Since the late 1970s, VP Records has been instrumental in getting reggae, dancehall, and soca music on platforms usually reserved for mainstream genres. This year, the New York-based record label and distribution company celebrates its 45th anniversary.

One of the events on their agenda is the Peetah Morgan tribute concert, scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, at Central Park in Manhattan. It will feature performances by Morgan Heritage and friends. This show is also a part of the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage free outdoor festivals.

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.