Birmingham’s reggae roots on show at annual festival

In 1969, Birmingham resident Sherman Sterling met Bob Marley at the University of Texas in Austin. Sterling told the pre-fame musician that his dream was to become an international reggae artist and promote reggae music.

Four years later, Marley hit it big with the album “Catch a Fire.” Though Sterling didn’t achieve the fame Marley did, he did meet his second goal. In 1988, Sterling kept good on his word by creating Birmingham’s Magic City Reggae Festival. 

“That was my inspiration,” Sterling said. “He ignited me to want to do this.”

The Magic City Reggae Festival, which has been in downtown Birmingham for the past 28 years, will return Aug. 6 to Boutwell Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. with music beginning at 8 p.m.

This year’s lineup includes about 10 local, regional and national reggae music artists. Artists include Jack Radics with Love & Laughter, Mishka with Dub Bassee, Angela Stewart, Stephen Foster, Aluta Continua, BHY2R and Sterling’s own group, Sherman & The Sterling Brothers. 

In addition to the Saturday performances, this year’s festival will include a Friday night street celebration. Festivities will kick off on Short 20th Street N. at 6 p.m. Performances from Stephen Foster, Angela Stewart, Monica King Slater, Conflux, and Sherman & The Sterling Brothers will begin at 7 p.m.

Monica King Slater is a reggae singer from Birmingham, and Steve Foster is also from Alabama. Sterling said when planning the event, he made a point to book local artists.

“I want to let Birmingham know that they do have roots, and we’re featuring Birmingham talent,” he said. “That’s a big step forward — to show that it’s not just entertainers coming to do reggae music, but we have music coming out of the heart of Birmingham.”

In addition to music, the Friday celebration will host vendors selling Jamaican jerk chicken and other Caribbean dishes and drinks. On Saturday, no food or drink is allowed in the Boutwell. 

“That’s why we’re doing this, so people can get a taste for what the Caribbean can be for them,” Sterling said.

For Sterling, seeing reggae continue to have a presence in Birmingham each year has been a dream come true. 

“I like that it seems like a part of a regimen now that it’s been going for so long,” he said. “Knowing I’m engaging my organization in a direction toward bringing reggae music into the forefront — it makes me feel good.” 

Proceeds from the festival will benefit Sterling’s nonprofit group SLSExprrres, which provides scholarships to low-income students, and the Alabama Striders Youth Track program, a youth track and field club training K-8 youth. 

In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be set aside to continue Sterling’s “Reggae in the School” program at Huffman Academy Elementary School. 

Tickets are $35 pre-sale and $45 the day of the event. Ambassador passes are $75 and include VIP seating, performer meet and greet passes and a Jamaican chicken, fried plantain and fritter meal. $5 raffle tickets for a 4-day Jamaican vacation are also for sale. The Friday celebration is free. 

Tickets are available online at tix66.com. For more information, go to facebook.com/magiccityreggaefestival or email caribculture@yahoo.com.