News: Alicia Keys To Headline AIDS Benefit

In August, Alicia Keys heads north of the border to headline a star-studded benefit concert in support of HIV/AIDS prevention.

The "Unbreakable" singer/songwriter, already a staunch advocate of efforts to combat AIDS in Africa, will perform Aug. 13 during opening ceremonies for the International AIDS Conference in Toronto.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. at the Rogers Centre stage and will end with a keynote address by Bill and Melinda Gates, whose charitable foundation supports a variety of HIV/AIDS programs. Former president Bill Clinton will also be on hand during the Aug. 13-18 conference, as well as Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, who is a UNAIDS special representative.

"These two events in one evening at the Rogers Centre - the opening with the concert - promise to make this a memorable evening that will bring even greater attention to the AIDS issue here in Canada and around the world," said Andrew Pringle, board president for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), one of the organizations hosting the concert to raise awareness and funds to fight HIV/AIDS.

In addition to the 25,000 opening ceremony and concert tickets earmarked for conference delegates, 20,000 more will be sold to the public. Proceeds will go toward several AIDS-related groups.

Other acts on the bill include actor Richard Gere, Blue Man Group and homegrown acts the Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, Amanda Marshall and Chantal Kreviazuk.