We don’t have a lot of information about the Earth Rootz and Reggae Festival, except that it promises to be “a reggae Woodstock,” boasting “freedom in the vibes of Rootz reggae”. The festival includes 2 days of reggae music performances on 3 acres of of land in a 216-acre plot.

The festival organizers note that “naturallity and the celebration of life is the focus.”

The festival is your chance to experience natural foods, vendors, reggae performances, nature, and most of all Freedom. Poets-dancers-vendors-good food-nature-clean air. No meat zone, all natural vendors and artist are welcome. Children welcomed, family encouraged.

Learn more at www.youtube.com/life7consciousness

Roots reggae festival dates: July 24, 25, and 26, 2010.

• active dates includes performances and events including meals: July 24 and 25, 2010
• non-active day: July 26, 2010

Rootz Reggae Festival Tickets

Advanced RSVPs can be made before June 1, 2010.

• $75 for complete weekend.
• Bring 1 additional guest for only $25.
• $150 for a party of 3.

All 3 options include food for the 2-day weekend.

Tickets at the gate:

• $75 per day.
• $50 each additional guest per day.

Both options include food for the day.

Sleep accommodations are at the visitor’s discretion it is advised for patrons to bring tents

Additional Earth Rootz Reggae Festival information

Reggae artist that will like to be a part of this event please contact the o 7 at 336 273 7406 or by email illum7ination@yahoo.com

For more information, contact:

• Illum7ination@yahoo.com
• 336-273-7406

Billboard Magazine reports that Barber has begun a campaign targeting reggae artistes, bands, and reggae music producers regarding participation in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the group that bestows the Reggae Grammy every year. Her objective is to increase the number of reggae-related voters in the Recording Academy in time for the 2011 Grammy nominations by at least 100 people from around the world.

Barber has gone on to tell Billboard that “the only people voting in the reggae category are those who are not in the know” and “the few who are actually voting do not represent our industry.” She explained that when a typical non-reggae member of the Recording Academy is handed a list of 40 – 60 qualifying albums, they tend to simply opt for familiar names. This process leads to the widely-criticized process that seems to favor well-known classic reggae artistes.

Currently, there is only 1 Jamaican voting on the Reggae Grammy award in the Recording Academy.

For starters, Barber will hold an industry conference in Jamaica from January 21-25 to explain the Grammy nomination process to Jamaican music executives. A key component of the conference will be a discussion of the Academy’s requirement that a Reggae Grammy nomination must be returned to the Academy’s Los Angeles offices within 2 weeks of the original postmark. This process makes it difficult for Jamaican and other international participants to vote in time, so many potential Caribbean participants never even explore the other requirements of gathering creative credits and paying a membership fee.

Barber has worked hard for several years to finally achieve her goal of allowing participants to vote electronically, via email. This year she has finally succeeded, so the postal problems will no longer be an issue for the 2011 Reggae Grammy nomination process. The form also includes a “referred by” option for new members. She promises to assist any new Academy members with the voting process if they list her as the referrer. Bill Freimuth, the VP, Awards of the Recording Academy says it’s likely that all Grammy voting will switch to an online process in the coming years.

Now she’s working to build participation and awareness within the reggae community, explaining that “winning a reggae Grammy offers a level of recognition that impacts sales, radio play and concert demands, essential elements in establishing a new generation of reggae stars. I wouldn’t be doing the genre, the artists or Jamaica justice if I didn’t embark on this campaign.”

Barber would know: she produced the 2005 Reggae Grammy-nominated Def Jamaica album. She’s also the former President of the Marley family’s Tuff Gong and Ghetto Youths labels. Her next step will be to work to add a Dancehall Grammy category.

The Best Reggae Album Grammy was first awarded in 1985 and is typically won by Jamaican reggae artists. The 52nd Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday at 8 p.m. This year’s nominees for the Best Reggae Album Grammy are Gregory Isaacs, Sean Paul, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley and Buju Banton.

In response to the recent devastating earthquakes to hit Haiti, KCRW is hosting a Haiti Relief Concert at El Rey Theatre, Saturday, Feb. 6th 2010, featuring Hepcat, Dengue Fever, Joey Altruda, The Lions, Be Very Careful, and The Tuffington. Ticket proceeds from this night will be donated to Operation USA’s Haiti relief efforts.

The worldly line-up on what would have been Bob Marley’s 65th birthday includes ska/rocksteady revivalists Hepcat; Cambodian-American indie-rock band Dengue Fever; a very special set by veteran bassist Joey Altruda’s Crucial Riddims & Reggae Greats Revue featuring Wailing Souls, Elan, Eljai and special guests; cumbia band Very Be Careful; all-star reggae group The Lions; experimental rock outfit The Tuffingtons; Echodelic Soundsystem; and DJ Miles Perlich. The evening will be hosted by veteran radio DJ Junor Francis and Alexis de la Rocha of Live Daily.

Doors open at 7pm.

Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. OpUSA’s slogan is “Give and it gets there”. And it does, with 98% of every dollar donated going to on the ground relief. That’s why The Rockery, organizers of this event, chose OpUSA to receive the funds generated on February 6th.

Here’s the concert lineup:

Hepcat

“Ska”, the effervescent mid-’60s precursor to reggae, was as crucial to Jamaican pop as rockabilly was here in America, and while each endured for only a brief span of years, both of these influential styles constantly reoccur, thanks to cyclical eruptions of well-intentioned but oft-ludicrous revivalists. Ska stewards Hepcat are the noble exception to that rule, a band that has perfected the art of owning the style’s musical bedrock and upholding its traditions with excruciating precision even while informing it with carefully administered jolts of their own creative impulses. That’s a damn nifty trick, and over the course of the past two decades, despite several extended hiatuses, personnel departures, even death, Hepcat has remained an exemplary force, a group whose combination of technique, good taste and genuine sincerity results in music that is not only moving — it also really moves.” (Johnny Whiteside, LA Weekly) www.hepcatlive.com

Joey Altruda’s Crucial Riddims & Reggae Greats Revue

The music of veteran bassist/bandleader Joey Altruda features a variety of musicians depending upon the context – from ska, reggae and Latin to jump blues, lounge and beyond. Joey’s known for his work with Don “Sugarcane” Harris during the ‘80s in the band Tupelo Chain Sex and he co-led Jump With Joey with drummer Willie McNeil from 1989-1999. Over the years Joey has worked with a plethora of legends, including Plas Johnson, Bo Diddley, Joe Strummer, Ernest Ranglin, Jack Costanzo, Ernie Andrews, Rico Rodriguez, Lloyd Knibbs, Mongo Santamaria, Patato Valdez, Chocolate Armenteros and Candido Cameron. With his super group Crucial Riddims, Joey is assembling a Reggae Greats Revue where he will be joined by some of the scenes most talented musicians and singers, paying homage to Jamaican music. Guests will include legendary duo Wailing Souls, long-time Wailers singer Elan, Belizean singer Eljai, Persephone Laird of Ocean 11, and more singers to be announced. www.myspace.com/joeyaltrudamusic

The Lions

The Lions are Los Angeles’ premier 12-piece all-star reggae band featuring members of Hepcat, Orgone, Breakestra, Macy Gray’s band, The Expanders, Ocean 11, Connie Price & the Keystones and Rhythm Roots Allstars. The result of an impromptu recording session by some of the scene’s most soulful and notable musicians and singers, The Lions created grooves that went beyond Jamaican music by combining new and traditional rhythms, and dub mixing mastery with the global sounds of Ethiopia and Colombia. Their album Jungle Struttin’ was released on Ubiquity Records in 2008 and they are now releasing songs on their own Lions Bread Records – including the singer/DJ combination “This Generation” and the laid back instrumental “New Girl”. Their live set transcends any particular genre but is best described as a healthy mix of vocal and dub tracks, balancing classic reggae and soul cuts as well as new originals. The Lions have had the honor of being the backing band on two occasions for legends The Heptones, and have supported The Aggrolites, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Antibalas and Bedouin Soundclash. www.myspace.com/lionsbread

The Tuffingtons

The Tuffingtons are a six-piece unit made up of native Angelenos, who have created their own blend of ska and disco, with a couple nods to bands like Television, Madness and Buzzcocks. They have called their music everything from AM punk to island-arena rock. The Tuffingtons are gaining a reputation for their live shows, which usually consist of something like animal ‘sacrifice’, and there is a very lifelike and life-size puppet. Their shows are better experienced than explained. Their debut full-length record, produced by Jacob Bercovici AKA Mr. Sandwiches (Warpaint, The Lady Tigra) will be out this summer. Their current EP Egregious will be released this February. www.myspace.com/thosewildtuffingtons

Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever’s psychedelic take on the Cambodian pop sounds of the 60s makes them one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most unique success stories. They draw enthusiastic crowds from LA to the UK, from Maui to Moscow, and leave critics rummaging through their thesauruses looking for new superlatives to describe their sound. Dengue Fever is Chhom Nimol – who sang regularly for the King and Queen of Cambodia – Ethan Holtzman (keyboards), Zac Holtzman (guitar), David Ralicke (horns), Senon Williams (bass) and Paul Smith (drums). The band’s music has been featured in a number of film and television shows including City of Ghosts, Must Love Dogs, Broken Flowers, HBO’s hit series True Blood and twice on Showtime’s Weeds. They have released three albums, Dengue Fever, Escape From Dragon House, Venus On Earth and released their DVD/CD soundtrack to the documentary Sleepwalking Through The Mekong on April 14, 2009. They recently released Dengue Fever Presents: Electric Cambodia, a compilation of lost Cambodian classics from the 1960’s and 1970’s. www.myspace.com/denguefevermusic

Very Be Careful

Very Be Careful is a homegrown L.A. band that plays Colombian vallenato music, a traditional cumbia sound that centers around the accordion, backed with percussion and bass. Members include Ricardo “Ricky G” Guzman on accordion and vocals, Arturo “Brickems” Guzman on bass, Craig “Peabody” Martin on guacharaca, Dante “The Rip” Ruiz on campana, and Richard “Mil Caras” Panta on caja vallenata. From the streets of Austin’s SXSW and Germany’s World Cup Tour ’06 to the cultural pinnacles of Chicago’s Summer Dance Series, New York’s Central Park Summerstage, Los Angeles’ Grand Performances, Glastonbury Music Festival, and Fuji Rock Festival, to NY’s SOBs, LA’s House of Blues and backyard BBQs, VBC has tamed the beasts within or unleashed the ones without. They have performed alongside Joe Strummer, Alfredo Gutierrez, Antibalas, Carlos Vives, Dub Trio, Grupo Niche, Kronos Quartet, Gogol Bordello. VBC’s latest album, Horrible Club (Downtown Pijao 2009), is a collection of bootleg recordings from 1998-2009 and captures the reckless abandon of a VBC show where anything can happen. www.verybecareful.com

Tickets are $25 and will be available starting Saturday, January 23rd at 10am at www.Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000, select Macy’s, all Ritmo Latino stores, and the El Rey’s restaurant Cowboys & Turbans. Cowboys & Turbans is open Monday thru Friday from Noon to 9pm and on show nights (cash only). If tickets remain, walk up sales will be available at the El Rey box office, opening at the door time on the night of the event. El Rey Theatre is located at 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. It’s an all ages, general admission, standing room only venue.

www.theelrey.com

Thanks to Operation USA, The Rockery, Junor Francis, KCRW, Live Daily, LA Weekly, It’s Alive Media, Foundation Media, Shangri-La Music, Echodelic Soundsystem, Goldenvoice and El Rey Theatre for helping make this event possible.

The Reggae Film Festival, in only it’s 3rd year of existence, is already building up steam. This year’s lineup includes reggae film entries from all over the world, ranging from cult classics to world premiers, features and documentaries to short reggae films. An expected highlight of the 2010 Reggae Film Festival is the “Make a Film in 24 Hours” competition.

The 2010 Reggae Film Festival will be held in Jamaica’s Hilton Kingston hotel from February 25th through February 27th.

The Reggae Film Festival will open with a red carpet gala on February 25 for the premier of the Japanese reggae documentary Ruffn’ Tuff – Founders of the Immortal Riddim. The film includes appearances by Leroy Sibbles, Bob Andy, Gregory Isaacs, and John Holt, some of whom may also be in attendance. The screening will be a memorial tribute to recently-deceased rocksteady founder Lynn Tait.

All events will be held in Jamaica’s Hotel Kingston, primarily in the ballroom, which will serve as a cinema for the evening screenings and opening gala. The Hilton Kingston is also offering special deals including discounted rates for a Reggae Film Festival package and daily meals.

The Reggae Film Festival will include full-length films, documentaries, and music videos from both domestic Jamaican directors and international reggae filmmakers. Films from Hawaii, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Brazil will all be shown, including:

• The 80s cult film Babylon by Franco Rosso.
• Made in Jamaica from French film maker Jerome Lapperousaz.
• The world premiere of Don McConnell’s Reggae in the Ruff.
• A rare documentary of Lee “Scratch” Perry.
• A short film telling the story of Randy’s Records in Kingston, Jamaica, which later moved to the US and became the worlds largest reggae distributor.

Films will be judged in 9 categories, including Best Film, Best Documentary and Best Music Video. A select panel of judges will decide on the winners, with some audience participation expected as well.

Several international film celebrities have been invited to attend, including noted director SPIKE LEE, rapper/actress EVE and

In addition to the films, Jamaican actor Roger Guenevere Smith – who has appeared in 8 Spike Lee films and in American Gangster alongside Denzel Washington – will deliver a lecture on reggae film. Former boxer Lennox Lewis is also expected to attend as he is building his own film career in Jamaica.

2010 Reggae Film Festival Lineup

Many of these films are available as DVDs from www.reggaefilms.co.uk.

Concrete Jungle by Kurt Fuller (2010)

A new Jamaican feature film about a fictional character Singy, from Concrete Jungle, one of the roughest ghetto’s in Jamaica. Singy’s childhood friend’s are some of the most notorius killers of the Bangers Gang. As a youth Singy experienced the outbreak of violence and it’s destructive eruption in the community between the Bangers and the devastated Mafia Gang. Because of the intense love Singy has for Dancehall music he decided to persue his musical career. In doing so Singy was seen as a major enemy through the eyes of the opposing side of the gangs.

Reggae in The Ruff by Don McConnell (2009 world premier)

This isn’t your average Reggae documentary, this one travels deep into Reggae Rasta consciousness and captures the essence of Reggae on film. Through a series of interviews, live musical performances and reasoning with Rasta musicians we get to learn more about the essence of reggae music and begin to understand what reggae means to those who create it”

Rastafari: Then & Now by Joel Gordon & Patricia Scarlett (2009)

Nation Cheong, a Rastafarian community youth worker and African drummer is concerned about youth violence and wonders if the principles and values of Rastafari has something to benefit today’s youth. To find an answer to his question, he gathers a group of Black youth and takes them on a journey of discovery into Toronto’s Rastafarian community. Along the way, he re-connects with some of his elders and also discovers that he has a few unanswered questions about his walk with Rastafari. This leads him to travel to Jamaica, the birthplace of Rastafari, for the very first time.

Duke Vin & The Birth Of SKA by Gus Berger (2008)

London in the 1950’s was a cold place if you were one of the thousands of newly arrived Jamaicans. Discrimination and racial tensions culminated in fierce riots in both Nottingham and Notting Hill Gate. It was in this environment that the Jamaican soundmen; Duke Vin and Count Suckle arrived in the UK. They both stowed away on a boat from Kingston and brought with them a sound that was sweeping across the small Caribbean island and would later change the face of music in the UK. This was the sound of ska! Now in their 70’s, Vego and Vin, both continue to do as they have always done, promoting and pushing Jamaican music. Daddy Vego is still running his record store and plays a vital role in the Ladbroke Grove community with his youth projects and street fairs. Duke Vin is still a deejay, playing on sound systems at the Notting Hill Carnival and to packed clubs such as Gaz’s Rocking Blues in Soho.

Rasta’s Paradise by Parine Jaddo (2008)

Rasta’s Paradise is a documentary about Rastafarians during the 60th Birthday commemoration for Bob Marley in February 2005. It is all shot in Ethiopia starting in the capital Addis Ababa and then travels to Shashamene, the land that was given by Emperor Haile Selassie to Diaspora Africans. Rastafari ways are explained as well as the interconnections between the Diaspora blacks, Africa, origin of the movement, connections to the Jamaican black leader Marcus Garvey, and the reason for repatriation to Ethiopia. With the divinity of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie a central rallying point amongst the various groups within the Rastafarian family, they all insist on and the need for peace in the human family.

Coping With Babylon by Oliver Hill (2007)

Coping with Babylon explores the Rastafarian experience in the West, following the transformation of the Rastafarian movement into a recognized and popular religion of the world, Set against a backdrop of controversial world affairs, Rastafarians are vocal about their opposition to “the system,” taking action according to their interpretation of the Bible, the teachings of Marcus Garvey, and the example of Haile Selassie I. This documentary features interviews with Rastafarian leaders including Ascento Fox, Barry Chevannes, Prince Emanuel and recording artists Mutabaruka, Luciano, Morgan Heritage, Freddie McGregor, Elephant Man, and Beenie Man.

The Story of Randy’s by Christopher & Clive Chin (2007)

Randy’s Record Mart was founded in 1958 by Vincent & Patricia Chin. Their retail enterprise went on to become VP Records; the world’s largest reggae distributor & record label. This film tells the story of the Kingston, JA record shop and it’s ascension to one of Jamaica’s leading recording studios (known as Studio 17) in the earliest days of reggae music. The Story Of Randy’s is a documentary about the Chin Family and the golden age of the mythic Randy’s Studio. This film features some rare archive footage and interviews with legendary artists like Lord Creator, Ken Boothe, Stranger Cole, Derrick Harriott, Niney The Observer, Johnny Dizzy Moore, Jah Stitch, Big Youth, Sly Dunbar, Earl Morgan from The Heptones, and Pat Kelly.

Ruff’N Tuff: Founders Of The Immortal Riddim by Shizuo Ishi (2006)

This Japanese reggae documentary features Gladstone “Glady” Anderson, Lynn Taitt, U-Roy, Alton Ellis, Bob Andy, Stranger Cole, Shiburusu Leroy, Johnny Moore, John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, King Tubby, Carlton Manning, Stephen Stanley, Yellow Man, Cleveland “Kurivi” Brownies, Takatsu Yoshinao, and others.

Destination Jamaica AKA Rastafarian Dreams by George Tait AKA Jungle George (2004)

Destination Jamaica takes us on a journey back to the 1980’s when George left his home in Woodstock, Canada on the journey of a lifetime and fortunately for us he documented his journey on one of the first ever handheld camcorders available to the general public. George ended up staying in Jamaica for almost 20 years. The film takes us to the remote area of South Broughton, George documents his experiences while living with a local Rasta family ‘The Sommervilles’ to whom he later became lifelong friends.

Road Through The Blue Mountains by Barbara Blake Hannah (2002)

The Road Through The Blue Mountains, is both a figurative and literal route – one which exposes some of the purest locales in Jamaica, its natural history and culture. It is an almost spiritual excursion, in many ways the story of Blake Hannah’s experience living in the mountains, but also the story of the mountains, their residents and future.

Rastafari by James Ewart (2001)

A about Rastafari, featuring: Omaal Wright, Barry Shevannes, Yassus Afari, Barbara Blake-Hannah, Dawn White, Mortimo Planno, Mikey Beard, Ray Smith, Shakes Shankai. The Rastafari movement was founded upon the belief that the 1932 coronation of Haile Sellassie I of Ethiopia marked the second coming of Christ, a perception bolstered by the writings of Marcus Garvey. Present-day adherents in Kingston, Jamaica discuss its spiritual meaning as well the religious significance of reggae music, marijuana use and dreadlocks.

Kids Paradise by Barbara Blake Hannah (1996)

Kids Paradise is a childrens adventure made by Barbara Blake Hannah in 1996. This screening is ‘Shasta Runs Away’ – a stressed young fashion model runs away from the hotel where she is to perform, and her brothers get help from some boys to find her. As a reward the brothers invite the boys to stay at their home in Negril, where they have another crime-solving adventure.

Rastafarians of Jamaica by Aran Patinkin (1995)

Jamaican Rastas believe themselves to be the only authentic carriers of the Hebrew spirit and the Jewish destiny. Like the Jews, they felt the bitterness of exile, they suffered the terrible effects of racial prejudice and cultural alienation and they, too, yearn to return to their Zion – Ethiopia. They also have a messiah, the Emperor Haile Selassie, whom they believe to be a direct descendant of the holy union between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. The film displays the unique Rasta rituals where they elevate themselves towards the divine with the help of reggae music and marijuana.

Journey Of The Lion by Fritz Baumann (1992)

Life in Jamaica for the Rastafrian Howard A. Trott and his children Irey and Makeba is a day-to-day struggle for survival. His only real hope of his faith in repatriation to Africa, the home of his forefathers, the “Land of the Lions”. Brother Howie has never left Jamaica. And then one day he suddenly receives a letter from his sister in London who he has not seen for thirty years. Her invitation entices him to commence a 6-month journey. The filmteam accompanied Brother Howie for half a year across three continents and documented his encounter with the land of his dreams: Africa.

Babylon by Franco Rosso (1981)

Babylon is a gritty, neorealist account of the lives of a group of West Indian youths living in London. Unlike most films about reggae music and culture, Babylon doesn’t explore the sunny side of Jamaican life or West Indian gangland culture; instead, it looks at how the implicit radicalism of reggae mirrored political and social concerns in the urban areas outside Jamaica where the music was so enthusiastically embraced.

About Jamaica’s 2010 Reggae Film Festival

The Jamaica Film Academy founded the Reggae Film Festival in 2008. The 2010 Reggae Film Festival is produced by a Planning Committee led by film maker and film festival organizer Barbara Blake Hannah. She said that since the first Reggae Film Festival in 2008, there have been many spinoffs, with festival films being invited to international events and winning awards, but these all have served to achieve the Jamaica Film Academy’s main objective: to promote Jamaican film culture and increase opportunities for Jamaican film makers.

Blake-Hannah, who presented Jamaica’s first film festival in 1974 and has produced several more since, has been a guest of international film festivals in Venice, Cuba, Iraq, and Cannes. She is also producer/director of several films and worked on film productions including “The Harder They Come”, “A High Wind in Jamaica” and “Kla$h”. She and British film archivist Peter Gittins of Reggae Films UK conceptualized the first Reggae Film Festival in 2007 as a special event with private sector support. Mrs. Hannah continued developing the idea while working as Consultant to the Minister of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports on various projects including the planning and procedures for the first Reggae Month in 2008, into which the Reggae Film Festival was eventually incorporated with some government support.

The Jamaica Film Academy’s aim is to see the Reggae Film Festival become an annual date in Jamaica’s events calendar that will provide Jamaican films with the needed international exposure that they deserve. Four different films have been made as a direct result of its first event in 2008 and two films premiered at the Reggae Film Festival 2009 have won international awards, evidence of just how important this event is.

The Jamaica Film Academy invites members of the Jamaican film industry and local businesses to help the Reggae Film Festival grow bigger and better. Further information on the REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2010 @ HILTON KINGSTON can be had at the official Reggae Film Festival website at www.jamaicafilmacademy.org.

The organizers are interested in hearing from anyone who would like to support or collaborate with the Reggae Film Festival. If this sounds like you, get in touch with them via their website at www.reggaefilmfestival.com. You can also contact jamediapro@hotmail.com
for more information.

Travel to Jamaica’s 2010 Reggae Film Festival

Every evening of the 2010 Reggae Film Festival promises sightings of famous reggae stars, film makers, and directors on the Hilton Kingston’s red carpet. Every evening’s screening will be followed by after parties featuring homegrown reggae, ska, dancehall, and rockers.

The Hilton Kingston in Jamaica is offering the following special packages of room and board for travelers interested in attending the 2010 Reggae Film Festival in Kingston, Jamaica.

For reservations for the Reggae Film festival, email info@jamaicafilmacademy.org or call the HILTON-KINGSTON Hotel at 876-926-5430.

Room Only (w. Continental Breakfast)

• Garden Room – US$85.00 per person, p .n.
• Tower Room – US$105.00 per person, p.n.
• Executive Club – US$165.00 per person, p.n.

Reggae Film Festival Package A:

• Garden Room – US$350 (Single) US$380 (Double)
• Tower Room – US$410 (Single) $460

Includes:

• 4 Days/3 Nights Accommodations as Selected
• Breakfast Daily
• Access to 3 Film Festival Screenings
• 2 Lunchtime Film Programmes
• VIP Invitation to Official Welcome Party & Opening Night Reception, Awards Presentation
• 2 VIP Passes to all Reggae Film Festival After Parties
• Day Tour to: Port Royal, Bob Marley Museum, or Blue Mountains (Picnic Basket by request)
• Optional Airport Meet and Greet and Private Car Transfers to and from the Airport
• Expert Travel & Concierge Services of the HILTON KINGSTON At-Your-Service Desk™

Reggae Film Festival Package B:

• Garden Room – US$280 (Single) US$330 (Double)
• Tower Room – US$320 (Single); US$370 (Double)

Includes:

• 3 Days/2 Nights Accommodations as Selected
• Breakfast Daily
• Access to 2 Film Festival Screenings, 1 Lunchtime Film Programme
• VIP Invitation to Opening Night Reception, Awards Presentation
• 2 VIP Passes to all Reggae Film Festival After Parties
• Day Tour to: Bob Marley Museum, Blue Mountains (Picnic Basket by request)
• Optional Airport Meet and Greet and Private Car Transfers to and from the Airport
• Expert Travel & Concierge Services of the HILTON KINGSTON At-Your-Service Desk™

Reggae Film Festival Package C:

• Garden Room – US$120 (Single); US$150 (Double)
• Tower Room – US$150 (Single) US$175 (Double)
• Executive Club – US$ 210 (Single) US$220 (Double)

Includes:

• Overnight Accommodation – 1 Night
• Continental Breakfast
• Access to 1 Film Festival Screening, 1 Lunchtime Film Programme
• VIP Invitation to Opening Night Reception or Awards Presentation (as per night selected)
• 2 VIP Passes to Reggae Film Festival Opening Reception/ After Party/Awards Presentation
• Optional Airport Meet and Greet and Private Car Transfer to and from the Airport
• Expert Travel & Concierge Services of the HILTON KINGSTON At-Your-Service Desk™

The Hilton is also offering the following add-ons and possible options for attendees of the 2010 Reggae Film Festival:

• Extra Nights
• Room Upgrades
• Reduced price for additional Ticket
• Additional Tours
• Daily Car & Driver Rental

Julian Marley’s New Zealand debut was described by reviewers as “inspired.” He delivered with a ‘charismatic stage presence’ and Shaggy ’shook the stadium’. Steel Pulse and Sly & Robbie showed New Zealand why they are reggae legends and Sean Kingston’s pop reggae was be a ‘hot’ hit with the younger audience members. Kiwi bands Katchafire, Sola Rosa with Iva Lamkum, House of Shem and Sweet & Irie showed the rest of the world the results of a national interest in dub reggae with their modern stylings. Headliner Lauryn Hill’s performance was described as ‘divine.’

Wyclef Jean made an on-screen appearance to talk about his experience of the Haiti earthquake and his proposed performance at New Zealand Raggamuffin 2011.

General Manager of Event Venues Rotorua Peter McLoud said:

Raggamuffin 2010 again reinforced Rotorua’s standing as the reggae capital of New Zealand. Raggamuffin not only brings a significant economic boost to the city but also creates an exciting and vibrant atmosphere for visitors and locals alike. Rotorua continues to extend the spirit of Manaakitanga to our thousands of Raggamuffin visitors.

The goodwill went beyond the reggae fans, performers, and town of Rotorua: the Red Cross collected $8300 for Haiti on show day. Currently supplying Field Hospitals, Mobile Health Care units, Rescue Units, communications, and 500,000 litres of water per day, every cent (100%) donated to the Red Cross goes where it’s needed as there are no deductions for admin costs. $6250 was also collected via online donations for the Samoan relief fund. The Good Water Project donated 10% of bottled water retail sales to the Sir Peter Blake Trust to support environmental education programs in New Zealand.

With alcohol banned, it was also an incredibly peaceful event, as reported by the festival’s organizers:

Thanks to all who attended Raggamuffin 2010 – you were the best crowd ever.
You may have noticed the shows reviews mention that there were NO police arrests in the stadium during the show. As much as the media tends to like to report otherwise, this makes the Raggamuffin crowd the BEST bunch of people at any large outdoor show probably in the last few years (but we knew that already aye!)!

Much respect to you all.
One Arohanui – from the team at Raggamuffin

For more information about the Raggamuffin reggae festival please see – www.raggamuffin.co.nz

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is presenting a film festival dedicated to the history of dub and reggae! From Kingston to Brixton, rocksteady to reggae, roots to revolution – the heat is on. Deeply embracing social justice, politics and sonic experimentation, ACMI’s series explores the streets, identities, roots and impact of reggae’s dynamic and influential musical form.

The series is curated by Lisa Palermo, Kate Welsman & Richard Sowada and runs from Friday 22 January until Sunday 31 January 2010.

ACMI is also hosting some of Melbourne, Australia’s best local roots, reggae, and dub bands and DJs at free reggae performances at ACMI Lounge and in The Cube.

Film tickets are full $13, concession $10 (sorry, I’m a stupid American so I don’t understand the difference!)

Remaining shows include:

Friday, January 29

• Rockers at 7pm – Experience the streets of Kingston with Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace and a cast of reggae greats.
• Made In Jamaica at 9pm – This acclaimed documentary is a comprehensive examination of the impact of reggae and its culture.

Saturday, January 30

• Heartical HiFi performs live music – 7pm – 8.30pm at The Cube (free)
• RiseUp at 530pm – A dramatic tale following three Jamaican musicians trying to break out and through against the odds.
• The Upsetter – at 9pm – This acclaimed documentary pulls no punches in exploring the musical career of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

Sunday, January 31

• Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska + Babylon at 4pm – This hard-nosed classic UK cult film goes beyond great music and into the gritty streets of Brixton.
• Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae at 7.30pm – This lovingly crafted documentary examines the movement that spawned a musical revolution.

Get more information and your tickets at http://www.acmi.net.au/yard_on_film.aspx.

• Buy any 4 CDs for £20
• Buy any 10 CDs for £40
• Buy any 14 CDs for £50

This offer includes the critically acclaimed brand new CD from Pama Intl, Outernational, featuring Lynval & Horace from The Specials)! Critics are digging this latest work from Pama:

“Pama Intl continue their inexorable rise” ****  Mojo

“hook-filled, vintage rocksteady spiked with soul” Q

Check out the Rockers Revolt online shop now, before the sale ends.

All orders also require shipping and handling fees. For overseas orders please email enquiries@rockersrevolt.com for prices. Payment is by Paypal only. Send payment via paypal to enquiries@rockersrevolt.com. Please remember to include:

• Your name
• Your mailing address
• What CDs you’d like to purchase

You can choose from dub and reggae hits including:

• Charlie Chaplin – DJ Roll Call (Ras)
• The Clash – London Calling
• Easy Star All-stars – Dub Side of The Moon
• Easy Star All-stars – Radiodread
• I Jah Man – Are We a Warrior (Island Records)
• Mungos Hi Fi – Sound System Champions (Rockers Revolt)
• Pama Intl – Float Like A Butterfly (Do The Dog)
• Pama Intl - Highrise Campaign (Rockers Revolt)
• Pama Intl - Outernational (Rockers Revolt)
• Pama Intl - Love Filled Dub Band (Rockers Revolt)
• The Pietasters – All Day (Rockers Revolt)
• Ed Rome – A Life In Minutes (Rockers Revolt)
• The Slackers – Boss Harmony Sessions (Rockers Revolt)
• Toots & The Maytals – Funky Kingston (Island Records)
• Topcats – Mr.Donkey Paradise
• Yellowman – New York (Ras)

Rockers Revolt is also offering these compilation albums:

Is It Rolling Bob? Reggae Tribute To Bob Dylan (Trojan)
ft. Gregory Isaacs, Mighty Diamonds, Toots, Beres Hammond, Michael Rose, Bob Dylan & more

Sucka Punch (Trojan)
19 tracks ft. Big Youth, Dennis Alcapone, Harry J, Upsetters, Derrick Morgan, Aggrovators & more

Tighten Up Vol. 5 (Trojan)
25 tracks ft. Clancy Eccles, Delroy Wilson, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Maytals, Judy Mowatt, Dynamites & more

Trojan DJ Box Set (triple CD) (Trojan)
50 tracks ft. I Roy, King Stitt, U Roy, Big Youth, Scotty, Dennis Alcapone, Winston Williams, Dave Barker & more

Trojan Jamaican R&B Box Set (triple CD) (Trojan)
50 tracks ft. Laurel Aitken, Blues Busters, Theo Beckford, Rick, Owen Grey, Derrick Morgan, Roland Alphonso & more

Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set (triple CD) (Trojan)
50 tracks ft. Prince Far I, Joe Gibbs, Max Romeo, Ken Boothe, Augustus Pablo, Jackie Edwards, Upsetters,
Jackie Mittoo & more

Trojan Roots Box Set (triple CD) (Trojan)
50 tracks ft. Abbyssinians, Peter Tosh, Mighty Diamonds, Heptones, Ethiopians, Johny Osbourne, Horace Andy & more

You can also get several free Pama Intl MP3 downloads while you’re there.

The Baja-born singer won the 2008 Grammy for her collaboration with Jay-Z on the single Umbrella and has been nominated for several rap and pop Grammys since then. Now she’s returning to her Caribbean roots with a cover of the classic Bob Marley song.

Rihanna has released the track on iTunes and all profits from sales will benefit the people of Haiti.

On The Oprah Winfrey Show, Rihana explained that:

This song for me, growing up, anytime there was a difficult situation, I always listened to this song because it was so liberating. Even now I listen to it when my back is up against the wall. I feel like the people of Haiti need to hear something inspiring.

Rihanna continued her fund-raising tour with performances at George Clooney’s Hope for Haiti Charity Telethon on Friday January 22 in Los Angeles, California. The telethon also featured Caribbean star Wyclef Jean and CNN reporter Anderson Cooper broadcasting live from Haiti.

Rihanna has been a subject of The Oprah Winfrey Show before, most notably in early March 2009, when Oprah urged her to take caution in her relationship with abusive boyfriend Chris Brown:

Chris Brown and Rihanna, if I was your friend, I would call you up and I would say, ‘Give it some time, get yourself some counseling, take care of yourself.’ Heal yourself first.’

Rihanna has also won several American Music Awards and was nominated for a 2010 Grammy award 2010 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for Run This Town along with co-creators Jay-Z and Kanye West. Umbrella was also remixed into a reggae version with additional vocals from Collie Buddz.

Within a week, the community has raised over $150,000 for the fund.

Donations of cruises, an upgrade auction and matching funds all were contributed by the cruise companies as pledges came pouring in with record dollars in a matter of a few hours. “We are reaching out to all LGBT organizations and individuals to become part of this relief fund effort and get the word out everywhere,” said Judy Dlugacz, President and founder of Olivia Companies, a lesbian-oriented vacation company. “If we all work together we can provide enormous support to the Haiti relief efforts.”

“Over the last week we have seen a wonderful broadening of this initiative within our community,” stated Claire Lucas, an international development expert and a well known community activist and political fundraiser who worked with the American Red Cross to set up the fund. This effort began with the LGBT cruise companies and has quickly expanded to include other organizations and individuals. “Just this morning, three very diverse LGBT groups approached us to join the initiative; The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission based in New York, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center/Pride Center representing Southern Florida and a donor-directed community fund at the Alaska Community Foundation.”

“We are inspired to see so many groups coming together to help earthquake survivors in Haiti,” says Nan Buzard, Sr. Director of International Response and Programs for the American Red Cross. “The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community has done an outstanding job of raising funds to support the American Red Cross’s relief work in Haiti.”

Cary Alan Johnson, Executive Director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, stated, “The LGBT community has a long tradition of mobilizing quickly to respond to crisis. We are proud that so many business leaders in our community have come forward to assist the people of Haiti in this time of great need.”

Lucas added, “While we have received over 1,300 donations totaling over $150,000 as of today, the actual donations have only just begun and we predict there will be a colossal response to this historic endeavor.”

Mark Bromley, of The Council for Global Equality, a non-profit organization that encourages a stronger voice on LGBT human rights concerns said, “We are urging all members of the LGBT community and their friends to donate to the American Red Cross LGBT Haiti Relief Fund to help the people of Haiti. Our community sends its deepest compassion and support to the people of Haiti and we will speak as one voice to show that support.”

To contribute to the fund, visit: http://american.redcross.org/LGBT-pub

For interviews and more information about the American Red Cross LGBT Haiti Relief please contact Andrea Burnett andrea@andreaburnett.com or 650.207.0917.