Guy Laliberté, founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil
Space-Travelling Cirque Founder About to Host Biggest Show in the Universe
MONTREAL - Canada's first space tourist is hours away from hosting the biggest show in the known universe.
Guy Laliberte has spent months planning an event some are dubbing 'Spacestock' - a concert on five continents, with the Cirque du Soleil founder acting as the master of ceremonies from the International Space Station.
The billionaire circus impresario hopes his grandiose event will focus the world's attention on an important cause: water conservation. [...]
The production costs for the multilingual show are estimated to be between $6 million and $10 million - which is on top of the US$35 million Laliberte paid to become Canada's first space tourist.
It will be seen on the Internet beginning at 8 p.m EDT through the website of Laliberte's One Drop Foundation at OneDrop.org. [...]
Bono, Shakira and Al Gore Team Up for Water Education
Tonight (October 9), a multitude of celebrities will take part in a global event dubbed "Moving Stars and Earth for Water." Musicians, movie stars, politicians and environmentalists will unite for one common cause: Bringing the world more and better water. This diverse group includes Shakira, Salma Hayek, Bono, Joss Stone and former Vice President Al Gore. Perhaps the most riveting component of the show? On the same day we searched the moon for water, the event will be broadcast into outer space.
Why? Because the architect of the entire project is Canadian billionaire Guy Laliberte, who has been on a personally-financed mission to the International Space Station since October 2. He describes the event as a "poetic social mission." Laliberte intends to use his time off Earth to find supplies of one of the world's most important resources. "My mission is dedicated to making a difference on this vital resource by using what I know best: artistry," Laliberte said. [...]
Guy Laliberté, OC, CQ (born September 2, 1959) is a French Canadian entrepreneur, currently the CEO of Cirque du Soleil. Starting out as an accordion player, stiltwalker and fire-eater; Laliberté created his circus which is a synthesis of all circus styles around the world. In 2006, the 95% share holder of the US$1.2 billion Cirque Du Soleil was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. [...]
