PLANTATION – The inaugural Reggae Family tree music competition and live performance occasion, celebrating reggae music’s wealthy historical past and cultural affect, captivated greater than 1,400 attendees at Broward Mall this previous weekend. The producers can stand tall because the accolades proceed to pour in. The occasion was sponsored by Florida Energy & Mild Firm, Broward County Cultural Division, Grace Meals, Go to Lauderdale, Blue Mahoe Capital, Metropolis of Plantation, Institute of Museum and Library Companies and others, and it introduced collectively notable figures, neighborhood leaders and music fanatics alike. Reggae Family tree sparked vital conversations concerning the relevance of Jamaican music to the world music scene.
Island SPACE is the one pan-Caribbean Heritage Museum in america. For this occasion, Island SPACE gathered a staff of specialists in reggae music historical past, occasion manufacturing and enterprise to execute the inaugural staging. Amongst them had been Lloyd Stanbury, a co-founder of Reggae Month and the pioneering Jamaican all-reggae radio station, IRIE FM, and Calibe Thompson and David I. Muir, producers of the Style the Islands Expertise culinary competition and co-founders of Island SPACE. Moreover, the staff includes artistic administrators, authors, documentarians, tv and video producers, radio personalities, musicians and choreographers.
Standout Moments
One of many standout moments of the day occurred when Cedella Marley delivered a heartfelt tribute to her mom, Rita Marley. Her announcement that she would donate considered one of Bob Marley’s guitars to the museum stirred feelings among the many viewers and the Island SPACE staff. Cedella expressed, “Any Caribbean Museum ought to have a bit of of my father in it.” The upcoming premiere of the One Love Bob Marley biopic provides an additional layer of significance.
Distinguished company reminiscent of Broward County Commissioner Hazelle P. Rogers (District 9), Metropolis of Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal, and Metropolis Councilmembers Louis Reinstein and Jennifer Andreu-Tucker, Jamaican Consul Common Oliver Mair, and GraceKennedy USA President Derrick Reckord had been in attendance.
In a nod to the upcoming Ladies’s Month, three iconic girls champions of Jamaican music obtained lifetime achievement awards from Island SPACE Caribbean Museum president Calibe Thompson. Honorees included the”Queen of Reggae,” Marcia Griffiths, Patricia “Miss Pat”Chin of VP Data, and Cedella Marley, CEO of the Marley Group of Firms. The ladies had been acknowledged for his or her indelible contributions to the affect of the island’s music on the world.
Commissioner Rogers offered keys to Broward County to all three honorees, emphasizing the significance of any such programming — combining leisure with schooling — in Broward County. Mayor Sortal additionally offered the keys to the Metropolis of Plantation to every of the icons. He expressed his need to see Reggae Family tree turn into a staple in Plantation for years to come back.
Juliet Roulhac, Director, Broward-SW Exterior Affairs & Company Philanthropy of FPL shared, “Variety in our communities is a part of what makes Florida so distinctive. FPL has been a very long time supporter of the Caribbean neighborhood and was the very first sponsor of the music displays at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, and is proud to be a collaborating sponsor of the Reggae Family tree occasion.”
Rita Marley, the matriarch of the Marley household, obtained a non-public tour of Island SPACE Caribbean Museum, expressing her approval for the work performed by Island SPACE to protect Caribbean music tradition.
A Resounding Success
The three-hour retrospective chronicled the origins of famend Jamaican music genres, from their inception earlier than Jamaica gained independence from Britain in 1962 to the trendy period. It encompassed types like mento, ska, Nyabinghi, rocksteady, lovers rock, dub, reggae, and dancehall. Moreover, it spotlighted the profound affect of Jamaican music on numerous genres together with hip-hop, reggaeton, EDM and Afrobeats.
Acknowledging the occasion’s resounding success, Thompson expressed her appreciation to the sponsors, companions, volunteers and attendees whose dedication introduced it to fruition. She remarked, “The demonstrated help underscores the significance of the tales and narratives showcased on the occasion, setting the stage for a bigger and extra impactful occasion in years to come back.”
Reggae Month at Island House Caribbean Museum
The celebration continues past the primary occasion, as VP Data’ “Reggae Music Journey” showcases a fascinating array of photographs and stylized graphics. Photographer Ajamu Myrie and graphic artist Maria Papaefstathiou have considerably contributed to this assortment, presently on show within the museum’s cultural exhibit. Moreover, David I. Muir’s “Reggae Reel” tremendous artwork present spotlights a few of the style’s most legendary figures, enriching the museum’s Reggae Month choices with iconic names from reggae and dancehall music.
