Reggae on the River

Reggae on the River (locally known as simply Reggae) was a reggae festival in Humboldt County, California, which occurred annually on the first weekend in August from 1983 until 2006. [http://www.reggaeontheriver.com/archive/index.htm Reggae on the River archive] ] The festival began as a benefit for the Mateel Community Center, a nonprofit for southern Humboldt County. In 1983 the center's community hall in Garberville was burned down by an arsonistcite news | url=http://www.northcoastjournal.com/080207/hum0802.html | title=It’s just Reggae | publisher=North Coast Journal | date=August 2, 2007 | accessdate=2008-01-14] , and the center charged then-board member Carol Bruno with organizing the festival to raise money for a new hall. It was held at French's Camp (a property located on a bend in the Eel River near Piercy, California) every year except 2006, the festival's last [cite web | url=http://westsideposse.com/Westside_history.html | title=West Side Posse: Unofficial RoR History | accessdate = 2008-01-14] .

2006 Conflict

The 2006 concert brought in far less money than previous shows had, or that was estimated. Due to the move to a new site and the expenses incurred in removing equipment from the old location, the Mateel center saw no revenue from the 2006 eventcite news | title=Reggae River Rising | url=http://www.northcoastjournal.com/022207/news0222.html | publisher=North Coast Journal | date=February 22, 2007 | accessdate=2008-01-14] . In 2007, the festival was canceled in the wake of a legal battle between the Mateel Community Center, People Productions (the company started by Carol Bruno after leaving her position at the Mateel), and Tom Dimmick, the owner of the property which hosted the festival in 2006. The dispute centered around revenues, with the Mateel questioning why profits estimated by People Productions did not materialize, and why there was a discrepancy between the number of tickets approved and reported attendancecite news | url=http://www.northcoastjournal.com/111606/cover1116.html | title=Clash over Reggae | publisher=North Coast Journal | date=November 16, 2006 | accessdate=2008-01-14] . In the wake of the cancellation of Reggae on the River, People Productions in conjunction with Tom Dimmick produced their own reggae concert at Dimmick Ranch, which was called "Reggae Rising" and took place at Dimmick Ranch on the usual first weekend in August.

2008 update. The conflict over Reggae on the River has been in the hands of the court system most of the year and there are rumors of settlement but to date none has been announced. Reggae on the River will be held at Benbow State Recreation Area. Benbow is about two miles north of the previous Reggae on the River site. The Mateel is no longer using the old site for their annual fundraiser.

Media

The Mateel Community Center's Reggae on the River 2008 is happening at the beautiful Benbow location in Humboldt County just two miles north of the old location.

JULY 19, 2008REGGAE ON THE RIVER® 2008 at BENBOW LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA (Benbow, CA)

What: Mateel Community Center’s Reggae on the RiverWhere: Benbow Lake State Recreation Area (Benbow, CA)When: Saturday, July 19, 2008Who:, The Wailing Souls, Culture, Katchafire, Warrior King & more!

(Redway, CA July 11, 2008): Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, on Saturday, July 19th, the Mateel Community Center will revive Reggae on the River as a single-day, roots reggae and world music celebration at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area in southern Humboldt. A transitional year for the event, with issues still unresolved in the festival’s ongoing legal dispute, Reggae on the River 08 will be an in-house production offered in a keep-the-name-alive-forever spirit, with hopes to return the festival to 3 day event that will again support the work of both community non-profits and the Mateel Community Center. In keeping with the paired down theme, the festival will eschew top heavy headliners to feature a deep and top class billing of international talent including The Wailing Souls, Culture with Kenyatta Hill, Katchafire, Warrior King, Sister I-Live, Stevie Culture, and Afromassive. Additionally, the event will offer vendors, a children’s area, delicious food and drink, a beer & wine bar, and plenty of irie vibes on the beautiful shores of the Eel River in Benbow Lake S.R.A.Don’t miss this chance to support the work of MCC while helping keep Reggae on the River alive. Tickets are available online at www.inticketing.com and at the usual Humboldt and Mendocino County outlets for $50 advance. Visit either www.mateel.org or www.reggaeontheriver.com for further festival information and don’t miss the return of Reggae on the River at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area on Saturday, July 19. Gates open at 11am and music starts at 11:30am. Camping is available on a first come, first served basis in both Benbow Lake and Richardson Grove campgrounds by calling [phone]. Reggae on the River is a registered trademark of the Mateel Community Center.

Reggae on the River released a 20th anniversary CD in 2003, and a DVD in 2004.

References

For more info visit http://www.reggaeontheriver.comor http://www.mateel.org