(¯`·._(¯`·......Wha Gwaan in R.A.W......·´¯)_.·´¯) July 10, 2003 ************************************************************************* *INDEX [1] Tom from Guam headed to mainland Important message about submitting to Wha Gwaan in R.A.W.) [2] Itals Booking for August/September [3] BOOM SHAKA PRESS RELEASE [4] Hylton "The Whistler at the Reggae Jam in Bersenbrück, Germany [5] Old Hits Show - Boscobel, Jamaica [6] Trenchtown Reading Centre [7] The Ark Band/RAW 1414: July 9 to 16 gigs [8] JESSE DAWN AT "HELP STOP "SCOURGE" BUSH CONCERT [9] Reflections of RAW Conference 2003....and forward #1698 [10] JIMMY CLIFF AT THE FALLS 9-6-03 [11] Dubwize Roots Reggae [12] Rastafarians' Trek `Home' A Struggle ************************************************************************* [1]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Jah Son" Subject: Tom from Guam headed to mainland Date: Saturday, June 07, 2003 2:14 AM From: "Jah Son" Greetings have just finished up the school year. Classes done, exams marked, grades given, meetings attended, parties gone to, paperwork complete... Time to start another Reggae Summer. It promises to be a very busy one. June 12 Long Beach CA Big Mountain June 13 Big Mountain June 14 Old School Jam June 15 Pato Banton June 16 San Fran CA Midnite June 18 Meditations June 19 Angels Camp CA Set up RAW booth for June 20 SNWMF 21 SNWMF 22 SNWMF June 23 drive to Alb'q NM June 24 fly Alb'q to Boston June 25 REST!!!! June 26 Boston MA KRucial Fest/RAW Conference June 27 June 28 June 29 June 30-July 11 visiting family and friends in CT, VT and Michigan. July 11 return to Guam (arrive July 13) I look forward to meeting new and old RAW friends along the way. Please introduce yourself if you sight the big bellied bald headed bearded Math teacher. While I am gone, please send ALL items for inclusion in "Wha Gwaan in RAW?" directly to Eric at ambassador1418@triad.rr.com Anything sent to me for the next 6 weeks will most likely NOT get included in Wha GWaan? Forward Tom #33 ____ | __ \EGGAE | \/ //\MBASSADORS |_|\_\<>\\ /\ORLDWIDE #33 jahson@kuentos.guam.net /_/\_\\/\/ / \//\\/ Forwarding The Reggae Vibe...Everytime! http://www.reggaeambassadors.org [2]--------------------------------------------------------------------- >From: Subject: Itals Booking for August/September Date: Saturday, July 05, 2003 11:32 PM Suelion Music is pleased to announce that Kyle Russell of KRucial Reggae has taken over exclusive booking of The Itals, featuring Keith Porter, who will be touring the U.S. this August/September in celebration of the release of the new CD, "Mi Livity". Interested venues, agents, or promoters may contact Kyle Russell at: 617-628-1046 or ReggaePR@AOL.com [3]--------------------------------------------------------------------- >From: "Yasmin Solomon" Subject: BOOM SHAKA PRESS RELEASE Date: Thursday, July 10, 2003 1:02 AM FROM DJ SISTER YASMIN, RAW #56 PRESS RELEASE CONTACT: DJ SISTER YASMIN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 707-88404703 phone & voicemail JULY 10, 2003 sisteryasmin@hotmail.com DEAR PRESS AND RADIO: Thanks for helping us publicize these 2 shows. For PHOTOS, please contact ALISSA at the Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa at 707-545-5876. CELEBRATE HAILE SELASSIE'S BIRTHDAY WITH BOOM SHAKA ON JULY 24th and JULY 25th AT THE LAST DAY SALOON IN SANTA ROSA AND SAN FRANCISCO WHAT: HAILE SELASSIE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS WHEN: THURSDAY JULY 24th in SANTA ROSA FRIDAY, JULY 25th in SAN FRANCISCO WHO: BOOM SHAKA FROM LOS ANGELES, JETHRO JEREMIAH BAND (for the San Francisco show only), and DJ SISTER YASMIN, CRUCIAL DANCE RIDDIMS (both shows) WHERE: THURSDAY, JULY 24th: LAST DAY SALOON, 120 FIFTH ST. AT DAVIS, SANTA ROSA, CA FRIDAY, JULY 25TH: LAST DAY SALOON, 406 CLEMENT STREET AT FIFTH AVENUE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA TIME: 8:00 PM - SANTA ROSA SHOW 9:00 PM - SAN FRANCISCO SHOW TICKETS: $10.00 IN ADVANCE; $12.00 DAY OF SHOW. AVAILABLE AT BOTH CLUBS, ALSO AT www.ticketweb.com (866-468-3399), and at LAST RECORD STORE, SANTA ROSA, for the SANTA ROSA SHOW WHAT ELSE: SHOWS ARE 21 AND OVER; SANTA ROSA VENUE SERVES GREAT FOOD--COME EARLY FOR DINNER. FULL BARS, EXCELLENT SOUND SYSTEMS, LARGE DANCE FLOORS, NICE FOLKS. INFORMATION: SANTA ROSA LAST DAY SALOON: 707-545-2343 SAN FRANCISCO LAST DAY SALOON: 415-387-6343 www.lastdaysaloon.com BIOS: HAILE SELASSIE, born on July 23, 1892 in Ethiopia as RAS TAFARI MAKONNEN, was coronated in 1930 as HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY HAILE SELASSIE I, Emperor of Ethiopia, King of Kings, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the returned Christ, the Jah, the One and Only for the faithful. He was recognized as a visionary and was an emergent African leader; he was the world's oldest and longest-ruling monarch when deposed in 1974. He was a true reformer of the inequities of Ethiopian life; he abolished slavery and brought progressive trends of modernization to Ethiopia. HAILE SELASSIE I is seen as a symbol of African struggle, liberation, unity and human rights, and holds a revered place in history, especially with Rastafarians who see him as a representative of Christ in our time and believe him to be the Messiah. He was a descendent of the royal lineage of the union between King Solomon of the Hebrew House Of King David, and Queen Makeda of Ethiopia, also known as the Queen of Sheba. BOOM SHAKA, one of L.A.'s most well known and well-loved Reggae bands contains members from all over the Caribbean. Uncompromising in their vision, BOOM SHAKA seamlessly melds the deep roots sound with the modern day intensity of rock and dancehall music. Their music contains traces of many styles of music and differents elements tend to manifest at different times, keeping the listeners delighted and involved. The crucial combination of musicians is an integral element that gives BOOM SHAKA their edge. Each member brings with him a unique angle and throws a different spice into the pot. Says lead singer TREVY FELIX from Dominica, "In my thinking, roots music has the ability to make you change, create a revolution inside of you; music that afftects your soul.....". BOOM SHAKA will definitely inspire, delight and get you out on the dance floor! JETHRO JEREMIAH BAND has been entertaining appreciative audiences all over Northern California and beyond for many years. Their danceable roots Reggae with excellent vocals and strumentation is an addition to any event. They will play before BOOM SHAKA at the SAN FRANCISCO show on FRIDAY, JULY 25th, so come EARLY and enjoy these local favorites! DJ SISTER YASMIN with her CRUCIAL DANCE RIDDIMS will warm up the evening at both shows with all styles of sweet Reggae music and other irie rhythms for moving and grooving. Her music will elevate, and make you feel great. She will begin THURDAYS'S show at 8PM, and FRIDAY'S show at 9PM, so COME EARLY and support your local Selector! JOIN US FOR 2 NIGHTS OF ROOTS AND CULTURE, HONORING THE BIRTHDAY/ EARTHDAY OF H.I.M. HAILE SELASSIE I WITH BOOM SHAKA, AND GET READY TO DANCE AND CELEBRATE! COME OUT AND SHARE SOME NORTHERN CALI LOVE WITH THIS GREAT BAND. THEY DESERVE IT! [4]--------------------------------------------------------------------- >J&G Productions GbR RAW#98 Subject: Hylton "The Whistler at the Reggae Jam in Bersenbrück, Germany Date: Saturday, July 05, 2003 11:32 PM Greetings everybody! The Jamaican entertainer Hylton "The Whistler" Brown is ever getting standing ovations for his splendid whistlings and his vivid roots reggae live performances... He will be at the Reggae Jam in Bersenbrück, Germany (9.-10.august 03) and at the television show "Musikexpress" OK-Bremen,the 25th of july (10 am- 3pm EST,also online) http://www.geocities.com/reggaewhistler He is hosting Germany based legendary TV-show "Movements of a Rastaman" since 10 years weekly, also online wednesdays and thursdays (Feel free to send in short video on CD (encoded for Windows Media Player) or VHS (European system) for broadcasting). http://www.geocities.com/reggaewhistler/stream.html online radio thursdays "Reggae-our-radio-show"http://www.reggae24.com/programming.htm Respect and one love your J&G-team [5]--------------------------------------------------------------------- >From: "Marjel McFaddin" Subject: Old Hits Show - Boscobel, Jamaica Date: Sunday, July 06, 2003 9:44 AM Livety Productions presents a spectacular night of “Old Hits” featuring some of Jamaica’s top old hits selectors, on Saturday July 19, 2003 at Campbell Lawn in Boscobel inside the parish of St. Mary. The event features Jamaica’s favorite old hits radio personality, Bob Clark from Irie FM. He will be selecting some sweet tunes, sure to make you move your dancing feet. As usual, Mr. Clark will be working side by side with selectors from his highly sought after sound system, Top Cat. Ocho Rios’ own Livety Sound will also be spinning some oldies but goodies. In addition, the folks from Livety will be bringing along a few of the Livety Productions artists who will perform as special guests for the evening. All of the music and dancing starts at 9 PM. Admission is $100 before 12 AM and it will be more after midnight. So be sure to arrive early and take advantage of this seriously low admission price. The event is expected to sell out, so make sure you get your tickets early. Livety Productions founder & CEO, Hoseazana Angus, commented: “Whether or not you are a fan of old hits, this is a night of music, dancing and fun that should not be missed. There will be lots of surprise guests and everyone is guaranteed to have a good time.” For information about this press release, contact Marjel McFaddin at 876-882-0586. To reach Livety Productions, please call 876-373-9936 or 876-423-2263. For directions to the venue, please call Campbell Lawn directly at 876-975-7024. Marjel McFaddin RAW #1027 Paraiso Productions 876-882-0586 paraisoproductions@hotmail.com www.detourposse.com [6]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "R.A.W. webmaster" Subject: Trenchtown Reading Centre Date: Sunday, July 06, 2003 1:10 PM I thought I'd take the opportunity to BIG UP an acquaintance of mine from Vancouver who is the driving force behind a couple of wonderful charities. For anyone who hasn't checked out these sites, they are well worth it... the photos are amazing and speak volumes about the work that is being done there! The first being the "Trenchtown Reading Centre" (RAW# 233) http://www.trenchtownreadingcentre.com and a more recent endeavor, the "Ghana Mobile Library and Resource Centre" http://www.trenchtownreadingcentre.com/ghana.html Regards, A.T. (webmaster) [7]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Rlam" Subject: The Ark Band/RAW 1414: July 9 to 16 gigs Date: Monday, July 07, 2003 10:04 AM JULY 2003 Wed 9 Opening for YELLOWMAN The Brickyard - Columbus, Ohio Thu 10 Opening for YELLOWMAN Annie's - Cincinnati, Ohio Fri 11 Captain Woody's - Buckeye Lake, Ohio (8pm - Midnite) 10055 avondale road, buckeye lake ohio 740-928-2400 Sat 12 Private Reggae Party (Pool) - Columbus, Ohio (1-4:30pm) Sat 12 Private Reggae Party (Corporate) - Gahanna, Ohio (7-11pm) Sun 13 Shooter's - Cleveland, Ohio (West Bank, Flats - 3pm) Sun 13 Metro's On Hamilton - Columbus, Ohio 2550 S. Hamilton (across from Eastland Mall, b/w McDonalds and Olive Garden) PHONE 614.755.7555 Wed 16 The Ark Band W/ Allton & Friends, Swivel Hips Smith, & Stone Byrd: Part of the Jamband Wednesday Series at the Newport Music Hall - Columbus, Ohio (High Street on OSU campus) THE ARK BAND plays from 11:15pm - 12:30am http://thearkband.com one, peace, roots-ee http://thearkband/com/gigz/index.html [8]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Subject: JESSE DAWN AT "HELP STOP "SCOURGE" BUSH CONCERT Date: Monday, July 07, 2003 3:23 PM Dear RAW, please submit this one and not the previously submitted email as it says Saturday, July 19 instead of Friday the 18th as the concert day CONSCIOUS NEWSFLASH: THE CONSCIOUS REGGAE OF JESSE DAWN AND THE KIND WILL COMMENCE A NEW DANCE VENUE CALLED KA HUI'NA "THE CREATIVE CORNER" FRIDAY, JULY 18, 9-12 PM, HILO, HAWAII THIS IS A "WAGE PEACE" AND "HELP STOP SCOURGE BUSH" CONCERT BE THERE IF YOU CAN TO HELP WAGE PEACE AND CONSCIOUSNESS ABOUT THE SHAMEFUL U.S. "COMMANDER-IN-THIEF" SCOURGE BUSH CONCERT INFO HOTLINE AND JESSE DAWN AND THE KIND BOOKING: TOLL-FREE 800-736-3922 [9]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Nick Kali" Subject: Reflections of RAW Conference 2003....and forward #1698 Date: Monday, July 07, 2003 5:56 PM Greetings to All RAW Massive!!!! Big up all bredrin and sistren in attendance at RAW Conference 2003. Give thanks for the manifestation of Jah works orchestrated (literally) by one Mr. Krucial...Kyle Russell....Nuff respect. What a blessing it was to be surrounded by so many individuals with the passion to "wake the town and tell the people" of the wonderful news InI have come to call reggae music....Praise Jah. Although I may not me as inspiring a speaker as I may be a performer or behind the written word I feel it is in my best interest to reiterate my feelings...... Now is the time family. Elephant Man's "Pon the River" has just slid it's way into rotation on America's biggest commercial radio networks, alongside Sean Paul (the first reggae artist to hold two Billboard hits at once) and Wayne Wonder. True, these artists do not deliver consistently conscious or positive tunes but it cannot be denied that this is reggae music. The pop market is in love with our infectious music. The door is open, if only InI could get our message thru......because if we are only forwarding reggae music for Rasta and reggae people, are we really forwarding the music??? My vision of "Forwarding the Reggae Music" is to bring it to those who have not been informed of the good news, see me. Now is the time family. We must bring it to the sufferer like Ras Junior made clear at RAW Conference. We must bring it to those who wouldn't normally hear. We must bring it to to the Massive....Worldwide. On that note, any RAW members within Florida ready to organize, as regional RAW chapters was heavily discussed at RAW conference, should be in contact with I. I am only based in this region for 3 or 4 more months but am ready to get the ball rolling......... Respect, Mr. Kali RAW#1698 dread_I_night@hotmail.com 407-252-8213 [10]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Subject: JIMMY CLIFF AT THE FALLS 9-6-03 Date: Monday, July 07, 2003 9:47 PM Please post in the Wha Gwaan! JIMMY CLIFF AT THE FALLS 9-6-03 NOON...REGGAE ALL DAY BRING A LOW CHAIR OR A BLANKET JIMMY CLIFF @ NAMBE WATERFALLS, NAMBE PUEBLO, NM $25. ADVANCE OR $30 CASH AT GATE FOR INFO 505 995 0995 ANNETTE ADAMS, >> Give thanks, Joanieirie RAW #693 [11]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Subject: Dubwize Roots Reggae Date: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 4:24 AM Sincere thanks to RAW people for so many responses giving your support and big-ups to Dubwize. It is a pleasure to share the recent Dubwize activities with you. It is also humbling to us to realize the vast experience and history in Reggae music of the RAW members. And stories that you shared with us about reggae history, and your associations with it, are so very much appreciated. Please join us, if you can, Saturday night, July 12 at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, where Dubwize is playing in a Summertime Reggae Party. Domo African Drum Group (from Senegal) will open and DJ Robert Rankin will be spinning. $8 adv / $10 door, 21 & over. Or if San Francisco is more convenient for you, please join us at Pier 23 Cafe - San Francisco, Saturday Nights, August 9, and September 6 where Dubwize will deliver a marathon of original Reggae music (from 10pm to 2am). $8 at the door, 21 & over. We do not have control of the doors at these venues so we cannot offer discounts on tickets, but if you are interested in Dubwize CD's or T-shirts, please identify yourself as a RAW member and we will accomodate you at our cost on these items at the shows. It is a pleasure to be amongst you. Give care, peace, glen [12]--------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mikey RAW #613 (http://www.iriejam.com) Subject: Rastafarians' Trek `Home' A Struggle Date: Wednesday, July 09, 2003 4:24 AM Rastafarians' Trek `Home' A Struggle Repatriates Find Life In Ethiopia Hard June 30, 2003 By DAVAN MAHARAJ, Los Angeles Times reporter SHASHEMENE, Ethiopia -- This was the Promised Land, a place where people stolen from Africa would one day return to reclaim their homeland and their pride. And Gladstone Robinson was one of the early returnees. In the 1960s, the former Mar Vista, Calif., mail carrier joined throngs of Jamaicans and other West Indians trekking back to live on land granted to them by Ethiopia's last emperor, Haile Selassie. Forty years later, Robinson and others who stayed are still chasing their dreams, battling insecurity, grinding poverty and reluctant hosts who don't quite understand why they came in the first place. 'This is my birthright, to mov! e back to Africa,' said Robinson, 73. 'Other people have their Mecca, their Jerusalem. This is ours.' Repatriates from the West Indies, Britain and the United States keep trickling to Shashemene, a dusty market town about 150 miles south of Addis Ababa, the capital. The hard life here has cast a shadow on the hopes of a homecoming. Hunger, disease and poverty have led to the movement of Jah people, as they like to call themselves, in the opposite direction. Robinson, who settled here in 1964, said the community has been reduced from about 2,500 people in the 1970s to no more than 250 people. One recent day, Robinson's neighbor, Ras Mweya Massimba, a 39-year-old Jamaican who lived most of his life in London, said he knew why so many people have left Shashemene and why 'not one of my blood' has come to visit during his seven years in this Horn of Africa country. 'For some people, Shashemene is their worst nightmare,' said Massimba, a video producer! who runs a small video rental business. 'They think of Africa as a pl ace of war, famine and disease and see Shashemene as part of that. We have to work to prove them wrong.' Shashemene owes its genesis to the Jamaican-born black nationalist Marcus Mosiah Garvey, who prophesied in the 1920s that a black king would rise up to redeem people from the African diaspora. When Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Emperor Haile Selassie at his 1930 coronation, the Rastafarian movement took off in Jamaica - and across the globe. Selassie's coronation came during an era when leaders of the Pan-Africanist movement worked to unshackle themselves from European history, culture and religion. Many people saw Ethiopia's uncolonized society, its ancient kingdoms, contributions to biblical scriptures, and world-famous architecture and monuments as evidence that Africans belonged to a great culture. For many blacks who believed Garvey's back-to-Africa message, the dream of repatriating drew closer to reality when Selassie granted 500 acres of his! personal land to thank Jamaicans and other blacks who had helped him defeat the invasion of Ethiopia by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Rastafarians' interest in Ethiopia surged during the next three decades thanks to the popularity of reggae and its high priest, the late 'Master Rasta' Bob Marley - hailed by some as the most influential musician of the last 50 years. In the last four decades, Shashemene has taken on some Caribbean flavor. The newcomers renamed the single-lane road that cuts through the town the King's Highway, after Selassie. A Trinidadian recently opened a bakery that serves patties and other Caribbean delights. Dreadlocked Rastafarians walk the streets, peddling their T-shirts and handicraft. Reggae stars visit often, especially in July to commemorate Selassie's birthday. And the smell of ganja, or 'wisdom weed,' as Rastafarians call marijuana, wafts from the shipping containers that serve as houses for some people. Robinson sai! d that in the 1970s, repatriates ruled Shashemene. But in 1974, the co mmunity changed when Selassie was overthrown by Lt. Col. Mengistu Haile Mariam, whose Marxist regime later killed the emperor and buried his body in an unmarked grave. Even though Mengistu's atheist regime tolerated the Rastafarians, many repatriates fled, giving up their land. Some merely wanted to escape the repressive government, others the destitution of one of the world's poorest countries. Repatriates who left behind modern technology in cities such as London, Paris and even Kingston, Jamaica, were shocked to see that one of the main modes of transportation in Shashemene involved donkey-drawn carts with bare metal wheels. Despite learning to speak Amharic, the lingua franca of much of Ethiopia, Robinson and other repatriates are still called farenge, or foreigner, by their neighbors. Many Ethiopians say they don't understand Rastafarians, especially their insistence that their messiah, Haile Selassie, is not dead. 'The only thing we like and! understand about them is their reggae,' said Berhane Mebratu, a Shashemene resident. 'They're not real Ethiopians and, as hard as they try, they never will be.' Davan Maharaj is a Los Angeles Times reporter. *********************************************************************** In the abundance of water, the fool is thirsty Forward the Reggae Vibe...Every Time ! Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide Tom Pearson R.A.W.#33 http://www.reggaeambassadors.org ************************************************************************* < R.A.W. Disclaimer > "Any and all statements, views, and opinions expressed in the 'Wha' Gwaan in R.A.W?' newsletter are those of individual members of Reggae Ambassadors Worldwide, Inc. (R.A.W.). R.A.W. is not responsible for the veracity, or for the content, of any R.A.W. member's statement, views, and/or opinions included in this newsletter."