THIRD WORLD BAND PERFORMS IN ANTIGUA DURING "SAILING WEEK!"
At 9:00 pm on Thursday, April 29, 2010, blue and red lights illuminate the streets as Antiguan police drove ahead of Third World Band, escorting them from their hotel to Shirley Heights where they were scheduled to perform at the "Sunset From The Heights" concert, one of the many activities planned for the 43rd Annual Sailing Week.
As the bus drove into the venue, which is perched on a hill and surrounded by beautiful blue water and lush greenery, the band was ushered to the back stage area. As they walked through the crowds, fans chanted "they are here," took pictures and clamored to touch their favorite band member. Once backstage the group prepared for their performance but not before autographing beach balls, which were provided by sponsor Ocean Potion, for fans.
Now 9:45pm, it was Showtime! The lights were dimed and the silent crowd, now realizing that the band was getting ready to go on, began clapping. Opening with "Feel A Little Better," the 4000+ voices at the venue sang along. Without pause they continued as the band sang "The Spirit Lives," a tribute to the people of Haiti. Long after the cameras have left the devastated country and people have return to "business as usual," the Reggae Ambassadors continue to honor the earthquake stricken country.
As the energy and temperature rose as they performed "96 Degrees" the signed beach balls were thrown into the crowd. While that was a pleasant surprise the highlight was when lead singer, Bunny Rugs brought on stage female reggae artists Nadine Sutherland, Timberlee and D'Angel - who attended the show to support the band - to assist in singing "Try Jah Love" and "Now That We Found Love." Also backstage enjoying the music was the Minister of Tourism, John Maginley.
The band wrapped up their performance with "Moving Up," leaving their fans with these encouraging words "we're moving up, Jah Jah children dem a moving up!"
Up next, the informal online only rehearsal which will be streamed live on www.ination.tv/thirdworldbandlive and www.thirdworld.com on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. EST for Caribbean and U.S. audiences, and re-broadcast May 9, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. EST for audiences in Europe and Africa.
The live-streamed broadcast will feature the worldwide premiere of the video for their new single, "The Spirit Lives," a dedication to the people of Haiti and a preview of the making of the video for single "By My Side," featuring Tessanne Chin. Fans will also get a behind the scenes look at the band's rehearsal, receive information of their upcoming performances and more. As an added bonus, the band members will interact with fans via special chat rooms. Additionally, fans will be able to enter to win an all expense paid trip to Third World's December 27, 2010 concert in Kingston, Jamaica.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Julian Marley Contributes To The Rich Legacy of the U.K. Reggae Music Scene
U.K. Based Marley Proudly Pays Forward his Family Heritage
London, England - In the Spirit of his father Bob Marley, Julian "Ju Ju" Marley is the next generation of Reggae pioneers proudly paying it forward in his home town of London, England. Along-side a list of Reggae luminaries that have spawned out of England such as Aswad and Steel Pulse, Julian "Ju Ju" Marley firmly plants his roots in London, inherently influencing the U.K. music scene with his rich legacy.
Born in London, England to Lucy Pounder on June 4, 1975, Julian Marley has been blessed by his father's great talent and by the unique perspective that comes with an upbringing in a multicultural community. As the only son of Bob Marley born and raised in the U.K., Julian has credited his British upbringing as a deep influence on his musical career.
Julian reflects, "Growing up in London remains a large part of who I am today. Musically, I have become increasingly aware of how self-motivating the history of the U.K. Reggae scene has been on my work. I feel privileged to be a part of the musical roots that my father laid in England, and as the next generation of British born reggae artists, I look forward to relating the cultural gifts that have been bestowed on to me back onto the U.K. music scene through my musical creations, visions and contributions."
Reggae and Bob Marley in particular, have always had a unique part in British popular culture since the 1970s. The masterpiece that was Bob Marley's Exodus was recorded in the U.K. and transformed Bob Marley's career. Resonating with audiences around the world, the legendary Marley influenced an array of musicians, including some of today's largest British pop icons including, The Police.
Transcending musical genres, Julian Marley has become a spiritual, moral, musical visionary with an international mission. Just as his father, "Ju Ju" Marley ranks higher in the consciousness movement of music than most international reggae artists of today.
In 2009, Julian Marley's fame rose to new heights with the success of his Grammy Award Nominated release entitled, Awake (Ghetto Youths / Universal). Julian's Awake world tour with his band The Uprising flourished in 2009, and stemmed into a major North American, Caribbean and European run that included the Raggamuffin 2010 tour of Australia and New Zealand. Marley's continually expanding performance dates will see the reggae singer-songwriter headlining venues throughout Europe in 2010, with Julian and The Uprising scheduled to perform close to one dozen dates in the U.K., including several performances in his home town of London, England in July and August of 2010.
For more information on Julian Marley please visit:
Born in London, England to Lucy Pounder on June 4, 1975, Julian Marley has been blessed by his father's great talent and by the unique perspective that comes with an upbringing in a multicultural community. As the only son of Bob Marley born and raised in the U.K., Julian has credited his British upbringing as a deep influence on his musical career.
Julian reflects, "Growing up in London remains a large part of who I am today. Musically, I have become increasingly aware of how self-motivating the history of the U.K. Reggae scene has been on my work. I feel privileged to be a part of the musical roots that my father laid in England, and as the next generation of British born reggae artists, I look forward to relating the cultural gifts that have been bestowed on to me back onto the U.K. music scene through my musical creations, visions and contributions."
Reggae and Bob Marley in particular, have always had a unique part in British popular culture since the 1970s. The masterpiece that was Bob Marley's Exodus was recorded in the U.K. and transformed Bob Marley's career. Resonating with audiences around the world, the legendary Marley influenced an array of musicians, including some of today's largest British pop icons including, The Police.
Transcending musical genres, Julian Marley has become a spiritual, moral, musical visionary with an international mission. Just as his father, "Ju Ju" Marley ranks higher in the consciousness movement of music than most international reggae artists of today.
In 2009, Julian Marley's fame rose to new heights with the success of his Grammy Award Nominated release entitled, Awake (Ghetto Youths / Universal). Julian's Awake world tour with his band The Uprising flourished in 2009, and stemmed into a major North American, Caribbean and European run that included the Raggamuffin 2010 tour of Australia and New Zealand. Marley's continually expanding performance dates will see the reggae singer-songwriter headlining venues throughout Europe in 2010, with Julian and The Uprising scheduled to perform close to one dozen dates in the U.K., including several performances in his home town of London, England in July and August of 2010.
For more information on Julian Marley please visit:
www.myspace.com/royalmarley and www.ghettoyouths.com
Monday, April 26, 2010
Katie Washington - She's Notre Dame's first black valedictorian
Katie Washington - She's Notre Dame's first black valedictorian
(WBBM) -- History is being made at the University of Notre Dame this spring.
In the 161 years the University of Notre Dame has been awarding degrees, never had there been an African-American as valedictorian. Until this year.
She’s Katie Washington of Gary, Indiana. She carries a 4.0 GPA majoring in biology and minoring in Catholic social teaching.
According to the Northwest Indiana Times, Washington plans to continue her studies at Johns Hopkins University and follow in her father’s footsteps into medicine.
Washington says she’s humbled by the honor of being named valedictorian.
More information from Notre Dame University:
Katie Washington, a biological sciences major from Gary, Ind., has been named valedictorian of the 2010 University of Notre Dame graduating class and will present the valedictory address during Commencement exercises May 16 (Sunday) in Notre Dame stadium.
Washington, who earned a 4.0 grade point average, has a minor in Catholic Social Teaching. She has conducted research on lung cancer at the Cold Spring Harbor labs and performed genetic studies in the University’s Eck Institute for Global Health on the mosquito that carries dengue and yellow fever. She is the co-author of a research paper with David Severson, professor of biological sciences.
Washington directs the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir at Notre Dame, is a mentor/tutor for the Sister-to-Sister program at South Bend’s Washington High School and serves as the student coordinator of the Center for Social Concerns’ “Lives in the Balance: Youth Violence and Society Seminar.”
Upon graduation, Washington plans to pursue a joint M.D./Ph.D program at Johns Hopkins University.
Congrats!
In the 161 years the University of Notre Dame has been awarding degrees, never had there been an African-American as valedictorian. Until this year.
She’s Katie Washington of Gary, Indiana. She carries a 4.0 GPA majoring in biology and minoring in Catholic social teaching.
According to the Northwest Indiana Times, Washington plans to continue her studies at Johns Hopkins University and follow in her father’s footsteps into medicine.
Washington says she’s humbled by the honor of being named valedictorian.
More information from Notre Dame University:
Katie Washington, a biological sciences major from Gary, Ind., has been named valedictorian of the 2010 University of Notre Dame graduating class and will present the valedictory address during Commencement exercises May 16 (Sunday) in Notre Dame stadium.
Washington, who earned a 4.0 grade point average, has a minor in Catholic Social Teaching. She has conducted research on lung cancer at the Cold Spring Harbor labs and performed genetic studies in the University’s Eck Institute for Global Health on the mosquito that carries dengue and yellow fever. She is the co-author of a research paper with David Severson, professor of biological sciences.
Washington directs the Voices of Faith Gospel Choir at Notre Dame, is a mentor/tutor for the Sister-to-Sister program at South Bend’s Washington High School and serves as the student coordinator of the Center for Social Concerns’ “Lives in the Balance: Youth Violence and Society Seminar.”
Upon graduation, Washington plans to pursue a joint M.D./Ph.D program at Johns Hopkins University.
Congrats!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
It Is About Humanity
Despite the name, Earth Day is really about humanity.
Our planet has existed for billions of years and will continue to exist, no matter how much oil and coal we burn, no matter how much carbon pollution we dump into our atmosphere.
It's the survival of human civilization as we know it that's uncertain. Human consumption of fossil fuels threatens the conditions that we require to live on Earth -- conditions that only occur thanks to a carefully balanced set of circumstances so delicate and rare that they are now shockingly vulnerable to the impact of our newly powerful civilization. These conditions can change, and our actions on this planet are changing them every day. That is a scientific fact that no amount of political rhetoric can alter.
Taking on climate change is a huge challenge -- for America and the world. But the solutions are within our reach. We have the technology. We know the way forward. Now we have to get started on a scale that will matter.
As with so many global crises, the world is looking to America for leadership. In this case, leadership means action from the United States Congress -- and I am pleased to say that we are far closer than we have ever been. Since Earth Day last year, a landmark clean energy and climate bill has passed the House of Representatives, and as I write this, key Senators are reaching across the aisle to finish the job.
If the Senate steps up and passes strong legislation, success will be within reach.
But the forces of opposition are very powerful. And if we did nothing, we would fail - by falling prey to the cynicism of corporate lobbyists and the misinformation of self-serving politicians and pundits whose blatant disregard for scientific fact endangers us all.
So this Earth Day, I ask all of you to join together to take action to address climate change. Call your Senator at the number below and tell him or her to support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.
Just call our toll-free Repower America hotline at 1-877-55-REPOWER (1-877-557-3769), and enter your zip code. You'll be connected to one of your Senators. When you've finished your call, click here to report it.
Over the past 40 years, Earth Day has helped strengthen our awareness, sense of urgency and will to preserve the environment we rely on. It has served as a national reminder to reduce pollution, celebrate nature and make our air and water cleaner.
But today our task is even greater. Beyond careful stewardship of our natural resources, we must act to prevent a potential global catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude. We must aggressively respond to the threat of global climate change.
We created this crisis -- and we can solve it. That starts with strong action from Congress. This is a fight that we must not lose -- for the sake of every human being on the planet and for the generations to come.
Remember, Earth Day is about people -- and our future on this planet.
Thank you,
Al Gore
Founder
The Climate Protection Action Fund
Our planet has existed for billions of years and will continue to exist, no matter how much oil and coal we burn, no matter how much carbon pollution we dump into our atmosphere.
It's the survival of human civilization as we know it that's uncertain. Human consumption of fossil fuels threatens the conditions that we require to live on Earth -- conditions that only occur thanks to a carefully balanced set of circumstances so delicate and rare that they are now shockingly vulnerable to the impact of our newly powerful civilization. These conditions can change, and our actions on this planet are changing them every day. That is a scientific fact that no amount of political rhetoric can alter.
Taking on climate change is a huge challenge -- for America and the world. But the solutions are within our reach. We have the technology. We know the way forward. Now we have to get started on a scale that will matter.
As with so many global crises, the world is looking to America for leadership. In this case, leadership means action from the United States Congress -- and I am pleased to say that we are far closer than we have ever been. Since Earth Day last year, a landmark clean energy and climate bill has passed the House of Representatives, and as I write this, key Senators are reaching across the aisle to finish the job.
If the Senate steps up and passes strong legislation, success will be within reach.
But the forces of opposition are very powerful. And if we did nothing, we would fail - by falling prey to the cynicism of corporate lobbyists and the misinformation of self-serving politicians and pundits whose blatant disregard for scientific fact endangers us all.
So this Earth Day, I ask all of you to join together to take action to address climate change. Call your Senator at the number below and tell him or her to support comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation.
Just call our toll-free Repower America hotline at 1-877-55-REPOWER (1-877-557-3769), and enter your zip code. You'll be connected to one of your Senators. When you've finished your call, click here to report it.
Over the past 40 years, Earth Day has helped strengthen our awareness, sense of urgency and will to preserve the environment we rely on. It has served as a national reminder to reduce pollution, celebrate nature and make our air and water cleaner.
But today our task is even greater. Beyond careful stewardship of our natural resources, we must act to prevent a potential global catastrophe of unprecedented magnitude. We must aggressively respond to the threat of global climate change.
We created this crisis -- and we can solve it. That starts with strong action from Congress. This is a fight that we must not lose -- for the sake of every human being on the planet and for the generations to come.
Remember, Earth Day is about people -- and our future on this planet.
Thank you,
Al Gore
Founder
The Climate Protection Action Fund
One Heart One World
Earth Day 2010. Each year the sense of urgency seems to increase. Originally, it was just a common sense, positive idea. Now the concern seems all the more real. It's volcanic ash - which could actually slow global warming, I guess. Earthquake and tsunami - things we don't have much apparent control over. Then there is coal miner deaths which combine all kinds of bad things - bad safety precautions for people harvesting a foul dirty substance that would be the most expensive energy choice if all the antidotes for its bad byproducts were included in its cost. Then there are the people who refuse to believe our cars and waste dumping and chemicals for everything are not responsible for anything bad - it's all good! With population growth and standard of living growth, we will make life unsustainable on the planet unless we change lots of the things we are doing. That can be a choice or that can be a future reality we loose control over. The balance of Nature will eliminate us from existence unless we protect that balance. A good site to visit: http://earthday.nature.org/
It's nice that Avatar was a big as long as a lot of the millions that saw it got the message that we are not MASTERS of the World, we are dynamically linked to everything in the world and the well being of the whole is essential to the well being of the parts.
It's nice that Avatar was a big as long as a lot of the millions that saw it got the message that we are not MASTERS of the World, we are dynamically linked to everything in the world and the well being of the whole is essential to the well being of the parts.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
4/20 Pot Day 2010 and NORML
Special 4/20 message from NORML's Executive Director Allen St. Pierre
Dear NORML supporters and fellow lovers of liberty,
Happy 4/20!
While the ravages and costs of cannabis prohibition are largely defined by one's geography—these days America is a hodge-podge of varying cannabis penalties, ranging from West Hollywood California where a medical cannabis patient can access the herb 24/7 from a vending machine; in Indiana, if caught with just a little cannabis on one's person, they're getting arrested, prosecuted and likely going to jail—this '4/20' celebration in 2010, as is NORML tradition, is a combination of both the serious and silly!
There will be dozens of major 4/20 'protestivals' today from New York City to Seattle, to the expected largest one in the nation I'm speaking at in Denver Colorado. Major newspaper articles and stories on TV will abound by day's end. In fact whole television networks such as G4, Comedy Central, Spike and Current TV will devote some or all of their programming today to celebrating cannabis and, implicitly, the herb's reform.
Also today, NORML launches a new advertisement for 4/20 on Times Square's largest electronic billboard calling out New York City politicians and law enforcement for having one of the highest—and most racially disparate—cannabis arrest rates in the United States. The advertisement will run 18 times a day until late May, and will be seen by an expected 1.5 million Times Square visitors.
These protestivals and public celebrations of cannabis culture in North America is a greatly anticipated and celebratory annual event at NORML since the mid 1990s, but the serious political message of this wonderfully creative day (beyond the obvious one of 're-legalize cannabis now!') for this specific year is to direct as much NORML membership and public attention as possible to donate and support the voter initiative on the ballot in California this very November that will effectively legalize cannabis for adult use, cultivation and sales.
Going into our 40th year, NORML's staff and board of directors have made the passage of California's voter initiative to legalize cannabis the number #1 political priority for the organization.
To this end, the thousands of donations and $4.20 memberships received today by the NORML Foundation (or NORML) will be donated to TaxCannabis2010, the organization behind California's legalization ballot.
I'm personally donating $420 in support of this very important political initiative in California—the state where 1 out of 8 Americans live, the 7th largest economy in the world if it were a country and with by far the largest delegation in the US Congress—in memory of my friend, the recently passed author-activist Jack Herer, the 'Emperor of Hemp'.
TaxCannabis2010 has a goal of raising $42,000 by the end of today, with committed support from stakeholders from NORML like you and I, we can reach this unique dollar amount.
Become a member and send a special 4/20 animated e-card to a friend, family member or sweetie.
Thanks for all of your enduring support for NORML, cannabis law reform and for this important 4/20, TaxCannabis2010!
Please have a safe and hempful 4/20!
Cannabem liberemus,
Allen St. Pierre
Executive Director
Member, Board of Directors
NORML / NORML Foundation
Washington, DC
director@norml.org
Dear NORML supporters and fellow lovers of liberty,
Happy 4/20!
While the ravages and costs of cannabis prohibition are largely defined by one's geography—these days America is a hodge-podge of varying cannabis penalties, ranging from West Hollywood California where a medical cannabis patient can access the herb 24/7 from a vending machine; in Indiana, if caught with just a little cannabis on one's person, they're getting arrested, prosecuted and likely going to jail—this '4/20' celebration in 2010, as is NORML tradition, is a combination of both the serious and silly!
There will be dozens of major 4/20 'protestivals' today from New York City to Seattle, to the expected largest one in the nation I'm speaking at in Denver Colorado. Major newspaper articles and stories on TV will abound by day's end. In fact whole television networks such as G4, Comedy Central, Spike and Current TV will devote some or all of their programming today to celebrating cannabis and, implicitly, the herb's reform.
Also today, NORML launches a new advertisement for 4/20 on Times Square's largest electronic billboard calling out New York City politicians and law enforcement for having one of the highest—and most racially disparate—cannabis arrest rates in the United States. The advertisement will run 18 times a day until late May, and will be seen by an expected 1.5 million Times Square visitors.
These protestivals and public celebrations of cannabis culture in North America is a greatly anticipated and celebratory annual event at NORML since the mid 1990s, but the serious political message of this wonderfully creative day (beyond the obvious one of 're-legalize cannabis now!') for this specific year is to direct as much NORML membership and public attention as possible to donate and support the voter initiative on the ballot in California this very November that will effectively legalize cannabis for adult use, cultivation and sales.
Going into our 40th year, NORML's staff and board of directors have made the passage of California's voter initiative to legalize cannabis the number #1 political priority for the organization.
To this end, the thousands of donations and $4.20 memberships received today by the NORML Foundation (or NORML) will be donated to TaxCannabis2010, the organization behind California's legalization ballot.
I'm personally donating $420 in support of this very important political initiative in California—the state where 1 out of 8 Americans live, the 7th largest economy in the world if it were a country and with by far the largest delegation in the US Congress—in memory of my friend, the recently passed author-activist Jack Herer, the 'Emperor of Hemp'.
TaxCannabis2010 has a goal of raising $42,000 by the end of today, with committed support from stakeholders from NORML like you and I, we can reach this unique dollar amount.
Become a member and send a special 4/20 animated e-card to a friend, family member or sweetie.
Thanks for all of your enduring support for NORML, cannabis law reform and for this important 4/20, TaxCannabis2010!
Please have a safe and hempful 4/20!
Cannabem liberemus,
Allen St. Pierre
Executive Director
Member, Board of Directors
NORML / NORML Foundation
Washington, DC
director@norml.org
Sunday, April 18, 2010
(when) 7 nines collide: a rap about reggae music and other topics in the tropics
(when) 7 nines collide
by rich stewart
an exclusive reggae.com excerpt:
introduction
Neville Itchwell is a record producer par excellence and rastafarian, who as a youth endured the plantocracy of the sugarcane fields. He is the focus and act I begins on a hot night, the first night after the death of a legendary reggae artist. After much reflection on the day's news, Neville drifts off and has a most interesting dream. It begins on the day of Jamaica's Independence and concludes near the end of the second millenium.
act 1
(just past midnight)
may 12, 1981
ninety-nine degrees Fahrenheit
burn the oil in the dead of the night
concrete jungle in the bloody heat
one drop rumble in the bloody street
those who languish in torn garments wail
revolutionaries croon in jail
shadows in the valley recognize
tuff gong rebel pose no compromise
(reggae beat creates a sense of shock
an inner music solid rock)
curious outsiders look on as
locksman dig on up that ghetto jazz
inspiration from the torch is passed
trumpet first might just as well be last
natty dread vibration: positive
life is one big road wake up and live
catch a fire watch the tables turn
hear the music see the fires burn
cultivation a la joseph hill
elbows rest upon one window sill
timeless flow from the sacred cup
vines of consciousness climb up and up
reggae beat creates a sense of shock
mystic vibes of cognizance unlock
natural mystic locksman turns the key
if you listen closely you will see
vestal octave bares twelve tones of flesh
rhythms tangle in a twelve tone mesh
babylon the bandit double faults
those who feel it dance a reggae waltz
one fine day you're here the next you're gone
scholars reason on and on and on
topics in the tropics getting deep
i and i drift off to get some sleep
surrealistic dreams have taken hold
a journey into dub starts to unfold
fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold fold
act II
(the dream)
as we are from this time here on in
a music revelation will begin
(when) the stage of seven nines collide
a universal rhythm will preside
and so the DUB of (when) 7 nines collide begins...
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Criminal Marijuana Prohibition Is A Failure
By any objective standard, marijuana prohibition is an abject failure.
Nationwide, U.S. law enforcement have arrested over 20 million American citizens for marijuana offenses since 1965, yet today marijuana is more prevalent than ever before, adolescents have easier access to marijuana than ever before, the drug is on average more potent than ever before, and there is more violence associated with the illegal marijuana trade than ever before.
Over 100 million Americans nationally have used marijuana despite prohibition, and one in ten – according to current government survey data – use it regularly. The criminal prohibition of marijuana has not dissuaded anyone from using marijuana or reduced its availability; however, the strict enforcement of this policy has adversely impacted the lives and careers of millions of people who simply elected to use a substance to relax that is objectively safer than alcohol.
NORML believes that the time has come to amend criminal prohibition and replace it with a system of legalization, taxation, regulation, and education. http://www.norml.org/
The Case For Legalization/Regulation
Regulation = Controls
Prohibition provides young people with easier access to marijuana than alcohol (CASA, 2009)
Prohibition promotes the use of marijuana in inappropriate settings, such as in automobiles, in public parks, or in public restrooms.
Prohibition promotes disrespect for the law, and reinforces ethnic and generation divides between the public and law enforcement. (For example, according to a recent NORML report, an estimated 75 percent of all marijuana arrestees are under age 30; further, African Americans account for only 12 percent of marijuana users but comprise 23 percent of all possession arrests)
Go to the http://www.norml.org/ site to find out more.
Over 100 million Americans nationally have used marijuana despite prohibition, and one in ten – according to current government survey data – use it regularly. The criminal prohibition of marijuana has not dissuaded anyone from using marijuana or reduced its availability; however, the strict enforcement of this policy has adversely impacted the lives and careers of millions of people who simply elected to use a substance to relax that is objectively safer than alcohol.
- Controls regarding who can legally produce marijuana
- Controls regarding who can legally distribute marijuana
- Controls regarding who can legally consume marijuana
- Controls regarding where adults can legally use marijuana and under what circumstances is such use legally permitted
Prohibition abdicates the control of marijuana production and distribution to criminal entrepreneurs, such as drug cartels, street gangs, drug dealers who push additional illegal substances
Go to the http://www.norml.org/ site to find out more.
Monday, April 05, 2010
Roger Steffens Invades Mexico
Now, let me turn you over to Rojah and his tale of the Steffens' Mexican Invasion!
MEXICO CITY, FEB. 18-23, 2010
How to even begin to describe one of the most incredible trips of our lives? Why not the Beginning itself? It came in Calgary, Alberta last August, where we met the Mexican reggae band, Rastrillos, (the Plow, with overtones of stir-it-up radicalism), and its charismatic leader, Xopi Loti. After their well received set, Xopi asked me why I had never done my “Life of Bob Marley” presentation in Mexico. “No one invited me,” I replied. “Well,” he said, with ingratiating assurance, “I’ll organize it for you!”
Six months later, we arrived on a sparkling Thursday evening at Mexico City’s international airport. Meeting us were the two promoters with whom Xopi connected us – a beautiful Portuguese woman named Marta and her partner Guillermo (“Memo”), whose huge smiles made us feel immediately welcome.
Our hotel, the Catedral, was just a couple of minutes from the main plaza, down grey-old narrow streets lined with bookstores and a Museum of Caricature, not to mention the adjoining ancient Aztec ruins, partitioned off by a fence of high iron gratings.
Our first dinner was in a hundred year old, very rococo traditional restaurant, with a six man band in 13th century costumes, complete with tights and poufy knickers in rich burgundy shades, singing like budding Pavarottis beneath huge paintings of Mexican grandees and a convent full of nuns feeding the poor.
Afterwards we were taken to a radio station for a 10 – 11 pm interview with a man who introduced himself as an Ethiopian-Jamaica named Keira, who devoted an hour to promoting our Saturday evening event.
At eight the next morning, Zopi and Marta picked us up and took us to a complex that housed the National Cinematheque and the Public Radio Station for a radio show, a tv taping, and two lengthy press interviews. Mid-afternoon we headed to a popular internet station with a huge Central American audience. At each stop we spoke of the contents of the show, and asked everyone to wear their Marley clothing so I could photograph them for what I hope will be a Great Wall in the reggae museum, where the 3,000 pictures we’ve taken all over the world can be displayed with the names of the locations of each printed on the bottom of each shot.
Our venue was very impressive, the 800 seat Teatro Hildalgo, facing a forest-like park filled with hundreds of vendors, part of an enormous underground economy, with a direct view of Latin America’s tallest building, the Latin America Tower. I felt if we could fill even half of the Hidalgo, I’d consider it a success. Marta said the tickets were going well, however, and not to worry.
The day of the show we returned to the Cinemateque compound to do Zopi’s radio show, “Reggaevolution,” with his posse of heavy reggae lovers. He turned over the whole two hours to me, and prompted me with some probing questions, and we had lots of laughs too. When we offered tickets in a trivia contest, the phones exploded with life. “Zopi is our Moctezuma,” said one of his friends, “He’s the jefe of Mexican Reggae, everybody knows him!” As usual in these opportunities, I played a mixture of unreleased Marley and foreign reggae discoveries, roots amalgams from New Zealand, Tuva and Hawaii among them, to much amused approval. Now, at 2:30 in the afternoon, it took us four times as long to return to the hotel, as it had taken to get to the station that same morning. We saw firsthand the mad gridlock of the city’s infamous streets. People weave in and out but never signal, and horns are a near constant aural presence.
Finally back at the hotel, we had a quick bite, then met Zopi and grabbed a cab to go to the theater. Our driver, a broad faced man named Luis, let me sit up front with him so I could take pictures. Immediately I noticed “Rastaman” decaled upon his dashboard. “Do you like reggae?” I asked. He pushed a button, an up popped that word on his radio. I reached in my bag, where I always carry some copies of an unreleased Marley dub collection, and gave him a copy of it. He reached into his pocket with a secret smile and handed me a scrap of newspaper folded over several times. I opened it and discovered a rich green bud of “Mota,” the slang word here for ganja. And all this within the first two minutes. Nice omen.
We crept slowly toward the Hildalgo, and when we arrived shortly after six, two hours before the show, and an hour before the doors were scheduled to open, the line already filled the courtyard and was spilling out onto the street. About one out of every three persons was wearing a Marley t-shirt, and once I set up my books to sell in the lobby, I ventured outside to take pictures of the folks in the Marley gear.
I was immediately surrounded by hordes of young people who all wanted autographs and a picture with me, to tell me stories of what Bob meant to them, thanking me for coming. There was an endless stream of “shake the hand that shook the hand of Bob Marley. It took me almost an hour to “work the line,” which now was stretching almost to the end of the block with people arriving in droves! The doors opened, and a new line began to buy the books and magazines I had brought along, including, sadly, the final issue of the Beat, out of business after 28 years. And of course, everyone wanted me to sign the things they bought. Within the first ten minutes everything was sold out – some $700 worth of stuff. So then I had to start signing fliers and all sorts of clothing, sometimes in existential places. Dozens of lovely young senoritas asked if they could hug me. When I looked up again, the line seemed to be 200 people long. For two hours, all I did was greet fans and still I didn’t get to everyone when it came time to start the show. Later Mary told me that as she sat mid-house behind the computer on which our show is stored, waiting for things to begin, she had to sign a bunch of autographs too.
When I walked onstage, the house was filled to the brim, with standing room only, and it seemed that virtually everyone was under 30. The tall, dark-haired Zopi served as a most compassionate emcee and translator, with an impressive capacity to remember large chunks of information as he spoke at my side between the film clips. Together we told Bob’s life story in English and Spanish. The audience’s attention was rapt and deeply respectful, enthusiastic in all the right places, and most of my jokes received ripples of laughter, putting my fear of bi-lingual presentations to rest forever (providing one has a sensitive interlocutor, such as the striking Zopi, of course).
Perhaps the biggest laugh of the night came with the Carlos Santana story, just before the final film clip, the tale of how he had returned about six years ago to Mexico City, the first time he had performed there in 18 years. A man gave him two spliffs after his show (which was presented by our promoters), and Carlos pocketed them without a second thought. Returning to the States through Houston, he was busted. When the city cops arrived to bring him to jail in the city, they turned out to Hispanics, and when they saw who was busted, and for what a pathetically tiny amount, they started cussing out the customs guys something terrible. Carlos told me a couple of days later that when the cop put the handcuffs on him, he was crying and apologizing. And when they put him in the police car and began driving, they wanted to make things a little easier for him so they turned on the radio – and on came Bob Marley…singing “I Shot the Sheriff.” I wish you could have heard the roar!
At the conclusion, the applause was prolonged, and ended in a Zopi-encouraged standing ovation. Then it was back to the lobby, and another swell of hundreds of people all wanting my attention, and it took another hour to satisfy them all. “You don’t understand,” Marta told me, “in Mexico you are a superstar.” Immodestly, I have to admit I certainly never felt anything even slightly approaching that status before this unforgettable evening. The love that was made manifest was truly overwhelming. It took me several minutes to collect myself before the show started, and I ended up leaving in a euphoric state of shock. And understood physically for the first time what it must be like for a rock star to be swallowed up whole by besieging fans, and why Elvis and Michael never went out in public. It was fun and flattering and filled with affection, but it was ultimately a little frightening too. It took me a couple of days to come back to earth, and Mary and I shake our heads when we look back on that evening and wonder how something like that could ever happen to us. But as I said on stage that night, I realized fully that this was a measure of the respect and affection that Mexico has for the Reggae King, and I’m merely a vessel to carry that spirit forward to many nations. Jah knows how this ever came to be, I was caught up in the flow, but the sense of mission is now more urgent than ever. A whole new, Hispanic, world is opening to us, and Memo and Marta are talking about arranging tours of Mexico, as well as Portugal and Spain, in the next year. The gigantic festivals that Memo produces annually draw over one million people, and he has incredible connections all over the world, so maybe it’s time for me to learn Spanish and bring the words and works of the Prophet to a part of the world I’ve never known. The whole South American continent beckons to us, and Marta could be a superb translator for Brazil. The possibilities are endless!
Friday, April 02, 2010
Nas, Damian Marley and K'naan Making Good Vibes
Nas & Damian Marley Make A Surprise Appearance With K'naan At NYC's Irving Plaza
The Distant Relatives shocked the audience by joining K'naan on stage for his show at Irving Plaza last night in New York. The duo performed "As We Enter", which is the lead single from their upcoming collaborative project Nas & Damian "Jr Gong" Marley are Distant Relatives (in stores May 18).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyfZipQG6Rc
Watch the official Distant Relatives album trailer below
Go in the studio with two musical legends as they explore their common African ancestry through their music. Oliver Stone makes a surprise appearance as he joined the pair in studio to offer his insight. Additional commentary is provided by Busta Rhymes, Ethiopian Hip-Hop sensation K'Naan, & the prolific poet Saul Williams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAgV-EIIby4
The Distant Relatives shocked the audience by joining K'naan on stage for his show at Irving Plaza last night in New York. The duo performed "As We Enter", which is the lead single from their upcoming collaborative project Nas & Damian "Jr Gong" Marley are Distant Relatives (in stores May 18).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyfZipQG6Rc
Watch the official Distant Relatives album trailer below
Go in the studio with two musical legends as they explore their common African ancestry through their music. Oliver Stone makes a surprise appearance as he joined the pair in studio to offer his insight. Additional commentary is provided by Busta Rhymes, Ethiopian Hip-Hop sensation K'Naan, & the prolific poet Saul Williams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAgV-EIIby4
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