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LIVEMAGS.NET FEBRUARY>>10 41 Roots Rock Ragga Muffins Reggae Long Beach arena 2010 S ection the The RAGGA MUFFINS REGGAE MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL is by far the largest of its kind in North America. Its reputation is for attracting internationally popular West Indian, European and American reggae musicians for the two-day festival. Brought to Long Beach by Moss Jacobs Presents and Ragga Muffins Productions, the organizers also draw to the stage new and gifted reggae, ska and dancehall musicians. There are over 12 performers each day with MCs Amlak Tafari and Richie B introducing the bands. This year's lineup boasts an impressive pack of legendary reggae musicians who have been touring and recording since the 1970s. Saturday February 20: Performing on Saturday is Don Carlos, a legend that came out of West Kingston in the mid-1970s. A classic roots reggae singer, Carlos was an original member of Black Uhuru. Yet another legendary singer, Frankie Paul, is on the bill as well. Paul attended the Salvation Army School for the Blind as a child in Jamaica. But being blind did not stop him from singing his way into Tuff Gong Studios at the age of 13. Yellowman, Jamaica's king of dancehall also got his start in the 1970s and rose to prominence in the 1980s during his prolific release of 40 records! Born an albino, Yellowman became famous for playing up his nickname with humorous lyrics. Yellowman's 1984 album King Yellowman was nominated for a Grammy, and he has since released four more albums. Saturday also hosts kinky lyricist Shaggy. His duet with RikRok "It Wasn't Me" was a transatlantic number 1 hit. Other slated performers are Big Youth, Mikey Spice, Lloyd Brown, Gramps Morgan, Baja and the Dry Eye Crew, Mystic Roots Band and Yellow Wall Dub Squad. Sunday February 21: On Sunday Barrington Levy is one of the legendary performers; born in West Kingston, he began his singing career at age 14, over 35 years ago. Gregory Isaacs is another star Kingstonite of the first generation of reggae composers. Isaacs's slow tempo songs make him a favorite among mellow music fans. His "Night Nurse" is a recognizable hit. Capleton, the hardcore dancehall deejay of the lot, has been performing for over 20 years. Another old school band for Sunday is The Mighty Diamonds, a harmony trio who formed in the Trenchtown ghetto of Kingston in 1969. They composed the original version of "Pass the Dutchie (Kouchie)." Other musicians to jam on stage at Sunday's festival are Cocoa Tea, Tarrus Riley, the Italian Rasta Alborosie, The Lions, David Kirton from Barbados, Konshens, The Aggrolites and Detour Posse. Admission is free to children 12 and under with an accompanying adult. The What About the Children? Foundation is back this year, creating a children's entertainment space with face painting, crafts and storytellers. The International Food and Crafts Fair at Ragga Muffins is also the largest in the nation. Venders are spread out over the venue's grounds selling ethnic clothing, jewelry, hats, incense and merchandise from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. The cuisine court is outdoors and offers an exotic variety of international choices, like Jamaican jerk chicken, fried plantains and curried vegetables. Reggae music, exhorted and exported to the world by Bob Marley and the Wailers, touches on universal themes: overcoming obstacles, human rights, positivity, world peace, love and sex (that's right), and freedom. Timed near Bob Marley's birthday every year, Ragga Muffins' performers always devote sections of time to paying tribute to Bob with sing-a-long covers and words of remembrance for this peace-loving Jamaican. This annual gathering of kindred spirits in Long Beach is the culmination of Marley's One World, One Love vision through music, art and community. The 29th Annual Ragga Muffins Festival Saturday February 20 and Sunday February 21, 2010 Doors open at 12 noon, show starts at 1pm Tickets are $38 - $60 WRiteR>>tova morrison INFO Long Beach Arena 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA (562) 436-3636 | raggamuffinsfestival.com