REGGAE ROYALTY DESCENDS ON CHICAGO JULY 4TH-8TH AT FESTIVAL OF LIFE/IRAWMA
Rita Marley, widow of the great Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley and the first lady of Reggae will be among eight icons to be honored at the 31st annual International Reggae and World Music Awards returning to Chicago July 5th after 15 years on the road. In addition, for the first time ever the Awards will be held in conjunction with Chicago’s 4th of July weekend celebration — the 20th anniversary of the International Festival of Life. The festival takes place from July 4-8 in Washington Park with July 5th set aside for the Red Carpet IRAWMA Awards ceremony.
Ephraim Martin, IRAWMA and IFOL producer, said that after fifteen consecutive years on the road, the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) ceremony has come home. “It’s going to be a grand celebration,” he said. “Since The Taste of Chicago, one of America’s biggest July 4th Independence celebrations begins later in the month the Festival of Life will serve as the main event for residents and visitors from around the world. The Chicago Office of Tourism will join IFOL in its effort to maximize tourists to Chicago for the July 4th holiday.”
He added, “We’re going to roll out the red carpet in Washington Park on the 5th of July right in the middle of the festival and just steps from President Barack Obama’s home.”
Eight Icons who are living legends were named for the Reggae 50 Honors. Two honorees will receive the Martin’s International Award of Honor in Media. The 2012 Hall of Fame Inductee(s) will be named at a later date.
The REGGAE 50 HONOREES ARE:
• RITA MARLEY- FOR HER WORK IN THE PERSERVATION AND PROMOTION OF REGGAE’S LEGACY
• MARCIA GRIFFITHS EMPRESS OF REGGAE
• JUDY MOWATT FOR SPIRITUAL SERVICE THROUGH MUSIC
• FREDDIE MCGREGOR FOR 50 YEARS OF DEDICATED & UNTIRING SERVICE TO JAMAICA AND THE WORLD THROUGH MUSIC
• KEN BOOTHE- FOR BEING MOST CONSISTENT IN THE PRESERVATION OF JAMAICA’S ROCKSTEADY MUSIC
• ERIC DONALDSON – THE KING OF JAMAICAN SONG CONTEST IN PAST 50 YEARS
• CHARLES CAMERON- FOR SIXTY YEARS OF UNTIRING CONTRIBUTION TO JAMAICAN MUSIC
• COPELAND FORBES FOR 50 YEARS OF VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
THE MARTIN’S INTERNATIONAL MEDIA AWARDEES ARE:
• BERKO AKOTO OWUSU, AFRICAN SPECTRUM- FOR OUTSTANDING JOURNALISTIC CONTRIBUTION TO AFRICAN AND WORLD MUSIC
• ONSTAGE TV- WINFORD WILLIAMS FOR MOST VALUABLE MEDIA CONTRIBUTIONS TO REGGAE IN THE LAST DECADE
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Dedicated to “Jamaica’s 50th Year of Independence,” the Festival of Life will feature a pavilion showcasing “All Things Jamaican,” and serving as a road to Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee in August. Importers/exporters, hoteliers, shipping services, travel–oriented entrepreneurs and businesses that market Jamaica or Jamaican brand products are encouraged to contact Martin’s International at 312/427-0266 or e-mail: irawmasponsor@gmail.com to be a part of the pavilion.
• This history making 31st IRAWMA and the 20th anniversary IFOL is sponsored by NBC 5 TV- Chicago, The Chicago Park District, Chicago Office of Tourism, J.FC Jerk and Fried Chicken, Robert Scott – One Stop Studio, Rogers Park Fruit Market, Insurance Brokers, Inc, Captain Hooks Fish/Chicken and Firehouse, KCB Inc and others. The Marriott Chicago Midway Airport is the official hotel for the five days celebration. For reservation call 1-708-594-5500 and mention the code words “Festival/Awards”.
Hours for the Festival of Life are 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily, except for July 5th and 6th from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The IRAWMA red carpet arrival and Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 5th from 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Get tickets now at www.festivaloflife.biz, www.irawma.com or call 312/427-0266. E-mail: festoflife@gmail.com. For general information visit www.festivaloflife.co or call 877/9-REGGAE, 877/311-1300, 312/427-0266.
TICKETS PRICES ARE:
Free to kids under 6 years old; $5 ages 6-12/seniors over 65 yrs old
$10 Adults and kids over 12 years old before 5pm day of event
$15 Adults and kids over 12 years old at 5pm day of event
$35 Five-Day Season Pass (Adults and kids over 12 years old)
$50 VIP Daily Pass (includes: seats and 2 drinks in VIP area)
$150 VIP 5-Day Season Pass (includes seats and 2 drinks in VIP area)
$75 VIP Daily Platinum Pass (includes parking, VIP seats, limited backstage access, 3 drinks and hors d’oeuvres)
$200 VIP Platinum Pass 5-Day season pass (includes: parking, VIP seats, limited backstage access, 3 drinks and hors d’oeuvres). Prices are subject to change.
