JaRIA To Expand Outside Kingston For Reggae Month

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Chairman at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Ewan Simpson.

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is expanding its geographical footprint beyond Kingston during reggae month this February. 

The news was confirmed with the unveiling of its 2023 reggae month calendar on Monday afternoon. 

“JaRIA has always intended to expand its operations outside of Kingston and has previously conducted seminars across the island,” JaRIA’s chairman Ewan Simpson said. “This year, with the support of the Urban Development Corporation, we have been able to secure ideal venues in a partnership that will make it easier to realise our dream of bringing concerts to the wider Jamaica. This is a start on which we will expand throughout the year.”

The calendar features its Reggae Wednesdays concert series, music edu-forum Reggae Open University (ROU), JaRIA Honour Awards launch and other events. 

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JaRIA’s 2023 calendar of events for reggae month.

The festivities kick off with a free Dennis Brown tribute concert dubbed ‘Revolution – Celebrating the Crown Prince’ at the Waterfront, Kingston, on February 1. Performers will include Chris Martin, George Nooks, Ras-I, Shanice Sewel, Rissa and Miguel. Other Reggae Wednesday events include ‘Love-a-Dub’ on February 15 and ‘Reggae Praise’ on February 22, to unfold at the same location. 

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Singer Judy Mowatt performing at Reggae Wednesdays in 2022.

An addition to the event’s roster is ‘Word Sound Power’ which will be held at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay. Also happening at Harmony Beach Park is the ‘One Drop of Harmony’ show on February 8. Further catering to reggae enthusiasts outside Kingston is ‘Reggae Cyaa Dunn’ at Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on the 28th. 

Meanwhile, the launch of the coveted JaRIA Honour Awards is slated for February 26. 

Virtual events account for all ROU sessions, to be livestreamed on JaRIA’s YouTube and social media platforms, as well as PBCJ’s YouTube channel every Thursday. The ROU will start with ‘The Relay – 1st Leg’ featuring speakers like Grub Cooper and Ernie Smith, and continue with ‘The Relay – The Curve’ on February 9; ‘The Relay – The Back Stretch’ on February 16; and ‘The Relay – The Anchor Leg’ on February 23.

JaRIA is also endorsing events like Yaksta’s 22 album launch on February 21 and ‘Remembering Alton and Hortense Ellis’ on February 18.