One Love Nutrifest 2012

By Sarah Soutar on Friday, March 16, 2012 - Photos by Gail Zucker - Comment

Great vibes, great performances and a beautiful Miami Day!

February 12, 2012 was a perfect summer afternoon in the middle of the winter season and the glorious feeling of one love was all around Grand Central Park in downtown Miami for the Budweiser/One Love Nutrifest. This festival was a long awaited one as it was to mark the return of “The Messenger” - Luciano back to South Florida.

Alfonso D’niscio Brooks, the CEO of Rockaz MVMT formed the non profit organization as a grassroots movement to use a musical platform to educate the masses on the need to be “green” using the day to raise environmental awareness, and to benefit Curley House a local organization serving the less fortunate in Miami. At around 4 ‘o’ clock, Jahfe a local Miami reggae band energized the crowd with songs like Solution and their new single Miami Vice.

One Love Nutrifest Chilean reggae stars Gondwana came on for a 30 minute set, showing us why they have over 40 million Youtube views and fans worldwide performing songs like Irie, Armonía de Amor and a great rendition of Bob Marley’s Could You Be Loved which sent the fans into a frenzy showing that their love is indestructible. Be sure to look out for Gondwana’s new album 'Revolution' in stores in April.

Making their Miami debut at twilight, the Easy All Stars dashed on to the stage to give everyone a trip down memory lane - Famous for their 'Dubside of the Moon' - a complete cover of Pink Floyd’s 'Dark Side of the Moon', it was a joy to hear the reggae/dub interpretation of Breathe, Money and Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band with a mix of island love - it was a real pleasure to see the ensemble of at least 10 musicians on stage, being extremely energetic and allowing the joy of music to take them over and embracing the love that the patrons had to offer.

Lance O, Jah Stream and DJ Waggy Tee did an amazing job keeping the energy up for the people of grand central park, playing hit after hit getting the people to sing and dance along waiting for the next act on stage. St.Croix’s own Midnite came on next, staying true to their deep rooted conscious roots, they had the crowd in a state of reverie, as if they were hanging on to every word being said. Pagan, Pay Gone and Love The Life You Live had everyone in an irie meditation.

Luciano entered the venue at 7:45pm he was greeted with so many fans backstage and he kindly obliged taking pictures with the patrons before stepping into his dressing room to warm up for his long awaited performance. Despite not being able to make his appearance back in November “The messenger” took the stage at approximately 8:30 p.m. With amazing vitality, making it his responsibility to show the people his gratitude to be there in the moment and to preach the message of One love as he always has. With his voice as soulful and strong as it has ever been, Luciano sang Give Praise as an opener. Songs like Messenger, Over The Hills and Who Can It Be followed. It was pure magic to listen and see Luciano completely enjoying himself skanking to the music on stage.

Puerto Rico’s Cultura Profetica closed the show with a mind blowing performance. Playing hits like La complicidad, Ilegal and Baja la Tensión romanticizing the crowd much to the delight of the Puerto Rican massive. We are happy to announce that the festival raised 2 tons of food and over $5000 dollars towards Curley House - Many thanks to the sponsors and all the people who came and supported the event. Looking forward to next year.