Sounds Local: Reggae fans rejoice: Charlemont Reggae Festival returns for 28th year

Reggae fans can rejoice as the long-running Charlemont Reggae Festival is set to take place on Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 10 p.m. The festival, now in its 28th year, celebrates positivity and unity and will feature eleven local and international reggae artists. Attendees can also look forward to performances by two DJs, a variety of food vendors, artists, activities for children, and much more.

Last year’s festival was a two-day event with multiple stages, but this year the festival will return to its roots as a one-day event and have only one stage.

The Charlemont Reggae Festival, set in the picturesque Charlemont fairgrounds, holds a significant place in our local music scene. It was founded by reggae musician Abdul Baki in 1997 and was run by him until 2002.

At that point, he handed the reins over to Ras Jahn Bullock, who has a long history in reggae music and even hosted a one-time reggae festival in Charlemont in 1985. Bullock is probably best known for his work with Loose Caboose and the Alchemystics.

Bullock and his wife Elizabeth oversaw the festival from 2002 to his death in 2017. This year’s festival is dedicated to him in honor of all his years of work bringing reggae music to Charlemont.

Elizabeth found running the festival on her own was very difficult, so she turned to the music venue Hawks & Reed of Greenfield who ran it up until this current year. When they decided to pass the torch, they reached out to Shanti Starr of Wendell to ask her to take over.

Starr was a natural choice as she is a reggae musician who is well-connected to the local reggae scene and has played and participated in the festival since it began. 

Starr has lived in the area for over 20 years and has toured the globe with her band the Afro-Reggae All Stars, who combine West African instruments, like the Balafon, with reggae to create dance-ready music. She’s also a member of the drum group Gaia Roots.

Starr also has experience as an international event organizer, including hosting the annual world music/reggae festival Mount Mineral Music Festival in Wendell each June. However, when she was contacted about taking on the responsibilities of The Charlemont Reggae Festival, she was at first reluctant.

“I was hesitant because it’s a lot – but then I felt like I was part of a growing evolution of the festival since its early years and it’s just a natural fit to just go for it,” Starr said in a recent phone conversation. 

She took the leap and is thrilled with all the support she’s received from everyone involved. 

“I have a fantastic team,” she said. “We’re all working together. They are all mamas, a team of rocking mamas who are excellent,” she said with a laugh. 

“It’s a lot of work and there are a lot of details, but it’s really coming along nicely,” Starr said. “And at the end of the day, at least we are doing it. And I know Ras Jahn would be happy, and a lot of the elders are happy. So it feels good.”

And Starr is excited about the lineup they have put together.

“The lineup is a mix of local artists and international artists. We have some artists from Jamaica and Cape Verde,” Starr said. “We also have incredible women on the lineup as well, which is always refreshing – to have strong women.”

Is there anyone that she was able to book that she is especially excited about?

“We are very happy to have Ras Iba, who is from the Virgin Islands,” she said, going on to explain that Iba is one of the leading vocalists coming out of St. Croix, and that he writes deeply profound lyrics.

Another performer she mentioned is Clatta Bumboo, who prides himself on creating roots reggae that honors the reggae music of his elders, like Bob Marley and the Wailers and Burning Spear.

“Clatta Bumboo is an artist coming out of Jamaica, who is supportive of conscious reggae music in the U.S. and really living to high standards when it comes to spreading a message,” Starr said.

Reggae is genre that places great importance on the message of the music.

“With reggae music, there is a message and a consciousness,” Starr said. “And as an artist of reggae music, that is very important to hold up high. A lot of the artists that are performing at the festival hold that frequency – they are not just playing music to entertain, but are coming with a real message that can help uplift the people.” 

Some of the local musicians performing at this year’s festival, like the Equalities, have been playing the festival for many years. This includes Root Fiyah, led by Abdul Baki, and Roosta Acoustic, which features Jamaican native, Roosta (Fear Nuttin’ Band) on vocals, and Tommy Sage on acoustic guitar. Rounding out the local talents is Mystic I, who play Roots Reggae infused with jazz.

Of course, Starr and her band the Afro-Reggae All-Stars will perform, as will Gaia Roots. 

Nephertiti, a vocalist from Connecticut who brings an intense healing energy to her work and Souls of Zion, who blend reggae, hip-hop and R&B will also perform. Ras Moon is another artist from Cape Verde. He blends Cape Verdean and African influences with reggae. DJ Cancer and DJ Trend are also part of the lineup.

“I know people have always been  excited about the festival over the years, but this year it just feels like there is this real buzz and high energy vibration around it,” Starr said. “And people are very, very excited. It’s been a long tradition in the area – since the ’80s, so we are just keeping the tradition alive, keeping the reggae music in the hills in the spirit of positivity and love.” 

The day will kick off at 12:30 p.m. with a Nyabinghi session, which is an opening prayer that Abdul Baki will lead, and all are welcome to join in with heartbeat drums, chanting, and shakers. 

Tickets and more information available at charlemontreggaefestival.com. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free. There will be a rain date of Sunday, Aug. 24.

Root Fiyah at Peskeomskut Park

You can get an idea of what you’ll hear at the Charlemont Reggae Festival when Root Fiyah, Led by Abdul Baki, takes the stage for a free concert at Peskeompskut Park in Turners Falls today, Thursday, Aug. 21, at 7 p.m.

Baki, who has a long history playing reggae music, is the lead vocalist of the band that features some of New England’s finest reggae musicians. The music they play is inspired by the Rocksteady period in Jamaican music. “Music is the heartbeat of creation – it carries a message of love, truth, and upliftment. When I play, it’s not just for entertainment, it’s for elevation,” wrote Abdul Baki in his press release. 

This event is made possible from the support of RiverCulture and the Mass Cultural Council. Bring a picnic dinner and a lawn chair. In case of rain, this event will be rescheduled. 

Time change for Coop Concerts 

The weekly Coop Concerts held at the Greenfield Energy Park every Thursday have switched their start time to 5:30 p.m instead of the usual 6 p.m., and will end at 7:30 p.m instead of 8 p.m. This is to accommodate the fact that it is getting dark earlier. This week will feature Kathy Sylvester and Stephanie Marshall followed by an extended set from the Psychedelic Farm Girls.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.