Sierra Nevada World Music Festival-1998
EpiphanyA
For Immediate Release • February 26, 1998
EPIPHANY ARTISTS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES
The 5th Annual
SIERRA NEVADA WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL
A SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
JUNE 19, 20 & 21
On the Feather River, Riverfront Park
Marysville, California
40 miles North of Sacramento
Epiphany Artists’ 5th annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is a three day
event of reggae music, world music, camping, delicious foods, arts, crafts, and
more all along the Feather River at Riverfront Park in Marysville, California.
Nestled near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at the confluence of the
Feather and Yuba rivers, Riverfront Park has acres of lawn for camping, a grass
music bowl lined with shade trees, and the Festival has a carefully selected
crafts and exotic food village.
A preview of this year’s lineup include performances by Conscious dancehall
rising star Anthony B, Dominica sensation Nasio Fontaine, as well as Reggae
legends such as Junior Byles (first appearance outside Jamaica), Rockers prince
Johnny Clarke and the original rootsman Earl Zero. In addition, the Africa Fête
‘98 tour featuring African artists Salif Keita (Mali), Chiekh Lô (Senegal),
Papa Wemba (Zaire) and Maryam Mursal (Somalia) will be performing. Much more
to be announced.
For Lineup Updates & Festival Info (including tickets)
FESTIVAL HOTLINE 415-472-5550
MAIL ORDER TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 1, 1998. A 3 day music pass is $50 if
purchased before April 1, 1998. Children Under 12 Free. (See address above for
tickets or call FESTIVAL HOTLINE). Camping Paid at Gate. NO DOGS ALLOWED.
The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is dedicated to nuturing a world family
peacefully joined in celebration of the
universal spirit of music.
Papa Pilgrim
: Epiphany Artists’ 5th annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is a three day
: event of reggae music, world music, camping, delicious foods, arts, crafts, and
: more all along the Feather River at Riverfront Park in Marysville, California.
: Nestled near the foothills of the Sierra Nevada at the confluence of the
: Feather and Yuba rivers, Riverfront Park has acres of lawn for camping, a grass
: music bowl lined with shade trees, and the Festival has a carefully selected
: crafts and exotic food village.
Here is a brief review of last year's event:
Sierra Nevade World Music Festival: 1997
"Smooth" best describes the overall vibe of this year's Sierra Nevada
World Music Festival (SNWMF) held at the Feather Riverfront Park in
Marysville, California. Billed as a Summer Solstice Full Moon and World
Peace Celebration, this year's event was an unqualified success from my
point of view.
Arriving at the main entrance about 4 pm Friday, I was met by polite and
informative staff who, though harried and tired, took the time to answer
my seemingly unending questions which ran the gamut from "How's it going"
to "Where's the herb." Directions to campsites and backstage were
confusingly accurate as I wandered amongst the stage crew who were busy
tightening the final bolts and turning the last screws, while vendors
finished unpacking crates and displaying their wares. Plenty of time to
examine a sixteen page pamphlet published by Epiphany Artists, the show's
producer. This written welcome, available to all, was crammed with
artist's bios, a performance schedule, an area map and various tidbits on
various subjects. This is the first I've seen of these at any large
Reggae festival and the information therein added immensely to everyone's
appreciation and understanding of the event.
Gates opened at 5 pm Friday and by 7 pm the 4th Annual was well underway
as Strictly Roots treated early arrivals to, what else, strictly roots
music. Following the Long Beach Dub Allstars, Cuba's Los Van Van wrapped
up ("mashed up" says it better) opening night. Showcasing Songo, a
musical style defined as "an imaginative fusion of Caribbean rhythms with
jazz and rock," Los Van Van's 15 members (including violinists and
dancers) rocked the waterfront.
Saturday morning's drive into Riverfront Park affirmed what I had already
expected. The festival's parking lot extended further than previously
noted suggesting that this was indeed the largest Reggae gathering yet
seen by the City of Marysville which, incidentally, was known as
"Irieville" throughout the weekend, validated by the on stage appearance
of that city's Vice Mayor.
Root Awakening, well-fit with Roots Tonic, the name of their debut CD,
brought early skankers to stage front, close enough to listen to the words
of Casper from Hopiland who followed close on the heels of Root Awakening.
In a dancehall style that sometimes sounded of rap, and sometimes of dub
poetry, Casper introduced his newest recording Original Landlord.
"Children's Song," a track from that album was so powerful, that an hour
after his performance, Casper was called to the stage to recite the
lyrics. Ras Michael, Abyssinians and the Congos, back to back, was about
as close as most of the youthful crowd had ever been to a Rasta Roots
Session. Abyssinians Carlton Manning, Donald Manning and David Morrison,
making a rare appearance in Northern California, thrilled fans and fellow
musicians alike, highlighting classics taken from a long and respected
career. The Congos, featuring Cedric Myton, Watty Burnett and Fabian
Cook, did likewise on this, their first ever West Coast gig. Barrington
Levy, ever the professional, did what he does best, turning in a set of
his most popular. Israel Vibration, now a duo since Apple left to trod a
separate path, were wildly accepted and highly praised for their usual
high caliber performance. Disappointment of the evening turned out to be
the Wailers Band. Billed as the "original" Wailers with the return of
guitarist Al Anderson, the group sang Marley tunes in a lackluster fashion
that did little to delay the departure of the rhythm-filled crowd.
Mongoose, recently immigrated to Southern California from Canada where the
band was known as Geoulah saw founding member Maimon, sharing the musical
influences of his North African birthplace, opening Sunday's fest. Common
Sense featured material from Psychedelic Surf Groove, the album that to a
Virgin Records deal, making way for the South African born, San
Francisco-based Amandla Poets. The Poets excel at entertainment and
education and their set provided both with ease. Not one to miss a Reggae
beat, Yami Bolo spent all three days at SNWMF, apparently enjoying himself
immensely if his nonstop smiles were an accurate indicator. His
excitement and exuberance followed him to the stage and he used both to
thoroughly please many who were experiencing Yami's showmanship for the
first time. He was backed by Dub Nation and was pleased that the band was
there for him, note for note. Following Yami's set Dub Nation then
entertained and well-please the crowd, making way for John Trudell. All
of this, as good as it was, was for me just a warm-up.
As heavy and exciting as the lineup was thus far, it was the LKJ Records
Showcase that drew me to make the 1,400 mile roundtrip from Salt Lake City
to Irieville. Dennis Bovell opened the set with an attention grabbing
scream that riveted the massive to the beat of the 10 piece Dub Band.
Showcased artists were jazz/Reggae guitarist John Kpiaye, saxophonist
Steve Gregory and vocalist Winston Francis each of whom have recent
release of their own. But this was Linton Kwesi Johnson's gig and he
easily commanded attention, as he delivered an hour's worth of his
strongest lyrics, daperly attired as expected in hat and two piece suit.
Home now, relaxed and retrospective, I carry memories of a whole heap of
fun and I am still infused with a large and healthy dose of irie vibes.
Bottom line, mark the Summer Solstice weekend on next year's calendar, and
ready, set, GO!
-Papa Pilgrim
Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide
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____ _____ _. __. Papa Pilgrim pil...@xmission.com
/ __ \ / _ /// _ / / Forwarding the Reggae Vibe...Everytime!
/ _.' // _' ///_//_// Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide
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