Photo by Moses Namkung

Black Eyed Peas Benefit Show

By Haley Moliter
Contributing Writer

On June 26 a new flood record was set in Minot at 1,561.72 feet above sea level, three feet above the previous record set back in 1881. Approximately 12,000 people are displaced from their homes because of this event. It is estimated that 20 percent of Minot has sustained damage from the flood. Over 4,100 homes have been affected by the flood; 2,376 of those homes have extensive damage from six to ten feet of water. 805 of the 4,100 homes are damaged beyond repair.

Six-time Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum recording artists The Black Eyed Peas will hold a benefit concert on Sept. 3, 2011, at the North Dakota State Fair Grandstand to assist the victims of the flooding that devastated Minot and surrounding North Dakota communities. All concert proceeds will go to the Minot Area Community Foundation - Recovery Fund.

Established by the Minot Area Community Foundation, the Minot Area Recovery Fund will play an active role in flood relief by supporting restoration throughout the greater Minot area, including the counties of Ward, Renville, Bottineau, and McHenry. All of these counties experienced a record-breaking flood from the swollen Souris River.
Josh Duhamel, a Minot native and Hollywood actor, is the honorary chairman for the Minot Area Recovery Fund. Duhamel is married to Fergie, the lead singer of The Black Eyed Peas. Duhamel and Fergie have publically asked fans and celebrities to support the Minot area since the flooding began.

“I spent the first 22 years of my life in Minot and still have family living there, including two sisters who have been displaced by floodwaters,” said Duhamel said. “Minot will always be home to me, and it breaks my heart to see the devastation the city and its residents are going through. People from Minot are strong and come together in a time of need, and I know they’ll get through this. But with everyone’s help, we can make it easier for them to restore their lives and the surrounding Minot area. I can’t express how grateful I am to the Black Eyed Peas for their incredible support.”

“I’m thrilled that the Black Eyed Peas will be playing a show for those that lost their homes in the Minot floods,” Fergie said. “My husband’s family was terribly affected and it brings me great joy that we are able to do our part to raise funds and help rebuild the city together.”

Since forming in 1995, The Black Eyed Peas have become one of the most innovative groups for over a decade. Their sixth and most recent release,The Beginning, kicked off with the first single, “The Time (Dirty Bit),” which sold three million copies digitally and went straight to #1 on iTunes in 11 countries within the first 24 hours. The second single, “Just Can’t Get Enough” followed with sales of nearly 2.5 million digital copies and reached #2 on the Top 40 radio chart.

The E.N.D sold more than 11 million copies worldwide; it entered the Billboard Top 200 Chart at #1, outperforming their previous album, Monkey Business– an unheard of feat in this day and age. It yielded five Top 10 singles, spent an entire year in the Billboard Top 200 Chart, and earned the group three new Grammy Awards, for a total of six Grammy Awards. In all, they’ve sold over 31 million records worldwide and 58 million singles. They’ve sold over three million tickets and headlined over 300 different tour dates in 29 different countries.

“The announcement of The Black Eyed Peas concert couldn’t come at a better time for our community. The Minot Area Community Foundation is honored that this group is willing to help Josh’s hometown in a time of dire need,” said Ken Kitzman, president of the Minot Area Community Foundation.

Concert tickets will go on sale Aug. 12 with presale dates of Aug. 8, 9, and 10. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased online at http://www.MinotRising.com or at Minot Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Center, both Minot Marketplace Foods locations, and Dakota Square.

For more information about the Minot Area Community Foundation or to donate online, visit: http://www.centerforcommunitygiving.com.

People can also mail donations to:
Minot Area Community Foundation
Wells Fargo Center
15 2nd Avenue SW, Suite 102
Minot, ND 58701

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Black Eyed Peas Benefit Concert
WHERE: North Dakota State Fair Grandstand in Minot
WHEN: Sept. 3
COST: $100