In the quest for friendship, peace and understanding, cultural exchange has a long history of success in bridging gaps and fostering unity among distant communities.
Friends of Reggae International, a locally based Missouri nonprofit organization, launched Kansas City’s first Reggae and Music Festival at Thies Mall (Volker Park) in the summer of 1989. The inaugural event featured world renowned superstars Lucky Dube of South Africa, Fela Kuti of Nigeria, Jimmy Cliff of Jamaica, and American folk/soul/R&B artist, Richie Havens. Many local and regional artists also participated in the out-door event.
A diverse and vibrant audience of more than 30,000 individuals attended the first year. The annual festival thrived nearly two decades. In that time, over 500,000 local, national and international music enthusiasts attended the event at various locations in the Kansas City area. The cultural and economic impact was significant. Former mayors Richard Berkley and Emmanuel Cleaver II each issued proclamations to honor and commemorate the festival events.
Our local community, in these challenging times, needs healing and growth, culturally and economically. Friends of Reggae International’s vision for a Kansas City Reggae Music and Jerk Festival, to be held at Thies Mall (Volker Park), July3rd and 4th , 2021, offers opportunities for both.
This year’s Festival will feature the Legendary Wailers, Kenyatta Hill (son of late reggae icon Joseph “Culture” Hill), plus many more reggae and world music artists. The theme of this year’s festival is REGGAE FOR UNITY AND CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS.
Contact us for more information, as follows:
Dave Clarke (816) 315-1834
Thomas Clarke (620) 926-0728