Jamaica’s Max Romeo Makes A Rare US Appearance, June 18-20, 2010, Mendocino

Jamaica’s Max Romeo makes a rare US appearance after a 20 year absence in these parts, he will be backed by the Dubtonic Kru.  His 1976 album “War Ina Babylon” has stood the test of time and remains one of reggae’s seminal releases.

On June 18, 19, & 20, 2010  Mendocino county welcomes the 17th annual  Sierra Nevada World Music Festival (SNWMF).  Created  as an annual summer solstice and world peace celebration, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival has been called “life changing” for many of its regular attendees the majority of which come as campers, committing to a three-day bonanza for the senses. Its name originates from its original festival location in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The event  takes place for the fifth consecutive year at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville.  

This year’s  SNWMF lineup features some of music’s greats in world, roots, vintage, dancehall, modern reggae and ska artists and sound system DJ’s. Bands are scheduled in tandem on the two stages, and conclude with a  fire dance performance on what is known as the Valley stage, a site that is built from the ground up in the Grandstand area of the fairgrounds. The show’s varied offerings for children including music performers a parade, and opportunities for participation in free drum, dance, and yoga sessions throughout the weekend make it  possible for cultural exploration on many levels.  

The Village stage and Kidz Zone host Children’s educational and multi-cultural entertainment, arts and crafts, a bounce house and a water slide. Sageman Drums workshops take place throughout the weekend and are open to all ages at the Drum Temple.  Holistic Hooping hosts “hoopshops” throughout the weekend and Primordial Spin perform fire dances on Friday and Saturday nights.

There is a full program of activities designated for the younger generation with kid performers and a daily Kids Parade that will be led by Bay Area drum and dance group Loco Bloco and the Samba Stilt Circus, a troupe of stilt performers.  On Saturday, the Tin Cup Puppets will perform a puppet show and on Sunday, Asheba will lead the dance party performing his children’s music tinged with reggae and Trinidadian vibes.

Dance troupes performing at Sierra Nevada include Danza in Xochitl, a traditional Aztec group and Julia Tsitsi Cigamaba & the Chinyakarae Ensemble will present drum and dance from the Shona people of Zimbabwe.  And Capoeira Agua De Beber will present the art of capoeira, using kicks, dodges, steps, cartwheels and spins, this folkloric form of martial arts, native to Brazil will be featured in performance and workshops.

The festival hosts a diverse of ethnic food vendors from around the globe as well as vegetarian and sustainable raw food vendors.  Crafts in the international bazaar in the village area are curated to present a unique array of items from around the world and a zero waste initiative is vigorously pursued to manage the impact of the festival on the environment.