Home
Festival
Roots
2005
Line-up
Sounds
Food and
Drink
For the
Media
Reggae
Links
Kalamazoo
Links
Directions
Reggae Scene
Reggae
Reviews
1999 Festival
2001 Festival
2002 Festival
2003 Festival
|
Island Festival
2006
FRIDAY JUNE 23rd
11:00 amFestival
begins Vendors will
be serving foods characteristic of the Caribbean and will have arts and
crafts for sale. Join us for Lunch, and check out the all-new Arcadia
Festival Place. Sample special Caribbean cocktails from Bacardi, or enjoy
an ice cold Red Stripe.
11:30am Lunch
entertainment The
Zion Lion Trio
5:00pm Hullabaloo
|
Hullabaloo is an Ann Arbor based music collective that produces
original roots music blended with Latin rhythms. Performing with
anywhere from six to ten members, the Hullabaloo experience is an
upbeat, semi-chaotic showcase of lyrical and musical expression.
Sounds Like
Skatalites meet the Talking Heads. Santana joins a ska band. World
Beat Ska Funk. Afro-Cuban Jazz, Latin Rock. . . "high
energy...WOW!"
|
6:45pm Messenger
and the Souldiers Crew
Messenger will move more than your waistline - he moves
your heart. With his conscious lyrics and his dynamic riddims Messenger
brings The Message. Get HYPE with Messenger and his backing band The
Souldiers Crew - LIVE. Messenger was born on July 19, 1976 in Saginaw
Michigan. Inspired to play since birth, Messenger formed his first band
at the age of thirteen. Messenger's grit and raspy voice did not come
for free. His work ethic and belief that practice makes perfect made him
successful not only as a street musician at age 18, but also in many
other bands from the mid-west to the west coast and even Hawaii. His
unique style and ability was partially formed from playing with
musicians from places like Jamaica, Switzerland, Belize, Brazil, and
Japan. Messenger's instrumental repertory includes guitar, bass, drums,
melodica, nya bengei drum, and turn tables. |
|
8:15pm Zion
Lion
|
Zion Lion is comprised of some of the best talent
Kalamazoo has to offer. The backbone of Zion Lion are the
Kalamazoo Riddim Twins-Simba mashing up the bass, and Preston drumming a
pocket a mile wide. Add the authentic African guitar of
Nathan Njharini, and the sweet sounds of Sister Myra on vocals and steel
drums, and you can see why Zion Lion is such a crowd
pleaser. |
10:00pm Universal
Xpression
This
marvelous group provides an amazingly energy pumping musical and
theatrical treat. Universal Xpression uplifts and captivates its
audiences with Caribbean rhythms such as reggae, soca, zouk, and dance
hall music, with an undertone of African, Latin and American rhythms.
Consequently, this rhythmic implementation has created a hypnotic groove
and a beautiful sound, with a universal appeal, thus making this group
the choice show band.
Universal
Xpression has thrilled thousands all over America, Canada and the
Caribbean at numerous venues: High schools, colleges, universities,
clubs, festivals, weddings, parades, corporate parties, and parks. In
twelve great years the group has built a tremendous fan base which
continues to grow with every performance. Seeing Universal Xpression
live is an awesome experience, strong and beautiful vocals, sweet
harmony, solid and tight groovy music topped off with wonderful
showmanship. You are embraced and involved in the mental, physical,
educational and emotional awe. Universal Xpression is ultimately
satisfying. |
12:00am
Barro
Baaro is One of the best reggae bands in Chicago. Made up
of an original member of Dallol (Mulu), and two members of the all
female Caress (Lois and Juanita) with drummer (Fikru) they are
increasingly becoming more popular in the region.
Baaro had released a CD titled Rhythm City . Is available at the
WIldHare.
The only Chicago venue Baaro performs at is at the Wild hare check them
out once every month. Members of the group include Jasper on keyboards.
Abera on lead guitar and Ermias on bass guitar |
|
Spinning Between Sets Friday and
Saturday Night DJ
Slacky J
Slacky J-Hanging with Damien
Marley |
Reggae Vibes Show is show that comes on 88.7fm WLUW on Friday
nights from 630pm till 11pm. The show has been featuring for over
8years plus. The show was first start by Slacky J AND Hiatianking! You
can also listen to the show live from our website at www.reggaenice.com
We have interviewed and promoted some of the biggest name in reggae
music on the show ranging from Big Youth, Culture, Third World,
Beenieman, Sean Paul, Monster Shack Crew, Tony Curtis, Elephantman,
Capelton, Singing Melody, Damien Marley, Morgan Heritage, and many great names in the music!
|
SATURDAY JUNE 24th
11:00am Festival
begins Vendors will
be serving foods characteristic of the Caribbean and will have arts and
crafts for sale. Join us for Lunch, and check out the all-new Arcadia
Festival Place. Sample special Caribbean cocktails from Bacardi, or enjoy
an ice cold Red Stripe.
11:30am Lunch
entertainment Third Coast Steel Drum Band
2:00pm
Family Workshop with KUUNGANA Dance and
Drum Troupe
4:00pm Iff1icial
The Ifficial Reggae Band is a stand out musical group.
With their explosive style and mesmerizing “riddims” it’s no
wonder the band members always sport a smile on stage. Ifficial has been
a much welcomed addition to the Chicago Reggae scene with many taking
notice. Ifficial has already been rocking shows all over the Midwest for
years now while creating new and original music. Each of the band’s
members brings years of experience to create this extremely energetic
and uplifting sound. Look for their highly anticipated CD - Summer of
2006. |
|
6:00pm
The Rum
Runners
|
The
Rum Runners, previously known as Terra Firma are a six piece ska/reggae
band the hail from Carbondale, Illinois (home of Southern Illinois
University) Their sound runs the gamut from 60's sounding
ska and rocksteady to dub-enhanced roots reggae. They even occasionaly
throw in a little dancehall and Chicago Blues for good measure.
Although only being together for roughly two years. The band has amassed
a dedicated following throughout the mid-west and has a reputation for
uniting various sub-cultures especially amongst the local student
population (including many international students.) So if you get a
chance check 'em out, you won't be disappointed. Grab a Red Stripe,
spread the love, and DIG IT!! |
8:00pm Kokolo
Afrobeat Orchestra
KOKOLO
on MySpace
|
In just a few years, KOKOLO's infectious
blend of social commentary, charisma and musical appeal has taken them
from the tangled streets of their native New York to the world's stage,
firmly establishing them as premier innovators in rhythm-based music,
and drawing scores of afro-beat lovers, funk heads, salsa aficionados,
dance club punters and jazz connoisseurs along the way.
KOKOLO (a name derived from
Spanish-Harlem slang used to describe hardcore followers of afro music)
formed in May 2001, at a time when the Big Apple's nu afro-beat
scene began to take shape. Formed by lead singer and songwriter Ray Lugo
and English trombonist Chris Morrow, the duo soon blossomed to eight
core members, and within weeks became mainstays at New York's venue for
the avant-garde, the Knitting
Factory.
Turning to the DIY ethic of his formative punk days, Lugo
self-produced and released the octet's urgent Fuss
and Fight debut through a deal with England's Afrokings label
in 2002, under the shadow of the World Trade Center attacks. That same
year, KOKOLO undertook the first of many visits to the
U.K., giving European audiences an initial taste of the live energy the
band is known for.
|
10:00pm Dub
Station
Dub Station is arguably one of the top
U.S. based reggae acts, based on its established reputation and the
shear breadth of artists and styles worked with.
Formed at the start of the 90's, Dub
Station has opened for many key reggae legends including Culture,
Yellowman, Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Beres Hammond, The
Wailers and many others.
"Dub Station has
built up a music-loving inter-racial crowd that represents the best
reggae has to offer"
-The Boston Globe
|
|
12:00am Abijah
|
Reaching #1 on the Jamaican charts is something
every Reggae artist aspires to. Abijah's done it.
Debuting at No. 6, and remaining on the carts for 30 weeks with
his "Revelation" arguably one of the most
groundbreaking songs of the new era. Leaping easily from
roots anthem to ballad, jump-up tune to meditation ABIJAH's
stage show is always a stand out, making him equally on point
with a dancehall crowd (he's toured with Elephant Man) as he is
with the most roots oriented of crowds.
Dubbed "The Ambassador of Peace" in Jamaica, ABIJAH
has been asked to speak and perform at Harvard University and
Oxford, but he has not forgotten his roots; having performed
free at dozens of schools in Jamaica, teaching the next
generation about ONE LOVE: the too often forgotten-but essential
core of Reggae Music. |
|
Join
us of the 11th annual Island Festival, hosted by the Kalamazoo Jaycees
and one of the reasons that Kalamazoo is a Cool City!
|
|