reading the first installment of the poem. Bouncing from continent to continent, the readings include diverse music acts and celebrities: Shakira will read a paragraph from New York, followed by a surprise guest; Peter Gabriel will read from London and introduce singer Joss Stone; and Bono is slated to speak to Laliberté -- currently orbiting the globe on the International Space Station -- from Tampa, Fla. Among the film stars participating, Salma Hayek will introduce a performance by singer Lila Downs from Mexico City, and Matthew McConaughey will read from Santa Monica, Calif.

The world's top musical acts are represented, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo -- the South African vocal group known by rock fans for their work on Paul Simon's 'Graceland' -- performing from Johannesburg. Grammy-winning Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil will perform in Rio de Janeiro, French pop star Garou will join via video from Paris, Australian soprano Tiffany Speight sings at the Sydney Opera House, Moroccan rappers Fnaïre will play from Marrakesh, and Japanese pop star Tatuya Ishii will sing from Osaka. A special taped performance from Bollywood composer A.R. Rahman -- who won two Oscars for his work on 'Slumdog Millionaire' -- will air during the Mumbai portion.

The two-hour program will conclude with remarks from Laliberté. To find out more information about the organization and the program, check out the official One Drop Foundation website. Head to the site this Friday, Oct. 9 at 8PM ET to catch this once-in-a-lifetime event.

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Bill

Talk about a self promoting "look at me" bunch of crap! Can you guess what celebrity(s) career is failing? What a joke.

October 10 2009 at 1:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wedidkiss

WOW

October 10 2009 at 12:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Acmeseed

Well if Salma bares her breast I'll donate a buck, heck if she let's me touch them I'll give her a ten.

What a bunch of fools.

October 09 2009 at 11:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Gere

It's time for Bono to go to another country with his hat in hand. We have heard his unending pleas for long enough now. Be a good little rock star and go home and beg your own countryman for some more aid money for funding your myriad of projects aimed everywhere around the globe but in this country. Right now we have enough on our plate to deal with, thank you very much.

October 09 2009 at 11:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tony

HEY BONO GO THE F... HOME! SEE IF THEY PUT UP WITH YOUR CRAP OVER THERE!
YOU LOOK LIKE ROBIN WILLIAMS WHEN HE PLAYED POPEYE.

October 09 2009 at 10:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
franco parilo

WOW I thought these pseudo-intellectuals would be touting the values of Communism and godlessness.

October 09 2009 at 10:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
R42Eklund

Yeah, right. These children want to protect animals from testing by drug companies, cosmetic companies, etc. And they support "going green". but they have no concept.

Wouldn't you rather have a bunny die from a drug that doesn't work than your wife?

Hummmmm.. . Global warming, please explain to me why it's in the 60F range in Austin TX in early Oct?

Get off kids.

Think kids are starving in Africa? How many were born since your charity set things up for their parents to procreate? Give food to people that can't feed themselve and what do they do? Make more babies that can't feed themselves. Not a happy fact, but a fact.

Rbrt hear of Pandora's box?

Think Al Bore is some kind of hero? Why does he keep flying around the world in his fuel burning, carbon creating jet?

Reality, what a concept.

Get over it.

October 09 2009 at 10:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sandyisugrad83

bleh...al gore... thought i might watch until i read he would be on the program...

October 09 2009 at 9:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Marvin Jabro

Good Job Shakira

October 09 2009 at 8:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rich

What a colossal waste of time! As if we all need to be "educated" by these self important clowns.

October 09 2009 at 8:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply