D’Angel cancels back-to-school treat! Blames low turnout at benefit concert

Dancehall artiste D’Angel says she reluctantly has to cancel this year’s staging of her back-to-school treat after Sunday’s benefit concert was poorly supported.

The concert, that was held at Prison Oval in Spanish Town, St Catherine, only attracted a handful of persons, although it featured live performances from artistes including Future Fambo, Queen Ifrica, Nesbeth, Jodian Pantry and Tanto Blacks.

“There is nothing I can do. I have put myself out on a ladder to help and now I still have be spending to pay for my overhead cost. All I ask was that people pay a minimal entry fee of $1,500 and that same money would have turned around and helped the kids that are most vulnerable, but the people made a decision not to support the event,” she said.

The entertainer told THE STAR that she opted to host the concert after realising that securing sponsorship was extremely harder this year, as the entities had their hands filled after the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October. She said she was moved to tears when she saw the meagre support.

“Mi feel it man and I am crying inside, the tears just not showing on the outside. When I was leaving the venue yesterday (Sunday), I was in tears. All of the artistes came and show their support. I am disappointed and it’s not only for the low support but because the children needed the support for school,” she said. “If it was a free event, over here would ram up. Children under 12 came in free. For that small fee, children ride all day on the rides. At the gate, I only collected $50,000 and the overhead is over $700,000 and I will have to find that out of my pocket. I am trying to help but put myself in more debt,” the entertainer said.

D’Angel, who has been operating her Angel’s Foundation Charity for a decade, said the treat has always been a struggle. She stated that, at times, she had to dig deep into her own pockets in order not to disappoint the children and their parents.

“I am not a millionaire, I am just a trying woman and I have been through a lot and have got a lot of fight, but I still try to push through with my charity. I have had sleepless nights. I haven’t slept well in two weeks trying to prepare for this event, and this was how I was repaid because dem think I have a money tree,” she said.

“I honestly thought the benefit concert would make enough money so I can do the back-to-school drive. It was never easy for me and uno the parent just couldn’t make a contribution of $1,500 or $1,000,” she said.

Despite the disappointment, D’Angel expressed gratitude for the support from colleagues and sponsors.

“It was a good concert, regardless of the turnout, as the kids there enjoyed themselves so much. There were lots of competitions and prizes and Marco Dean (her son) taught some kids how to box and I taught them how to model. I am just really sorry the children will not be getting my support, as I know they really need it, but I really did my best to make it happen,” D’Angel said.