VANCITY ROOTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

On July 22nd, Amexem Roots Rock Reggae Cultural Society hosted Vancity Roots and Culture Experience, a FREE interactive reggae, hip-hop, soul and R&B music jam featuring some of the best seasoned and up and coming local artists in Vancouver. While celebrating the Earthstrong (birthday) of Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia under the red, gold and green banner, participants got a taste of the cultural experience rooted in reggae music. The Earthstrong of Haile Selassie I is celebrated by thousands of Rastafarians all over the world and is a remembrance of the Emperor’s commitment to peace, unity and freedom for all human beings regardless of ethnicity or economic status.

The all-day event featured live music by Vancouver’s premier reggae band, Mad Riddim with special guests, reggae recording artists Doron Bell, Zukie Joseph and Gisto, First Nations spoken word artist, Ostwelve and rising Vancouver star Zizi as well as Vancouver’s Queen of Soul, Dawn Pemberton, positive dancehall artist, Tugstar from Jamaica and international guest, Adan Samuel Nunez of Golden Ganga Band from Mexico. The event was hosted by long-time CFRO DJ, Lynden V. (Roots Reggae Show) with DJ’s George Barrett (The Reggae Show (CFRO) Rockers (CiTR)), DJ LT Irie (Jamdown Saturdays at Calabash Bistro) and Nasty Jag (Pirates of the Caribbean (CJSF)).

The Chain and Forge is a new public space in the heart of Granville Island that will offers a variety of free public events and activities over the summer. We hope you will join us in 2019 for the next installment of Vancity Roots and Culture Experience, lineuup to be announced soon!

This project is made possible through Granville Island’s Activation Grants and Initiatives.