JAMAICA Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is knee-deep in its plan of activities for Reggae Month, celebrated in February.

Now in its the ninth year, JaRIA has been organising the events for the past eight.

Abishai Hoilett, chairman of JaRIA’s Reggae Month Committee, is pleased with the growth and development of the celebrations. This, he says, has been seen in the increased number of visitors to the island and the awareness that Jamaicans have for Reggae Month. He, however, emphasises that Reggae Month is a lot more than stage shows.

“Our first major public event is the Reggae University at the Edna Manley College on Tuesday (today). We want to take the conversation to the people on how we can grow reggae into a full-fledged industry… more that just stage shows and artistes. What Reggae University does is create the space in which stakeholders and the powers that be can come together and discuss some of the vital issues at hand. The discussions will focus on the Creative City Status granted to Kingston by UNESCO. We want to take an in-depth look at that, to not only see what it entails, but also what are the benefits which can be derived,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The panellists scheduled for this evening’s discussion are Gillian Wilkinson McDaniel of the Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment, Robert Hill of the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, Dr Kamau Kambui of the Urban Development Corporation, and JaRIA’s Chairman Ibo Cooper. The Reggae University will be held on Tuesdays and Thurdays in the Vera Moody Hall at the School of Music — Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in St Andrew. Thursday’s session will centre on foreign reggae acts outselling locals. Each session is slated to start at 6:30 pm.

Wednesday will see the start of the weekly public performances, Reggae Wednesday, at Mandela Park in the Heart of Half-Way-Tree.

“This week we are kicking off with with a mix of artistes. We start at 5:30 pm with the Akwaaba Drummers and then flow into acts including The Grace Thrillers, Half Pint, Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, and more. We will then close off the night with music from what I call two great sound systems — Stone Love with Wee Pow, and a team of disc jocks from BBC1 Xtra — including the legendary David Rodigan as well as Seanie B and Toddler T. Admission is free,” said Hoilett.

This weekend, JaRIA is devoting its celebration to observances relating to the 71st anniversary of the birth of reggae king Bob Marley. As a result, the events on the Reggae Month calendar are all things Marley. This comprises the One Love Music Festival in Montego Bay on Thursday and Friday; the celebrations at the Bob Marley Museum on Saturday (Marley’s actual birthday) and the Redemption Live Concert organised by telecommunications firm Digicel at Sabina Park on Sunday.