Reflections from the After Party

By Vania Andre

Concert goers talk at post-benefit gala

 

The second anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti in 2010, brought people together from all over for one purpose; keeping the momentum for reconstruction alive.

 

Following the Community2Community “Hope and a Future” benefit concert, attendees and the performers went to Deity for the after party to celebrate the success of “Hope and a Future.”

 

“In one word, this event was amazing,” Shana Llewellyn said. “It gave me what I needed; something spiritual from the choir, something inspirational with the dancing, and something fun with the music.”

 

Haitian rapper Mecca aka Grimo, was tutoring a child when he first learned of the earthquake. Being of Haitian descent he felt it was only natural that he take to the stage for the benefit concert.

 

“My interests even before the earthquake were about elevating Haiti and enforcing Haitian pride,” Mecca said. At the beginning of his musical career, he decided against going mainstream and chose to rap in Creole instead.

 

“This is just what I’ve always been doing,” he said, “trying to change Haiti’s image, helping rebuild. C2C’s vision is parallel to that, so I was happy they found me and we connected.”

 

It’s a cold January night. The warm atmosphere of the lounge, accented with the virtual oasis in the middle of the room, made it a welcoming sight as soon as guests arrived. Kompas and music from performer Carimi vibrated through the room, adding to the already high energy.

 

Elona Dotson, production manager for the benefit concert, was in her living room watching the news when she found out about the earthquake. She immediately bursts into tears.

 

“I couldn’t understand why I was having this sincere emotional reaction when I’m not Haitian,” Dotson said. “When I saw the devastation it hit my heart. It was at that point that I said if I have an opportunity to do something I would. So four months later I put together a proposal for a benefit concert.”

 

“Everything I saw tonight, I expected to see,” Llewellyn said. “I saw a lot of dance interpretations, poems; just seeing people unite to show that yes, this is something that happened to Haiti, but we can work toward something positive.”

 

“I enjoyed the whole performance, it was very entertaining,” Nzinga Shurr said. “I went into it not really expecting anything, but I’m amazed by what C2C does and this performance tonight.”

 

View photos from the “Hope and a Future” concert.

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