Sir Bob Geldof (Photo Provided)

Singer, songwriter, political activist, philanthropist and author Sir Bob Geldof — known for the Live Aid concerts and the song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” — is coming to Bloomington.

Geldof headlines the Institute’s fundraising dinner on Thursday, April 30 at the Bloomington Monroe County Convention Center, with ticket proceeds benefiting the Ivy Tech-Bloomington Center for Civic Engagement.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Sir Bob Geldof to Bloomington in the spring for our annual O’Bannon Institute for Community Service,” said Chancellor Vaughan. “As a tireless campaigner for numerous charities throughout the world, we look forward to Sir Bob’s insights into humanitarian, political, and global challenges and opportunities.”

Rising to fame thanks to his music career, which began with The Boomtown Rats in 1975, Sir Bob is known for the hit albums and singles he has recorded. He continues to be a prolific recording artist. During the 1984 famine in Ethiopia, he turned his attention to charity work, organizing Band Aid and the fundraising event Live Aid. In light of his charity work, he received a knighthood in 1986. He has written a number of articles for publications including Time Magazine and completed a series for the BBC titled Geldof in Africa, during which he traveled through West, Central, and East Africa.

The Live 8 concerts, undertaken in 2005 and performed in the same spirit as Live Aid 20 years previously, were a huge global fundraising event, and cemented Geldof’s place as a tireless campaigner for global charities. Sir Bob continues his charity work today and on Nov. 13, 2014, commemorating the 30^th anniversary of Band Aid and to assist in suppressing the current Ebola crisis in West Africa, recreated the original song with the artists of today including One Direction, Alt-J, Elbow, and others.

He has received a number of awards, including the Nobel Man of Peace Award, several Honorary Doctorates, and received seven Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

O’Bannon Institute for Community Service at Ivy Tech-Bloomington was established in 2004 as an annual opportunity for the community to come together to discuss issues of importance. Previous speakers of the Institute include U.S Senators, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Governors, political advisers and columnists, a presidential candidate, and former first Lady of the United States Laura W. Bush. The event has grown from a one-day event to a now three-day event that includes a civic engagement awards ceremony, a day of volunteering in the community, a fundraising dinner, panel discussions, and closing conversation.