Tuesday was the one-month anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s unwelcome visit to the Florida Keys. Many Keys residents are still recovering, but we also want to recognize what has been accomplished. Gloria Estefan provided her powerful hit song “Coming Out of the Dark” as the soundtrack for this heartfelt video depicting impacts caused by Hurricane Irma — and the strength, resilience and spirit underlying the island chain’s recovery and reopening to visitors. Every second of this video was shot either during Irma or afterward.
International superstar Gloria Estefan has donated the use of her 1990 ballad, “Coming Out of the Dark,” as a music foundation for a new video depicting the furor of Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys, the resilience and spirit of Keys residents, some of the aid provided and the post-storm resumption of tourism flow to the island chain.
The video, being shown on and shared via Keys social media outlets uses the song Estefan wrote and released following a horrific 1989 tour bus accident that almost claimed the Grammy Award-winning singer’s life. The first song that Estefan performed publicly after recovering from the accident, it is also dedicated to husband Emilio Estefan, Jr.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighboring Keys family,” said Frank Amadeo, president of Estefan Enterprises. “We just want the song to inspire others to help.”
The video is sponsored by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council to provide a balanced perspective on the Keys.
“There are some areas of the Keys that will be recovering for quite some time,” said Andy Newman, the TDC’s long-time media relations director. “On the other hand, some businesses were minimally impacted and are open.
“Given that tourism is the Keys’ top revenue generator and 50 percent of the labor force is employed in visitor-related jobs, it’s crucial to motivate visitors to experience the Keys — but without hampering ongoing recovery,” he said.
The video was produced by NewmanPR with Key West-based Digital Island Media spearheading shooting and editing efforts. Other footage contributors included Bob Care, Giancarlo Espinosa, Newman, Frazier Nivens and Keys Energy.
