Seattle (AP) -
Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette,
R.E.M. and
Dave Matthews are among the confirmed artists for
Groundwork 2001, a weeklong hunger awareness and fundraising affair slated for
October 14-22 in Seattle. The event, planned to coincide with World Food Day (October 16th), is part of the annual TeleFood Campaign, the fundraising arm of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Six shows at various venues will be spread across the nine-day affair featuring, in addition to those mega-stars above: Emmylou Harris,
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, the Wallflowers,
Femi Kuti and that freaky Spoonman guy immortalized in a
Soundgarden song of the same name.
What's more, Groundwork 2001 has managed to land Madonna as its Honorary Chairperson. While the Material Girl has yet sign on to appear or perform at the event (venue planners promise more acts will soon be announced), she did offer up a statement condemning starvation on the Groundwork 2001 Web site (www.groundwork2001.com) that reads, "Food is our most intimate link with the earth. The lack of food cuts to the core of our dignity; its greatest casualty is hope. Together, we can ensure that Groundwork 2001 brings long overdue awareness to practical solutions to the fight against hunger."
What's more, there'll be a Groundwork benefit disc coming this October. Entitled Groundwork: Act to Reduce Hunger, the compilation will feature previously unreleased tunes from Madonna, Moby, David Gray, Tom Waits and Sheryl Crow.
Groundwork 2001 concert schedule:
10/14: The Paramount Theater: Blind Boys of Alabama, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Dave Matthews (solo)
10/17: Experience Music Project Sky Church: Chris Whitely, the Wallflowers, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
10/18: EMP Sky Church: DJ Nasir, DJ Cheb I Sabbah, Afro-Celt Sound System
10/19: EMP Sky Church: Shawn Smith, The Gents, Ann and Nancy Wilson
10/20: EMP Sky Church: Joe Henry, Chocolate Genius, Michael Franti and Spearhead
10/22: Key Arena: Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, Mana, Alanis Morissette, Pearl Jam, R.E.M.
