Live Earth is a 24-hour, 7-continent festival that takes place July 7, 2007. Live Earth will reach a worldwide audience with the message that we need to take urgent action to combat global climate change. We interview Yusef Robb, spokesperson for Live Earth about the genesis of the festival, how they are making the event as ‘green’ as possible, and what each of us can do to combat global warming and environmental degradation.

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Mark Monahan is the executive and artistic director of the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, which takes place this year from July 5-15, 2007. In the years since Clarence Clemons took the stage and helped kick off the first edition of the festival, the Bluesfest has become one of the largest outdoor festivals in the region. In addition to his work with the Bluesfest, Mark has championed a Blues in the Schools program and a music competition for youth, bringing blues music to a new generation.

We talk with Mark about the rapid growth of the festival over the years, initiatives to make the event environmentally friendly and why festivals are so important for artists and communities.

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