The history of Jamaican pop music will be told in a novel way during Reggae Genealogy, an event that takes place on February 2 in South Florida.

It is organised by Island SPACE Caribbean Museum based in the Broward Mall.

The north-east parking lot at Broward Mall in Plantation will transform into a vibrant venue in celebration of Reggae Month.

David Muir, co-founder and director of that facility, says patrons will learn about the evolution of reggae while artistes perform. Those acts include ska singer Eric “Monty” Morris; The Original Maytals Band representing rocksteady; reggae singers Ernie Smith, Wayne Armond, and Ambelique; dancehall act Shuga; EDM artiste/producer Walshy Fire; and the Carimer Theater Company, a creative dance group.

“The premise of Reggae Genealogy is to present a live celebration of the legacy of Jamaican music, the genres our music has inspired, and the creators of our various genres over the years. We transform the parking lot at Broward Mall into a concert venue and play an anthology of hits from across the decades, with cameos by the hitmakers along the way,” Muir told the Jamaica Observer.

“We’re hoping to reach reggae music lovers from every background, whether Caribbean, European, South American, African, Asian, American, or otherwise,” he said.

Organisers will also present Lifetime Achievement Awards to three music industry stalwarts — the Inner Circle band, singer Wayne Wonder, and producer Donovan Germain.

Reggae Genealogy kicks off Reggae Month activities in South Florida, home to one of the largest Jamaican communities in the United States. Other events are Rastafari Day on February 15 and Praise On The Green Gospel Extravaganza eight days later.

Muir and fellow Jamaican Calibe Thompson launched Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in October 2020 at Broward Mall to showcase the region’s culture. Due to COVID-19, there was little activity there initially, but the venue has attracted enthusiastic audiences since relaunching in April 2023.

— Howard Campbell