The Cayman Music and Entertainment Association in conjunction with Rotaract Blue and the Lean on Me Foundation hosted a “Hope for Haiti” benefit concert on Tuesday, 16 February at the Oasis Bar, Grand Pavilion.

Featuring over 21 bands, the event offered flavours of all delights, with ensembles such as the Swingrays, Swanky, Jeffrey Wilson and the Blue Print, Absolut Joy, Bona Fide, Suite Elite, Local Motion, Hi Tide and others.

Though there were concerns about the weather for the night’s happenings, scheduled to take place from 5pm to 3am, the rain held up and the show went off without a hitch.

In addition to being treated to the very best in music from the local scene, the campaign climaxed when all the performers took to the stage for a rendition of Keep the Faith, a tune penned by Brent McLean of Heat.

 The song was written as a tribute to the survivors of the devastation in Haiti.

Mr. McLean said, “We just wanted to do something and what better way than music. This song is our way of saying that we stand with all the people who have been affected by this disaster.”

Fifty per cent of proceeds from all bar purchases and donations collected at the concert went toward the relief of Haiti.

No final figure from the event was available before press time.

Lead singer for the group Bona Fide, as well as one of the event’s Organisers Isadora Ferrao remarked, “Many bands cut down their performance time in order for us to catch up on a late running schedule. We were enormously thankful for everyone collectively bearing the burden and for being so considerate of the acts to follow.”

President of the Cayman Music and entertainment Association Jean Eric Smith commented on the evening: “This is the kind of rallying point that brings everyone together. It’s at times like these that we discover where our strengths lie and how we can be of benefit to others. We are truly proud to have been able to play a part in relief for Haiti.”