MUMBAI: Robin Hood, The Black Eyed Peas, Chase, DAS Communications, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation, the Central Park Conservancy and Clear Channel Radio announced today that the six-time Grammy-award winning group will perform their first-ever live concert in Central Park on June 9, 2011. The concert will benefit Robin Hood and its mission to fight poverty in New York City, as well as fund the creation of three new sites for The Black Eyed Peas' Peapod Academies in New York City  All concertgoers must have a ticket to enter the event. Chase, the largest private-sector employer in New York City, is the presenting sponsor. Clear Channel is the event's exclusive radio partner. The Black Eyed Peas and Robin Hood announced the concert this morning in an exclusive interview on "Elvis Duran and the Z100 Morning Show" on Z100 

This is a ticketed event – all concertgoers must have a ticket to enter and backpacks and other carry alongs are not permitted. 54,000 free tickets will be available only through random giveaway by registering at blackeyedpeas.robinhood.org beginning on May 11. A small number of VIP tickets will be available for sale through the same website. Tickets are limited to ensure the safety of all fans attending the event.

"We are thrilled to follow in the footsteps of icons such as Simon & Garfunkel and Diana Ross by performing a free concert for our fans in Central Park," said Fergie. "But more importantly, we are performing to benefit Robin Hood's efforts to help those living in poverty in New York City and to help disadvantaged youth in New York with the launch of our Peapod Academy."

The concert will raise funds and awareness for Robin Hood, a public charity targeting poverty in New York City by funding and partnering with the best and most effective programs. Robin Hood's grants and guidance support food pantries, homeless shelters, health clinics and provide work-force training for impoverished New Yorkers in the five boroughs. As part of the partnership with The Black Eyed Peas, Robin Hood will fund the opening of three Peapod Academies in New York City over the coming years, which will support disadvantaged youth in New York City by providing music and artistic education, such as music engineering and mixing and video editing, among other opportunities.

"Robin Hood is humbled by the commitment of The Black Eyed Peas and Chase to help the 1.8 million people in New York City that fall below the poverty line," said David Saltzman, Executive Director of Robin Hood. "As six-time Grammy Award winners and 30+ million album sellers, The Peas are superstars in the global music industry and Central Park provides the perfect stage for them to help us raise awareness and funds for our neighbors in need."

"Live music has a rich tradition in Central Park and we are pleased to add the Black Eyed Peas to a list that already includes Barbra Streisand, Elton John and Sting, among many others," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "This free concert on the historic Great Lawn celebrates the best of New York City and will help Robin Hood continue its work to fight poverty."

As the exclusive radio partner, Clear Channel will promote the concert on-air through ticket giveaways and public service announcements across five of Clear Channel's New York City Stations: Z100, 103.5 KTU, Q104.3, 106.7 Lite FM and Power 105.1, as well as iHeartRadio.com, the website for Clear Channel's industry-leading digital radio service.

Throughout the concert, music lovers will be encouraged to donate to Robin Hood via text message. For more information on the concert, ticket availability and to donate, please visit www.robinhood.org 

The Concert 4 NYC is being produced by Robin Hood in association with William Derella and David Sonenberg of DAS Communications, Ltd., the management company for The Black Eyed Peas