Major change for Reggae Month in five years — Terrelonge

With Reggae Month nearing a close, Alando Terrelonge, state minister in the culture ministry, is hopeful that within the next five years, the celebrations will have far-reaching impact across all 14 parishes.

"Reggae Month 2023 has taken on a new life. One of the things we have recognised is that we have to make sure that the activities are spread across the island, and in the next five years, it is likely we will see a major transformation inclusive of two- to three-night festivals and see the numbers coming out being significantly larger," Terrelonge told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Some of the major activities and events of Reggae Month, planned and endorsed in part by Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) and the entertainment ministry, included the weekly Reggae Wednesdays live shows in Kingston and Montego Bay, Remembering Dennis Brown, a memorial held at the National Heroes Park, Take It Easy at the Bob Marley Museum and Reggae Open University. There were also events in Miami, including Reggae Wednesdays South Florida, produced by Inner Circle.

"Each year we see growth and more visitors. At the event celebrating the life of Dennis Brown, there were persons from France, the United Kingdom and across the Caribbean region in attendance. Some of these persons are here up to the full four weeks because they know this is the birthplace of reggae and the icons. It is a big deal globally," the minister said. "Kingston is the designated Creative City of Music as declared by UNESCO, and in two to five years, people are going to see venues like the Festival Market Place [the craft market] and the pier improved."

Terrelonge is passionate about Reggae Month being a tourist attraction, and opined that with Jamaica as the Mecca of reggae music, he pledged to ensure the continuation of the expansion. He also expressed optimism that the activities will foster greater appreciation for local culture.

He said, "The music industry is part of Brand Jamaica and truth is, people, tourists and returning residents can go anywhere for sun, sea and sand, but they can only come here to get that good cultural mixture of the music, art and events, to feel the real reggae music and to get that dancehall experience."

London natives Everton and Felicia Watts gave the nod of approval to the efforts of JaRIA and their partners. However, they expressed mixed feelings about the annual Reggae Month celebrations.

The Watts said that visits to the island in February "have sort of become a tradition" to partake in the festivities, and while they have seen its evolution over the past five years, they realise it is not widely attended by the communities.

"We love Reggae Month and will continue to attend annually, and it has been an amazing experience. More persons should be coming out or travelling to the island for the purpose of seeing what the island has to offer through its music," Felicia offered.

They also shared that the music selectors booked to play at Reggae Month shows need to widen their knowledge of the genre, be mindful of their song selections, especially for events that are publicised as family-friendly, and "give more attention to reggae music instead of the other genres", the Watts said in unison.