CHARLEMONT — Fourteen musical acts playing on two stages helped celebrate the Charlemont Reggae Festival’s 25th year on Saturday, sharing the music’s message of love and positivity.
Greenfield’s Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center sponsored the event with Resinate, a cannabis company in Northampton and Worcester.
Organizer Francis DeAngelo said he had been getting ready for the Charlemont Reggae Festival for months.
“What makes this event so special is we can come together again and see live music,” he said. “Live music was hit the hardest by the pandemic. Being able to play again is amazing.”
The original organizer was Ras Jahn Bullock, of the band Loose Caboose and later a member of The Alchemystics, who put on the one-time event in 1985. Then in 1995, musician Abdul Baki — who performed at this year’s event with his band, Root Fiyah — founded the current reggae festival that has continued to this day, with the exception of a two-year hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawks & Reed took over the event in 2019.
Resinate also played a role at Saturday’s festival.
“We are here to do community outreach and brand awareness,” said Dave Dumas, general manager of the Northampton location. “As prices are falling, you have to do it as a passion.”
Matt Nichols attended the festival with his entire family from Brattleboro, Vermont. He played keyboards in the band Tuff Riddim International at the Jammin Stage on Saturday. When he isn’t performing at an event, he runs a cafe in Brattleboro called Love Buzz, where he plays reggae music and serves organic tea and coffee.
“I love the music because it is the simple message of love,” Nichols said.
Josephine Duah sold incense, tie-dye items and jewelry at her booth called Scents by Sarai.
“I just sit down, relax and let my mind get creative,” she said about her work. “I never know what I am going to end up with.
“This is a nice family event,” Duah said of the Charlemont Reggae Festival. “That’s what this music is all about — family.”
Musicians at the festival came from near and far. The headliners, EarthKry, came from Kingston, Jamaica, and made Charlemont a stop in the middle of their American tour.
While the headliner came from far away, most of the acts were local bands. Keyboardist Jason Metcalf performed with the bands Rhythm Inc., Dave Noonan’s Green Island, Shanti Starr, Burnie T., and The King and Crown Prince. He has played at the Charlemont Reggae Festival for 15 years.
“I love the feel and groove of the music,” he said. “I also love the message of reggae.”
“I love the body-oriented music style of reggae. It is meditative; it puts you in a transient state of mind,” added Dan Thomas, a guitar player for Dave Noonan’s Green Island who lives in Easthampton. “Reggae has always sent a great message. Looking at the history, even the darker sides always have a positive end.
“I love this festival,” Thomas continued. “It is great to gather at the end of summer, enjoy music and have a day outside.”
Contact Bella Levavi at blevavi@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.