Reggae Celebration In MCLA Quad
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host the UMOJA (Uniting MCLA One Journey At a time) Reggae Celebration! on Sunday, April 26, starting at 3 p.m. outdoors in the MCLA Quad, featuring musical groups The Alchemystics, Black River Sound and Robanic Reggae Band.NEXXUS, MCLA’s step team, also will perform at this event.
The Alchemystics’ sound reflects their love of heavy rhythms. The band’s members have studied percussion with masters in Cuba, played flamenco in San Francisco, won awards in orchestras, toured the Caribbean playing soca, and graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music.
According to Jonathan Secor, MCLA director of special programs, The Alchemystics’ unique sound and explosive energy is addictive and enveloping; a night never ends without the whole crowd dancing and shouting out responses to emcee Phaze’s calls.
With a melodic fusion of reggae, hip hop and Motown, Black River Sound consists of Hendricks siblings Jon, Holly, Julianna, Sarah and Josiah, who were raised in a musical family of 10. They grew up traveling the world, playing music and performing. This experience contributes to the diverse and multicultural sound that is manifested in their music.
Worcester Magazine wrote, “Black River Sound has fused a unique style that challenges mainstream music and opens the door to a variety of new possibilities.”
The only authentic reggae band in upstate New York, Robanic Reggae Band plays a wide and colorful range of Caribbean music including old-school reggae, traditional rock-steady, ska, calypso, as well as the latest dance-hall sound from Jamaica. The five-member ensemble is made up of talented musicians with decades of experience.
This event is co-sponsored by MCLA's African, Latino, Asian and Native American Association (ALANA), UMOJA Reggae Celebration is the culmination of a month-long celebration of multicultural diversity on the MCLA campus.
Tickets for general admission are $12, $5 for MCLA faculty and staff and members. Admission is free for MCLA students. To reserve tickets, call (413) 662-5204 for more information, go to www.mcla.edu/presents.
