DUE to less than enthusiastic response to International Reggae Day (IRD) in Jamaica, conceptualiser Andrea Davis is looking to develop global partnerships like this years when celebrations focussed on the United Kingdom and its role in the growth of reggae.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Davis said Jamaicans take reggae music for granted, hence the lukewarm response to the 24-year-old IRD.

“I see where resources are put into developing other creative expressions and reggae always seems to be at the back end. But the truth is reggae music is bigger than Jamaica, so we have to find the right combination of partnership and sponsorship to truly make this thing work.”

“Having had such a poor response to developing IRD locally, the plan going into 2018 was really to spend more time developing the event overseas. So we are really looking forward to building a partnership with persons in Durban, South Africa, to develop a festival for International Reggae Day,” she continued.

Davis noted that from all reports, activities in the UK, where the lion’s share of activities were centred, went very well and continued into Tuesday. Events included a photo exhibit on Women in Reggae; a seminar on music industry income streams and royalties; as well as two jam sessions — all held at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Davis pointed to similar successes in Taiwan, Singapore and New York. The last was hosted by Addis and Isis Pablo, children of reggae legend Augustus Pablo.

Despite eyeing overseas partnerships, Davis and her team have not given up on Jamaica.

“We remain open to Jamaica, but we know it cannot happen without the requisite partnerships and sponsors. We have a very flexible blueprint for IRD and, therefore, are open to ideas. One of the projects we are still looking at is the Kingston Summer Festival, to build out the festival concept of the observation in a true sense. We are happy that Boardwalk Beach came on board this year and are happy for the persons who supported that event and look to other venues across the island coming on board in the future.”

The Boardwalk Beach event refers to party series Beach Lime, which was held in Portmore, St Catherine, on Sunday.