Six-time Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum recording artists The Black Eyed Peas will hold a benefit concert on September 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. Tickets will go on sale August 12 at 8am. Tickets are $100 for either standing or reserved seating tickets and can be purchased online at the Minot Rising website or at the Minot Air Force Base Outdoor Recreation Center, Marketplace Foods on 20th Ave, Marketplace Foods at the Dakota Square Mall and also at the ticketing kiosk at the Dakota Square Mall.
Josh Duhamel, a Minot native and Hollywood actor, is the honorary chairman for the Minot Area Recovery Fund, which will help Minot and the surrounding area in its long-term flood recovery needs. Duhamel is married to Fergie, the lead singer of The Black Eyed Peas.
“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. “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,” said Fergie. “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.”
Established by the Minot Area Community Foundation, the Minot Area Recovery Fund will play an active role in flood relief by supporting relief and 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.
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. 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 6-10 feet of water and 805 of the 4,100 homes are damaged beyond repair.
“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.