International Superstar Ricky Martin Kicks Off 8th Wonder of the World Concert Series With Performance at Taj Mahal in Agra, India

International Superstar Ricky Martin Kicks Off 8th Wonder of the World Concert Series With Performance at Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Great Pyramid, Forbidden City Among Other Venues in Concert Series Benefiting UNICEF's 'Unite For Children, Unite Against AIDS' Campaign

DENVER, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The 8th Wonder of the World, a leading entertainment company formed by Tantra and East West Entertainment, announced today that global superstar Ricky Martin will be performing at the international concert series' kickoff event at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, February 25, 2006.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051214/NYW065 )

"What is understood across the globe is that children are the future. What is not understood around the globe is that the future of many developing countries is in jeopardy due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that affects million of children worldwide. By raising awareness and funds through the Ricky Martin Foundation and UNICEF and 8th Wonder of the World benefit concert series, I want to help protect the future of developing nations and protect the children of the world from the physical, emotional and social effects of this deadly pandemic," said Ricky Martin.

Martin, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has long been a strong advocate of children's rights and protection through his Ricky Martin Foundation. The non-profit Foundation's mission is to advocate for the well-being of children around the world in critical areas such as education, health and social justice. Its flagship "People for Children" initiative was created to educate and support the international framework for the elimination of child trafficking, and to influence policy makers in the war against the exploitation of minors.

The 8th Wonder of the World organization was founded specifically to increase global awareness for children affected by HIV/AIDS, raising funds for UNICEF, YouthAIDS, The Ricky Martin Foundation, and other partner charities through arts and entertainment. Ten concerts are scheduled to take place over a period of five years at some of the most beautiful natural and man-made locations in the world.

"We are both delighted and honored that Ricky has agreed to join us at 8th Wonder of the World's inaugural event at the Taj Mahal in February," said Farook Singh, co-chairman of 8th Wonder of the World. "Not only is he a captivating performer, he is a truly committed ambassador who by lending his support is helping draw attention to the misery visited upon millions of the world's children by HIV/AIDS."

The concerts, which will be backed by corporate sponsors, will feature renowned musical artists, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors and will be broadcast globally.

Said David DeCamillis, co-chairman of 8th Wonder of the World, "To have such a monumental event take place at such a historic location with such an influential star like Ricky Martin, who is not only known for his talent but his philanthropic work, lends justice to this noble cause."

Following is the complete schedule:

* Taj Mahal - The concert will take place in Agra, India on February 25,
2006.
* The Forbidden City - scheduled to take place in Beijing, China on
September 2, 2006.
* Christ The Redeemer - scheduled to take place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
on February 10, 2007.
* Parthenon - scheduled to take place in Athens, Greece in September 2007.
* The Great Pyramid - scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt in the
spring of 2008.
* St. Basil's Cathedral - scheduled to take place in Moscow, Russia in the
fall of 2008.
* The Coliseum - scheduled to take place in Rome, Italy early 2009.
* Eiffel Tower - scheduled to take place in Paris, France, in the fall of
2009.
* South Africa - scheduled to take place in the spring of 2010.
* Statue of Liberty - closing out the series in New York City, USA, in
2010.

About 8th Wonder of the World:

The 8th Wonder of the World Concert Series is a semi-annual HIV/AIDS benefit that will be hosted at the natural and man-made Wonders of the World. These star studded events will feature top level international musical talent with the purpose of increasing world awareness for HIV/AIDS and raising funds for selected charities. Venues include; the Taj Mahal in Agra, India; the Forbidden City in Beijing; Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; the Great Pyramid in Cairo, Egypt; Parthenon in Athens, Greece; St. Basil Red Square in Moscow, Russia; the Coliseum located in Rome, Italy; and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. For more information visit; http://www.eighthwonderoftheworld.com/

About Ricky Martin:

In a career that spans nearly two decades and includes more than 55 million albums sold, Grammy winner Ricky Martin has earned his place in entertainment history, forever changing the way the world sees Latin music. Martin's new English language album, LIFE, was released worldwide on October 11, 2005 and is his first release since his most recent Spanish language album (2003), Almas del Silencio (Souls of Silence), which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and was the highest chart debut on the Billboard Top 200 (#12) of all Spanish-language albums in the SoundScan era.

Following the release Ricky embarked on an extensive worldwide tour, which started with a sold out run in Latin America in November, hits the US in January and continues around the globe throughout 2006-2007 with expected attendance in the millions. A devoted philanthropist, and UNICEF Ambassador, Martin is the founder of the Ricky Martin Foundation.

About Ricky Martin Foundation:

The Ricky Martin Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit organization whose funds and programs are directed to serve the common welfare of children around the world in social areas such as health and education, amongst others. Financial resources are directed toward the implementation of programs, especially in geographies characterized by precarious social, economic and political conditions.

For additional information about the Ricky Martin Foundation, please visit http://www.rickymartinfoundation.org/

Contact for 8th Wonder of the World:
5W Public Relations on behalf of 8th Wonder

Katy Saeger
310-566-7035 office/ 310-597-2337 cell
ksaeger@5wpr.com

Peter Epstein
310-566-7033 office/ 323-251-3567 cell
pepstein@5wpr.com

Contact for Ricky Martin:
Ken Sunshine/ Rondine Alcala on behalf of Ricky Martin

English: Ken Sunshine
212-691-2800 office
sunshine@sunshineconsultants.com

Spanish: Rondine Alcala
310-462-1208 office
rondinealcala@comcast.net

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051214/NYW065
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: 8th Wonder of the World

CONTACT: Katy Saeger, +1-310-566-7035, or +1-310-597-2337 cell,
ksaeger@5wpr.com, or Peter Epstein, +1-310-566-7033, or +1-323-251-3567 cell,
pepstein@5wpr.com, both of 5W Public Relations for 8th Wonder of the World; or
English - Ken Sunshine, +1-212-691-2800, sunshine@sunshineconsultants.com, or
Spanish - Rondine Alcala, +1-310-462-1208, rondinealcala@comcast.net, both for
Ricky Martin

Web site: http://www.eighthwonderoftheworld.com/
http://www.rickymartinfoundation.org/

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