Mystic Joint, a vape lounge in Cutler Bay, held a benefit show on Oct. 14 for Puerto Rico after the Island was decimated by Hurricane Maria.
The show, which collected $100, featured five local bands: Myster Craig, Common Luck, Ela, Moving In Slow and Luxrem.
“The bands came to us so we provided the venue for free,” said 26-year-old Yaya Fajardo, a bartender and event coordinator at Mystic Joint. “I’m Puerto Rican and Cuban, so this is close to me.”
The event was organized by Laurent Chavannes, 21, of the band Moving In Slow. Chavannes was also responsible for choosing the bands.
“I saw everything that was happening with the hurricane that devastated Puerto Rico, and thought it would be a good opportunity to use the show to collect some donations,“ Chavannes said. “I decided to make the show free so people don’t need to worry about paying a cover fee along with the voluntary donations.”
Throughout the event, the overarching mood was one of community and solidarity. The five bands shared their music in an effort to collect donations.
“Mystic Joint is big on supporting local and independent artists…as well as community,” Fajardo said. “That’s why we call each other ‘the tribe.’ I think this event is a great example of that. Not only is it for a great cause, but it’s also uplifting the bands participating by giving them an opportunity to play and bring friends and family, and just a sense of being there for each other.”
For more information about events including karaoke nights and comedy and spoken word shows at Mystic Joint, visit mysticjoint.com
