Stage set for huge virtual Covid-19 relief concert

Big Red
Big Red

Guyana is slated for one of the biggest virtual local concerts to be hosted on Facebook Live come the night of June 14, when 10 popular artistes will put on a grand COVID-19 relief show.

The artistes expected to perform are Tennicia Nekeita, Calvin Burnett, Ruqayyah Boyer, Michelle ‘Big Red’ King, Brandon Harding, Gavin Mendonca, Remar, Bunty Singh, Jumo Primo and Diana Chapman. The event will be emceed by two of the best local entertainers: actress/comedian Odessa Primus and radio broadcaster Malcolm ‘Mr Wickedee’ Ferreira.

Producers intend to pull out all the stops to make this show one of the best virtual concerts the country has seen. Of recent, virtual concerts had been were done from the homes of artistes. However, the COVID-19 Relief Concert will be bringing their performers live onstage from under their respective tents.

Primus said that she along with Melissa Atwell, the social media personality better known as ‘Melly Mel’ and several other persons have been assisting the less fortunate during this period with the help of the business community. The concert is a collaborated effort by these persons who are trying to raise funds towards their humanitarian efforts instead of having to always reach out to the business community for assistance.

Atwell’s efforts have benefitted persons living in several of the ten administrative regions, including a number of indigenous communities, who reached out to her on social media. Primus targeted persons living in Region Four, specifically Sophia. Primus noted that though she has also been contacted by persons on social media for help, she takes care to do background checks to determine who the vulnerable are.

Speaking of her efforts, the actress said she goes beyond delivering food hampers and has also collaborated with the Guyana Diabetic Association to provide supplies for persons suffering with diabetes as well as at home care for persons affected with HIV.

Founder of the organization Sophia U-Empowerment Network Trust, Primus has been engaging in work in Sophia for the past six years and has collaborated with the British High Commission and the Canadian High Commission. They have assisted with fundraiser events as well as donated to the Easter programme last year where 80 children were provided with all of their school supplies, except uniforms. Giftland Mall, Gerry Gouveia, the Ministry of Public Health and Food for the Poor have also been involved in various ways. 

She further said that she took her Sophia Theatre Company which falls under the Sophia U-Empowerment Network Trust to Albouystown where she collaborated with Ferreira who hails from that community. Several plays were put on in the community and sessions were done on theatre arts with the children.

At this point, Primus said she has 100 food hampers that need to be given out but there are so many families in need taken that they are without jobs that they are not enough. She added that even if she had 1,000 hampers, they would not be enough. While Atwell and Primus are not working the same communities, they provide one another with supplies whenever they have excess.

The COVID-19 Relief Concert comes at a time when many families are in dire need of food and health supplies among other necessities. It has been two months and counting since many non-essential workers have been able to earn a salary.

Persons can donate via Cash App at +1 (347) 430-9356, MMG – 592-683-7400, PayPal – Onasha06@hotmail.com or contact Zelle at coutureclosetgy@gmail.com

The concert begins at 7 pm.