SOUTH FLORIDA – The South Florida Family Reggae Festival is seeking local artists for their upcoming South Florida Reggae Showcase. The showcase is part of the 2005 South Florida Family Reggae Festival scheduled to take place Sunday, October 30th at the Coconut Grove Convention Center in Miami.
This showcase is open to singers, bands, deejays, and dub poets whether or not they are signed to a record company. Artists chosen for the showcase will receive more than $1000.00 worth of valuable prizes (including studio time and equipment), be featured in the special souvenir magazine, and be given premium booth space in the Reggae Music Row vending area.
Artist Submission
Those interested in participating should submit a bio, photo, and 3 song CD to Family Reggae Festival, Inc.- 17068 SW 137th Court, Miami, Florida 33177. The deadline for submission is Friday, September 16, 2005. For more information you may send an email to [email protected].
Tribute to Clint O’Neil
The South Florida Reggae Showcase is meant to pay tribute to South Florida Reggae Pioneer Clint O’Neil. During his twenty-plus years on the air hosting WLRN’s Sounds of the Caribbean, the late disc jockey was the true champion of up and coming reggae artists. Fittingly, O’Neil has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the South Florida Reggae Pioneer Award.
Other key features of the festival will be a Caribbean Marketplace (for general vendors). Plus the official Reggae Music Row which will highlight the history of reggae in South Florida. And, the many musicians and reggae related businesses that are now based here. This event is being produced by Family Reggae Festivals, Inc. and Jamaica Awareness Inc. in association with various sponsors. General admission to the festival is free of charge. The closing concert, however, is a $20.00 per adult fundraiser with partial proceeds going toward hurricane relief.
The primary purpose of the Family Reggae Festival is to promote reggae as an expression of Caribbean culture. Our goal is support the industrial development of reggae music. Then use its resources to assist in the musical education of youth. In addition to improving the overall quality of life for the Caribbean people. Especially those who have been both the impetus and the inspiration for reggae music.
