Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2011 - Part 2

By Gail Zucker on Friday, July 22, 2011 - Photos by Lee Abel - Comment

A huge success and a wonderful family experience!

After Sista Irie report about the festival, enjoy a second one by Gail Zucker with Lee Abel as photographer.

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2011

The Mendocino County Fairgrounds in Boonville, California was host to the 18th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival on June 17-19, 2011. No wonder it is said to be one of the best world music festivals anywhere and if you’ve never been to this area, you are missing a real treat! The days are warm and sunny and the nights, fresh & crisp.

My first experience at SNWMF was so enjoyable, I’m already thinking about when I can return to the lovely little town of Ukiah, California, just over the mountains from Boonville.

The three day Festival consists of two stages and a late night Jamaican dancehall. Friday night Brigadier Jerry gave a stellar performance on stage and later in the Dancenhall joined by veteran JAH LOVE selector Ilawi. Taj Weeks & Adowa hailing from St. Lucia performance was spiritual and vibrant. Pablo Moses did an energetic set.

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2011

Saturday started in the early afternoon with the Cables, a Jamaican foundation group with hits such as What Kind of World and Baby Why. The audience loved Romain Virgo they seems to know all the lyrics to his songs. He was backed by Gumption Band and they rocked it! He is so fresh on the scene and his lyrics are relevant to what’s going on in Jamaica. Horace Andy gave a supreme performance followed by Midnite and the Jolly Boys. Toots and the Maytals were next. The set began with his daughter, Leba Hibbert. It seems like Toots doesn’t age at all. He is so fit with endless energy. Then a treat, Junior Toots joined the stage and father & son did a duet of 54-46.

Steel Pulse energized the stage with all of their hits. They were surely a crowd favorite.

Sierra Nevada World Music Festival 2011 My Sunday started off with Dennis Alcapone the legendary Jamaican deejay who migrated to England in the 70’s and made quite a name for himself. Duane Stephenson’s gentle spirit makes him one of the best recent artists and he didn’t disappoint his fans. President Brown’s lyrics and relevantcy to the times made his stage presence exceptional.

Anthony B’s energy and positive vibez exuberated the audience. His performance was so energetic and exciting. He sang most of his hits.

It was impossible to see every artist as two stages were happening at the same time, the Valley Stage was the larger stage and the Village Stage much smaller. One had to really plan their days as to which artists they wanted to take in and enjoy themselves. There was so much happening for children also: face painting, balloons and activities. Drumming and endless varieties of foods from all nations were plentiful.

The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is a wonderful family experience! See you next year!