Winchester (NY) Rastafest Coming in June

This sounds like a great summertime thang:

The annual Westchester Reggaefest 2004 concert will celebrate their seventh anniversary on June 13, 2004. Prroduced and hosted by linkup Media, (parent company of Linkup Radio 93.5FM and Plush TV NY), the event returns to the Westchester County Center, located at 198 Central Avenue, White Plains, New York (exit 22 off the Bronx River Parkway).

Billed as “Lovers Rock Meets Dancehall,” the evening will feature some of the hottest names in Jamaica’s musical heritage from Roots Reggae to Pop to Lovers Rock to Dancehall including the soulful voice of Beres Hammond who will perform songs from his thirty-year roster as “Tempted to Touch”; Maxi Priest, Britain’s best loved artist singing hits from “Some Guys have all the Luck,” et al; and the Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths.

Marking more than forty years, she will undoubtedly sing her international hit single, “Electric Slide,” and other chart topping songs. Rounding out the singers will be Richie Spice. Adding to this exciting line-up is Grammy winner and Dancehall Queen, Lady Saw who exploded in the early 90’s with her raw rhymes and explicit stage presence. She shared the honors at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards (2004) for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group” with No Doubt’s song, “Underneath it All.” Lady Saw has also recorded duets with Lil Kim, Shaggy, Beenie Man and many more artists. More Dancehall acts such as the “Fireman,” Capleton, Baby Cham known for his hit single, “Vitamin S,” and the “poor people’s defender,” Chuck Fenda.

Hosted by David “Squeeze” Annakie of Linkup Media, the evening commemorates more than four decades of progress and diversity in Reggae’s history.

“This is easily one of the most impressive lineups of talent ever assembled for an event in Westchester,” boasted Annakie, CEO of Linkup Media. “Westchester is home to the fastest growing concentration of Jamaicans in the United States, as such, I am expecting the full support of the community.”

For Annakie and his executive team, the decision to move the event back to Westchester County Center was to better accommodate patrons and besides the venue also provides a great deal of parking space. The Westchester County Center is situated right in the hub of the bustling city of White Plains, which features some of the top retail stores and a variety of international restaurants along Mamaroneck Avenue.

The promoters urge concert-goers to purchase their tickets early. Tickets sell from $71, $66, $56 and $46 are now on sale at Ticket Master Locations throughout the tri-state area. Tickets can also be purchased at Moodies Record in the Bronx, VP Records in Queens, Super Power Records in Brooklyn, and G-City Records in New Jersey.

Rastaman vibration is … pos-i-tive.

Hammond is classic, Maxi Priest, though not necessarily “authentic” reggae, is a great pop aritist, and Marcia is Marcia: combining her classic role as an I-Three backing Marley and the Wailers with the flipping “Electric Slide”! Now that’s some reach.