Reading could be the launch pad for a worldwide charity festival that raises funds for children living with HIV/AIDS.

All around the globe thousands of musicians will be performing in the One World Beat Global Music Festival from Friday to Sunday, 19 - 21 March 2004 - they will unite via live webcasts.

There will be events in South Hill Park in Bracknell, Sydney Australia, Bujumbura Burundi, Stratford Canada and London among many more.

But because the Reading event at Bar Oz is on Thursday 18th March - the day before the festival officially starts, it could be the first gig in the worldwide line-up.

One World Beat Global Music Festival is a series of concerts taking place over a three-day weekend providing a platform for socially conscious musicians to unite and convey a message of hope through their music, all to benefit HIV/AIDS charities.

It is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and artists such as Phil Collins.

"There are no barriers in music," Phil Collins states. "The colour of skin or the choice of religion should be of no interest to us in how we judge each other."

Next year will be the mammoth event's second annual festival. It's already hailed as one of the biggest charity musical extravaganzas since Live Aid.

As well at Bar Oz in Reading, the other Berkshire event is on Saturday 20th March at South Hill Park, Bracknell where there is a night of afro-funk with The Shrine featuring Rita Ray.
More details of those gigs in a few months.

How You Can Help: Berkshire musicians can even stage their own event, or donate a portion of their proceeds from an existing event to help support One World Beat, or simply show their support by sending a quote for the One World Beat web site.

For more information log on to the One World Beat Website www.oneworldbeat.org