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 

                                                                          

Kes the Band News! KTBLIVE: The Concert Experience

Returning home in the midst of tours of the U.S. and Europe, Kes the Band will present #KBTLIVE The Concert on July 13, 2013 at O2 Park in Chaguaramas.

Designed as a one-day music festival, rather than your typical fete, #KTBLIVE The Concert is an afternoon show for youth, designed to allow the band’s fans to experience the Kes show they might have been otherwise unable to, due to time or location constraints. The concert follows the #KTBLIVE Career Sessions held at secondary schools around Trinidad, which saw the band visit each school and deliver a music workshop and discussion accompanied by a mini performance. It aimed to encourage more in Trinidad & Tobago's education system to get involved in music and pushed for the reintroduction of music development, facilities and the provision of music-learning opportunities in the classroom for young creatives.

#KTBLIVE The Concert will be held on Saturday, July 13, from 3pm-8pm at O2 Park (formerly Mobs 2) in Harts Cut, Chaguaramas. The concert will feature performances by Kes the Band coupled with guest performances by both established and emerging young acts, as well as other attractions on the grounds and information for those interested in pursuing their own music. "Going to different schools and sharing our life experiences was not only inspiring for the students, but for ourselves as well," said Kees Dieffenthaller, lead singer for Kes the Band.. "It reminded us of where it all began. #KTBLIVE The Concert gives us the chance to celebrate with this generation of thinkers, believers and dreamers. May they continue to be inspired to create change and progress." Doors open at 3pm. Early-Bird Tickets are available for $150 TT each.

Tickets can be purchased at locations around Trinidad or at the door on the day of the event. For all ticket locations please visit the Kes the Band Facebook page or website. Through a hashtag contest on social media platforms twitter and instagram fans will also have the opportunity to win VIP backstage passes and Limited Edition #KTBLIVE T-Shirts. Follow Kes The Band on Twitter and Facebook for more details.

We Are One - Montreal International Reggae Festival at 10!

For Immediate Release

Thursday June 6^th, 2013 – Montreal, PQ  Canada

For the past ten years the Montreal International Reggae Festival (MIRF) has been steadfast in generating unity through music and on August 16, 17 and 18, 2013, this reggae rocking tradition continues at the Old Port of Montreal. To mark this milestone, the festival will open up with a series of workshops to include: journalist, writer and director, Hélène Lee, who will present her film “Le premier rasta” that is based on the life of Leonard Percival Howell; and historian/musicologist, Roger Steffans, well known for his fascinating presentations on Bob Marley.

Since its beginnings in 2003 and throughout the ten years, MIRF held fast to its aim to showcase pillars of international and Canadian based reggae music in all its variations; highlighting the unique global appeal of the reggae genre – and this year is no exception.

Here are the first headliners for our 10^th anniversary program:

Friday night features Morgan Heritage returning to MIRF after five years with their album, Here Comes the King. It is a pleasure to have ‘the royal family of reggae’ return. They also performed at the first production of MIRF.

Dubbed Dancehall Night, Saturday’s line-up includes Mr. Vegas who is no stranger to the MIRF stage. Returning by popular demand Vegas’ lyrical prowess thrust him in the category of international chart topper, as his hits like, Hot Wuk, Tek Wey Yuself and the more recent   album Sweet Jamaica with its blend of roots reggae and electrifying dancehall, continue to dominate airwaves and dancehalls.

In honoring the contribution of music and culture from Trinidad and Tobago, MIRF is delighted to present a dynamic trio - Kes (The Band). Leaders of the new soca, electro dancehall sound it has been argued that these three brothers: Kees, Hans and John Dieffenthaller could become successors to the throne of Machel Montano.

Shaggy is undoubtedly the main attraction for this night. The Grammy Award winning electrifying performer was first known for his hit, Oh Carolina. His catchy beats and lyrics, as in hits like It Wasn’t Me, Angel and the Grammy winning album, Boombastic, projected Shaggy to the level of being the only Jamaican artist to have an album go Platinum.

Sunday night is International Night with a roster that includes stalwarts Yellowman, Cocoa T and Freddie McGregor – all of whom have been creating memorable reggae tracks for more than 40 years. Head of the Big Ship label for about 25 years, Freddie McGregor recently released a new album, Freddie McGregor -Di Captain that includes several reggae classics re-visited.

Committed to the overarching theme “United Against Violence”, this year’s program continues to advance the reggae story with performers from all generations.  MIRF President, Eric Blagrove said, “We are pleased with our track record of bringing thousands of audiences together under the Reggae music banner and this year promises to be even greater as French and English; beginners and veterans perform styles that even go beyond the norms of fundamental reggae.”

As is customary the ambiance at the Old Port will be festive with: activities for children; Caribbean and other cuisine; artisan displays and vendors of all sorts.

Watch the video highlight here:  http://youtu.be/aMwa9hZqJjg?a 

 

Toronto - New York - Florida Reggae Playlist

L3 Radio Playlist – For the Week Ending May 19^th, 2013

Our show is officially broadcast from 10am to 1pm EST on:  1430 AM  / Vybz 103.9 FM / 95.3 FM / 99.3 FM / 91.7 FM / and Online via:  www.radioregent.com – Toronto / www.irievibesradiodetroit.com – Detroit / www.daflavaradio.com – Atlanta / www.TonySoul.com - Ft. Lauderdale / www.NoyzRadio.com - New York / www.Reggae4Us.com - The UK / www.reggaeradiovibes.co.uk - The UK / www.siixteen.com - The UK / www.basslinemuzik.com – Tampa / www.buyakaradio.com - Colombia

www.datzhitsradio.com – Boston

Hosted by Natasha Von Castle and Frazah Selection

Lover’s Rock Segment:

Da’Ville:  All You Need in a Friend

Kashief Lindo – Try My Love

Ammoye – Baby It’s You

Bryan Art – Speed Limit

Anthony Que – Rastaman House

Sophia Squire ft. Richie Ras – Love Can’t Pay the Bills

Cali P – Fire Burning (Dubplate)

Dennis Brown – If You Want Me

Gappy Ranks ft. Exco Levi – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright

Kes – Can’t Wait

Jessie James – Me She Love

OMI – Fireworks

*Special Cut:  L’Unique – Girl You Got Me Open

Marcia Griffiths ft. Beres Hammond – Live On

Stephen Souza – Is There a Place

Dancehall Segment:

Call in interview with Leftside Dr. Evil (background music:  Coffee in My Cup ft. Gina Savage / Gorilla Foot / Tuck in Yuh Belly / Body Flip ft. Sean Paul)

*3 The Hard Way from Cham:  Sell Out / Lawless / Clip

Kranium – Nobody Has to Know

Tiwony – Smoke It

Kutlass – Step Up in Life

Ninjaman – Gweh

General Degree ft. Hawkeye, Lady G – Nuttin Fih Nuttin

Leftside Dr. Evil – Naughty

Konshens – Stop Sign

Tune in Crew – Remix

Busy Signal – Bumaye