Geelong's first-ever Reggae festival will be celebrating the Caribbean culture through music and food in an epic one-day event.
Dedicated to celebrating the ‘vybz of the Caribbean’, Reggae Fest is the brand new event heading to Geelong this October, brought to the region by the brains behind Taste Jamaica, Damian Rosevelt.
Offering Jamaican-style meals, alongside the sweetest of treats and Jamaica Blue Mountain Blend coffee, Damian opened Taste Jamaica back in 2020, bringing the Caribbean to Geelong, with flavours transporting you to the lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches of Jamaica.
Now he’s upped the ante and along with five others (three of the six being Caribbean nationals) has curated a huge one-day event offering an immersive escape to the island of Jamaica right in the heart of Geelong.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
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On Saturday, October 29 from 12pm until 8:30pm, like-minded Jamaican music and food fans will come together to experience one glorious springtime day of reggae music, dance, food trucks, market stalls, visual arts and more with Reggae Fest.
“Reggae Fest came about by a conversation with some talented friends over some Jamaican Food and some Bob Marley Shots,” the festival statement reads.
“All coming from different professions having a huge involvement in Caribbean Culture, we felt Geelong needed more events for people to have an unforgettable experience and simply just escape to the islands for a day.
“Reggae Fest aims to promote and share Caribbean Culture in Australia through events that promote love, peace, hope and happiness.”
Bringing the Caribbean Culture to Geelong through music, food and good vybz, this is a family-friendly ticketed event that will be held in the heart of Geelong, in Johnstone Park featuring both local and international Reggae artists, hosted by Jermaine Clarke.
Heading up the festival is international Jamaican singer and producer Da’Ville, the acclaimed moniker of Orville Thomas.
Defining his style of reggae with a fusion of Pop and R&B swirled with soul, Da’Ville has long been known as a force to reckon with, putting his life experiences in each of his hit songs. Topping charts locally and internationally, Da’Ville is one of the most celebrated Pop/R&B/Reggae artists in Japan, places in USA and certainly in the Caribbean, while his swagger has earned the attention of commercial endorsements from Nike (Japan), Nesta Clothing (Japan),Mizchif Clothing (USA) and Cooyah Clothing and Cooyah Spring Water (Jamaica). You might even be familiar with one of his biggest hit singles, “Always on My Mind”, which was remixed with dancehall artiste Sean Paul.
Joining Da’Ville on the festival stage will be local Reggae band Ras Jahknow. The Cape Verdean Reggae singer, songwriter and founder of iconic Melbourne reggae ensemble Ras Jahknow Band will be bringing dynamic, high-energy, positive music to the people with a stage show guaranteed to uplift and inspire with powerful messages. Blazing new soul and fresh rhythms into what is described best as culturally rich, roots reggae music, Ras Jahknow sings with passionate vocals in English and Creole, weaving through the diverse native sounds from the African island nation of Cape Verde, Brazil, Tanzania and Mauritius to Australia. The band embodies a vision of unity, respect and peace, built on the foundation of irresistible, reggae rhythms.
Further rounding out the music lineup, the festival will also see the likes of Nicky Bomba and Bustamento Band – a tropical shaking six piece that pays homage to the upbeat rhythms of the Caribbean, covering the Calypso, Mento, Early Reggae and Ska styles, Jamaican artist Flames Eye, and local artists Mpress Kandace, Juiceboxx and Star Drumming.
Alongside the music, the family-friendly festival will feature a variety of food trucks, drinks, market stalls and hours of entertainment including music, dance and games.
Pack a picnic rug or a deck chair, and head on down to Johnstone Park in Geelong on Saturday, October 29.
Tickets can be purchased here. Kids under 12 are free.
