Auckland musicians to perform for Haiti benefit gig

As many as 25 Auckland bands and musicians are donating their talents to a musical event that’s raising funds for UNICEF’s emergency relief effort in Haiti.

Performing at ‘Dig Deep’ will be big name artists such as King Kapisi, The Feelstyle, Rhyas and Homebrew, with the music traversing styles as varied as Hip Hop, Reggae, Dubstep and Drum and Bass. The benefit concert will be on Sunday, 31 January at Zen, at 17 Albert Street in Auckland from 8pm to about 4am. Entry is $10, with all door sales going to UNICEF.

‘Dig Deep’ Event Organiser, Danny Rawlins, says that there has been an amazing response to the fundraiser, with musicians approaching him for the chance to perform and about 600 people already indicating they will be attending.

“People will come and go throughout the event to see their favourite artists, but we are still expecting to turn people away.”

Mr Rawlins, who is an Auckland graphic designer, says he came up with the idea for the fundraiser after a friend commented on how the price of a beer, while not much for New Zealanders, could make a big difference for Haiti’s earthquake survivors.

“That got me thinking and the benefit event is the result. People have been incredibly generous in their support. The venue has been donated and all the musicians are giving their performances for free.”

UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that the ‘Dig Deep’ fundraiser is a great effort by Danny and the other people involved.

“New Zealanders are really opening up their hearts for Haiti and we are getting a lot of generous people like Danny coming forward to use their passion, skills and networks to help the earthquake survivors.

“We are very grateful for this support, which is making a tangible difference in the lives of Haitians affected by the disaster both now and in the immediate future.”

UNICEF is very active in Haiti and is the UN’s lead agency for the co-ordination of the emergency response for water, nutrition and education. For example, UNICEF is providing some 200,000 litres of safe water daily and plans to immunize 600,000 children in the coming weeks. UNICEF is also working to register and protect lost and unaccompanied children, and keep them safe from exploitation.

People can donate to UNICEF NZ's Haiti Emergency Appeal on 0800-800-194 or online at www.unicef.org.nz