SATURDAY JUNE 29th THE 4th ANNUAL SUNSHINE REGGAE ROOTS FESTIVAL is again the premier live music event of summer in Downtown Topeka! Featuring International,national,regional and local acts performing live! Food Trucks,Beer Gardens,Art & Crafts,Vendors,Face Painting, Henna Art and more are all featured at this family and pet friendly event!
BANDS FEATURED:
THE SLACKERS (NYC)
The Slackers are self styled masters of Reggae, Ska and Rock’n’Roll from New York City.
The Slackers began in 1991 in NYC. After years of local gigs and rehearsing in a dingy basement in Manhattan’s lower east side, the band released its debut album, Better Late Than Never, in 1996. The band’s success resulted in the release of a second album, Red Light, on the Epitaph label in 1997. Since then the Slackers have released 11 more studio albums (The Question, Wasted Days, Slackers & Friends, Close My Eyes, Slackers in Dub, Peculiar, Boss Harmony Sessions, Self Medication, Lost and Found, The Great Rocksteady Swindle, and The Slackers [self-titled, 2016] ) 3 live albums (Live at Ernestos, Upsettin Ernestos, Slack in Japan), several EPs (International War Crimminal, My Bed is a Boat), and numerous singles and compilation tracks.
Since 1997 the Slackers have played over 100 shows every year in a total of 46 american states, 7 Canadian provinces, 22 European countries, 5 Latin American countries, and 2 Asian countries.
The band’s musical style is distinct from their contempories; a mix of early Jamaican music with classic 50’s and 60s American styles. There are influences from 50s and 60s Rock’n’Roll, Rythmn and Blues, Jazz and Latin music. Singer Vic Ruggiero has coined the term ‘Jamaican Rock’nRoll.’ to describe it. He says, “The band might play a classic Jamaican style but the vocals are distinctly American east coast, revealing the obvious connection of Jamaican music to the Doo-Wop of Harlem and the Bronx.”
www.theslackers.com
The Slackers
THE ROUGHER ALL-STARS (KCMO)
The Rougher All Stars formed in late 2013 in the Midwest’s cultural Paris, Kansas City, best known for its distinctive contribution to jazz (and reggae) in the form of swing.
All of the members of the Rougher All Stars are seasoned professionals who have toured nationally, and internationally, with alumni from The Blue Riddim Band,RC-Dub, and early Jamaican reggae group The Fabulous Falcons, among others. The members have been preferred for back up bands for other international stars, appeared on internationally recognized recordings as studio musicians, and are often in high demand for their musicianship, attention to authenticity and integrity to music they are performing. With many members writing and arranging original pieces that still nod back to old familiar standards of their genre, this 9 piece band knows how to bring the good vibes from any style they are performing.
This authenticity and attention to detail comes from the members’ love and knowledge of the roots of their craft in blues, and more specifically, jazz and Caribbean styles. With members having this kind of passion for continuing the tradition of living knowledge of music and passing it down to further generations, they strive to keep the chain unbroken and moving forward for future musicians.
With the October 2013 joint release of “Enter The Riddim” with the legendary Blue Riddim Band (Rougher Records label mates), the group fully came together in their debut and launched into view.
2014 saw the band performing in festivals and events as well as more intimate and exclusive settings like the infamous Friars Club of New York city.
The start of 2018 has the band in studio working on recording their first full length album for Rougher Records (as yet untitled), and will include more original songs with fresh sounds with respect to their influences from early Kansas City and Kingston.
The Rougher All Stars are keen to show themselves as not just musicians, but as entertainers. Bringing classics and original modern tunes to their audience with class and style unseen in many years.
Rougher All Stars
ELISHA ISRAEL & AZ-ONE (KCMO)
Elisha Israel, is a Kansas city based reggae artist, lead vocalist, Bass guitarist, producer, arranger, songwriter and owner of love bomb publishing. Livicated to bringing Heart Throbbing uplifting inspirational music to the people. Elisha came to Kansas City MO, in 1987 and immediately began working with the local reggae artist including Sidney Wolf formerly of (Ras Micheal & The Sons of Negus, Jimmy Cliff), and International artist Garth Dennis (formerly of Black Uhuru and The Wailing Souls) as they pass through Kansas City. In 1989 Elisha reformed his band AZ-ONE which has its roots in Tulsa Oklahoma, since then AZ-ONE has performed as opening band for many International recording artists as they travel through the area including (The Itals, Beenie man, Burning Spear, Culture, Fela Kuti, The Skatalies, Jimmy Cliff, Pablo Moses, Black Uhuru, Yellow Man, Mutabaruka, Andrew Tosh, Toots & The Maytals, Buju Banton, Luciano, Lucky Dube, Pato Banton, War, and The Wailing Souls). AZ-ONE performs from small venus, private parties, casinos to festivals including the (Austin Texas Reggae festival). currently performing every Thursday night at The Levee, in Kansas City, MO (7 years and counting) and tours throughout the year. Winner of The Midwest Music Association Award, Best Reggae / World Beat 8-1-04.
www.eiazone.com
JAH LION (KCMO)
Jah Lion is a powerful reggae band based out of Kansas City, MO. This band performs roots and conscious cover and original music. The foundation members are Arthur ‘Sabu’ Seabury (Drummer), Edward Turner (Keyboard). Also featuring Joseph Straws Jr (Bass), Rick Cole (Guitar), Aryana Nemati (Sax & Flute)
and Linda ‘Cozi’ Cosar (Vocal & Percussion).
https://www.facebook.com/jahlion.kcmo
23RD VIBRATION (LINCOLN,NE)
Started in Lincoln NE more than 5 years ago with Original music created by Brad Hayes and Supe Richardson…..23rd Vibration currently consists of 6 members with musical backgrounds ranging from Roots Reggae & Caribbean rhythms to Blues & Rock…Dubbed-out jams layer over a rhythm section steeped in authentic roots reggae style, bringing original music and fresh interpretations of classic reggae covers.
Supe Richardson—drums, percussion, lead and backing vocals
Brad Hayes—bass, guitar, harmonica, lead and backing vocals
Dave Hansen—guitar, bass, backing vocals
Alex Lucier—keyboards
Kyle Swartz—percussion, bass
Jeramie Beam–percussion
We strive to blend fun dance-able grooves with conscious music which is not afraid to speak truth to power. As one reviewer noted in February of 2018;
“The crowd could not help but feel the love and the positive message the band was emitting, made obvious by the audience’s unstoppable dancing.”
-Alec Ryan, Daily Nebraskan
https://23rdvibration.com
23rd Vibration
TOP RANX SOUNDSYSTEM (TOPEKA,KS)
Festival co-host/organizer and resident selecta DJ Shitty Ranx or DJ S.Ranx (Sean Spinelli)will be on the decks alongside some special guests. Specializing in ALL VINYL 45rpm/12″ Jamaican Ska,Rocksteady,Roots,Rub & Dub, Lovers Rock,Ragga,Dancehall,Dub and contemporary Jamaican hits. ALL KILLER NO FILLER! Spins from massive vinyl collection of the heaviest riddims,classic and modern hits,and rare gems. Life-long gaurdian of Jamaican Music.
Top Ranx Productions/SoundSystem
HOST/MC: NOWLEGE (JAMAICA)
Festival fan favorite NOWLEGE makes his return this year as a host/MC. Be ready for a surprise or two when this talented singer/deejay takes the mic and the stage! Be on the look for his highly anticipated single “Good Vibes” recorded with last years festival headliners Josh Heinrichs & Skillinjah out soon on all major media outlets!
www.nowlegemusic.com
Nowlege
FOOD TRUCKS/VENDORS TBA
FESTIVAL INFO:
This is an all ages, family friendly event. It does run late so we encourage parental discretion after 10 PM.
Pets are allowed on leash
Lawn chairs, bug spray, sunscreen, are allowed
NO: Coolers,Glass bottles,Weapons,Racism,Sexism,Homophobia discrimination, or bad vibes of any kind!
Full bar/menu/restrooms inside The Celtic Fox
*We will have a limited number of festival shirts for sale
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE! Contact Sunshine @ [email protected], Sean @ [email protected], or Katie @ [email protected]
SPONSORS: TBA
OFFICIAL POSTER COMING SOON! STAY TUNED!
ADVANCE TICKET AND TICKET INFORMATION TBA
PLEASE LIKE AND FOLLOW OUR PAGE AND EVENT FOR ADDITIONAL UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The 2019 Sunshine Reggae Roots Festival
The Sunshine Reggae Roots Festival
A massive big ups and thanks to all the fans, sponsors, vendors, staff, and bands that have helped grow this festival into one of the most unique, cultural, and anticipated live music events in northeast Kansas!
ONE LOVE!!!
Brought to you by The Celtic Fox, Sunshine and Top Ranx Productions.
