Special Olympics and Garifuna Collective Meets at B.T.L. Park

Al Obando

Supporters of Special Olympics and fans of the Garifuna Collective are up for a treat this weekend as the internationally acclaimed band will be performing along with a host of Belizean artists at the B.T.L. Park on Saturday.  The initiative is to raise funds for the Special Olympics team that will be competing later this year.  According to Garifuna Collective front man Al Obando the concert promises something for everyone.

Al Obando, Garifuna Collective

“The Special Olympics Committee had contacted the Garifuna Collective to see if we could partner with them to raise funds for the Special Olympics team that’s leaving the country in the summer.  So we threw out the idea and we got together and we agreed that the Collective would be teaming up with other musicians, the artist Jackie Castillo, Melonie Gillett, Nello Player.  It’s going to be the first time playing on stage, our vibe, our music along with the World Culture Band from San Ignacio, Sam Harris and the World Culture Band, they’ll be here opening the show.  The music starts at two [and it goes] to five.  The event opens in the morning at ten a.m. tomorrow morning , Saturday, February seventh.  It’s going to be an exciting time for us on stage to perform for all the supporters of Special Olympics and everybody should come out and help us with this endeavor.”

Lloyd Martinez

Isani Cayetano

“What can attendees of this particular event tomorrow expect from you guys as a musical group?”

Lloyd Martinez, Male Vocalist, Garifuna Collective

“They can expect very good music every time because we’ll be throwing out at least one new song tomorrow for them to enjoy.  You know how Garifuna Collective is, we hardly play in Belize but once we get a chance to play in Belize we make sure we put off a show to the highest level at all times.  So we ask them to come out to support this initiative and because it’s Special Olympics they need the support because they are going out to represent Belize in a big way and they basically do the same work like what we are doing with the Garifuna Collective, whenever we go on tour we go and represent Belize in a big way so we’re happy to be a part of whatever they are doing.”

The event commences at ten a.m. on Saturday.