Bob Marley celebrations start tomorrow

The life and work of reggae legend Bob Marley will take centre stage in Negril for four consecutive days, starting tomorrow, as the resort will host the annual birthday bash for the iconic musician, who was born on February 6, 1945.

"Negril is buzzing right now," said businessman Clive 'Cubba' Pringle, who had been staging the annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash in Negril for the past 20 years. "We are ready and raring to go. An unforgettable experience will be on offer."

The event, which is endorsed by the Bob Marley Foundation, will start with the customary beach party at the Negril Beach Park tomorrow.

On Monday night, the celebrations will move to MXIII Lawn for Culture Night, which will see the lighting of the 'Bob Marley Bonfire'.

Tuesday will see the first of two major concerts. This first concert, dubbed 'Tribute Night', will feature a blend of local and international artistes.

On Wednesday night, the day of Bob Marley's birthday, the curtain will come down with the King of Reggae Birthday Concert, which will be headlined by the legendary Bunny Wailer.

"We want to make this very special because the relevance of what Bob stood for is now more pronounced than at any other time," said Pringle. "It is good that we have Bob's colleagues Jah B (Bunny Wailer), Sister Marcia (Griffiths), and Sister Judy (Mowatt) here with us."

CULTURE NIGHT

Monday's activities, primarily drumming and chanting, will feature the likes of the award-winning Ras Tebah and the Son of Thunder, the African Descendant Drummers, the Caribbean Flava Steel Band, the Roaring River Drummers, the Nyahbinghi Chanters, and the Hot Steppa Cultural Group.
Tuesday will feature Raging Fyah, Droop Lion, Canadian jazz-reggae singer Robin Banks, Allie C, Tonya P, and Karbel; while on Wednesday night, renowned guitarist/singer Junior Marvin, who has not performed in Jamaica in 21 years, will perform along with Bunny Wailer and Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt.

During the celebrations, there will be a 'Mek A Jamaica' in Negril, which will have local artists displaying authentic Jamaican art and craft.

"With the 'Mek A Jamaica' campaign, we are making a statement about keeping the Jamaican art and craft experience authentic," said artist Ryan Morrison, the mastermind behind the project.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)