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World's Biggest Stars Converge On Jamaica's Resort Capital For Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest In Montego Bay, JULY 16-22Multiple Grammy Award Damian Marley, U.S. Hip-Hop Sensation 50 Cent, Rihanna, and Beenie Man Headline Week-long FestivalEdited by Madelyn Miller, the Travellady
Organizers believe that this year’s production, which will feature the biggest line-up of stars in the event’s history will be the best festival ever. “With the return of two of the world’s most sought after dancehall acts, Beenie Man and Bounty Killa along with international stars 50 Cent and Rihanna, we are confident patrons will witness an exciting event,” Executive Director Johnny Gourzong said. The festival kicks off on July 16 with the new Vibes Island
Beach Party at Tropical Beach and heats up the following day, July 17 with the
Mad Monday Street Party on Mobay’s Gloucester Avenue Hip Strip.
Donnie Dawson, Interim Director of Tourism for the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is eagerly anticipating this year’s installment. “The JTB is pleased to continue its support of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest which is an integral part of Jamaica’s cultural calendar, and an event that attracts thousands of overseas visitors to our shores each year. We are delighted to once again be a major sponsor of Sumfest, which showcases the best and hottest musical talents of the island.”
Affordable, value-added air-inclusive packages are offered by several companies: Air Jamaica Vacations at 1-800-LOVEBIRD / www.airjamaica.com JRS Tours at 1-800-JAMAICA / www.1-800-jamaica.com Caribbean Travel Specialists at 1-800-544-5979 / www.caribeanisles.com Atlas Vacations at 1-800-634-1057 / www.atlasvacations.net Island Tours in Tokyo, Japan / www.islandtour.jp Attractively priced land-only packages are offered by numerous hotels; rates are available at www.reggaesumfest.com. Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest Program Line-up
Pass Prices Season pass for all 5 nights:
VIP season pass for all 5 nights, with limited backstage
access and front-of-stage access: Red Green & Gold armband, for Thursday, Friday and
Saturday:
Weekend pass, for Friday and Saturday: VIP Weekend pass, for Friday and Saturday, with limited
backstage access and front-of-stage access at main venue:
First staged in 1993, Reggae Sumfest quickly became the world’s premier reggae music event. The festival name was changed in 2001 to “Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest” when two major promoters, Summerfest Productions and Red Stripe, forged a partnership. About Jamaica Tourist Board The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The Board is responsible for the worldwide tourism marketing and promotion for the island country of Jamaica. For almost 50 years, the JTB’s mandate has been to promote Jamaica as a preferred travel destination, identify new and emerging consumer groups, cultivate new relationships with travel partners and disseminate timely and useful marketing information to its offices and travel partners worldwide. Details of upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica are posted on the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com. To book a trip to Jamaica please contact a travel agent or call the Jamaica Tourist Board toll-free at 1-800-233-4JTB (1-800-233-4582), 305-665-0557 or go to www.visitjamaica.com. For questions regarding the new U.S. passport requirements for travel to the Caribbean, please go to www.travel.state.gov. BEST WAY TO GET THERE Air Jamaica WHERE TO STAY My favorite place in Jamaica is the Beaches Royal
Plantation. An elegant, cozy property with an extraordinary spa and wonderful
restaurants. It is unlike what I consider the typical all inclusive, more like a
private, clubby resort. This is inn-timacy at its best. SHOPPING If you want to support local artists, you must visit
Harmony Hall. Great work by local artists, the gallery is owned by several
artists. And the gift shop is selected with an eye to true craftsmanship, yet
there are many items for under $10. Be sure to stop here for gifts. I bought
wonderful handpainted cuffsizewd bangle bracelets made from bamboo for $5 each.
ArtBeat by Inansi If you are interested in good values on good Jewelry, visit
Tropicana Jewelers WHERE TO EAT I love the formal French restaurant at Beaches Royal Plantation. Ruins. Fabulous Food in an elegant setting Margaritaville. Shop at Island Village and then enjoy a fun dinner at Margaritaville. Or do it the other way around. Situated right on the beach at Island Village shopping and entertainment complex, this high energy bar and grill provides all day family fun and nighttime entertainment. There is a hundred foot waterslip, a hot tub and 3 bars, including a swim up pool bar. Island Grill (12 MaIn Street and Island Village) 974-3160. Grilled jerk chicken, roast fish and homemade Jamaica side dishes with colorful Caribbean décor and friendly atmosphere. An authentic island eating experience on quick, convenient service and value for money. HOW TO GET A TASTE OF JAMAICA AT HOME Everyone will recommend the Walkerswood seasoning and
spices and marinades. For do-it-yourselfers you can find their products on the
internet They also have a cookbook WALKERSWOOD CARIBBEAN KITCHEN MOSTLY FOR MUSIC LOVERS Reggae Explosion Caribbean Playgound Putumayo Kids Caribbean Neo Folk Singer Songwriter Asheba specializes in children’s music. Two of his great Cd’s are- Go Itsy No More Monkeys THE GREAT OUTDOORS Dunns Falls is to Jamaica what the Statue of Liberty is to New York. A most-see on your first visit and perhaps the site most associated with Jamaican tourism. Here you’ll see millions of gallons of water cascade 600 feet down a series of waterfalls before emptying into the sea. Dolphin Cove. Located next to Dunns Falls is the Dolphin
Cove where you can swim with the Dolphins DON’T MISS Bob Marley Museum . Formerly Bob Marley’s residence, this collection of Marley memorabilia depicts the life and career of the late regae superstar THE MOST POPULAR SOUVENIR The best Legal thing to bring back is Appleton Rum. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Be sure to save $27 for the island departure tax. Paradise does not come cheap WHAT TO BRING Suntan lotion Bug spay And Earplugs for the blaring reggae music. Even music lovers agree that Jamaica gives a whole new meaning to the word volume. Madelyn Miller is a writer and web entrepreneur who writes for www.travellady.com, www.carladynews.com, www.chocolateatlas.com, www.cocktailatlas.com, www.teaAtlas.com |
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The 14th Annual Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, billed as the
biggest world-wide reggae event, will feature a stellar line-up of artistes at
the Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex in Montego Bay, Jamaica, July 16-22.
On July 19 at
Pier 1, Summerfest Productions will pay tribute with Top Ranking, highlighting
the top vintage dancehall artistes. The action moves to Catherine Hall on July
20 with Stormfront – The Explosive Dancehall Night. The international fire
blazes on July 21 with Ignition, featuring the island’s greatest and the world’s
best climaxing on July 22 with The Summit, showcasing Jamaica’s and the world’s
top performers at the pinnacle of their career.
Value-Added Packages
(Schedule subject to change)
VIP Red Green & Gold armband, for Thursday, Friday and
Saturday with limited backstage access and front-of-stage access at main venue:
About Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest