Month: August 2017
Helpful Hints to Make the Most of ReggaeFest
Calgary, Alberta – August 14, 2017
It’s officially ReggaeFest week! Rastagarians, are you ready?!
Kicking things off! Everything starts on Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 pm at the King Eddy (438 – 9 Avenue SE) as we celebrate 150 years of Canada uniting cultures with ‘The Golden Era of Canadian Reggae’ – a musical lecture by Dr. Jason Wilson. Pssst….it’s FREE!
Still need tickets? Get them in advance and save! Available online or at any of the locations listed below. And don’t forget, all tickets purchased give you entrance for the WHOLE weekend!
Caribbean Choice Foods – 2235 Centre Street N
Cornerstone Music Café – 139, 14919 Deer Ridge Drive SE
Heritage Posters and Music – 1316 – 11 Avenue SW
Joycee’s Caribbean Foods – 630 – 1 Avenue NE
Mayfair Foods – 4019 – 17 Avenue SE
Quench that Thirst! The H2O Water Buggy will be on site Friday and Saturday. Please bring your own refillable water bottle and fill up as needed at the water station. You’ll need to stay hydrated as the current forecast is calling for temperatures in the 20’s!!
Hungry? We’ve got that covered. Check out any (or all!) of our food vendors. Throughout the park you’ll find everything from paninis to fried chicken to sweet treats, and of course a variety of Caribbean dishes. Vegan? We’ve got that too!
Keep Joining the Conversation – #rfyyc17 and #rastagarian – We heart Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. If Snapchat is your social media of choice, make sure to try out our geofilter while you’re at the park enjoying the vibes.
Gates Open – Friday 4:00 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday 12:00 noon – 10:30 pm
So Much Talent! If you want the lowdown on your favorite artiste prior to the fest, you can check out the Performer page on our website. Need to know when they are hitting the stage? Get the 411 on the Festival Info page.
Remember to Bring – Cash (for that awesome item you can’t resist from one of the many merchandise vendors), ID, sun protection (glasses, lotion, hat, umbrella), refillable water bottle, folding festival chairs and/or a blanket, hand sanitizer (port-a-potties are a must for festivals…), a positive attitude and your dancing shoes – ’cause who can resist moving to that sweet Reggae beat!
Fun for the Whole Family – All ReggaeFest events this year are open to all ages so come out and enjoy the whole weekend as a family. We’ll also have the Kidz Zone set up on Saturday from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm with a variety of activities to entertain the young Rastagarians.
Where to Park – or may we suggest you ride your bike or take the train! Parking is limited around Shaw Millennium Park; please follow the parking regulations to avoid disappointment after a great ReggaeFest experience. The LRT runs right by the ReggaeFest site – the nearest stop is DT West / Kerby. A Bike Lock Up is available at the main entrance for those who would like to pedal their way to the festival.
We would like to send out a HUGE thank you to our Partners and Funders! ReggaeFest would not be seeing 14 years without their amazing support!
98-5 VIRGIN Radio, Alberta Foundation For The Arts, Alberta Lottery Fund, Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum and J. Wray, Calgary Arts Development Authority, Canadian Heritage, City of Calgary, CJAY 92, CJSW Radio 90.9 fm, CKUA Radio Network, Culligan Water, Exclaim! Media, Feature Productions, Funny 1060, Global Calgary, Green Event Services, Hotel Arts, MacCon Public Safety, Passport Health, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, The Calgary Sun, Travel Alberta, Village Brewery
See y’all at the fest!
Ms Paige shows Calgary some love!
Enter Ms Paige – She will be performing on Calgary ReggaeFest for the first time! She mixes the soul of R&B with the passion of Caribbean musical genres. Ms Paige has released over 35 singles in both Reggae and Soca areas!!
Steele is coming to Calgary!
Rastagarians! It’s about to get hot with some sweet reggae music!! Check out this shout-out by the man, Steele!
The Golden Era of Canadian Reggae Music
Calgary, Alberta – August 7, 2017
For decades the essence of Reggae music has intricately weaved its way into everyday Canadian living. From the earliest days of the first Caribbean migrants until now, Reggae Music has had an influential impact on the cultural mosaic of Canada. From the earliest musing of artistes such as Bruce Cockburn to today’s Magic!, Drake and Justin Bieber, the impact of the deep roots of Reggae Music can be witnessed across the Canadian landscape.
It was these conditions that saw 14 year old Scottish Canadian Jason Wilson playing keyboard in Canada’s first major label Reggae band, Messenjah.
Thirty-plus years later, Dr. Jason Wilson has completed his doctoral thesis on the impact of Reggae Music within the Canadian diaspora, “King Alpha’s Song in a Strange Land”.
Prior to the release of his thesis in book format, Dr. Wilson, with the backing of Mad Riddim band from Vancouver, will take Rastagarians on a live musical journey through “The Golden Era of Canadian Reggae Music” from the early 1970s to 1990s and beyond.
“Yes my background is a proud Scot,” says Jason, “but all the people I grew up with were West Indians. Reggae is in my blood; it’s what I know.”
There’s no one more excited than ReggaeFest producer Leo Cripps about this event. “I am absolutely stoked for this event! It will definitely open many eyes on the importance of Reggae Music and how much impact it has had in shaping the artistic landscape of our country.”
Celebrating 150 years of Canada uniting cultures, “The Golden Era of Canadian Reggae Music” is the kick-off event to the 14th annual Calgary International Reggae Festival and takes place August 17 at the iconic King Eddy Hotel at Studio Bell, the National Music Centre. The event is all ages and free to the public.
Kirk Diamond returns to ReggaeFest
Kirk Diamond is set to perform at ReggaeFest 2017!
2015 JUNO Award nominee Kirk Diamond will be performing in Calgary for the second time. Nominated for, “Best Reggae Recording of the Year” the 90’s dancehall style influenced “Love inna wi Heart,” Kirk Diamond is quickly establishing himself as a top Canadian reggae talent.