QUEENS, NY – The anticipation is growing, as this Sunday, July 19 marks the 5th annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival at Roy Wilkins Park in New York. VP Records, who partners in the event, is turning up the heat with lots of activities for patrons to enjoy at the largest Caribbean food festival in New York.
Highlights for visitors will include the multi-media pop-up exhibit entitled A Reggae Music Journey, which celebrates the genre with historical memorabilia spanning over three decades. The exhibit features artwork by illustrator Michael Thompson and imagery by photographer Marlon “Ajamu” Myrie, Roy Sweetland, David I. Muir, Peter Simon and Ted Bafolukas. It chronicles the various eras of Jamaican music, featuring exclusive images of performers like Dennis Brown, Yellowman, Augustus Pablo, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Sean Paul and many more. The exhibit also added an installation dedicated to the late reggae icon Gregory Isaacs, since 2015 marks the 64th anniversary of his birth.
In addition, featured main stage performers Fab 5 will play a special tribute during their set at Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival to pay homage to “The Cool Ruler.” VP Records’ Riddim Driven will also launch a line of commemorative merchandise celebrating Isaacs’ legacy.
Other main stage performances this year include VP recording artists Romain Virgo and Carlene Davis as well as lover’s rock legend Sanchez. As a special added attraction, the legendary Jamaican producer King Jammy will perform a live dub session in support of his upcoming anthology Roots, Reality and Sleng Teng (out Jul 24).
Notable VP artist Jah Cure whose new album The Cure was released Friday, July 10, 2015 will be represented through an in-venue promotion with the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. One lucky consumer will win a “Jah Cure Experience” that includes all-inclusive package for two aboard the Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2015.
There will be plenty of food and family fun to partake in at this year’s Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival! www.jerkfestivalny.com
