One Island concert to assist Barbuda

“It promises to be a spectacular event as the people of TT and the region will come together to raise funds to rebuild Barbuda,” Fabien said.

Over 170 artistes will be performing soca, calypso, chutney, tassa, dancehall, reggae, comedy, theatre and much more.

Assisting Fabien in the concert’s presentation is No Laughing Matter, a group of conscientious and professional individuals within the theatre, arts, media, cultural ambassadors, business, and people with a passion for TT and the Caribbean.

One Island will feature 12 hours of performances in aid of victims of Hurricane Irma which battered several Caribbean islands including Barbuda. The public is being asked to make a contribution of $50, together with three canned items (expiring not before 2018) or a case of water at the event. “We have a 40-foot container on site waiting, and it will be stuffed as items come in, and on Monday the container is going to leave the Oval and go to the port to go on its journey,” Fabien said.

He is hoping to raise $1 million to assist in the rebuilding of Barbuda.

“The impetus is for Barbuda because when we saw the other places that were affected by Hurricane Irma we knew they have help from some other countries because they are Dutch or French or English.

But Barbuda have the Caricom.

We are Barbuda’s big brother so we are seeing about them.

Therefore One Island the Concert is reserved for Barbuda.” With the residents having all been evacuated from the island since Irma, Fabien noted: “Barbudans are all living with families in Antigua.

So that is why we need the help of people on the ground to get items to these specific people, hence the reason we are working with the HALO Foundation, an Antigua-based NGO.

They have been doing work there for a long time just as Feel has been doing in TT .” He then stated that ambassador Gail Christian from Halo will be coming for the event while Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has sent his appreciation and his love, and the people of Barbuda, their gratitude.

Among the artistes who have confirmed their attendance are Blaxx, Shurwayne Winchester, Teddyson John (St Lucia), 3canal, Vaughnette Bigford, Ziggy Rankin’, Ronnie McIntosh, Orlando Octave, Baron, Michelle Xavier, Isasha, Swappi (Grenada), Myron B, 5Star Akil, Kevon Carter, Johann Chuckaree, Dane Gulston, Denise Belfon, Pternsky, Jason Seecharan, Adesh Samaroo, Raymond Ramnarine, Neval Chatelal, Sharlene Flores, KV Charles, Oscar B, Christian Kalpee, Asten Isaac and Nadia La Fond.

Performances will also come from top dance, parang, spoken word artistes and popular DJs. Also listed are Imij & Co, Los Alumnos, Malick Folk Performers and Wasafoli, Shiv Shakti dancers, D C Shell Theatre — Bollywood Dance, Wendy Sheppard, Lujoe & Gifted, Freetown Collective, Militant, Rembunction, Chantwell, Prince of Theatre Darrion — spoken word, Ninja, Allan the Entertainer, Rodey, Hamidullah, Bon Bassa, Leandra and Tyler Head, Anuradha Hansraj and Nigel Rojas.

Fabien is also hoping that Alison Hinds and Rupee will be able to make it.