Hope for Haiti at the Firkin Crane with an evening of song and dance

09 March 2010

Cork Musicians and dancers have come together for a novel fundraising event entitled "Hope for Haiti" an evening of song and dance at the Firkin Crane, Shandon St,Cork.

MEP Brian Crowley will host the event which is being supported by students of Alan Foley, Director of the students of Diploma in Dance Course at Colaiste Stiofain Naofa. Sinead Murphy, Principal of the Cork School of dance is also overseeing a piece entitled "Spirit of the Dove" which will be performed by her talented students.

Carragilne based barber shop group "The Polyphonics" who have won seven out of eight all Ireland championships will also take part in what promises to be an entertaining evening to suit all tastes. They will be joined by St. John's Gospel Choir who are based at St. John's College and who are guaranteed to raise the spirits of the audience.  Finally, folk singer Gavin Moore (Christy Moore's Nephew) will perform a selection of songs from his recently released album Tonnta.  Indeed MEP Brian Crowley may also perform on the night.

Firkin Crane, the home of dance in Cork, offered their venue to the cause free of charge so that every penny raised on the night will go towards Haven and Plan Ireland. Manager Paul McCarthy stated "The entire staff here at The Firkin Crane has volunteered their services for this cause so that all of the money will go directly to these two charities and that they will bring hope to the people of Haiti. The line up on the night will showcase not only our own talented dance students but other musical performers from around Cork who are also giving their time for free"

Tickets for the event cost €20 and are available at the Firkin Crane box office by calling (021)4507487. They are also available at Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett St, Cork (021)4271659.  Haven was founded by Cork couple Leslie and Carmel Buckley and is focused on building homes and communities in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Haiti's problems did not begin with the earthquake that devastated Port Au Prince on 12 January; 80 per cent of the country's population is living under the poverty line, and less than one-third of the population has formal employment.   April Build it week will take place in Gonaives, Northern Haiti, about 160km from Port Au Prince. Build It Week will focus on building solid, well made houses for families in Haiti, while Haven works to train local people in building skills year-round. The other beneficiary, Plan Ireland is part of Plan International and works in developing nations worldwide. Plan has had a presence in Haiti since 1973. Plan has worked in Haiti for 37 years and has 143 staff, virtually all Haitians.  Plan is leading a child protection cluster in Haiti where it is working with the UN and like minded agencies and the government to protect children. All unaccompanied, separated and orphaned children are registered and every effort is being made to provide them with essential needs. Plan then strives to trace a child's family and to reunite the child with his or her family.

Plan provides safe areas for children where they receive psychosocial support in order to come to terms with the trauma and devastation they have  faced and continue to encounter.

Both charities strive to bring Hope to Haiti for the future of the people who are facing a season of flooding.