Reggae music fans are in for a treat on July 26 when Central Park Summerstage showcases the only reggae concert of their 2014 season at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park.
While the diverse and largest, free festival in New York City is slated to offer 105 performing arts events from June to August this year, Caribbean music gets a singular afternoon to show-off a few of its best.
Grammy winning, Jamaican reggae artists Junior “One Blood” Reid and Chonixx are the top billing names for the concert.
And fans of the genre will have more than a few reasons to revel at the cultural, midsummer free fete.
For starters there is no entrance fee to see Chronixx, one of Jamaica’s top reggae acts.
And with birds chirping their own melody among the trees in Manhattan’s best-known recreational space, a forecast of less than 96 degrees in the shade; easy access to public transportation, the bonus comes with the fact Chronixx will headline the four-hour reggae-fest on the 122nd birthday anniversary of HIM Haile Selassie, the spiritual leader of Rastafarians and perhaps the most revered Ethiopian emperor of a multitude of reggae music lovers.
Riding high from a blowout performance in Montego Bay, Jamaica last Friday at Reggae Sumfest, the 22-year-old Chronixx is the newest star to brighten the reggae galaxy.
Already here to jumpstart his Manhattan appearance, he arrived early for an appearance on late night TV on Tuesday on the Tonight Show. For that date, the acclaimed roots reggae singer backed by his Zinc Fence Redemption Band previewed the Saturday date in the park.
Hosted by Jimmy Fallon, the entertainment television show promoted the final U.S. dates but also enabled viewers to sample music from the talent who is being buzzed as the hottest reggae name on the horizon.
Saturday will also mark the conclusion of the Dread and Terrible Tour which kicked off an east coast series of concerts in the USA on May 25.
Following the New York date, Chronixx will begin the European leg of his tour, which is booked for summer festivals there through September.
Reportedly, Chronixx will perform in Belgium, Germany, France, Croatia, Switzerland, The United Kingdom, Slovenia, Poland, Spain, Slovakia, Norway and Denmark.
Also slated to perform are an amalgam of local entertainers comprising the seven-year-old movement known as Rice and Peas. LargeUp Foundation founded by DJ Gravy, and the silent killer Orijahnal Vibez are expected to warm up the crowd by providing opening narration from Micro Don. From East Flatbush, Badman will represent.
Showtime is 3:00 p.m. Central Park and 72nd St. is the location of the Rumsey Playfield.
For more information, visit www.summerstage.org.
