February is known for great celebrations and moments of empowerment for the black race. It comprises of Black History merriments, Bob Marley’s birthday, and of course, Reggae Month.
This year celebrates 50 years since the existence of reggae music, and with such a milestone, 2019 celebrations are fully led by the government. The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sports has a range of activities planned for the month, and the minister of this portfolio, Honorable Olivia “Babsy” Grange is excited to be the one steering the wheel.
She says that as we celebrate such a time period and reflect on its pathway, “we are speaking about a music that is not just for entertainment and for fun, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a movement of Jamaica, is our bread and butter, we must understand that this is serious business.”
Indeed 2019’s Reggae Month has serious business taking place. The month has had several events that included Reggae Wednesdays at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Center, the series of reggae films showed at Emancipation Parks, Ribbiz Reggae on the Waterfront, the Global Reggae Conference and the Rita Marley Foundation’s annual public speaking competition. However, there is so much more to come on the agenda for the month. Some more events that cannot be missed includes:
• Another Reggae Films in the Park at Emancipation Park, New Kingston – February 22
• Rockabessa Herb and Music Festival – February 24
• Reggae Month Exhibition – February 25
• Reggae Gold Awards – February 27
