Food, music, football to feature at Marley event

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4: Bermuda’s love affair with reggae legend Robert Nesta Marley is well known.

So it is only fitting that a celebration will be held in Bermuda for his birthday.

A Bob Marley Festival Weekend is being planned for the first weekend in February — what would have been the singer’s 67th birthday.

Organizers On Point and Right Connection Productions are working to put on the event with hopes to make it annual.

Kevin Simmons, part of the team, said the festival will take place February 4 and 5 and is encouraging people from all walks of life to attend the event.

Marley’s birthday is February 6.

The venue at this time is tentative as there are two options, he said.

“It’s going to start on the Saturday. It will open up with a prayer with a theme of peace and love in the community.

‘Then there will be an open flea market where you can get Bob Marley memorabilia.”

Mr Simmons said there will also be seminars on the life of Marley, Haile Selassie and Marcus Garvey.

“There will also be vegetarian and Ital food workshop”, he added.

Ital food is part of a diet practised by Rastafarians with the main goal to increase life energy.

In addition to workshops and seminars, Mr Simmons said: “We’re working with cellphone companies to get Bob Marley ring tones for free and also screen savers of your favourite Bob Marley pictures.”

Mr Simmons said another component of the festival will be screening of unreleased footage of Marley.

‘We’ve also got some unreleased music of Marley”, he added.

Festival-goers will also be treated to music from Marley played by DJs.

And on the second day there will be a concert with Bermudian musicians performing Marley’s hits.

Vendors of all kinds are welcomed to sell at the festival, Mr Simmons said.

Also on Sunday, there will be eight-foot tall stilt walkers, spoken word performances and a six a side football tournament.

The winners of the tournament will take home the Bob Marley Cup, which will have a football image of him.

Mr Simmons said the team is also looking for a cake designer who can create a three-foot or larger cake depicting Marley.

The festival will cost $50 for entry for both days and attendees will receive a T-shirt and Marley rubber band as part of the fee.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, playing in the football tournament or baking the cake, contact Mr Simmons on 732-9527.