This is a community announcement. It was not written by The Ithaca Voice. To submit community announcements, please send them to Matt Butler at mbutler@ithacavoice.org.
Celebrating its 5th Annual, Ithaca Reggae Fest, dedicated to the protection of Cayuga Lake through a conscious celebration of Ithaca’s legendary reggae community and its history, returns to beautiful Stewart Park in Ithaca, New York June 23 and 24, 2023. This year the family-friendly community event celebrates the meeting point of Jamaican and New York State reggae as legendary Jamaican producer, Scientist, performs his own set on Friday evening before live mixing Rochester’s own great reggae big band, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and Ithaca’s own, Double Tiger, all at picturesque Stewart Park on Cayuga Lake, which has just been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
It all kicks off with a free Welcome Block Party on Friday, June 23 from 5 to 9 PM at the Large Pavilion in Stewart Park featuring legendary Jamaican producer, Scientist, performing a very special sound selector set, chock full of special guests, following performances from DJ Jesse Hill, Mohawk peoples’ Ononkwa-Medicine, and the GIAC Jumpers opening up.
The following day, Saturday, June 24 from 9 AM to 10 PM Ithaca Reggae Fest returns with a full day of reggae, yoga, water education, skateboarding, art, food, dance and more. Setting the intention for the day starts at 9 AM by festival partners the Yoga Farm leading 108 Sun Salutations followed by additional yoga activities and a free breakfast for all yogis before a Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ’ Cultural Celebration, and then a community drum circle with One Heart Community Drumming to lead into the beginning of an incredible lineup of music.
Culminating with headlining performances from internationally renowned Rochester-based roots reggae & dub masters Giant Panda Guerilla Squad, mixed by legendary Jamaican producer Scientist, and the conscious revolutionary Ithaca-based artist Double Tiger also mixed live by Scientist, Saturday’s lineup includes some of the best reggae bands from throughout New York State. From Brooklyn-based lovers rockers SunDub to Ithaca’s own favorite afrofunk dance party New Planets, Saturday at Ithaca Reggae Fest will include performances by Ithaca’s own longtime dub & drum & bass favorites The Analogue Sons plus multiple DJ sets by EvoEvolution, DJ Ziggy, DJ Cappel, Proper Philth and more. All emphasizing some of the best reggae in the New York State reggae scene.
Dedicated to protecting Cayuga Lake, throughout the day Ithaca Reggae Fest is proud to feature its Education Village, which will showcase numerous water protectors from throughout New York and the United States including Discover Cayuga Lake, Community Science Institute, Cayuga Lake Watershed Network, and many others with interactive exhibits for all.
With a focus on family, the Youth Village is a place where young people can find a sense of belonging at the festival. Ithaca’s own GIAC is organizing various festival activities including face painting, family yoga, hula hooping, art projects, games, the Physics Bus and more. And don’t forget, youth under 16 are all admitted free of charge with a parent or legal guardian!
And focusing on art, Ithaca Reggae Fest is excited to partner with GIAC and famous artist Jay Stooks to host the Art Village featuring numerous local, regional and national artists creating live art in addition to an interactive mural for all to paint on throughout the day on Saturday.
Throughout all of this, Ithaca Reggae Fest, in collaboration with AJ Kohn of the Philadelphia Skateboard Academy, Real Action Sports, and The School of Shred, is very excited to present its Skateboard Village hosting the 2nd Annual Flat Attack US Pro/Am Championships of Flatland Freestyle Skateboarding. Free to attend and open to all to register, Qualifying Rounds take place on Friday, June 23 from 11 AM to 5 PM before the Championships on Saturday, June 24 from 2 to 7 PM all at the Tennis Courts in Stewart Park. Following the Championship there will be an open invitation to all local and regional skateboarders to compete in a game of S.K.A.T.E., Highest Ollie and Kicker Best Trick with tons of prizes and raffles. The Art and Skateboard Village is open to the public, and no Ithaca Reggae Fest ticket is needed to participate.
Bringing the community together, tickets to the triumphant return of the 5th Annual Ithaca Reggae Fest are on sale now with children under 16 admitted free of charge with a parent or guardian. Tickets and information can be found at IthacaReggaeFest.com, with local tickets available at Ithaca Guitar Works.
