Reggae superstar Robert Nesta Marley.
Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
If Bob were alive, his charge would be, 'let's get together and feel all right', giving his blessing to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's (JCDC) staging of 'Ital Food Festival and Fashion Show' in his honour tomorrow.
The celebrations, to be staged at at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre on Hope Road in St. Andrew, is part of a week of activities which will coincide with Robert 'Bob' Marley's birthday on Tuesday.
The event, slated to celebrate the life and times of the reggae icon, is free of cost and will be jam-packed with activities for the entire family. From the get-go at 5:00 p.m., at least six restaurants will be serving up scrumptious vegetarian delights, such as soy foods and African dishes.
Food will be available from restaurants such as Eden Gardens, Country Farm House, Vegetarian Delight, African Entertainment and Restaurant, Everything Natural, CG's Vegetarian Restaurant, Earl's Juice Garden and Natural Juice Bar.
Keneshia Nooks, marketing and promotions coordinator at JCDC, says that every Jamaican is invited to recognise the icon who made the country
internationally known.
"We are celebrating Bob Marley's achievements, and we as Jamaicans should come out to maintain his
legacy," said Nooks. "We also want the children to know more about him."
While Bob Marley's songs blast from the music boxes, patrons will be able to view creative native designs from D'Choix, Shades of Africa and Cooyah during the fashion show segment of the celebration.
The entertainment package will also include performances by A2O (Against All Odds), JCDC Popular Song Contest finalists for 2006, and the Ardenne Dance Troupe.
"That's why we made the event free. We want persons to be there to celebrate Jamaica's great musician," Nooks said.
On Tuesday, the commission will also stage at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St. Andrew the major concert, Get Up, Stand Up, with guest artiste, Stephen Marley, culminating the week of events.
