You wouldn’t expect to find jerk chicken, plantains and some homegrown roots reggae in the middle of the Nevada’s arid wasteland. This spicy mix is no mirage—Reggae in the Desert is seven years strong and this year’s festival is no exception. Helmed by veteran Vegas producer Frederic Apcar, the all-day reggae party brings the heart of Caribbean culture to the Clark County Amphitheater with local food vendors, arts and crafts, and of course, some of the biggest names in classic reggae.
Reggae in Vegas and Beyond
“When everyone thinks of Vegas, they don’t think we have cultural events in the city,” said Apcar. “There’s more to do in Vegas than strip clubs and gambling.” The man behind big-scale productions like “Casino de Paris” and “Vive les Girls” is putting the exotic animals and leggy dancers aside to bring his expertise from the Strip to the festival stage. In his second year, Apcar is hoping to gain enough momentum to eventually bring Reggae in the Desert on tour. “The plan is to take the concept, grow it and perhaps bring it up north to the Tahoe area,” explained Apcar. “I mean, who doesn’t like reggae?”
Music
Eschewing marquee acts like Sean Paul and Sean Kingston, Reggae in the Desert is a classic reggae lovers’ haven, with acts firmly grounded in the roots reggae scene. “We could have gone the pop route, but luckily there were a lot of roots artists that want to tour in the States,” said Apcar. “We’re lucky to bring these artists to the city because a lot of what comes into town is more pop reggae.” This year’s bill includes Barrington Levy,
Judy Mowatt, Wailing Souls, The Mighty Diamonds, Michael Black and The Jah Guide Band, and DJ Ramma.
Vendors
Like years past, Reggae in the Desert plays host to multiple dimensions of West Indian culture. Vendors will be hocking their wares from clothing to food to arts and crafts. Traditional island cuisine like jerk chicken, peas and rice and plantains will be served throughout the festival, while eco-friendly companies will round out the pack with sustainable crafts for the environmentally conscious. “This is one of the only times you’ll have non-traditional vendors at an event,” Apcar explained. “It’s more than hot dogs and hamburgers.” Needless to say, concert goers should bring an open mind and an empty stomach.
Reggae in the Desert takes place Saturday, June 14th.
For more information and tickets, go to www.reggaeinthedesert.com.
