Roughly one week ago, Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica’s south coast, matching the 1935 record set by the infamous Labor Day Hurricane as the most intense storm of its kind to hit dry land in the Atlantic basin. Having already left fatalities behind it in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, Melissa was particularly hard on Jamaica, peaking in intensity as it moved slowly right across the center of the island, devastating the farmland areas known as the island’s breadbasket before crashing through the tourist enclave of Montego Bay on its way to Cuba. Communities like Black River and Savanna la Mar, located directly in the storm’s path, saw as many as 90% of their buildings destroyed, adding a wave of displaced people to an incipient food crisis and the storm’s rising death toll (which currently stands at 67, even as rescue work continues in some areas).
The borough of Brooklyn–with cultural and musical ties to the West Indies so strong it has been affectionately referred to as Jamaica’s “15th Parish”–has wasted no time in stepping up to aid its family and friends in the Caribbean, and even in the midst of Halloween festivities and election night watch parties, a slew of fundraising events and drop off points for donations have been swiftly organized by Brooklyn’s arts community. What follows is a rough guide to events from the coming week where you can pitch in and party urgently for this noblest of causes. If none of these bashments fit your schedule, scroll down for additional info on local artists, businesses, and organizations lending their support to Jamaica and other affected islands.
Courtesy of The Rogers Garden
Wednesday, November 5th
Flatbush Social Rogers Garden @ The Rogers Garden
6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
If you couldn’t make it on Tuesday, the Tingz bashment at The Rogers Garden continues Wednesday night with DJ Khalil, DJ Boogs, Sounds Of Reality, and more. This fundraiser is also a drop-off point for much-needed supplies. As Rampage says, “We will have a barrel station & QR code station to load goods and to give monetary donations on site. Barrels will be delivered to The Gospel Tabernacle Church of Jesus Christ, monetary donations go to Food For The Poor JA and Support Jamaica.” Find a list of needed items here.
Courtesy of Damballa
Thursday, November 6th
Whine Down @ Damballa
10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The Whine Up presents Whine Down, a bashment of “slow afrobeats, smooth dancehall and R&B” at Damballa, the popular Haiti-inspired restaurant a vinyl listening bar on the Bed-Stuy/Bushwick border. 100% of proceeds from the night will go to support hurricane relief in Jamaica and Haiti.
Hurricane Relief Fundraiser @ Omar’s Kitchen
7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Galhattan represents, as Omar’s, the LES Caribbean eatery, donates proceeds from food and drink sales to American Friends of Jamaica’s disaster relief fund.
Courtesy of Dancehall Forever
Saturday, November 8th
IrieJam Foundation RadioThon @ De Islands
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The IrieJam crew will be broadcasting and accepting donations all day at De Islands Caribbean Restaurant just outside the city limits in Rosedale, but you can tune in from anywhere, and the IrieJam foundation has designated other drop-off locations across the five boroughs. Find the closest to you via their Instagram post.
Dancehall Forever Presents: Smile Jamaica @ Park Life
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
DJ Danglez and Max Glazer of Brooklyn’s own Federation Sound System are joined by Dani B and Kareem at this high-profile and high-energy weekend fundraiser benefitting FFTPJA and Rockhouse Foundation. RSVP here and tune into Glazer’s “Champion Sound” set on 94.7 The Block for more.
Photo by Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Artists, businesses, and organizations collecting food and supply donations
If you can’t make one of these events, numerous Jamaican cafes, restaurants, and record stores are accepting donations and working with established NGOs on the ground in Jamaica. Here are a few key outlets to consider:
Hibiscus Brew – 546 Flatbush Ave.
Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m./Saturday and Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
VMBS – 2700 Church Ave.
Starting Wednesday, November 5, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
VP Records – 170-19 Jamaica Ave.
Monday through Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Golden Krust bakery chain is also accepting donations at all of its shops, and you can find more drop-off locations for goods here.
For direct giving, the most straightforward source is Jamaica’s official government effort, Support Jamaica—but also be aware that the country’s Cyber Incident Response Team has identified numerous scams and copycat sites attempting to divert funds intended for hurricane relief.
The following domains have been identified as suspicious and should NOT be used for donations:
• jamaicahurricanehelp.net
• jamaicahurricanehelp.org
• jamaica-hurricane-help.com
• melissareliefjamaica.net
• melissareliefjamaica.com
• melissareliefjamaica.org
• supportjamaicagovjm.com
• supportjamaicagovjm.net
The list of artists and grassroots organizations who either need support or are giving their all to relief efforts is predictably quite long.
The Bob & Rita Marley Foundation has launched a GoFundMe for hurricane relief. Sean Paul and his team have been rolling up their sleeves and pitching in, working with FFTPJA. Support their efforts here. Likewise, dancehall star (and longtime Brooklyn resident), Shaggy has been tirelessly facilitating donations and flights of supplies from private sector companies via his Make A Difference Foundation, in conjunction with the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica. Find info to get your company involved here.
Kindred On The Rock, the racially inclusive community founded by renowned poet Staceyann Chin, was hit particularly hard by the storm and needs funds to rebuild. You can support them here. Freedom Skate Park in Bull Bay, a non-profit public space for youth, was also devastated by the hurricane. Support their foundation here. Brooklyn-based singer and visual artist Niama Safia Sandy is offering 10×10 prints of fine art photography created in Jamaica for sale, and donating 100% of profits to American Friends of Jamaica toward Hurricane Melissa Relief. Purchase one here.
The post Funkin’ For Jamaica: A Guide To Fundraisers for Hurricane Melissa Relief appeared first on BKMAG.
