Dara’s concert will assist a school feeding program

This weekend reggae enthusiasts will have a chance to attend a concert in memory of reggae icon, Lucky Dube.  It’s the third annual Lucky Dube Tribute since his murder, but there is much more behind the event than just to have fun.  Marion Ali spoke with promoter, Joel “Dara” Robinson who is trying to make a difference in the lives of the less privileged.  Here’s her report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

His music is renowned throughout the globe and Lucky Dube is one of greatest reggae artists that ever lived. He was murdered in 2007 and his birthday would have been on August third.  But one local promoter, Joel “Dara” Robinson has been using his brand of this artist to make a difference in his own way, much like Lucky Dube did. That will be in the form of a concert this coming Saturday.

Joel “Dara” Robinson, Promoter

joel robinson

“Most people know I use wah huge screen. We got Cool J’s band, wah reggae band weh di come from San Pedro. We wah set up di screen between fi dehn big system and yoh wah get fi si Lucky Dube perform, physically ih noh wah deh deh but ih wah feel dah way deh. Ih wah perform some ah ih great hits. We have—dis time I di have wah concert weh I have some Belizean artist weh wah come and—we have like TR, Mr. Program, Ernestine, we got Nelo Player, Blackberry, Ras Indio and di thing is dehn wah come but dehn noh wah come and sing no lot ah rubbish. Dah message right now. We di choose di songs dehn weh dehn could sing weh di youth dehn could listen to di message and people like whatever dehn di bring forward, yoh know.”

The concert has a deeper meaning than just sending a positive message.  Robinson uses the proceeds to fund a feeding programme for underprivileged school children. Robinson is trying to best his own efforts to fill the food barrel and he needs your help.

Joel Robinson

“Ih slow right now you know so I di ask the people dehn, dis wah lead up to di event.  Di reason I come out yah from early dat whosoever noh wah attend di show could come out and still drop off wah tin ah canned stuff and thing.  And I di accept rice, anything right now, as long as dah food.  If ah noh deh out yah, cause ah come out yah one-thirty to bout five-thirty, the barrel always deh inside ah Venus.  Dehn cud always left it.”

Robinson says he has identified families who need the food items.

Joel Robinson

“Yoh know like how dehn she hurricane season, yoh should put aside wah lee canned food, di people weh I di deal with noh even have dehn yah aside, yoh understand soh I di deal with di poorest ah di poor.”

But he cannot do it alone and appeals to you to help in the drive.

Joel Robinson

“Lotta people di crowd fi peace and togetherness and I di tell yoh, if people deh out deh hungry and dehn kids hungry, bredda you wah do anything fi survive you know.  Lotta youth deh out deh di do idleness but wah lot ah dehn di do things fi survive.  Soh I want call pan di government, I want call pan di people, di churches, everybody; we have to help each other out.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

The concert will take place at the MCC tennis court starting at three in the afternoon.  It has a line-up that include some of Belize’s most popular artists.  Entrance fee is five dollars.