Reggae music fans will absolutely adore this event, featuring great musical acts, craft stalls, and authentic Jamaican cuisine.
Bob Marley embodies reggae. His music can be found everywhere from college dorm rooms to beach cafes.
Jamaican Food
Food of Jamaica is an integral part of its culture and identity. Jamaicans are famous for combining many ingredients into one delicious dish, creating dishes rich in flavor. Much of Jamaica’s cuisine owes itself to being an island – many ingredients used come directly from local farms or fishermen.
Jamaica is most widely known for its delicious cuisine, such as jerk chicken flavored with spices like scotch bonnet peppers and allspice. Curried goat, mutton or chicken dishes are also immensely popular, along with national staples like Ackee and Saltfish which consists of boiling and sauteing Ackee (fruit) with onions, tomatoes and saltfish – an everyday dish found at many Jamaican restaurants.
Ackee and saltfish is not only delicious, but it has health advantages as well. Other popular snacks in Jamaica are fried plantains (bananas), cassava cakes, coconut drops and soursop ice cream. Jamaicans also love sipping rum punch made with Wray and Nephew white overproof rum, Appleton rum and fruit juice!
At any festival in Jamaica, music plays an integral role. At a music and food festival in Jamaica, you’re likely to hear reggae, dancehall and ska – musical genres known for their catchy rhythms that get people moving. Many Jamaican bands add extra flare with an element of swagger or attitude that puts more sway in your step!
The Four Roses Bourbon Kentucky Reggae Festival is an inclusive family-friendly event that celebrates Jamaican culture at its best. Enjoy authentic Jamaican cuisine from vendors such as A Piece of Jamaica Grill and find unique items at the Caribbean Vendor Market; as well as being charmed by soulful live reggae music – it will certainly lift your spirits! Join us this March, as the Four Roses Bourbon Kentucky Reggae Festival brings all these elements together for one great event that offers music, cuisine, culture and sounds from Jamaica – everything under one roof!
Jamaican Music
Reggae music culture is an integral component of this festival. Beyond simply beats and rhymes, reggae carries with it an important message about social justice – its lyrics often highlight issues related to socioeconomic inequalities or institutional racism.
Jamaican music’s history is an engaging tale, reflecting a mixture of African and British influences in both performance modes and rhythmic impulses, scale patterns, harmonic concepts, verse/chorus song types. Reggae stands out as its own genre because of this blend.
Before the 1950s, most Jamaican residents received their musical entertainment either from live performances or radio recordings. With the establishment of Jamaica’s national radio station in 1950 came an increase in British and American songs that became staples on Jamaican popular music playlists. Sound systems began popping up throughout ghetto neighborhoods during this time, offering musicians a platform from which to perform while residents danced or socialized nearby; powered by huge speakers/amplifiers controlled by selectors/DJs who also added their unique twist on popular tracks played from radio recordings or concerts.
Sound systems were instrumental in changing Jamaican society by providing citizens from different classes the chance to come together in one space and enjoy music from across genres. Furthermore, these sound systems offered local artists a platform to showcase their talent and build audiences, as well as encouraging the creation of new musical genres including reggae.
Reggae first emerged during the 1960s and 70s as an unruly genre, coinciding with Jamaica’s near civil war situation at that time, which greatly influenced both tone and lyrics of Jamaican music. Artists such as Desmond Dekker, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Toots and the Maytals released songs that expressed this political climate and highlighted Rastafarianism; its beats fused together ska, rocksteady, mento with traditional Jamaican elements such as Mento shuffle and Buru/Nyabinghi drumming rhythms for added authenticity.
Craft Vendors
Reggae music has had an incredible global impact, drawing people together through its infectious beats. Its message of unity and positivity resonates deeply. This festival offers an extraordinary cultural experience with world-class artists such as Marcia Griffiths, Brigadier Jerry and Nadine Southerland; Caribbean food vendors and craft sellers; plus amazing vibes!
Craft Vendors must specialize in selling handcrafted items such as jewelry, art, clothing and home decor made by hand; commercial products may be used to accentuate their product, but 75% of their selling price must come from handcrafting alone. To learn more about becoming a craft vendor please see Attachment 2.
Event production by 3S Artspace/Atlantic Media will be supported by several sponsors and partners including Black Lives Matter Seacoast, Business Association for People of Color, Canterbury Shaker Village, Community Justice Center, Manchester City Government, Currier Museum of Art/National Institute of Social Justice/New Hope Baptist Church/PMAC Rachel One Love/Strawberry Banke Museum as well as Racial Unity Team of Exeter.
Family Fun
At this festival, children will have plenty of activities to keep themselves occupied and will love dancing to the rhythm of music, trying authentic Jamaican cuisine and taking in breathtaking mountain scenery. Additionally, this family-friendly event offers carnival rides, face painting and photo booths – something no other festival offers!
This festival presents an eclectic lineup of reggae artists. Influenced by traditional African, New Orleans jazz and rhythm and blues music styles; reggae has gained worldwide acceptance since its introduction, and continues to develop today. Reggae transcends ethnic boundaries while also serving as a means for political messages.
As the largest Caribbean cultural festival in North America, this unique event provides a wide variety of entertainment and cuisine. Highlights of the festival include live performances by artists such as Marcia Griffiths, Brigadier Jerry, Nadine Southerland, and Glen Washington; visitors can also indulge in Caribbean foods while shopping craft vendors.
Long Beach Reggae Music, Jerk & Food Festival (LBRMJFF) was designed as an annual family-oriented Caribbean and Latin American food and music event in Southern California. Since its inaugural event in 2008, its popularity has spread worldwide and provides Caribbean artists a platform to engage with their audience and fans.
Though many think of reggae as exclusively dancehall, its scope extends well beyond dancehall genre. At this year’s festival, attendees will experience music spanning from ska and rocksteady, dub, dancehall and jungle styles – including international acts such as Mad Professor, Richie Stephens and Masia One!
The Four Roses Bourbon Kentucky Reggae Festival offers an immersive cultural experience without leaving Louisville. Steel drums will transport you directly to Jamaica while delectable Jamaican food will transport your tastebuds away. Admission is free; to ensure a successful festival experience it is best to arrive early and beat out any potential crowds.