Words by LargeUp Crew— Today would be the 69th Earthstrong of the Caribbean’s greatest musical ambassador, Bob Marley. As usual, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the occasion. Here’s a few top choices.
10. See Sister Carol and the Itals at the Howard Theatre in Washington, DC No matter what city you’re in, you can probably find a tribute to Bob Marley and his music on Feb. 6. Few venues will be cooler, though, than the historic Howard Theatre in Washington D.C. Tonight’s “Soul Rebel: A Birthday Tribute to the King of Reggae” event at the newly-renovated venue, which turns 104 this year, will feature performances from “Black Cinderella” deejay Sister Carol and Jamaican vocal trio the Itals.
9/8. Go to Cannabis Cup’s 18th annual Bob Marley Bash and/or SOB’s 22nd annual Marley celebration in NYC New York City is home to two of the longest-running Bob-themed events we know of. The Cannabis Cup Band, the house band of the marijuana reform movement, will hold their 18th annual Bob Marley Bash at BB King’s Blues Club. This event has sold out every year since its inception, so get that ticket quick. Meanwhile, downtown venue SOBs has been hosting a Marley tribute for an even longer duration. This year’s 22nd edition is free and features a live performance from locally-based trio, New Kingston (pictured above).
7. Tune into RadioLily.com with guests Zuri Marley and Christopher Martin From 1 to 2pm EST, Internet radio station RadioLily will host Zuri Marley, who’ll discuss her favorite songs by her grandfather with “Big Black” Matt Goias. Then, at 6, our weekly program The LargeUp Sessions returns with Jesse Serwer, Jah Banks, selector Orijahnal Vibez and special guest Christopher Martin. In addition to rinsing tunes from the “Cheater’s Prayer” singer, we’ll be playing some of his and our Marley favorites, as well.
6. See Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds in New York City The theatrical version of Cedella Marley’s children’s book Three Little Birds, which includes performances of Bob classics “Jammin’,” “Roots Rock Reggae” and “Is This Love” in addition to the titular tune, opens off-Broadway at the New Victory Theater on Feb. 7, the day after Bob’s birthday. The play, which debuted in Maryland last year, will show once daily on weeknights (Mon-Fri), and twice a day on weekends through Feb. 23.
5. Play a game of five-a-side football Bob Marley loved playing music, but he loved playing football even more. Wherever the singer traveled, he managed to fit in some soccer, but his favorite place to play was at “the stadium,” a 40-yard asphalt rectangle near Cane River Falls in St. Thomas, where he and friends played five-a-side, with breeze-blocks for goalposts. “Football is a whole universe to itself,” Marley once said. “Football is freedom.” If you’re current coordinates bar you from enjoying a game yourself, spend some time perusing the numerous photographs of Marley on the pitch that have made it online.
4. Eat Ital Bob Marley didn’t eat jerk chicken or beef patties, he kept an Ital diet in keeping with Rastafarian teachings. For most adherents, that means no meat, no shellfish and no chemical additives or preservatives. Generally, vegan food and organic vegetarian dishes fit the bill, but the best place to ensure maximum livity from your meal is to get it from your local Ital shack. LargeUp favorites include Dr. Spice and Mi Hungry Whol-Some-Food in Kingston. In NY, Veggie Castle is your best bet for soy chunks, fresh juice and other staples, especially now that Ital Shak in Crown Heights is closed. Prefer staying in? Locate a copy of IMH Publishing’s Ital Food: Easting Rastafarian Style.
3. Go to the 22nd annual Marley Bash in Negril featuring Marcia Griffiths and Luciano The 22nd edition of the long-running Marley Bash in Negril, Jamaica includes performances from Bob’s I-Threes collaborator Marcia Griffiths, and conscious reggae torchbearer Luciano, among others.
2. Donate to the Trenchtown Reading Centre Marley spent much of his youth in a government yard on First Street in Trenchtown, impoverished but culturally rich West Kingston neighborhood referenced in songs such as “Natty Dread”, “Trenchtown Rock” and “No Woman, No Cry.” Despite its significance as the birthplace of reggae and rocksteady and birthplace of many of its biggest stars, poverty persists. One of the most notable efforts empowering the neighborhood has been the establishment of the Trenchtown Reading Centre. Opened in 1993, the centre aims to end the cycle of illiteracy in the neighborhood through enriching programs for children and adults. Donate via their website or through the Friends of the Trenchtown Reading Centre Facebook group.
1. Celebrate Reggae Month in Kingston
The Reggae Industry Association of Jamaica, better known as JARIA, established February as “Reggae Month” largely because it coincides with Bob Marley’s earthstrong—as well as that of other reggae luminaries such as Dennis Brown. Now in its fifth year, Reggae Month includes 28 days of programs across Kingston and the surrounds. Of course, Feb. 6 is the busiest day, with three separate events: a night of Nyabinghi in Trenchtown, a Merritone dance at “oldies” spot Waterfalls, and a “Bob Marley Media Event” at Tuff Gong. The weekend brings the Trenchtown Festival to the Kingston neighborhood where Marley grew up, including the “Miss Mini Trenchtown” competition, a road race, and a special edition of Trench Town Rock concert, (held weekly on Friday nights during February). Visit JARIA’s website for more info on these and other events, and check out highlights from last year’s edition here.
