TORONTO, Canada – Caribbean beats on Sunday will carry the heartfelt good wishes of West Indians in Canada for the people of Haiti.
A seasoned Trinidadian musician in Toronto, Joseph Maharaj, says he and his band of musicians are ready to serve the people of Haiti this weekend when Noasarc and the Caribbean Media Exchange partner to stage a “Haiti Carnival” fund-raising benefit this Sunday, February 28 at the Lula Lounge at 7 p.m. (1585 Dundas St. West) in Toronto.
Maharaj, keyboardist and the leader of the 4DE1 band, whose members hail from the Caribbean, said while regional efforts to help Haiti have been a little slow, it is time to redouble energies now that many of the cameras are leaving and the people of Haiti begin to put their lives together after last month’s deadly earthquake.
“We could have done a lot more for Haiti before the earthquake,” mused Maharaj, “however, as sons and daughters of the Caribbean, I think it is a great thing that we are coming together as one voice on Sunday to support such a charitable cause for our brothers and sisters back home.”
Maharaj, whose band of musicians represent several genres – from reggae to R & B – will be joined by another Trinidadian-led band, headed by soul singer Justin Bacchus; African drummers; Afro-Caribbean Dancers; and a jazz and blues group featuring Canadian keyboardist Sean Bellaviti.
A highlight of the evening will be the internationally acclaimed mentalist Haim Goldenberg, a popular Israeli-Canadian, whose “mind-reading” exploits have been dazzling TV viewers in Canada and abroad.
Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, two of the world’s top resorts and the friendly Coco Palm head up the dazzling array of resorts in St. Lucia donating rooms for auction on Sunday at Toronto’s Lula Lounge. Downstream in the Caribbean, the glittering Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa have also contributed to the live auction at the event which attracts a suggested entrance fee of CAD $40.
All proceeds from the event will support the work of Airline Ambassadors International which has delivered up to two million pounds of food, water, medicine, tents etc. and more than 600 doctors and nurses to Haiti. They are running the best public-private hospital in Haiti which is being positioned to become the leading teaching institution in the country for orthopedic after care, including amputations and re-amputations.
CMEx Director Lelei LeLaulu said “it was time to recognize organizations which do a lot but do not get the attention they deserve” and will present an award to the Belinda Stronach Foundation of Toronto in recognition of the Canadian charity’s generous support of Airline Ambassadors and other relief efforts in Haiti.
