Students in Boothbay Region High School and seventh and eighth graders at Boothbay Region Elementary School will be entertained by Haitian recording artist BélO and his band Friday, Nov. 2, from 1:45 to 2:25 p.m. That evening, Bélo and the band will perform at the Opera House at 7:30 p.m.

BélO's music is a combination of reggae, jazz and rock sung in his native Haitian Creole. He uses his music and lyrics to promote peace, call attention to people in need, the importance of education for children and childrens' rights, respect for women, and protection of the environment. His fundraising performances have been for AIDS awareness, the Red Cross, the rights of children, Haitian relief and many others.

The performance is an Opera House Goes To School Program, sponsored by Knickerbocker Group in Boothbay. Cathy Sherrill, the Opera House's program director responded to a request from the U.S. State Department to schools interested in participating in the school outreach program.

“It's a big thing for us to have been chosen,” Sherrill said. “Some of the other venues in this 2-week tour include the Kravis Center in Palm Beach, University of Florida, Connecticut College, The Kennedy Center for the Arts, and the Academy of Music in Northhampton, Massachusetts … pretty lofty company.”

To learn more about BélO and hear his music, visit www.belo.com.