The magic of Reggae On The River returns after a five-year hiatus – The Ukiah Daily Journal

Reggae on the River in southern Humboldt is an international affair. Pictured here are Jamaican reggae singer Randy Valentine and Hawaiian DJ Liloa Dunn during an afternoon performance. (Photo by Kat Gleason – Contributed)

The world-famous Reggae On The River returns to the border of southern Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County the first weekend in August. A partnership between the Mateel Community Center and Leo Ahern of Laytonville-based Hot Milk Productions has made the return possible.

“We've been trying to get this event back on track for some time,” said John Bruno, Mateel board member and original production employee. “We're so happy it's finally happening!”

“Have you seen the lineup?” shouted musician Ian Stinson of TropiCali Crew, who is playing at the festival Friday afternoon. Stinson lives on the Mendocino coast and has played with bands at Reggae on the River several times over the years. “It's clearly a nod to the local musicians and sounds that have defined this festival for years.”

Headliners this year include Anthony B, J-Boog, Collie Budz, Sister Nancy, Nattali Rize, Capleton, DeMarco and Skarra Mucci, and Rocker T. Local bands include TropiCali Crew, Ishi Dube, MC Radioactive, Mystic Roots, Topshelf, Soulmedic, and Kailash. ROTR will feature three separate stages this year, and the lineup will include 30 different sound systems.

Co-producer Leo Ahern has been leading the Guerrilla Takeover sound system for as long as he can remember, first as a renegade youth at this festival's Rocks and later as a valued booked act at ROTR and other events across the state.

ROTR, traditionally held at French's Camp, will once again return to the site a little further south. “Everyone loved French's Camp,” Bruno said, “but it was always a logistical nightmare and this has become even more of one.”

“County Line Ranch is our new home,” Ahern said in a recent interview with the Reggae Festival Guide. “It's incredible, lots of shade! There are grass fields, oak trees and a big persimmon orchard where artists and volunteers camp.”

“It's located southwest of French's Camp just across the river… it still has the same legendary swimming lake… and we still have the same view of the beautiful redwood-covered mountains to the east.”

Reggae on the River has a long and recently somewhat turbulent history. A conversation with John Bruno provided a historical overview of ROTR and its significance to both world music culture and the Southern Humboldt and Northern Mendocino communities.

“I was there, at the kitchen table, when the idea of ​​the first Reggae on the River was being discussed,” Bruno said. “I have to give credit to Carol Bruno for her amazing work in coordinating and starting Reggae On The River… When the Mateel Community Center burned down, she dove in headfirst, worked with a core group of people at the community center and started getting things rolling.

“Carol had the ability to handle many different facets and people. She showed respect to the people and artists, and they gave her that respect back. There used to be 10,000 people in one place at the same time. It was like we had created a small city,” said Bruno.

Unfortunately, the story of Reggae on the River is not all positive. “The reggae wars destroyed the good times,” Bruno said. “There were a lot of very hurtful things said and done. I would say that Carol literally dedicated her life to this festival. I know she was an inspiration to so many people.”

Reggae on the River has contributed to the Mateel Community Center's annual budget for decades, enabling the cultural center to offer arts, education and social science programs in addition to the multicultural music, theater, dance, comedy, film and craft events for which the MCC is famous.

Additionally, many area schools and nonprofits were able to earn the majority of their annual budget by serving food at ROTR one weekend a year. The absence of the event has hit the local community and the reggae community in general hard.

“I'm just a helper,” Bruno replied when asked about his current position. “For the first few years, I wore an apron and sold parking tickets on the highway. It was so much fun!”

“I've worked in different jobs over the years, as a security guard, behind the scenes, as a construction worker. It was a lot of fun, I always looked forward to it,” said Bruno. “Every summer for almost 30 years it's been like summer camp. It's just magical!”

“I'm taking a back seat these days,” Bruno said. “That's just the way it is. We have to let the younger generations take over.” Bruno had nothing but good things to say about MCC's new co-producer Leo Ahern. “He's a good guy, a conscientious guy who really cares about things. He just wanted to step in and help to make sure this event isn't forgotten.”

“We're going to go with momentum again,” Bruno joked. “It's different, but it's the same, with all these young people involved. It's going to be fun; the magic is going to happen!”

Tickets for Reggae On The River include camping and are available through the website and at the door, subject to availability. Single and two-day tickets will also be available online and at the door. Organisers have left prices unchanged, but they will increase on August 1st.