:: 4REAL launches to raise funds for the needy in Kenya

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

Wednesday, June 18 will see Australia join 166 countries in launching the 4REAL series on Nat Geo Adventure. To celebrate this groundbreaking television series and global community initiative, Sydney will host an exclusive event at Oxford Art Factory bringing artists and like minded people together for a night of interactive performance and art to raise much needed funds for the people of Kibera, Kenya – the biggest slum on the East Coast of Africa.

4REAL is a television series co-created and hosted by SOL GUY (MTV Canada Host and veteran artist manager working closely with The Wu-Tang-Clan, Lauryn Hill, Outkast and P.Diddy) and Executive Producer, JOAQUIN PHOENIX (Oscar nominated Hollywood actor), that takes celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change in their communities.

Celebrity guests for Season One are; CAMERON DIAZ, MOS DEF, EVA MENDES, CASEY AFFLECK, KNAAN, M.I.A and FLEA of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. The shows take you on unique adventures with these celebrities, but ultimately it’s the young leaders who emerge as the stars. 4REAL inspires viewers with stories of their courage, creativity and dedication to tackling issues such as poverty, environment, health, children’s and indigenous rights, drugs and violence in their communities, and beyond. Further than the exposure that 4REAL provides, these young leaders are partners in the show, with 50% of the show’s profits going directly to their initiatives.

THE SYDNEY EVENT:
To truly be a part of what the 4REAL team is achieving all over the world, QLD based event collective, Bandwagon are throwing a 4REAL 4Kibera Fundraiser, not only to raise awareness for the issues affecting Kibera but to also be a part of the positive progression of our global community; with all proceeds going to Carolina For Kibera (CFK) aid agency In Kenya.

The launch party on Wednesday, June 18 at the Oxford Art Factory for Sydney’s social set will feature live and interactive art including performances by MERCY ARMS, FAIT ACCOMPLI, THE NEVADA STRANGE, CHAMBERS, ALEESHA DIBBS, KALAMAZOO, EYE OF THE SPIDER, LOST VALENTINOS DJ’S, COCO & SHAMBLES, MR KOTO, MIKE TYSON G-ORGY & MORE-GANUS, LEWIS B, HARRY HUNTER & U-GO-B.

Along with short screenings of the 4REAL series and a video link message from rapper KNAAN and SOL GUY, there will be an exhibition of 20 of Australia’s most respected underground artists, including OZZIE WRIGHT, KSUBI, LOVEARIEL, DASHENKA and more, who have kindly donated their works to be exhibited in the Gallery of Oxford Art Factory under the notion of ‘In the end… what counts?’

2008 will see the 4REAL crew coming ‘down-under’ to produce a series with an Aboriginal community…. STAY TUNED.

4REAL broadcasts on Nat Geo Adventure Thursdays at 8:30pm