Staff WriterIt will be an explosive fire cracking 4th of July weekend kick-off when the most sought after reggae superstar BUJU BANTON takes the stage at the 5-day 15th Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL) on Wednesday, July 4th. Yes! You heard it right- Washington Park (proposed site for 2016 Summer Olympics) will be HOT HOT HOT with performers from July 4 to July 8, 2007, 10AM to 10PM daily (except July 5 & 6— 2PM to 10PM).
Kickin’ off with Independence Day- WED, JULY 4th- BUJU BANTON, who received nine nominations and won the categories of Best Album/CD (“Driver”) and Best DJ/Rapper of the year 2006 at Martin’s International and Associates 26th IRAWMA, Apollo Theater, NYC, will be headlining the opening day at this year’s 15th IFOL!
Bringing a touch of Reggae & Neo-Soul performing THU, JULY 5th actor-turned-entertainer LEON & THE PEOPLES BAND, FEATURING TANTO METRO. New & fresh with hits “Walk It Out” and “Two Step” Hip Hop star DJ UNK performing JULY 5th!
Other leading performers for this 5-day celebration of life include INNER CIRCLE- one of reggae’s most outstanding show bands famous for their song “Bad Boys, Bad Boys What You Gonna Do” on the television show “COPS” performing SAT, JULY 7th. Best known worldwide for their hit songs “My Jamaican Girls,” “Lady With The Red Dress,” “Accept My Apology,” and “Red Rose,” recent inductee to the 26th IRAWMA reggae Hall of Fame, the veteran, B.B. SEATON & THE GAYLADS- Jamaica’s top hits maker in the 1960s & 70s- performing FRI, JULY 6th & SUN, JULY 8th.
On the special urban R&B and Hip Hop side, Veteran hip hop superstar and human beat box DOUG E. FRESH will entertain the audience FRI, JULY 6th. The talented BOBBY VALENTINO, singer of the premier R&B hits “Anonymous” and “Turn the Page,” will be exploding onto the stage on SUN, JULY 8th!
Scores of other top Reggae, Calypso, African, and Latin entertainers will be performing on both International & Gospel/Educational stages. Among them the Queen of Calypso- CALYPSO ROSE- who last year released the official IFOL theme song “Let’s Go to Festival of Life,” an internationally promoted song for Chicago and the Festival of Life. Jamaica’s legendary Gospel star CLAUDELLE CLARK, R&B/Reggae/Gospel songbird WINSOME BENJAMIN, Reggae rapper LADY G, BELIZE VIBES and a host of other Reggaeton & World Music performers to rock the stage!
Daily admission to the festival is only $10 adults; $5 children under 12 and seniors 65 and older; free to kids 6 and under. A $30 season pass covers all FIVE days! Tickets are now available at ticketmaster.com or 312-559-1212 and at Martin’s International Culture. For details, 312/427-0266 or visit www.festivaloflife.com.
The Festival of Life is a family event designed to help bridge the gap between people from the Caribbean, Africans, Europeans and Americans of all cultures and ethnic backgrounds by spotlighting the various cultures through their music, food, arts and crafts.
Presented on 2 stages, the 5-day event features continuous live entertainment, children’s activities and an international marketplace featuring 300 food, arts & crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors and other small businesses and corporations. In addition, the Games and Carnival area will feature the Inflatable and other activities for kids and adults to enjoy.
The theme for the festival is “Bringing Nations Together” and “Living Together As One.”
The 15th Annual African/Caribbean International Festival of Life is sponsored by The Chicago Park District, NBC 5 Chicago, WYLL 1160 AM Radio, Illinois Arts Council, Majestic Star Casino Hotel, Star Planet TV, Western Union, African Spectrum & others.
For additional information, to be a sponsor, exhibitor or advertise, call us at 312/427-0266 or visit www.festivaloflife.com.
PRESS CONTACT:
Barbara Kensey
Kensey & Kensey Communications
773-288-8776
[email protected]
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