THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607270214
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 70 lines
Downtown Norfolk feels pretty tropical this weekend, and it's not just the balmy weather.
Spicy jerk chicken, cool rum runners and languidly loping reggae rhythms are contributing to the atmosphere in the first ``Reggae on the River'' festival at Town Point Park.
The festival continues today.
A diverse crowd flocked to Friday night's festivities, which included a performance by reggae luminary Burning Spear.
From the conservative Dockers set and families with toddlers in tow to bare-chested, bead-wearing young men with their hair in dreadlocks and women in tie-dyed attire - all were swaying and stepping to the music.
``I'm here for the music and the vibe that's going on,'' said Greg Spruill, 26, of Norfolk, who had his own natty dreads tucked under a crocheted tam. ``I came to listen to the music, mingle with the people, eat some exotic foods.''
Food vendors offered something for just about every palate. The more adventurous enjoyed chicken and steak spiced with zesty Jamaican jerk seasonings and hot barbecued ribs. But there was also plenty of seafood, soul food and requisite festival fare like fries and cheesesteaks.
Those over 21 sipped adult beverages, from tropical rum runners to the more mundane draft beer. Others chased their thirst with fruit smoothies and pina colada-flavored fruit drinks.
Closer to the stage, festivalgoers browsed under several tents housing island-inspired clothing, jewelry and arts and crafts for sale.
``It's a good time out here,'' said John Tucker of One World, a Virginia Beach store with a tent at the festival. One World's wares include tams, T-shirts, stickers and accessories in the distinctive red, yellow, green and black colors of the Jamaican flag. Tucker credits reggae music's broad appeal with cementing One World's reggae-friendly reputation.
``To get people down to my shop, we played music loud,'' Tucker said of the store's early days. ``When we played rock music, the cops would come by. Reggae music was the only one that seemed universal, that didn't make people mad. So I just started cranking the reggae all the time, and we became known as a reggae shop.''
Tonight's musical lineup includes the dancehall sound of Worl-A-Girl, plus the Toasters, who play ska, the Jamaican R&B of the early '60s that gave birth to reggae. MEMO: DETAILS
What: Reggae on the River
When: 2 to 10 p.m. today
Where: Town Point Park, Norfolk
Who: The Toasters perform at 4:45, Worl-A-Girl at 8:15
Admission: Free
Information: 441-2345 ILLUSTRATION: VICKI CRONIS photos, The Virginian-Pilot
Danny Reed, 9, and Shiloh Flynn, 7, both of Virginia Beach, couldn't
resist the music Friday at Reggae on the River.
Danny Dread - named for his swinging braids - and his band, Unity,
were the opening act Friday at Town Point Park. The festival
continues through today.
VICKI CRONIS photo, The Virginian-Pilot
Destiny, right, and Ocean sway to the sounds of Danny Dread and
Unity at Town Point Park on Friday. Neither of the Virginia Beach
residents uses a last name. The band was the opening act for Reggae
on the River, which continues today. by CNB