Sixth annual S.C. Reggae Jerk Festival returns to West Ashley on Aug. 25
from Staff Reports
Come on out and celebrate all things Jamaican at the Sixth Annual South Carolina Reggae Jerk Festival. You can feast on the scrumptious jerk-seasoned foods and dance to Reggae music, both which originated in Jamaica. This charity event will once again be held from noon until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, located at 3550 Ashley River Road. Guests will receive a complimentary engraved 9-ounce wine glass to commemorate the event, as well as a complimentary jerk sample paired with wine. Additionally, festivalgoers have complimentary admission to stroll through the historic Magnolia Gardens.
In addition to the live music and jerk cook off, there will be activities such as Jamaican Ludo and Dominoes games, a pepper eating contest, and a great opportunity to network and learn about various wines. Guests will be able to send greetings to family in the Jamaican Diaspora as the popular Dervan Malcolm fom Jamaica’s Power 106 will be broadcasting live from the festival.
A portion of proceeds will go to benefit Healthy Lifestyle Network, a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to helping children and adults in Charleston and to fight childhood sexual abuse in Jamaica. Donations of school supplies, soccer balls sizes 3 & 4, shin guards, arts & crafts, cotton fabric, and hand quilting thread are welcomed.
Sway or dance to the sounds of reggae music performed by local favorites Well Charged Reggae Band, regional favorites Sahara Reggae Band, and national recording artist Rohan de Great.
Based out of Charleston Well Charged was formed over a shared love for vintage reggae, rocksteady, and ska music. With more than 50 years combined experience performing Jamaican rhythms, their style is a faithful nod to the early pioneers of Caribbean music – Alton Ellis, Desmond Dekker, and Prince Buster, to name a few.
Well Charged’s core instrumentation includes bass, drums, keyboards, and guitar. Their time spent traveling and performing, including a stint in Jamaica, created a wealth of experience, echoed in the nuance of their performance. They’ve been voted the Best Local Reggae Band by the readers of the Charleston City Paper.
Sahara Reggae Band is based in Greensboro N.C. and have been playing together since 2002. Made up of musicians from different ethnic and musical backgrounds, but have one thing in common and that is a love for reggae music.
Over the years, Sahara Reggae Band have performed around the Triad region of North Carolina and we have also taken their show on the road around the Southeast.
Rohan Da Great is the son of legendary dancehall artist Curry Don. He is a rapper/reggae artist from Brooklyn, N.Y. now residing in North Carolina. With his versatility, exceptional bar delivery and ear for music, Rohan has garnered comparisons to the likes of Hip Hop icons such as Jay Z and Kanye West , while gaining the respect of reggae lovers and EDM fans across the globe.
In addition to the live performances, you will have the chance to also meet up with two local performers making a name in the Charleston market, Gatorman and Black and Breezy.
Advanced tickets are $40 per person including fees on Eventbrite. Ticket entitles purchaser to receive upon entry a wine glass, a sample of jerk chicken paired with a sample of wine, complimentary garden admission, wine tasting, wine presentation and access to vendors with various Caribbean foods, arts and crafts, six hours of live music, and Soca time with Wayne Hall from Reggae Vibes Radio. Tickets for Adult Designated Drivers and Young Adults less than age 21 years are $25, which also includes garden admission, but wine glass and wine tastings are not included. Tickets at the Festival event gate, not the Magnolia kiosk, are $40 on the day of the event. Children under 12 are free, but no special preparations for the children will be included. Parking is free.
The S.C. Reggae & Jerk Festival will be held Sunday, Aug. 25, from 12-7 p.m. at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, located at 3550 Ashley River Road. For more information, go to www.screggaejerkfestival.com or purchase tickets at www.screggaejerkfestival2019.eventbrite.com.
