The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival kicks off next weekend, June 17-19, at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds located in Boonville, California. Sierra Nevada features 3 days of the best in roots reggae and world music taking place on two stages, with a late-night “Jamaican style” dancehall.
In addition to more than 30 bands, the 18th annual Summer Solstice and World Peace Celebration also includes an extensive schedule of children’s activities, arts and crafts, an international food court, family and alter-able camping and vendors galore. With beautiful streaming colors and exotic aromas, the festival village is an attractive marketplace of food and craft booths created by the collective efforts of artists, vendors, staff, volunteers and ticket buyers that has something to offer children of all ages.
Each year, the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival gathers some of the best in roots reggae and world music from the four corners of the globe to grace the festivals’ stages and 2011 will be no exception. From the motherland of Africa comes Zimbabwe’s Thomas Mapfumo and Vusi Mahlasela known simply as “The Voice” of South Africa.
From the shores of Australia comes the inspiring, uplifting and playfully powerful melodies of Saritah, while the Māoris of New Zealand are represented by four brothers that form the heart of Kora.
Out of Birmingham, England come the indomitable sounds of Steel Pulse. The Caribbean is well represented with St. Lucia’s Taj Weekes & Adowa, Collie Buddz from the island of Bermuda, Cuba’s Jesus Diaz Y Tu QBA and St. Croix’s Midnite. And emanating from the home of reggae music, are Jamaica’s own Toots and the Maytals , Horace Andy, Anthony B, Pablo Moses, Prezident Brown, Brigadier Jerry and Dennis Alcapone.
Many generations of musicians will be appearing at SNWMF 2011. The Cables, who had their first hit in 1968, will be making their first appearance at a major U.S. Festival, while swashbuckler Errol Flynn’s ‘house band’ The Jolly Boys, (with a collective age of 372 years) will be bringing their ’50s mento style of music to the Mendocino County Fairgrounds. And the youths will be well represented by the extremely nimble tenor voice of Duane Stephenson and Jamaica’s biggest rising star Romain Virgo.
Not to be overlooked are the homegrown sounds that include Los Angeles’ culture-mashers Ozomatli, Santa Barbara based Rebelution, Colorado’s Dubskin, the Bay Area’s own Rupa & The April Fishes and Tribal Seeds who hail from San Diego.
Situated in the heart of the picturesque Anderson Valley, the Mendocino County Fairground is an ideal place for our outdoor music and camping festival. Located just two hours north of San Francisco, the Fairgrounds are easily accessible from all Bay Area airports. The camping is in a lovely valley surrounded by hills dotted with oak trees! Alternative camping is also being furnished by the Anderson Valley Brewing Company which is located just a short walk from the Fairgrounds.
Tickets to SNWMF 2011 are on sale now. A 3 day advance music ticket is $150. Advance 1-Day tickets are $60 for Friday or Sunday and $70 for Saturday. Camping is for 3 day music ticket holders only and is not included in the 3 day ticket price. Camping passes per car/SUV are $60. Tickets are available Online and at our Independent Ticket Outlets. Please visit the SNWMF Web Site for more information. SNWMF offers Family Camp and Alter-abled camp areas located close to the venue gates.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
