Kingston, Jamaica — Reggae Month activities have officially kicked off starting with a tribute to Dennis Brown. The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is excited to present three events on the Reggae Month Virtual platform. The much – loved Reggae Wednesdays will kickstart their showings with a Reggae Wednesday Rewind highlighting moments from the 2020 staging at 7:00 pm on Wednesday February 3 followed by the live presentation of its 2021 offering being presented as Tribute Night at 8:30 pm. The show will pay homage to industry members who transitioned in 2020 to early 2021 with musical tributes led by Dean Fraser and the All-Star Band featuring performances by Duane Stephenson, Dwight Richards, Sarina Constantine, Droop Lion, Roots Percussionist, Tony Curtis, Pam Hall, Dubwise, Andrew Cassanova and La’Cadco Dance Company, Dance Xpressions and DJs Kurt Riley and Delano.
Produced by JaRIA Reggae Month Committee member, Producer and bass player Steve Locke of Truckback Records, Tribute Night and will pay tribute to the lives of 44 members of the industry including Toots Hibbert, Lyford “Hux” Brown, Keith “Bob Andy” Anderson, Edward O’Sullivan “Bunny” Lee, Gamal Jawara “Tosh I” McIntosh, Drew Keys, Yvonne Sterling, Frederick “Tippa” Moncrief, Courtner “Likkle Wicked” Boyd, Henry “Mr. Chicken” Dwyer, Labba Labba, Anthony “Purple Man” Jones, Hartley “Pad” Anthony Wallace, Bobby Digital, Barry O’Hare, Dalton Browne, Dobbie Dobson, Richie “Mac” McDonald, Webby Jay, Father German, Millie Small, Sam Clayton, Andy Capp, Count Shelly, Gil Bailey, Johnny Nash, Sis Charmaine and Warren Smith.
The Reggae Wednesdays 2021 series are hosted by Debbie Bisson and are presented from the CPTC Studios through the support of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, executive producer, and main sponsor of Reggae Month.
JaRIA’s Signature events continue on Thursday February 4 at 6:00 pm with its’ first Reggae Open University led by Board Member Ibo Cooper,Chair, Education committee will be hosted by Director of Entertainment at the Ministry of Culture Ms. Dania Beckford. The conversation will explore the “State of the Music and Entertainment Industry in a Pandemic” and share best practices for survival with presenters Walshy Fire of Major Lazer, PM Youth Awardee for Culture Saeed Thomas of M-1 Productions, Martin Price (OneRPM) and Keith Kirk exploring the importance of Metadata and having proper music catalogues.
The events will be streamed live at IG/Facebook @jariaentertainment and the Reggae Month official platforms – PBCJ YouTube | Jam Vision YouTube | JCDC Facebook.
See all Reggae Month events @reggaejamaica App and updates at jariaentertainment.com.
JaRIA’s Signature events are sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and partners the Jamaica Tourist Board, Tourism Enhancement Fund, CPTC and the CHASE Fund with further support from international media partners Reggaeville, Reggae Festival Guide, Surf a Reggae and Riddim Agency.
About Reggae Month
Reggae Month was declared in 2008 by then Governor General of Jamaica, Sir Kenneth Hall, and was spearheaded by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association with support from industry, ministries of culture and tourism and the CHASE Fund.
About JaRIA
JaRIA is an independent, non-governmental organisation serving the needs and furthering the common interest of all individuals, institutions, and firms directly and indirectly involved in the Jamaican music and entertainment industries.
For further information:
Contact Coleen Douglas, Board Member responsible for Marketing at 876 468 5409 or coleenantoinette@gmail.com.
123 Constant Spring Road, Unit 3, Kingston 8, Jamaica W.I. 876.468.5409
www.jariaentertainment.com – Email: jaria.online@gmail.com
