BY KEDIESHA PERRY—
Observer writer—
Delroy Escoffery (left) of D’Empire Management; Kay-Andra Gardiner, VP of sales and marketing at Zamar Group Campanies; and Crispin Cleare of Fresh Entertainment Company Limited at a press conference for Restoration For Bahamas at Courtyard by the Marriott in Nassau, Bahamas, on October 2.—
DELROY Escoffery, co-conceptualizer of Restoration For Bahamas, believes his three-day event next month is just what the islanders need to lift their spirits, after Hurricane Dorian’s passage.
“It is the perfect time. A lot of people don’t realize that Bahamas is made up of 700 islands and 14 of them are geared towards tourism. The hurricane only damaged two of those islands; Abaco and Freeport. We are trying to get the Caribbean people to give back because repairs will take years and years and cost over US$3 billion. These are just to keep the spirit of the Bahamian people alive…something to give them hope,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
On September 1 and 2, Hurricane Dorian claimed the lives of 61 people in The Bahamas, while more than 600 remain missing. According to reports, more than 70,000 are homeless and damage is estimated at US$7 billion.
Restoration For Bahamas weekend kicks off on Friday, November 15, with a soca party, then reggae/dancehall the following day. Both will be held at Carnival Grounds in Nassau.
The soca event will feature Fay-Ann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Skinny Banton and Mr Killa, while Romain Virgo, Luciano, Omi, Da’Ville, Alaine, Beenie Man, Spragga Benz and Demarco are billed for day two.
A gospel concert is scheduled for Sunday, November 17, however, the location is yet to be finalized. Gospel singers Minister Marion Hall, Carlene Davis and Kevin Downswell are already contracted for the gig.
“I have been visiting The Bahamas since 1994 and it has always done well, in terms of hosting events there. Hurricane Dorian really shocked me. Minister Marion Hall, who I manage, always used to go there and it’s like God put it on our hearts to help the people,” he said.
“It is not that Jamaica doesn’t need help, but this level of devastation never happened to Jamaica in my time. If you’re on the ground and you see the level of destruction that happened in The Bahamas then you’ll understand. This matter is urgent,” Escoffery continued.
Though the conceptualizers do not have a target as to how much they intend to raise, patrons will be encouraged to pay a minimum of US$25 to enter each concert and donate supplies.
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