For its 16th Tribute to Bob Marley, Festival Revisits Its “Roots”
(July 9, 2010—Wilmington, DE) The 16th Annual Peoples’ Festival, a Tribute to Bob Marley, is just around the corner, taking place from Noon to 10pm on July 31, 2010 at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington, Delaware. With a lineup that reflects an authentic roots reggae vibe, and gives a nod to reggae’s predecessors, ska and jazz as well as world music, the Peoples’ Festival (colloquially referred to as the Bob Marley Fest) offers a day full of fun in the sun for the whole family. Festival-goers can enjoy international food and drink, vendors of arts and crafts from around the world, a Children’s Village, a Bamboo Rain Hut and a Healing Garden and are invited to join the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble for a drum circle at Noon. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate.
Says festival co-founder Genny Pitts, “Queen Cedella Marley Booker was a Wilmington resident and a friend. When she challenged us in 1995 to honor Brother Bob in the city he once called home, we were thrilled to accept the challenge.” Bob Marley’s message of UNITY, ONE LOVE, EQUAL RIGHTS and JUSTICE FOR ALL is a core value of The Peoples’ Festival, and is embodied by the volunteers, vendors and artists that are engaged in the festival each year.
Following are descriptions of each performer taking part in this year’s festival. Interviews with co-founders and performers are available.
Midnite (midniteband.com) weaves the cultural lyrics of “old school” roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter. Roots Reggae – naked and raw – is an apt description for Midnite’s musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements. Midnite explodes in live performances with sets that often exceed 3 hours. Their vigorous, weighty sound, driven by the punchy bass lines creates a vibe that penetrates straight to the heart. These epic musical communions have earned Midnite an enormous following throughout the roots community. By breaking all the rules, Midnite is setting a new standard. Armed with a firm foundation in Jah Rastafari, their natural talents, and a strong and uncompromising musical vision, Midnite champions a unique sound that is on the cutting edge of modern roots music.
Taj Weekes and Adowa (tajandadowa.com) – Taj Weekes is an enigma… on the one hand deeply serious and intensely passionate about his worldviews and on the other hand a gentle and humble man with a quick and easy smile. Driven to inspire conscious thought and provoke discussion through his poignant poetry and lyrics, Weekes says, “I write from the heart and I speak about issues that move me. I believe that’s what really matters. “Make no mistake, this man means business and he is not afraid of telling it like he sees it. His unabashed views on the shared concerns of the world at large are stated with the certainty of a man who has seen and lived through much… a man with an acute awareness and empathy for others’ suffering. A sense of urgency underlies Weekes’ poignant poetry and lyrics as he appeals to both our intellects and our hearts to take heed, to wake up before it’s too late.
The Skatalites (skatalites.com) are the premier ska band from Jamaica. Officially formed in 1964 after playing in studios together all over Kingston, these musicians came together to perform live shows all over the island. In addition to the live shows, these musicians were the backing band for every vocalist including Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff,Toots and The Maytals, to name just a few. They are the roots to the tree whose branches include rocksteady, reggae, rap. dub, punk, two-tone, 3rd wave, ska-jazz, ska-core and ragga. Now in their 46th anniversary they continue to please crowds while spanning the globe year after year. The members now include: Lester Sterling, Lloyd Knibb, Doreen Shaffer, Azemebo, Vim Audu, Natty Frenchy, Kevin Batchelor, Val Douglas, Andrae Murchison, and Cameron Greenlee.
Xande Cruz (xandecruz.com) – Growing up in Sao Paulo, Xande has been profoundly influenced from the contrast of the urban and traditional, social injustice, and diversity found in South America’s largest city. His early inspiration was from listening to the sounds of Popular Brazilian Music (MPB) and later hip-hop and electronica in the late 80s when he relocated to New York. It was in New York that Xande commenced his project, the Batukis, as an Afro-Brazilian percussive based group, bringing the rhythms of Brazil to the US. Xande has performed as a percussionist with samba school, touring Japan and South Korea, as well as with Brazilian pop bands, African drum ensembles, dance troupes and theatrical productions.
Kirk Joseph (kirkjoseph.com), “master of the sousafunk,” has earned his seat at the table of New Orleans’ greatest musicians and will surely claim his place in music history as perhaps the greatest innovator of his instrument, the sousaphone. For most, a mention of the sousaphone conjures images of marching bands and drum cadences. But in the hands of Joseph, the instrument comes to life in ways that its namesake, John Phillip Sousa, could have hardly imagined. Kirk is now promoting his new album “Sousafunk Ave,” which features many special guests such as: Dr. John, Skerik, Bonerama, Donald Harrison, Charles Joseph and many others.
The Welfare Poets (welfarepoets.com) have written poetry/rhymes of protest and up-liftment, accompanied by congas (percussion), since the 1990s. A band was created from this union with the purpose of using culture as a tool of resistance, and in the summer of 2000, the group released their first independent album “Project Blues.” The group plays Hip Hop with a fusion of various styles from the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico, Cuba and Jamaica. Through teaching residencies and workshops, through activism around community struggles and through sharp-edged performances of music that incorporates Hip Hop, Bomba y Plena, Latin Jazz and other rhythms, the Welfare Poets bring information and inspiration to those facing oppression and those fighting for liberation.
King Chango (kingchango.com) – You say you like it RAW? You think you know what the New World Order is all about? Well you’ll wanna grab a seat ringside when New York’s Latin alternative ambassadors, King Chango, spice up the rock ‘n’ wrestling connection with The Return of El Santo! Led by irrepressible frontman Andrew Blanco, King Chango step into the ring in tribute to Mexico’s wrestling superstar, the masked warrior known as El Santo, with their first album in three years — and a sound so energetic and fresh we don’t need no little Chihuahua dog to sell it.
The Bullbuckers (bullbuckers.com) are a fusion of soul-searing and foot-stomping music – ska like you’ve never heard it (unless you were living in the Islands in the 60s), soul and a tinge of hip-hop. It’s an East Coast sound that has roots – and fans – ‘round the globe.
Spokey Speakey (spokeyspeaky.com) is a four piece band out of Wilmington, Delaware, that aims to spread the positive vibe of reggae through its soulful, high-energy performances. Playing a wide range of reggae classics from the old school to the new, the goal of the members of Spokey Speaky is to satisfy and entertain reggae fans, while enlightening those who may not have been exposed to the genre otherwise. With an emphasis on emotion and musicianship, Spokey Speaky delivers a live performance that refuses to be ignored and simply cannot be replicated.
Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble (unitycommunity.com/Universal_African_Dance_Ensemble.htm) – Many say this is the most spectacular performance of its kind they have ever seen in America. They are sensational, electrifying, exciting, amazing, powerful and educational. They are truly a representation of the beauty of African culture and most of all Family.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: The 16th Annual Peoples’ Festival, a Tribute to Bob Marley
WHEN: Saturday, July 31, 2010 from Noon to 10pm
WHERE: Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, Wilmington, Delaware, 19801
COST: $15 advance; $20 at the door
INFO: www.peoplesfestival.com
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