This weekend I traveled to Ocho Rios to meet up with a couple of other PCV ladies to attend Rebel Salute. What is Rebel Salute you ask...well as far as I know it is the largest Reggae Concert in Jamaica and definitely one of the largest in the world.
Here is a summary of what the concert is all about from their webpage: Rebel Salute is undeniably a masterpiece! What began as a show to
commemorate the January 15 birthday of reggae icon Patrick “Tony Rebel”
Barrett has become a staple on the live music events calendar.
Every year since its first staging in 1994 in Brooks
Park, Mandeville, Tony Rebel and Flames Production Inc.
has delivered a world-class roots show unlike any
other while promoting and preserving the healthier aspects of reggae
music.
The show has since then been moved to Richmond Estates, Priory, St. Ann. Rebel Salute has captured the adoration of roots reggae lovers
worldwide. Combined with the warm hospitality and abundant culture of
the Jamaican people, this event is not one to be missed.
Hailed today as a spiritual renaissance, it has become
the bedrock for the exposure and celebration of Jamaican roots music.
As the first cultural event for the New Year, the
showcase has become a very proud process of reclaiming the moral high
ground once occupied by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and others.
Nothing can be more symbolic of Jamaica’s cultural
legacy than a resounding clash between the heart and the mind: “when the
music hits, you feel no pain”. Source: http://rebelsaluteprod.com/About.aspx
Over all the concert was amazing. There were thousands of people there. Unfortunately it had rained Saturday morning so what began as a nice grassy field was a total mud pit by the time we arrived at about 11:30pm (Jamaican parties start really late). But we braved the mud and enjoyed ourselves to an amazing and integral part of Jamaican culture. Though I didnt understand all the lyrics and could not recognize every artist that came on stage it was a delight to be surrounded by the Jamaican fans. There were many moments when I just looked around at the crowd in what felt like slow motion soaking up where I was and what I was experiencing! One of my favorite nights in Jamaica thus far. Good Friends, Good Music Good Times!
All us girls having a blast!
| Claire with her friends from the Police Youth Club |
| The noise maker salesman. These horns are soooo loud and everyone uses them instead of yelling or whooping. They are hard to deal with for very long and can almost be migraine inducing. |
Chronnix
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