February marks Reggae Month in Jamaica; and several events, conferences, symposiums, galas, concerts, exhibition, trade shows are taking place to mark this special time in the Jamaican cultural calender. Here are some events listed below which may be of interest to you:


The 2010 edition of Reggae Month will seek to highlight and celebrate the roles of key individuals and their contributions to the development of Reggae, with musicians and icons the likes of Bob Marley and Dennis Brown being at the forefront of the celebrations.

Freddie McGregor current head of JARIA


The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) has been given the mandate, by the Ministry of Culture, to plan and coordinate the 2010 celebrations.


Monday Feb 1
Birthday Party in Celebration of the 'Prince of Reggae' Dennis Brown, Downtown Kingston.


Tuesday, February 2-Friday February 5
The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) presents a Bob Marley Symposium at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre commencing at 10 am. The theme is "We Don't Need No Trouble-What We Need Is Love." Stops will also be made in Portland, Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth.
The symposium will feature presentations in tribute to Bob Marley by renowned musician Ibo Cooper, musician and producer Grub Cooper, Rev. Dr Basil Chambers and Howard Hendricks. Also included in the symposium are the finals of the inaugural Bob Marley Secondary Schools Debate Competition and the Bob Marley Song Rearrangement Competition. The symposium are open to the public and admission is free.

Wednesday, February 3
Spotlight on Mento and Ska, featuring performances by the Charles Town Maroon Drummers, Kingston Drummers, Gilzene and the Blue Light Mento Band and students from the Music School at Edna Manley. Time – 8 p.m. to 12 midnight



Wednesday February 3
The Berhane Selassie Art Gallery will be launched tomorrow at Tuff Gong International Ltd. on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston. It is named after Bob Marley, as ‘Berhane Selassie’ is the name (meaning ‘Light of the Trinity’) that was given to him when he was baptised in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in 1979. The gallery will display the works of local and international artists, and will also become a part of Tuff Gong’s Making of Music Tour (which covers various aspects of music production in Jamaica)


Thursday, February 4-Sunday February 7
Africa Unite - Smile Jamaica Youth Symposium - Liberty Hall, Kingston


Thursday, February 4
6th Annual Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, 8PM


Friday, February 5
Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes & Affiliates – JAVAA – kicks off what is expected to be another year of sublime entertainment events at The Gardens, Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, w.ith their annual tribute to “Bob Marley & Dennis Brown, the King & Crown Prince of Reggae”




Friday, February 5
Annual Bob Marley Lecture - UWI Mona Campus. Every Friday there will be a Reggae film in N1 Lecture theatre. Don't miss!


Saturday, February 6
Bob Marley Day - Bob Marley Museum Kingston


Monday, February 8
Visit by JARIA to Boys' Town school-music expo.


Saturday, February 13
Sugar Cane Ball - Round Hill Hotel and Villas Resort, Hanover


Sunday February 14
Hanover Charity Polo and High Tea - Chukka Blue Ranch,


Monday February 15
Bob Marley Creative Expressions Day at Bob Marley Museum in Kingston


Monday February 15
JARIA visits Alpha Boys School for music expo

Wednesday February 17- Saturday February 20
International Reggae Conference is for artistes, industry practitioners, researchers, academics, fans and other interested parties who can bring significant insight into the international reggae music industry. The conference aims to expand the reach of persons committed to the international development of Jamaica’s music and open the door to a pool of talent, skills and expertise which will be reflected in the conference proceedings and range of participants.
Official Site
Of interest to me is the meeting with August Town community and UWI principal and other representatives on the topic "Music in The Community." That takes place on Friday the 18th from 6:30-8 PM followed by a concert.


Sunday February 21
A special edition of Jazz in the Gardens at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel


Monday, February 22
Reggae Gospel concert


Wednesday February 24
Reggae Academy Awards national Indoor Sports Centre


Thursday, February 25
The Reggae Film Festival 2010 at the Hilton Kingston, produced by film-maker and film festival organiser Barbara Blake Hannah, will open February 25 with a Red Carpet Gala Reception and screening of the documentary Made in Jamaica. This features a galaxy of reggae stars including Capleton, Bunny Wailers, Third World, Beenie Man and Lady Saw, all of whom are among the VIP reggae celebrities invited as special guests.


Saturday, February 27
Knutsford Live-a free concert in the heart of New Kingston featuring top Jamaican artists.

Sunday, February 28
JARIA honour awards, a glamorous gala event where special recognition will be given to industry pioneers who have figured prominently in the outstanding penetration of Jamaican music culture across the world.

MONTHLONG

This entire month The Lime will feature a special edition of 20 Questions focusing on trends in Reggae which is the theme for the International Reggae Conference. In addition to the 20 questions we will as new, upand coming, old-school reggae artists of their opinion on Reggae and Reggae month. In addition we will feature non-Jamaican Reggae artists and find out how they were introduced to Reggae and how it has impacted their lives!

Reggae Month, which was first staged in 2008 by the Ministry of Culture, is a celebration of Reggae music geared at heightening the impact of the musical genre on the country's social, cultural and economical development.

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