Jet Set No Longer Plays: A Tragedy That Hurts Us All
A Caribbean tragedy that silenced a legend, shook a nation, and united us all in grief and remembrance.
✍️ By The Brilliant Mr. Pedro
I'm the son of a Dominican mother and a Puerto Rican father. Born in New York City and raised on mangú, merengue, arroz con habichuelas, and Rubby Pérez playing in the background like a member of the family. Writing this now? It breaks my heart.
On the night of April 8th, the heart of Santo Domingo fell silent. The iconic Jet Set nightclub — a place where music, culture, and celebration have lived for decades — collapsed during a live performance by the legendary Rubby Pérez.
In seconds, the rhythm stopped. The lights went dark. What was joy became chaos. Tragedy.
As of now, 113 people have died. More than 160 are injured. Families shattered. Loved ones missing. And a country mourning something more than just a building — mourning a symbol of who we are.
🎤 Rubby Pérez: A Legend Silenced
Rubby wasn’t just a merengue singer — he was merengue. With hits like "Volveré" and "Buscando tus Besos," his voice filled weddings, block parties, holidays, and dance floors across generations.
On the night of the collapse, Rubby was singing “De Color de Rosa.” Early reports suggested he had been found alive, singing under the rubble to signal for help. But later that day, his death was confirmed.
Two weeks earlier, Rubby had performed with his usual energy and passion. That performance, now immortalized online, is a powerful reminder of what he brought us:
🎶 Watch Rubby’s performance – 2 weeks before the collapse
📹 Watch his final moments before the collapse at Jet Set
Rubby is gone, but his voice will never stop playing in our hearts.
⚫ It Wasn’t Just Rubby… We All Lost
Among the victims were some big names, yes. But also regular folks just out to enjoy their night.
⚾ Octavio Dotel, former MLB pitcher and World Series champion with the Cardinals.
⚾ Tony Blanco, a former Nationals player, reportedly died while helping push a friend to safety.
🏛️ Nelsy Cruz, governor of Monte Cristi and sister of Nelson Cruz, managed to call President Abinader before she passed.
But let’s be clear: every life lost that night mattered. Workers. DJs. Friends. Couples. Fans. Families. Each name is a hole in someone’s life.
💔 What Families Are Living Through
This tragedy didn’t end with the collapse. Families are still searching. Mothers are waiting outside hospitals. Children don’t yet know why mom or dad isn’t coming home.
Pedro Martínez, a Dominican baseball legend, spoke out through tears:
“I still have family members under the rubble… We want to be strong, like we always have been.”
And like Pedro, thousands are feeling the same pain — raw, real, and impossible to ignore.
🛠️ So What Happened? Who’s Responsible?
We still don’t have all the answers. Was it a structural issue? Overcrowding? Negligence?
What we do know is that President Luis Abinader has declared three days of national mourning, and emergency crews have been working nonstop since the collapse.
But mourning isn’t enough. We need answers. We need justice. We need change.
🆘 How You Can Help
This tragedy is still unfolding, and help is urgently needed. If you're in the Dominican Republic or want to support from abroad, here's how:
🩸 Donate Blood
Blood is still in short supply due to the high number of injuries.
Main Donation Centers:
📍 Centro Olímpico Juan Pablo Duarte – Santo Domingo
📍 Dirección Nacional de Aduanas – Santo Domingo
🕐 Open: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
💡 Pro Tip: Eat beforehand, hydrate, and bring your ID.
More info: Diario Libre article
📞 Emergency Contact Numbers
If you’re looking for someone or offering help:
☎️ Emergency Operations Center (COE): +1 (809) 472-0909
☎️ Dominican Red Cross: +1 (809) 334-4545
☎️ Civil Defense (Volunteering): +1 (809) 472-8614
💵 Monetary Donations
As of now, the Dominican Red Cross is the safest official organization accepting donations. Stay tuned for any new relief funds from the government.
🤝 Let’s Make This Count
I write this not just as a blogger. I write this as someone who loves where he comes from — all of it. From the streets of Santo Domingo to San Juan, to the neighborhoods of NYC where our cultures live together.
This isn’t just a Dominican tragedy. It’s a Caribbean tragedy. A human one.
We cannot change what happened that night, but we can ensure it is not forgotten. We will honor those who were lost and make sure the music endures, even if the building falls.
💔 Rubby, Jet Set, every name on that list — we carry you with us.
Thanks for reading,
Pedro
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