Seattle-based artists, cultural workers, organizers, and friends come together to raise awareness of the recovery needs in Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, devastating the western parts of the island last November. Together, we’ll learn about how to rebuild sustainably in a region facing economic and geopolitical strain, while threatened by more frequent and powerful storms due to climate change.
Proceeds to benefit families and communities rebuilding homes aided by relief and recovery organizations on the ground! We’ll have African, Caribbean, and Soul food, an art auction exhibition featuring emerging artists from the diaspora, a vendor market and barrel drive, a mixer networking space with open bar, and a DJ dance after-party!
This is no ordinary fundraiser. It’s a festive night of connection and good feelz. When you know you’re doing something meaningful with and for others, it feels good. When we eat, dance, see, and hear art, it feels good. And when we connect, learn, and expand into new communities, networks, and horizons, it feels good.
The spirit of this evening is wrapped up in a call of love coined by Valda Nogueira: “The ancestors never failed to put us together.” Let’s make that our strength, our strategy, and our joy.
Event Schedule:
6:00 PM – Doors Open, Dinner Bites + Bar, Merch market, Art Auction begins
7:00 PM – Film Screening of LIFE & DEBT (2001), directed by Stephanie Black, followed by a community Talk with guest speakers Donisha Prendergast, Inye Wokoma, and Raymond Connell. Moderated by Negarra A. Kudumu
9:30 PM – Art Auction closing bids
10:00 PM – Afterparty with DJ, Bar, Dancing
All ticket orders, donations, and purchases are tax-deductible. 100% of ticket sales go to Hurricane Relief in Jamaica!
The main beneficiaries will be Humanity Ova Vanity, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit founded by activist/artist Donisha Prendergast and Don-Roy Graham, founder of SuchnSuch Homestead.
Featured image by Alex Bershaw