ROTM 2001

LIVE SHOW Review

Reggae on The Mesa

August 27, 2005

Jbella for ReggaeMovement

The Grand Junction Botanical Gardens;  what a beautiful new location for the Reggae on the Mesa Festival.  As you enter the grounds and hear the music echoing in the background, you are greeted with beautiful Colorado native plants. With bright yellows, purples set up against the blue Colorado sky, it is a perfect match for reggae music.

Easy Motion Production, who put on this small scale festival,  should applaud themselves for the tremendous job they did.  For it being only the 2^nd year for Reggae on the Mesa, I was truly impressed.   From the brightly decorated stage to the wide selection of merchants and food vendors, the organization and dedication was apparent, and the huge effort put forth showed everywhere you turned.

When you walked into the amphitheater you were greeted with friendly smiles, music, food and a beautiful garden to stroll around.  Hoola hoops laid out in the grass for anyone to use and face/body painting for the kids made for a family friendly atmosphere as well.. Off to the side was a village of merchants, Selling everything from music, incense, hats, imported gifts from Africa, clothing and more..  The food vendors provided authentic Jamaican food  and of course the coconut man.....you need the coconut man at all reggae festivals.

Fans trickled in and out all day...there was always music playing and the line up was something to boast about for this 2^nd yr fest.  Jyemo & extended family, Wheel, Fyah Blaze, Lion Vibes, Sister Carol and Culture all brought massive vibes to this show. And lets not forget the dj’s spinning good vibrations for us all day DJ Jahstone & D.J. revelation. We cannot forget Rasta Stevie who mc’d the show and also tore it up on the turn table. The turn out could of been bigger, that is why it is important to support Colorado grown festivals such as this one. it was put on by local musicians. we need to support our local music, and plan your trip out to the mesa. Nothing is better than to be blessed with the sweet sounds of conscious reggae music all day. That is how I felt after leaving Reggae on the Mesa.

Jbella

photographer/writer