The Famous Face: King Yellowman

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Luciano “The Messenger” Closes MIRF’s Milestone Celebration

In preparing for its 10^th anniversary celebration the Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) is making huge efforts to appease loyal patrons. In so doing MIRF added Luciano to the Sunday night roster at the Old Port of Montreal, where the festivities roll out on August 16, 17 and 18.

Regrettably, in a surprising message, Takana Zion announced his inability to tour this summer and will not be appearing at MIRF 2013. Previously slated to perform on MIRF’s opening night, Takana Zion will leave no void, as Morgan Heritage, Chris Combette, Inword, Downtown Crew, Brian Art and Hawkeye are scheduled to kick off this significant MIRF staging on Friday August 16.

The previously announced workshop series will take place on August 14, 15 and 16 at O Patro VYS, 356 Mount Royal E; and admission is free. Workshops will commence on Wednesday, August 14 from 6:00 to 9:00pm with Hélène Lee presenting her film Le Premiere Rasta; discussing ‘The Origins of the Movement”. On August 15 from 6:00 to 9:00pm a second workshop will be led by Roger Steffens with a focus on “The Reggae World - Spreading Out” and on August 16 from 4:00 to 6:00pm Pharaoh Freeman and Hidden Colors will present “Empowering Our People" The value of a powerful self-image.

Saturday’s formerly released featured artists remain as: Ras Out, Dahlia, Tifa, Mr. Vegas, Kes The Band, Beenie Man and Shaggy; and on Sunday Luciano is back by popular demand. Known also as ‘The Messenger’ Luciano will join the headlining: Jah Cutta, Yellowman, Serani, Alaine, Coco Tea and Freddie McGregor to cap the three days of Reggae revelry.

Tickets are now on sale at:

Ticketpro.ca Tel: 514-790-1111 or 1-866-908-9090

Wednesday, August 14 – Workshop with Hélène Lee; at O Patro VYS

Free Admission – From 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Thursday, August 15 – Workshop with Roger Steffens; at O Patro VYS

Free Admission – From 6:00pm to 9:00pm

Friday, August 16 – Workshop with Pharaoh Freeman and Hidden Colors; at O Patro VYS

Free Admission – From 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Friday, August 16

Tickets: $10 Available only at the door

Gates open at 4:00pm Showtime: 5 :00pm to 11 :00pm

Friday August 16 - Sound Clash – at EB Club Lounge

Tickets : $20 in advance - more at the door

Doors Open at 10 :00pm and sound clash starts at 12 :00am

Saturday, August 17

Tickets $45 in advance; 60$ at the door

Gates Open at 2:00pm; Showtime: 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Saturday August 17 – Official After Party (Venue tbc)

Tickets $10 all night with weekend pass bracelet; $20 in advance and more at the door.

Sunday, August 18

Tickets: $45 in advance; 60$ at the door

Gates Open at 2:00pm; Showtime 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Weekend Pass

Tickets: $90 in advance; $110 at the door

The Weekend Pass includes all three days at the Old Port of Montreal and a discount at MIRF After Party.

Student Weekend pass

Tickets: $70 in advance - only with a valid student I.D. – Limited quantity available only at EB club Lounge.

VIP Pass

Tickets $250 Available only in advance.

VIP Passes include: All MIRF events that weekend; Sound Clash on Friday night; 3days at the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal; The After-Party on Saturday; A MIRF Souvenir and complimentary rum punch all day at the Old Port of Montreal.

For Information: www.montrealreggaefest.com; MIRF Tel: 514-482-7921

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

King of the Dancehall Beenie Man Joins Shaggy and Mr. Vegas at MIRF!

For ten years The Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) has been the biggest consistent offering of reggae culture in Canada; and in full celebratory mode MIRF has enhanced its programming to include workshops that will run on August 14, 15 and 16. The traditional three days of music ensue on August 16, 17 and 18 at the Old Port of Montreal.

In rounding out the complete roster of headlining artists for this 10^th anniversary, Friday night will also feature: Chris Combette, Inword and Downtown Crew. Originally from French Guyana, Chris Combette is famous for his rhythmic Antillien-African style. The multiple award winner boasts 2 French Guyanese Lindor awards and his most notable albums are, Dance Flora and Children of Goree. These artists will join Morgan Heritage, who was previously announced.

Labeled ‘King of the Dancehall’ Beenie Man augments the Saturday night line-up with his MIRF debut performance. Largely responsible for the international ascension of the dancehall genre, Beenie Man has been winner of 8 consecutive awards. His Grammy nominated album, Many Moods of Moses includes the globally applauded single, Who Am I. Currently one of Jamaica’s most celebrated female dancehall artists, Tifa is also slated to heat up the dancehall stage. The captivating performer has an impressive repertoire of chart topping hits including the street anthem Spell It Out. Hawkeye and Canadian based Ras Out and Dahlia will also join the previously publicized Dancehall Night headliners: Kes (The Band), Mr. Vegas and Shaggy.

Alaine will be a part of the stellar roster for MIRF’s closing night. The classically trained singer/songwriter made her mark in the reggae music industry with numerous hits including the single Love Sound, a collaboration with Beres Hammond that was featured on Sly and Robbie’s Grammy nominated Rhythm Doubles album. Montreal’s highly acclaimed, Jah Cutta, along with Visionary, Prestige and Bryan Art will also grace Sunday’s stage with the previously released artists: Coco Tea; Freddie McGregor and Yellowman.

Montreal’s Pharaoh Freeman and Hidden Colors will facilitate a workshop, focusing on the theme “Empowering Our People" The value of a powerful self-image.  They join the earlier revealed musicologist, Roger Steffens and filmmaker, Hélène Lee who will engage participants in interactive presentations on “The Reggae World: Spreading Out” and the movie “Le Premier Rasta” respectively.

Tickets are now on sale at: