By The time for dreadlocks, Jamaican flags, heavy drum bass beats, Rastafarian droopy beanies and aromatic, smoky incense is nearing.
The Los Angeles 29th annual Ragga Muffins Festival is a two-day event taking place on Feb. 20 and 21 at the Long Beach Arena. It will feature reggae legends, top international artists and up-and-coming regional acts.
This time around, the festival is expected to be even better than the last, according to Anna Zamir, Nederlander Concerts representative. A lot of surprises are still in the works, with some being kept a secret until the day of.
The Dirty Heads, a local band that has been getting extensive KROQ airplay, are expected to rock the arena with their unique, meshing sound of hip-hop, rock and reggae.
Each 10-hour festival day is set to start at 1 p.m., with doors opening at noon. In addition, North America’s largest International Food and Crafts Fair will provide Jamaican, Caribbean and African food, and world art and crafts, and various lifestyle vendor booths to shop.
The festival welcomes every age. For those who are stuck with younger children during festival but still want to go, dress the young ones in red, yellow and green, and bring them along. There will be a children’s activity space, which will entertain kids with storytellers, face painting and other activities made possible by the What About the Children? Foundation.
On Feb. 20, the festival is set to have artists like Shaggy, Don Carlos, Yellowman, Mystic Roots Band, Lloyd Brown and Yellow Wall Dub Squad take the stage.
On Feb. 21, Barrington Levy, Capleton, The Aggrolites, Cocoa Tea, The Mighty Diamonds and The Lions are among the many artists set to perform.
Come and satisfy your soul with more than 25,000 attendees in this two-day music and arts festival, and be a part of the tradition that celebrates Bob Marley’s one-world, one-love vision.
Anna Zamir, Nederlander Concerts representative, said, “This is the largest reggae festival in the world that’s under a single roof that celebrates Bob Marley’s birthday, Feb. 6.”
The family-friendly event offers free admission to children 12 years and under when accompanied by a paid adult. Ticket prices range from $38 to $60 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster.
