History
Reggae Month was first held in February 2008, led by the Ministry of Culture in association with the Jamaican Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA). Reggae Month highlights Jamaica’s musical heritage on the country’s social, cultural and economic development. February is also Black History Month and both Bob Marley and Dennis Brown were born in February. The annual celebration has been a huge success, attracting on average 40,000 attendees each year. The goal of Reggae Month is to attract international acclaim for Jamaica as the reggae mecca of the world; enhance travel and tourism; and provide an educational platform of entertainment for all ages.
Activities
Reggae month mostly features a series of recurring events, such as:
· JaRIA Open University - a series of public discussions on all things reggae
· JaRIA Live - a weekly series presenting local renown and upcoming talents
· Reggae Wednesdays - a series of live concerts charting the evolution of reggae
· Vinyl thursdays - King Harar Sound with Exile the Brave and Little Briggy
· Reggae Mixer - weekly friday after-work jams
A detailed program of reggae month activities should not be expected months beforehand. The only thing you need to know is that, if you can travel to Jamaica in February, you should do it and head straight for Kingston. Reggae month really kicks off on Bob Marley's birthday, February 6. The place to be on this day is the Bob Marley museum on Hope Road. February 6, 2020 will be the celebration of Bob Marley's 75th birthday. Regarded by some as something of a tourist trap on most days of the year, the Bob Marley museum comes alive that day with nyabingi drummers in the morning and live shows during day time. On the days following Bob's birthday, there is a stage show in Trench Town and a free stage show at the waterfront Downtown Kingston.
