Reggae Month may have started in Jamaica, but it’s finding a second home in South Florida.
The celebration of one of Jamaica’s greatest exports will see a host of events throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Lloyd Stanbury, cofounder of reggae month in Jamaica and of Irie FM radio station, recalls how it all started.
“I was part of an organization, the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica, and we were putting on an award show … and someone we were working with at the time came up with the idea of approaching the government of Jamaica to declare the month of February (as) Reggae Month, for purposes of celebrating the music and educating people about the music,” he says. “The government jumped on board and officially declared the month of February Reggae Month in Jamaica.”
They chose February, he says, because of its historical connections with Black people.
“The main reason was because Bob Marley was born in February,” Stanbury explains. “Dennis Brown, who is like everybody’s favorite, including Bob Marley’s favorite, was born in February. February is Black History Month. And we think reggae music has represented Black history because we are always singing about Marcus Garvey, we’re always singing about Martin Luther King, we’re always singing about Africa.
“So it was a convenient and wise marriage, so to speak, between reggae and Black history.”
This year, reggae superstars Shaggy and Inner Circle have teamed up to stage several events in Jamaica and in SoFlo. Many of them are free, but you must RSVP. For more information, go to linktr.ee/reggaemonthsouthflorida.
As Reggae Month continues, keep coming back to this roundup as we will be adding more events.
Saturday, Feb. 10, from 3 to 9 p.m. — Reggae Genealogy — The Origins, Evolution and Influence of Jamaican Music outdoor concert at Broward Mall, 8000 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Showtime is 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate; VIP tickets are $60 in advance and $75 at the gate. Visit reggaegenealogy.org.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 3 to 9 p.m. — Rastafari Day and Drum Circle with Warrior King, Brigadier Jerry and Mutabaruka at The NoMi Village, 12351 NW Seventh Ave., North Miami. Admission is free. Visit eventbrite.com.
Saturday, Feb. 17, from 6 to 11 p.m. — The 4th Annual Afro-Carib Festival, with headliners Fireboy DML, Nadine Sutherland and Kabaka Pyramid, at Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, 16801 Miramar Parkway. Gates open at 5 p.m. Cost is $30 and $45 for general admission and $150 for VIP tickets. Visit afrocaribfestmiramar.com.
Sunday, Feb. 18, from 3 to 10 p.m. — Praise on the Green Gospel Extravaganza with Chevelle Franklyn, Carlene Davis and Minister Marion Hall (formerly “Lady Saw”) at Shirley Branca Park, 6900 Miramar Parkway, Miramar. Admission is free. Visit eventbrite.com.
Saturday, Feb. 24, from noon to 7 p.m. — Reggae Month Jam with Ernie Smith, Paul Anthony and others (plus vendors and Caribbean food) at The Loop (Las Olas Oceanside Park), 3000 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale beach. Admission is free. Visit theloopflb.com/events/reggae-month-jam.
Friday, March 22, at 8:30 p.m. — IRAWMA: 41st International Reggae and World Music Awards at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place. Red carpet starts at 7 p.m. Tickets range in price from $60 to $150. Visit lpacfl.com.
