NEW YORK, N.Y. – The count down has begun to “Jamaica’s Greatest, The World’s Best,” reggae festival this summer, as organizers put the final touches on this year’s 14th annual Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, set for July 16-22 in ‘Vibe’s City’ Montego Bay, Jamaica.
If you haven’t booked yet, then the time is now, says Marketing Director of Summerfest Productions, Jomo Cato, as flights and hotels are going fast.
“Hotel rooms in Montego Bay are really fully booked, but we are making arrangements for accommodations just outside of town,” Cato disclosed. “We are also encouraging persons to stay in Negril, a 40-minute drive, and in Runaway Bay.”
Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest’s incredible line-up has fans buzzing as reggae and hip-hop collide in one city, on one stage. Nowhere else this summer will music fans be able to see top Grammy-winning acts like 50 Cent & the G-Unit, featuring Lloyd Banks & Tony A-yo performing on the same stage as reggae’s Lady Saw, Sizzla or Mr. Vegas.
Nor will they be able to catch multiple Grammy winner, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Rihanna, Beres Hammond or Buju Banton together at one show.
The party gets underway on Sunday, July 16th with the all new free Vibe Island Beach Party, featuring Jamaica’s hottest selectors and the “Reggae on the Runway’ fashion segment.
‘Mad Monday’s Mobay’ follows on Monday July 17th. Staged in partnership with the Hip Strip community, this event will feature an arts and craft street fair, cuisine sampling from hip strip restaurants and music from Jamaica’s biggest sound systems.
Sumfest continues on Wednesday, July 19, with the staging of the “Top Ranking” show that will highlight some of the best years of dancehall music, with dancehall’s Yellow Man set to receive a lifetime achievement awards along with and reggae’s John Holt. Holt will perform at the Summit, the show’s final night, along with Leroy Sibles.
‘Stormfront – the explosive dancehall night,’ featuring the likes of Beenie Man and Bounti Killa, follows on Thursday night, July 20 while the ‘Ignition’ concert with 50 Cent among others, is set for Friday July 21.
“Red Stripe is responsible for bringing 50 Cent to Jamaica for Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest,” Redwood stated. “Our decision to push for his inclusion in the line up this year grew out of our commitment to make this reggae show, the world’s greatest and Jamaica’s best. We thought that by including the rap star, who many Jamaicans admire and love, would only add to the explosive talent at this years showing.”
Sumfest 2006 will climax with ‘The Summit’ on July 22, with Jr. Gong and Rihanna among those helping to bring the curtains down on what is destined to be another incredible show.
Key sponsors this year include Red Stripe, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Air Jamaica, Digicel and Ocean Spray as well as media partners, the Jamaica Observer, CVM TV and Fame FM.
For travel packages and more information, log on to www.reggaesumfest.com. Fans will be able to get tickets across the island and at the airport from July 3rd.
The 2006 line-up is follows:
Sunday July 16th – Vibes Island – Tropical Beach – Kurt Riley, Coppershot, DJ Liquid, Pure Playas, 3rd Degree, Pieces – US$9 (J$600)
Monday July 17th – Mad Monday Mobay – Hip Strip – featuring Swatch International, Fire Links, Pieces and Pure Playas – Free
Wednesday July 19th – Top Ranking – Pier 1 – with John Holt, Gregory Isaacs, Yellowman, Admiral Bailey, General Trees, Pinchers, Frankie Paul, Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales, Peter Metro, Courtney Melody, Flourgon and Pam Hall with Lloyd Parkes & The We The People Band. – – US$16-19 (J$1,000 Presold / $1,200 at Gate)
Thursday July 20th – Stormfront – The Explosive Dancehall Night – Main Venue – featuring: Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Capleton, Elephant Man, Cham, Chuck Fenda, Macka Diamond, Wayne Marshall, Busy Signal, Leftside & Esco, Voice Mail, Spice, Gyptian, Fantan Mojah, Natural Black, Little Hero, Black-er, Conrad, Crystal & Suga Roy and Aidonia – US$27 – 30 (J$1,800 Presold / $2,000 at Gate)
Friday July 21st – Ignition – Main Venue – With 50 Cent & G-Unit, featuring Lloyd Banks & Tony A-yo, Sizzla, Lady SawMase, Mr. Vegas, Richie Spice, Noddy Virtue, Andy Vernon and Jovi Rockwell – US$43- 45 (J$2,800Presold / $3,000 at Gate)
Saturday July 22nd – The Summit – Main Venue – featuring Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Beres Hammond, Rihanna, Buju Banton, Gentleman, Tarrus Riley and Leroy Sibles & John Holt – US$43- 45 (J$2,800/presold/J$3,000 at Gate)
