Gov’t Targets US $1Million from ‘I Love Jamaica’ Concerts

A series of ‘I Love Jamaica’ concerts, designed to raise an initial US$1 million in support of Hurricane Melissa relief and recovery, will be held in Jamaica and at venues overseas.

Some of Jamaica’s top talents, including Chris Martin, Masicka, and Nigy Boy have already been confirmed for a virtual concert and telethon on November 16.

Additional performers will be announced later this week.

The fundraising event will be broadcast from the Creative Production and Training Centre (CPTC) studios, and will run from 3:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

At a press conference at Jamaica House on Monday (November 3), Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said that the I Love Jamaica fundraising initiative involves partnership with the local and international entertainment fraternity.

She noted that several Jamaican and international artistes have expressed interest in participating in live concerts overseas or contributing through endorsement messages to motivative and encourage Jamaicans.

In London, two concerts are planned; the first on November 13 at KOKO, featuring Dizzee Rascal and David Rodigan, and the second concert at the Wembley Arena on December 18, with the participating artists to be announced.

In South Florida, concerts will be staged on December 7 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and at the Miramar Regional Park.

Additional events are being organised in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC, with discussions ongoing in other international communities.

Minister Grange highlighted that I Love Jamaica will feature appeals by some of the country’s most recognisable and influential personalities, who will receive donations and pledges during the telethon.

She informed that the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has partnered on the initiative, with former Jamaican and West Indian Cricketer Chris Gayle serving as the face of their overseas campaign.

The Minister said that former Prime Ministers the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson and Bruce Golding, along with leaders from various sectors, have been invited to assist with relief and recovery efforts.

“I must thank members of the entertainment and sports fraternities for their response, so far. I remain grateful that we as a country can always rely on our artistes, our creatives, our sportsmen and sportswomen in times of crisis, and I’m really grateful for the way they have been responding to our invitation to participate in this national effort,” Minister Grange said.