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We take this opportunity to thank the organizers, who made the benefit a reality. We are grateful that you allowed us to show our support in this time of deep sorrow. We hope that our music, which were selected especially for the occasion, gave those in attendance some level of comfort

We take this opportunity to thank the organizers, who made the benefit a reality. We are grateful that you allowed us to show our support in this time of deep sorrow. We hope that our music, which were selected especially for the occasion, gave those in attendance some level of comfort. To the family and friends of Shay Shay, we pray that you find some joy in this time of sorrow. Here is a list of the songs we selected. If you would like a copy of the songs played at the benefit, please contact us. The play list is as follows:

• Luciano – Talk to God
• Dezarie – Most High
• Jr. Gong – There for you
• Nasio Fontain – New song
• Beres Hammond – Gonna shine again
• Buju Banton – All will be fine
• Dezarie – Always remember
• Malika Madremana – Heavens door
• Midnite – Before I lose my strength
• Misty in Roots – How long Jah

Virginia Reggae tenders our deepest sympathy to the Out and Bad ladies and the families on their loss of their love one! A benefit will be held at Trisom on 28th September 2008.

Virginia Reggae tenders our deepest sympathy to the Out and Bad ladies and the families on their loss of their love one! A benefit will be held at Trisom on 28th September 2008. Trisom is located at 152 S. Plaza Trail. Va. Beach. Please keep them in your hearts at this unfortunate hour in their lives. The benefit is being held to offset expenses that will be incurred.

On Sunday the 5th October, Virginia Reggae will be hosting: First Sundays: Strictly Roots Reggae: In the dancehall. These dancehall sessions will feature Roots Reggae Sound systems from near and far. The first of these events will be held, October 5th 2008. We invite you to come out once each month to support these one of a kind Roots Reggae Sound Systems.

You have probably heard about it, but just incase your so called friends have left you in the dark on what’s good on the Dancehall scene, let us fill you in!

On Sunday the October 5th, Virginia Reggae will be hosting: First Sundays: Strictly Roots Reggae: In the dancehall. These dancehall sessions will feature Roots Reggae Sound systems from near and far. The first of these events will be held, October, 5th 2008. We invite you to come out once each month to support these one of a kind Roots Reggae Sound Systems.

Doors open at 8 p.m. for those wishing to come out early. We are aware that some people have other obligations, but would like to hear some good music in a club setting before heading off to bed in preparation for Monday morning! Whether you come early or come late will not make much of a difference in the quality of the music you will hear. Roots Reggae Sound systems do not rely on specific songs to garner forwards, but play each tune with a positive vibration in mind. First Sundays will serve to expose the masses to quality music beyond the norm without compromising the fun aspect of the dancehall!

Now, on the other hand, forwards and salutes is just what you may be doing from the time you arrive until you leave. Each selection will touch the source of goodness in you at these first Sunday’s sessions! Please invite your friends to come out to these dancehall sessions, which are unlike anything you have ever attended in these parts. Please load up the car (car pooling is ok /gas is a killer) and head out to First Sundays: Strictly Roots Reggae: In the Dancehall

On 5Th October, first Sundays feature:
LION TRIBE, FULLEROOTS and BLACKSTARLINER sound systems.

Admission is always $5 unless otherwise stated

Unfortunately the age limit at this venue is 21

First Sunday will be held at Tonics in Va. Beach

Next session: November 2, 2008 (Coronation Day Session)

The summer season is almost over. Soon the temperature will be another reason why some of us will stay away from exercising, especially on the outside; Virginia Reggae would like to take this time to encourage you to stay physical. We agree that, “it is much easier said than done” which is why we have decided to offer you some of our time.

The summer season is almost over. Soon the temperature will be another reason why some of us will stay away from exercising, especially on the outside; Virginia Reggae would like to take this time to encourage you to stay physical. We agree that, “it is much easier said than done” which is why we have decided to offer you some of our time. We are not professionals and do recommend that you take the necessary medical precautions to ensure your safety while exercising.

If you are interested, we would be happy to have you join us on our morning walks. If you are considering our offer, we ask that you contact us by Thursday evenings. We usually reserve our Saturday walks/ runs for those who would like a little companionship. We know that some of you would probably want to run and we will be willing to run with you as long as we can maintain the level at which you run (we are turtles compared to some of you hares).

Our aim is to form a team of runners/ walkers that love reggae music. With that said we invite you to join us and become a Virginia Reggae Runner/ walker (T-Shirt with logo’s to come soon).

Membership is as easy as 1, 2, 3. All you have to do is, e-mail us to set up a time and place and then be there to start walking/ running (at your own pace). PS: Please seek expert advice before joining us. You’re medical conditions, your health and fitness levels are your responsibility!

e-mail us

Listening to radio or depending on sound systems seem to always fail to keep you up to date with good music. You probably have already missed out on an exceptional reggae artist, hailing from St. Croix, U.S.V.I. Her name is Dezarie.

Listening to radio or depending on sound systems seem to always fail to keep you up to date with good music. You probably have already missed out on an exceptional reggae artist, hailing from St. Croix, U.S.V.I. Her name is Dezarie.

Dezarie has released only three albums to date. In 2001 she released Fya which was followed by Gracious Mama Africa in 2003 and this summer (2008) she released, Ease the pain. With these three albums Dezarie has certainly earned the title of “Queen of Roots Reggae music." Her songs are timeless, socially conscious, educational and revolutionary.

You can pop a Dezarie cd in your music player and never worry about the lyrics having a negative effect on anyone around you! There are no fillers, no profanities, no sexual innuendo’s, no call to murder innocence or any of the usual things required to create a hit! Dezarie’s vibration is unlike any other artist you may encounter. Her stage shows are not to be missed (we drove 8 hours to see her perform, and that was on a weekday). Give her a listen and HEAR for yourself. You may agree with us!

Or Buy Her album http://www.dezarie.com/

United Souls has released a DVD called “Rise Up”. Apparently it was recorded by Slam (Media award winners at the 1st Virginia Reggae Awards, earlier this year). Now all we have to do is get a copy so that we can load up a clip for you to preview!!! Big tings a gwaan

United Souls has released a dvd called “Rise Up”.  It was recorded by Slam (Media award winners at the 1st Virginia Reggae Awards, earlier this year). You can watch a preview online @ http://www.myspace.com/unitedsoulsband. Big tings a gwaan

According to sources Bukwi’s album is completed. We hope to be one of the first to sample the final product.

Congratulations to Seko (VR) on winning the 2nd annual N.S.U. 5 K Run for Excellence. The fundraiser Benefits the Norfolk State University Foundation and
the Eddie’s Crabhouse Scholarship Fund.. The race was held Saturday, August 30, 2008. The Winning time was 19:45. Big up’s to Carlita (VR). Carlita assisted the race monitors by timing the runners as they crossed the finish line.

Foreign Fridays will no longer be held at Blakely’s. By the time you read this lil piece, the popular night (theme) should be opening at a Venue near you!

Get your gear for the Pink and Blue affair coming soon. This is the 2nd year for the event put on by radio personalities Jerseygoodas and Quick Draw from 88.1 fm.

We want to reintroduce you a cool reggae personality in Virginia. His name is Corey Harris: The Rasta Blues Experience.

The 2nd Virginia Reggae Awards are coming soon soon soon soon! Get ready

Like most of you, we have friends spread out all across America. Just like us, they too listen to lots of Reggae music. We all listen to other music, but Reggae is our thing. Well we got a call from one of our long distance friends last Sunday while preparing for Home Grown 2. The call was to show us love and support. A normal call from friends, except that this time, we had accepted a small challenge!

Like most of you, we have friends spread out all across America. Just like us, they too listen to lots of Reggae music. We all listen to other music, but Reggae is our thing. Well we got a call from one of our long distance friends last Sunday while preparing for Home Grown 2. The call was to show us love and support. A normal call from friends, except that this time, we had accepted a small challenge!

It was quite simple. We were to only listen to Artist from our local Reggae pool for three (3) days. Of course we asked the usual questions! What was the point? According to our friend, there was no point to it. She just had this bugging thought/ idea and so she decided to let the thought bug someone else.

She picked us for one simple reason! We always brag about the Virginia Reggae music scene! We do feel a little sympathy for her, while she embarks on this mission. If you knew the state and area she lives in, you would share our sentiments!

She usually describes her local reggae scene as nonexistent! We usually tell her it seem that way but if she looked harder she will find something good one day!
We must admit that even our local reggae acts can be a bit below the radar at times.

Well she is diving deep into her local reggae pool now. She went out and bought some music, from a guy at the flee market. She also found out that a band plays on Tuesday nights. The good thing is that it’s an after work party. Unfortunately for her it is a thirty minute drive in the opposite direction to her home. On the other hand, it does give her time to check out those two artist albums she picked up!

Well we are off to do our three days of listening to nothing but local reggae artist!

Reggae music gave many an introduction to brother Marcus Garvey. The colors of red, black and green collectively bringing about meaning, The Black Starline Shipping Company, Repatriation to Africa, Love of self etc etc etc. Marcus Garvey left us many idea’s to navigate our situation.

Reggae music gave many an introduction to brother Marcus Garvey. The colors of red, black and green collectively bringing about meaning, The Black Starline Shipping Company, Repatriation to Africa, Love of self etc etc etc. Marcus Garvey left us many idea’s to navigate our situation.

Recently I was reminded of something else that our brother left for us. Marcus Garvey left us lots of lyrics. Now you may find some of them listed as poems but we all know, If Garvey could record those lyrics today he would certainly use a reggae influenced beat. He would probably seek out the best riddims and producers to do his work. He would do so for various reasons. One, to support the art form born of the same soil as himself. Secondly, he would understand the influence reggae music would have on the minds of the youth, and the last reason is well, Reggae Music is GREAT MUSIC, and a great man would recognize that! YES, I know that you agree!

Anyway what reminded of Marcus Garvey’s lyrics was a song by reggae artist Sista Kat. The song is called "Keep Cool"(You can hear the song on the Mix of the same name click here). The song maintains the original name and lyrics as written by Marcus Garvey. Sista Kats beautiful voice transforms Garvey’s words of encouragement just as majestically as Bob Marley had done to H.I.M Haile Selassie’s words in the song "War". Marcus Garvey’s ideas gave life to Reggae music and as we celebrate his one hundred and twenty first year of his life, I hope that Reggae music will continue to introduce others to our beloved brother, Marcus Garvey!

Marcus Garvey Poetry