Regional artistes eager to do more charity events

A number of regional artistes who journeyed to St Vincent to take part in the Dominica benefit concert on Sunday night have given their word that they are willing to take part in more charity concerts, once they are able to do so.

The benefit concert, one of a number of events held regionally to help storm ravaged Dominica,{{more}} took place at the Victoria Park and attracted numerous artistes from throughout the region, including big name stars from Barbados and Jamaica, as well as local musicians and artistes.

Tropical Storm Erika struck Dominica on August 27 2015, causing millions of dollars in damage and rendering more than 1,000 persons homeless. The storm also claimed the lives of over 30 persons and statistics show that almost one third of Dominica’s population was affected by the storm.

Roshaun “Bay-C” Clarke, the base vocalist from the Jamaican group TOK, said that he was happy to lend of his time and skills as, “it’s a noble cause and sometimes as an artiste we have to balance out the things we do commercially with what we do to contribute with our talent, so once I heard about it it was a matter of logistics.”

He added that it was a long time since the group had visited St Vincent and the Grenadines, so the trip was not only fulfilling because they helped Dominica, but also because they got to reconnect with some people.

“We have performed in Dominica and we had a great experience and our heart goes out to Dominicans and once you call on us we will come,” said the Jamaican singer.

Craig ‘Craig-T’ Thompson, also of TOK, commented while sitting at the venue on Sunday, “It’s a cool vibe, anything that would assist and show support for the children of Dominica, we are all for it. When they approached us, we were more than willing to come over because it was a good and very worthy cause.”

Clifford ‘Mr Vegas’ Smith, another Jamaican artiste, said that he enjoyed being a part of the show, “because as you know, destruction can strike anytime and anywhere and from them reach out to me you know I am the type of youth that will represent; so, it’s a great look out for Dominica. Dominica is a place me love and I’ve been to Dominica more than one time, so me just know say from SVG ah represent, me hope that everybody can follow and to the Dominicans I will like to say just keep strong and hold the faith.”

Barbadian soca bard Alison Hinds said that she was very happy to be part of the benefit concert.

To Dominica, Hinds said, “we will keep you in our prayers and we are not going to forget you; we are going to keep on giving.”

Local artistes Rondy ‘Luta’ McIntosh, Shaunelle McKenzie, Shane ‘Hypa 4000’ Husbands and James ‘Jamesy P’ Morgan all expressed their delight at being part of the concert and being able to help Dominica.

The Dominica Benefit Concert was organized locally by Invest SVG and minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Commerce and Information Technology Senator Camillo Gonsalves and is said to have netted over EC$100,000, although finals numbers are not yet in.

Senator Gonsalves, whose idea it was to organize the charity concert for the victims of storm ravaged Dominica, said that the event was a huge success, as it went beyond what they had hoped for, exceeding their most optimistic projections.

The show attracted some 18 artistes, while the organizers had to turn down artistes who wanted to perform. Also performing at the sold-out event, which attracted thousands of persons, were Jamaicans Sizzla Kalongi (headline act), Protoje and Half Pint and our own Madskull, Fireman Hooper, Becket, K-Netik, Keith Currency and the Ground Breakers Dance Group. NBC’s Shevrell “Candyman” McMillan was the MC.(LC)