In 2008, the Ministry of Culture and the Jamaican Reggae Music Association (JaRIA) officially proclaimed February as Reggae Month.

An important mandate of Reggae Month is to highlight Jamaica’s musical history and heritage.

The month is usually packed with activities that promote reggae music, music industry practitioners, and position Jamaica as the reggae mecca of the world.

This year, the government of Jamaica has partnered with authorities in Miramar, Florida to stage activities that include the Gala Awards (8 February), Reggae Film Night (18 February) and an Afro-Caribbean Festival (29 February).

The theme for Reggae Month 2020 is “Come Ketch De Riddim”.

Reggae Month 2020 promises to be 29 days of activities that include reggae concerts, dancehall events, symposiums, films and exhibitions.

For your convenience, we are sharing some of the events that you can check out.

The Jamaica Jamaica Exhibition : The exhibition opened on 2 February at the National Gallery. It features rare memorabilia, photographs, visual art, audio recordings and footage that highlight an authentic Jamaican music experience.

JaRIA Reggae Wednesday: This live music event will be held each Wednesday at Emancipation Park. Gospel fans will be treated to the “Gospel Edition” on 26 February.

JaRIA Honour Awards: This year’s event will be held at the Little Theatre on 25 February. The awardees include Lady G, Elise Kelly, Vin Gordon, Dean Fraser, Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton, Chevelle Franklyn, Chalice Band, and Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace.

Other awardees are Philip “Fatis” Burrell, Orville “Xpressionz” Hall, Israel Vibrations, Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson, Colin “Bulby” York, Lee Gopthal and Eric “Monty” Morris.

Children of the Icons Concert: This concert series will take place at different venues across the island. The first concert will be held on 8 February in Falmouth. Other dates are 12 February (Negril), 14 February (Emancipation Park), 15 February (Annotto Bay) and 29 February (Ocho Rios).

Jamaica Music Conference: The conference will take place February 13-16. The schedule for the event includes the Jamaica Sound System Summit, legal clinic, networking opportunities and the IRIE Jam Celebrity Football Match. Grammy award-winning international reggae dancehall artiste Shaggy is confirmed as a speaker for the conference.

The conference and related events will take place at different venues including the Courtleigh Auditorium, Wickie Wackie Beach and Marketplace Entertainment Centre for The Arts – MECA.

To stay abreast of updates on the conference, search the hashtag #notyouraverageconference or visit the JMC website.

Other key events for Reggae Month 2020 include:

1. Reggae films in the Park, (Fridays, Emancipation Park).

2. Bob Marley Day (6 February, Bob Marley Museum).

3. The unveiling of the Asafa Powell statue (9 February, National Stadium).

4. The Dennis Brown Concert Tribute (23 February, Kingston Waterfront).

5. Grounation (Sundays, the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Hall).

Some dates and events are subject to change. For the complete calendar of all the events, visit the Reggae Month website, Facebook page, or download the Reggae Month App (Android and iTunes).

Sources: Reggae Month, JIS, South Florida Caribbean News, Reggae Month Ja, National Gallery, JaRIA and Jamaica Music Conference.