By Howard Campbell
Since he opened The Dune Preserve in 1994, singer/musician Bankie Banx has endured the powerful force of Mother Nature. The popular Anguilla tourist spot has felt the brunt of hurricanes Louis (1995), Lenny (1999) and Omar (2007).
Demolished by Irma
Two weeks ago, the Dune Preserve met its match in Hurricane Irma which demolished the seaside location. Banx and his family are recovering from the damage caused by the Category 5 monster which demolished the island, a British Territory that is only 35 square miles with a population of 15,000 people.
John McKendrick, Anguilla’s attorney general, said the island sustained “huge devastation.” Up to 90 percent of the homes on the island were damaged, fallen trees blocked roads, cell phone service was interrupted and electricity was cut.
Dune Preserve not spared
The Dune Preserve was not spared. “All the beach facilities have been demolished. That includes the beach bar, beach stage, beach gazebos and restaurant. The roof of our boutique flew off and the Moonsplash stage and
backstage is also destroyed. Two thirds of my personal residence on the Dune has been partially damaged and needs to be secured before I can
move on,” Banx told Caribbean National Weekly.
Fundraising campaign
The 64-year-old artist has launched a fundraising campaign through GoFundMe.com, which he said has been going well. The Dune Preserve is one of the Caribbean’s most intimate hotspots; high-profile acts like Jimmy Buffett, John Mayer, Toots and The Maytals, Culture, Freddie McGregor and Buju Banton have performed there.
It has been named Best Beach Bar three straight years by CNN World Travel. It has also hosted the eclectic Moonsplash Music Festival since 1995. That event has featured a number of reggae acts including Black Uhuru, The Wailers, Inner Circle, keyboardist David Bryan of rock band Bon Jovi and folk singer Alana Davis.
March 2018 Moonsplash
The 28th Moonsplash is scheduled for March 15-18 with Banx’ son Omari, Christopher Martin and Romain Virgo among the headliners.
For Banx and his team, it is wait-and-see if the show goes on. “We will be able to have the event up and ready in March if the hotel industry in the island is back on stream and if regular international flights are resumed,” he said.
