Even though my wife Lorin and I had a hard time watching very much of the video being televised by CNN or Fox News, we did watch the Concert for Haiti with all the superstars. The idea of not being able to help the people who lived through this incredible tragedy was too much for her. Lorin turned to me and said, “we have great musicians right here on the Island. “Let’s do a Concert Under the Stars and call it Roatan Helping Haiti!”
That was all it took to get the process going of organizing a concert that was to happen two weeks later. We both agreed that The MegaPlaza where Lorin’s new Soothe Your Soul Health and Beauty Day Spa recently opened would be a great place to have events that everyone could enjoy! Together with Manola Munoz, they planned for The MagaPlaza to host the event.
Two hundred thousand people having died or gone missing in Port-au-Prince, an area of three million people. Experiencing a 7.0 earthquake so close to the center of that city in a country with no construction rules or regulations is unimaginable. People already living on around two dollars a day would not allow for much self-initiation to handle the clean-up.
If you were not at the Concert Under the Stars Fundraiser for Haiti on Thursday, February 4th from 6 to 10 pm, you really missed an incredible evening of entertainment. The weather could not have been nicer with subtly brisk easterlies keeping everyone cool and comfortable. The skies were clear with every star out that night. It was the kind of cultural event everyone speaks of missing by being on Roatan. Now we have them more and more and it is up to the people to come out and show their interest so there can be a greater variety of cultural events in the future.
The music could not have been better. Joel Escalona, Latin Fusion and solo guitarist started off the evening. He could play anywhere in the world and people would enjoy him. Bobbie Rieman and the TUNU Band were incredible. Many thanks to Bobby as we could not have done this event without you. Paul the firedancer was awesome and gave his tips to the cause.
Brion James and his West End Band were next. Brion has been a favorite performer on the island for a long time. He has truly become world-class act and a tough one to follow. Someone had to do it and The Peperoncino Band with Franco, Mauricio, Juan and Luca playing their own brand of Jazz Fusion and Latin Bossa were great. The evening ended with The Walter and Jimmy James Band playing hot island music and Soca.
$1341 was raised, one dollar and Lempira at a time thanks to everyone in attendance. We are currently investigating the best resource to send to.
Congratulations to my wife Lorin for doing such a great job in a matter of days. How lucky we are to have such talented musicians on the island now and hope to see more of them in the future. The event was such a success and enjoyed by so many, the next chance to take part in a similar fundraising event will take place around April 1st.
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Tags: Concert Roatan Bands, helping Haiti, Roatan, Soothe Your Soul
