Howard Gumbo’s Sohnai’s Summer Soirée is a night filled with delicious food, lively music, and great company. It’s an in-person event that will be held at 1019 Del Paso Blvd. in Sacramento, California, on August 24th, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. local time.
It will feature performances by R&B singer Bobby V, as well as several local artists: Aldin, Sohnai, Yumz Awkword, The Turffeinz, and others. Comedian Hannibal Thompson will host, and tickets are available via Eventbrite.
The city of Miramar will present an Ole Time Fair on Saturday, August 3rd, in honor of Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence. It’s a free event that will be at the Miramar Amphitheatre at Miramar Regional Park in Florida. It will start at 3:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.
As this is a live music, entertainment, and cultural showcase, it will feature performances by Ernie Smith, Ed Robinson, Richie Spice, Super Cat, and Gramps Morgan. They will also have a kids zone and a farmers market.
North Andros, one of the largest of the 31 districts of The Bahamas, is gearing up for a major event on Friday, August 2nd. The 1st Annual Big Yard Fest will be held at Off Da Road Bar and Grill (Queens Highway, North Andros), and it is expected to attract Bahamians from all islands and stimulate economic growth in North Andros.
The festival will be headlined by international reggae artist Richie Spice, who hails from Jamaica. Bahamian performers Jah Hem, Shine, and Bobo Tino are also on the lineup, as well as top DJs Unruly Ajay, Fresh International, DJ Kozmo, DJ Melody, and DJ Ting. Click here to buy tickets.
On Sunday, July 28th, the 14th edition of the Simmer Down Festival was staged at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Known as one of the UK’s largest music and arts festivals, the event is all about celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the city of Birmingham.
This year, Miss Beverley Kelso, the only surviving member of the original Wailers, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. She was a backing vocalist who sang on approximately 25 tracks with the group between 1963 and 1965. The deaths of Junior Braithwaite in 1999, Cherry Smith in 2008, and Bunny Wailer in 2021 have left Beverley Kelso as the only living person from that ensemble.
In addition to honoring Beverley Kelso, Simmer Down also featured Grammy artist Julian Marley, who performed with The Uprising Band, Queens of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay, and Carroll Thompson, as well as Peter Hunnigale, Peter Spence, Keisha White, Macka B, Mad Professor, and many more.
Unfortunately, as Beverley Kelso was unable to attend, Kelvin Grant, of the 70s British reggae band Musical Youth, received the award on her behalf. That said, click here to see her response to getting the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nigerian gospel star Peterson Okopi will be in Ontario, Canada, for the forthcoming A Call to Worship Revival. It is to take place on Saturday, August 17th, at 105-107 Kenhar Drive in Toronto. The running time is 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
In addition to Peterson Okopi, Chigozie Wisdom, Martin Okolo, and Princess Fornah will also be ministering. And although registration is free, it is imperative for anyone wanting to reserve a seat. Register here: kabodmusicfestival.com.
At the end of August (on the 30th), one of the world’s best hip-hop bands, The Roots, will join multi-award-winning recording artist and actor Macy Gray for an event that will benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a Raleigh-based non-profit organization.
It will be staged at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre (8003 Regency Parkway) in Cary, North Carolina. Additional information, and links to tickets are available on the venue’s website.
St. Catherine’s reggae/dancehall singer and songwriter, Christopher Martin, has been invited to perform live at the upcoming Jam Slam taking place on Saturday, August 31st, in Kingston, Jamaica.
The multipurpose Alfred Sangster Auditorium at the University of Technology, Jamaica (Utech) will become the center for an action-packed day of pro wrestling. It will be hosted by the “World’s Strongest Man” and WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 