Reggae Rising Announces Early-Bird Ticket Specials

Marco DiFlorio

Rising Star: Queen Ifrica

There's just something about the end of summer/beginning of fall in Humboldt County. A certain, slightly pungent smell in the air, perhaps? Or maybe it's the annual Reggae Rising festival, resurrected from the ashes of Reggae on the River and back for one more irie bacchanal of sun, music, arts & crafts, campground drinking, late-night dancehall sessions, and inner-tube chilling (which apparently is much more fun on 'shrooms, we hear). As is usually the case with Big Freakin' Music Events Way Out in the Middle of Nowhere (but a nice nowhere), those who plan ahead are rewarded with cheaper ticket prices: $99 (limit of 8). Considering some festival prices are well past triple-digit range, that's a deal. Camping is extra, though.

So, how's Reggae Rising doing? Looks good so far. This year's lineup is still being added to--as usual, it often hinges on the, ahem, Visa status of Jamaican artists--but at this early date, here's who it's looking like: a smattering of legends (Marcia Griffiths, Aswad, The Original Wailers, Ras Michael, Tony Rebel), current stars (Gentleman, Queen Ifrica, Lutan Fyah, Rootz Underground), and up-and-comers (Andrew Diamond, Bobby T and the Magical). The final lineup should be a big harvest of talent, as always.