>> View "Voices For Haiti" Karaoke Wednesdays Gallery (Jan 20th, 2010)

On January 12th, 2010 the island of Haiti was sent reeling under the blow of an earthquake measuring 7.0. More than 3 million people have been affected, thousands feared dead and an equal amount left injured, hungry and homeless.

Authorities have indicated that it will take months even years to begin to stabilize the situation, to get the surviving population fed, clothed, access medical treatment and housed. With this in mind it is increasingly apparent that our aid efforts need to be stepped up a gear or two. NGOs and other private sector organizations have been leading the charge in gathering aid items for distribution. Joining the movement to provide assistance to our Haitian neighbours is an array of local artistes, restaurateurs and other frontline names in the local entertainment industry.

Passionate about the Haiti relief cause is Underdog Events, birthed late last year by Ayanna Leonard, daughter of Media/Entertainment Consultant Josanne Leonard, “Underdog is about striving to be the best, coming from behind and being unexpectedly victorious, pushing boundaries and finding outlets for our raw energy,” Ayanna explains. “We don’t want people to think that we are just about making money off our patrons, there is an element of UE that takes our social responsibility very seriously.” She went on to say that “the tragedy our Haitian brothers and sisters are experiencing is heart wrenching, UE took a decision to get off the sidelines and do something that is impactful and that can continue to benefit our Caribbean neighbours, UE is in for the long haul and is dedicated to giving assistance however we can.”

Woodford Café’s Benny Hatem shares her view, “Haiti needs help desperately, the scale of the devastation is incomparable to anything we have ever experienced here in the Caribbean. It’s going to take a lot of aid over a prolonged period to get them back on their feet.” Hatem noted that his management team was elated when Ayanna approached him – “we were trying to think of what we could do to assist in a meaningful way and we are more than pleased with our partnership with Ayanna and UE.”

Voices for Haiti is more than an event, it’s a movement of compassion that will see a host of local celebrities, entertainers, artistes, corporate citizens and the average Joe singing their hearts out on Woodford’s Karaoke Wednesdays. The regular cover charge has been increased to $60.00 as all proceeds go toward the Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief fund. Large collection bins will also be set up at Woodford for patrons wishing to drop off aid items and the UE team will be on hand to collect pledges from patrons attending the event. A cast that includes soca royalty – Kes, Bunji and Fay-ann Denise Belfon, as well as stalwarts like Karega Mandella and Brother Resistance  as well as a host of other artists, dj’s and personalities have already been confirmed. Patrons are invited to come down to Woodford Café on Wednesday 22nd from 10pm and take part in this humanitarian effort.

Both Ayanna and Benny agree that one session will not suffice in terms of helping to restore hope to the nation of Haiti, they have pledged to continue the partnership and keep Voices for Haiti running indefinitely. “The response from our entertainment industry has been phenomenal, there are so many local artistes who want to do their part and we want to give them the opportunity to do that.” Ayanna has high hopes for Voices for Haiti and hints that there are bigger and better things to come as the movement grows.

Collaborative efforts like this truly give hope to a future where the Caribbean can rally together and help in the re-building of a once mighty nation... Haiti will hear our voices. SEE YOU AT WOODFORD....

UNDERDOG... 'OUT OF MANY, ONE'

>> View "Voices For Haiti" Karaoke Wednesdays Gallery (Jan 20th, 2010)