Everybody Say Irie!
It was billed as Sky High Reggae in the Park, an extension of our Small Town Summer events, but the temperatures outside dropped and the live music and dancing moved inside Dogtown Roadhouse.
That’s where things heated up, starting with Father Sun.
Nyo Allen (15) and his father, Music Road Co’s Janiah Allen wrote and performed some reggae tunes for the occasion. Joined by Aram Rider Skenderian, son of local bassist Gerry, they opened for Roanoke’s Lazy Man Dub and got us dancing.
Lazy Man Dub did a new take on Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.
Hosted by Sky High Reggae, event producers and promoters of local, national and international Roots Reggae, it was a fundraiser. Donations went to a nonprofit Roanoke art program (head by Floyd’s own Cameron Stallings) that is creating take home art kits to distribute to kids via libraries, schools and bus routes.
Mighty Mystic is a band based out of Boston, my home stopping ground.
The lead singer is from Jamaica. We learned from the woman at the band’s merchandise table (we traded some Boston accents) that his brother is the Prime Minister of Jamaica.
It was a community event of positive vibes and love. Five hours of music the Sky High Reggae event page read, but we only made it for 4 of mostly non-stop dancing.
Every Little Thing Was Alright!