Burning Spear, Third World Co-Headline Hurricane Melissa Relief Benefit at Hollywood ArtsPark

Legendary reggae icons Burning Spear and Third World co-headlined a Hurricane Melissa relief benefit at Hollywood ArtsPark, drawing a rare lineup of roots talent to raise urgent funds for communities in Jamaica battered by the storm. Organizers said proceeds from the concert would be routed to vetted relief partners working on the ground.

The event honored Third World founding member Stephen “Cat” Coore and marked a milestone tied to local radio: "This special evening also honors the legacy of Third World founding member Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore and celebrates the 25th anniversary of Reggae Runnins on HOT 105 FM." Special guest performances included Glen Washington and Kumar Fyah. One event listing stated, "The concert features special guest performances by Glen Washington and Kumar Fyah, and all ticket revenue will support vetted relief partners on the ground in Jamaica, including SFL Caribbean Strong and Global Empowerment Mission." Another listing used slightly different language, saying, "All net proceeds from ticket sales and donations will support on-the-ground relief efforts in Jamaica for those affected by Hurricane Melissa."

Presenting and partner credits across event material named Broward Cultural Division (Broward County Cultural Division), the City of Hollywood, The Rhythm Foundation, Reggae Runnins and Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator. Organizers also highlighted SFL Caribbean Strong and Global Empowerment Mission as beneficiaries; neither the precise allocation nor a fundraising target was published in the event material available.

Listings showed the venue as Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle, 1 N Young Circle, Hollywood, FL 33020, though one calendar entry misattributed that numeric address to Boca Raton. Time information varied in listings, with multiple calendar entries giving a 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM window; one original listing header showed Feb. 7 while most calendar metadata pointed to Feb. 8. One event notice gave a ticket price of $45; other listings left price and ticket links blank. Accessibility information was not provided: "Accessibility Information: Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event."

For the reggae community and local supporters, the concert combined cultural weight and direct relief: Burning Spear and Third World carry decades of roots authority, and the benefit framed those voices as fundraisers as well as performers. That connection matters for donors who want their contributions tied to artists with clear ties to Jamaican music and the island’s communities.

If you attended or gave, expect organizers and the named relief partners to publish post-event figures and distribution plans; verify allocations with The Rhythm Foundation, Broward County Cultural Division, SFL Caribbean Strong or Global Empowerment Mission. For those tracking relief efforts or future benefit shows, confirm final dates, ticketing links and accessibility details directly with event organizers before making plans.