Sat 5/28 @ noon
Reggae Fest returns to downtown Cleveland, this year to Voinovich Park on East 9th Street behind the Rock Hall and overlooking the lake. If the weather’s nice it’s the perfect location to kick off the summery with this most summery of music, languid Jamaican reggae.
The lineup features five international, national and local artists, kicking off at noon with Columbus’ long-running Ark Band, founded by Terry and Eustace Bobb, a pair of brothers from St. Lucia and fronted by a vocalist from Sierra Leone. They’re followed at 2pm by another Columbus Band, roots reggae-style band the Flex Crew. Mighty Mystic, aka Kevin Holness, a Jamaican born artist living in Massachusetts, follows at 4pm; British singer/toaster Pato Banton, who came to prominence during the 1980s British “two tone” movement performing with Ranking Roger of the English Beat, performs at 6pm.
Headlining the event at 8pm is Cleveland’s own popular reggae band Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S Band, who have been heating up summers in northeast Ohio since the mid 90s. They’ll be celebrating the release of their latest album, A New Day, which they largely recorded during the pandemic and held for release until they could share it with fans. It features ten of their newer tunes, including many that have become fan favorites at their live performances.
There will be food trucks, craft beer and wine for purchase; no outside food is permitted. But you may bring chairs and blankets if you’re not planning on dancing for ten straight hours — and some people probably will!!
Tickets are $35. To get them go here.
2 Responses to “Cleveland Reggae Fest Launches Summer at Voinovich Park”
Michell Farrow
Is there an age restriction for the Cleveland Reggae Fest?
Anastasia Pantsios
Not that I know of. Should be family-friendly as long as you don’t mind what they’re smoking!