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| Singer/Songwriter, Rhesa Garnes performed at??last year’s Love, Poetry and Song. (FP) |
Get serious about safe sex!
That is the message two female artistes intend to share at the upcoming Love Poetry and Song fundraising concert on Saturday, February 16, at Ilaro Court. The event is being organised by the Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS).
In an interview with the BGIS, singer/songwriter Rhesa Garnes stressed, "It makes no sense to throw your life away for a cute smile or hot body. So get serious and protect yourself!"?? She advised persons to use good judgement during the infatuation or courting stage of potential relationships and avoid being "blinded by feelings".
Adding that protecting oneself extended beyond condom use, the mother of three emphasised, "Being safe is more than using a condom… It also means being faithful to one partner and abstaining until you are [mature] and ready for sex".
Reasoning that persons should "get the facts" by educating themselves about HIV and AIDS, the NIFCA award winning singer noted that one could not simply tell a person’s HIV status by looking and cautioned against discrimination towards persons living with HIV, "because it could be your sister, brother, mother, father, or it could even be you".
Erika Alexei, an island-soul singer also slated to perform at Love Poetry and Song, emphasised that, "HIV and AIDS could affect any single one of us and it will continue to do that unless we take a really firm stance to protect ourselves.
??[If that does not happen, then] the possibility of anyone contracting HIV will remain a reality."
Also encouraging her fans to protect themselves against the transmission of HIV, Ms. Alexei pointed out that abstinence and correct condom use were effective methods of protection.
"I am a really firm believer in abstinence, as much as one can abstain, but I am also real…?? I believe that [if you are going to have sex] being smart is sexy, safe sex is sexy and you should love yourself enough to protect yourself," she stressed.??
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| Erika Alexei on stage at the charity event.(FP) |
The artist, who started singing in church at the age of 16 and is best known for her ingenious transformation of ballads and R&B songs, said,?? "This will be my second time performing at Love Poetry and Song and helping to support this cause.?? I am really excited to be a part of the show…?? It is a totally non-profit event and we are helping to raise money and food items for the HIV Food Bank."??
The line-up for the concert includes international recording artist, Hal Linton; neo-soul singer, Marisa Lindsay; reggae and soca sensation, Biggie Irie, Simon Pipe, Philip 7, Adrian Greene, DJ Simmons, Divine Harmony, Yardie Boy Theatre, New Motion Dancers, the Honey Jam Barbados ladies and more.
Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and patrons are invited to make a donation of $10 and two non-perishable food or personal hygienic items for the HIV Food Bank.?? For more information, persons may visit www.facebook.com/LovePoetryandSong.