Tulsa's original Reggaefest to return

[bmuscotty]

After more than a decade hiatus, Tulsa's original Reggaefest is back, and this time, returns with an all-star lineup of international, national and local entertainment, food, arts and crafts.


The event is all ages and gates open 3 p.m. June 29 and noon June 30 at Veterans Park at 18th Street and Boston Avenue.

Performers include The English Beat; Don Carlos, former lead singer of Black Uhuru and one of reggae's all-time super groups from Kingston, Jamaica, and The Itals, also from Kingston.

For 15 years, Tim Barraza's Reggaefest was a staple in the music scene, and after an 11-year hiatus, it's back.

"Tulsa has many good things happening right now and I want to once again bring unique events to the area," Barraza said in a media statement. "I'm excited to be back at the original location with an international roster of bands."

Other artists include Kansas City's The Blue Riddim Band, the only American reggae band to be nominated for a Grammy; up-and-coming folk reggae artist Trevor Hall; Cas Haley, the Dallas-born runner-up on America's Got Talent; Rude King from Dallas; RC Dub and local acts Local Hero, The Rebellion, Sam & the Stylees and Frosty & the Janes.

There also will be a children's play area, Barraza said.

In June 1986, Barraza brought the Jamaican reggae beat to the streets of Tulsa and brought in crowds as high as 15,000. The last official Reggaefest was June 2001, he said.

A limited number of reduced-rate "early bird" tickets are $18 for June 29, $18 for June 30 or $32 for both days, available now at tulsaworld.com/reggaefest

Once the reduced tickets are sold, prices will increase, Barraza said.

Children age 10 and younger get in free.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/scene/article.aspx?subjectid=269&articleid=20120517_269_D1_CUTLIN72231

[Townsend]

Back to Veteran's park.  It was so much better there than Mohawk.

I hope it goes well.

[bmuscotty]

I went several times in the 90's when it was at Riverparks. Parking is better there.

[Conan71]

Let's hope Barazza doesn't high tail it back to LA this time leaving others holding the bag.  Great visionary, but not one of the better business people I've known.

[Boksooner]

This is great news. Now if we can just get Jazzfest and dFest back...

[tulsascoot]

Let's hope Barazza doesn't high tail it back to LA this time leaving others holding the bag.  Great visionary, but not one of the better business people I've known.

That is a serious mischaracterization of Tim. I worked with him prior to going to LA, and he didn't leave anyone holding the bag. He was forced out by Kitchell when control of his clubs were handed over by the guy who owned those establishments. They weren't even his clubs as far as actual ownership goes, they were his as far as far as the vision and feel of them goes.

I believe his "hightailing" back to LA was more of a retreat from a Tulsa scene that had become hostile to his interests (a la Steve Kitchell). So why would he want to stay here after that?

[Conan71]

That is a serious mischaracterization of Tim. I worked with him prior to going to LA, and he didn't leave anyone holding the bag. He was forced out by Kitchell when control of his clubs were handed over by the guy who owned those establishments. They weren't even his clubs as far as actual ownership goes, they were his as far as far as the vision and feel of them goes.

I believe his "hightailing" back to LA was more of a retreat from a Tulsa scene that had become hostile to his interests (a la Steve Kitchell). So why would he want to stay here after that?

I've known Tim for close to thirty years.  Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great guy.  But the fact is he has scooted out owing the Jaycees and others $$ after previous live outdoor music productions he's done in the past.  FAIK, his clubs didn't leave anyone hanging, I should have been more clear on the particular issue I had.

[Gaspar]

Loved Reggaefest!  Moving it to Mohawk destroyed it.  The first year it was there, the chiggers were so bad that few of us wanted to return.  I think Veterans was the best venue for it, but I would also like to see it move somewhere near Bluedome, because I think a venue with participating restaurants and businesses adds so may positive dimensions to a festival!

[DTowner]

While it won't be ready for this year's event, the new park in the Brady District would be a great location.