Read the full statement from the board of directors of Ottawa’s reggae festival
By Peter Simpson, The Big Beat
As you may have already read, Ottawa’s three-year-old reggae festival, which has long been the subject of rumours about financial problems, collapsed into insolvency on the weekend. The sheriff literally showed up to grab what meagre dollars could be had from the gate and beer tents. You can read a story about it by clicking here. Below is the full statement from the festival’s board of directors, issued Sunday night and again on Monday afternoon.
Not sure where all the money went, but it sure didn’t go to publicity and marketing. Until The Citizen published a small advance story late last week, I hadn’t seen a single news release, advertisement, facebook post, tweet or news story anywhere about this festival. Nor did I hear any of the legions of music fans in the city that I know mention anything about it.
Ottawa Reggae Festival – Official Statement
Ottawa – August 22nd, 2010
The Ottawa Reggae Festival is run by its’ Board of Directors which sees Benjamin Williams, the boards Chair, as the festival’s president.
In the role of festival president, Mr. Williams’ youth and inexperience caused him to make decisions that were ambitious, and ill advised. His financial decisions were made without consultation, and ended up costing the festival its’ reputation, and put him in ‘over his head.’
Read more: Read the full statement from the board of directors of Ottawa’s reggae festival
Ottawa Reggae Festival – Official Statement
Ottawa – August 22nd, 2010
The Ottawa Reggae Festival is run by its’ Board of Directors which sees Benjamin Williams, the boards Chair, as the festival’s president.
In the role of festival president, Mr. Williams’ youth and inexperience caused him to make decisions that were ambitious, and ill advised. His financial decisions were made without consultation, and ended up costing the festival its’ reputation, and put him in ‘over his head.
The team of volunteers who worked for the festival had no knowledge of Mr. Williams’ financial decisions, transactions, or previous financial issues. As such, all volunteers associated with this event were blind-sided when revelations began to surface that there were monies owing, and that there were financial issues beyond the norm.
Further, the staging of the third day of this years’ festival was cancelled due the financial strain when vendors past and present began contacting the festival for monies owed. In addition, the court judgment against the festival, and the Bailiff’s seizure of alcohol and gate admission revenues made it next to impossible for additional revenues to be earned. Volunteers had conversations with several local and international artists who expressed concern about performing knowing that their initial deposits had not been paid on time. Artists managers were further concerned about balances being paid upon the artists arrival for their performances.
Contrary to public perception, Barrington Levy was contracted to perform, and received his deposit. Due to clerical error at the Canadian embassy in Jamaica, Mr. Levy was unable to obtain his visa on time which would grant his entry to the country. Tarrus Riley is in the city of Ottawa today (August 22nd, 2010), and is prepared to perform, however is unable to due to the festivals cancellation. As for Sean Paul, Sean’s booking agency, Headline Entertainment, received Sean’s deposit after the deposit deadline was extended several times to accommodate Mr. Williams cash flow. Sean is not in the city as Headline Entertainment had no confidence in the balance of Sean’s $50,000 performance fee being met.
The volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the festival’s success are disappointed whe outcome, and stand together knowing that but for the financial decisions of the president, this years’ staging would have been a total success.
Fans who purchased tickets online or at ticket outlets and want a refund are being asked to call 613-315-4461, or send an e-mail to info@ottawareggaefestival.com.
Final day of reggae festival cancelled
Jennifer Pagliaro, The Ottawa Citizen
The Ottawa Reggae Festival was cancelled Sunday after a financial meltdown forced organizers to axe the remaining finale line-up.
The festival took a hit Saturday after headliner Ky-mani Marley bailed and police and law enforcement officers stormed the gate for money owed by court order.
The order was for $14,000 in cash owed to former chief financial officer A. Raoul Nembhard, who said he was never reimbursed after footing the bill for last year’s beer supply. In all, the officers collected less than $500 in the round-up.
Full Story: Final day of reggae festival cancelled
Troubled reggae festival can’t stop the sheriff: Headliner pulls out; cash gate seized
Gary Dimmock, The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa’s Reggae Festival had already been off to a bad start when news ricocheted Saturday that Bob Marley’s son, Ky-mani, had pulled out as its headliner.
Then, at around 7 p.m., as some lined up to get in, while others were demanding refunds, a provincial sheriff, accompanied by Ottawa police, came for the cash receipts at the front gate.
The enforcement officer showed concert staff a court judgment against the festival and its founder, Benjamin Williams, and started seizing bills from the cash box.
Full story: Troubled reggae festival can’t stop the sheriff
Bob Marley’s son headlines reggae fest
LeBreton Flats expected to be a dance hall this weekend
The Ottawa Citizen
Kymani Marley, son of reggae icon Bob Marley, performs at the Ottawa Reggae Festival.
Photograph by: Handout photo, .
The third annual Ottawa Reggae Festival is set to go Friday, with a full slate of live performers featuring reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, soca, R&B and hip hop. The reggae festival, which takes place at LeBreton Flats Festival Park, runs throughout the weekend.
The gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Top acts include Loud Love, Kymani Marley, Sugar Roy, Sean Paul, Barrington Levy and Tarrus Riley.
Visit www.ottawareggaefestival.com for festival information and to purchase tickets.
Marley, who performs Saturday at 8 p.m., is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley. He is also the author of Dear Dad. The book chronicles his ascent to music stardom from the drug trade in Miami, where he moved when he was nine.
Read more: Bob Marley’s son headlines reggae fest
Reggae fest to bring in more Caribbean heat
TIM WIECLAWSKI | METRO OTTAWA
Local reggae fans are in for an unforgettable weekend this August, according to the president of the third annual Ottawa Reggae Festival.
“We hope that the community comes out to support this event,” said festival president Benjamin Williams at the official media launch Wednesday. “We’re geared up and ready to go.”
Williams would not predict how many people they expect attend the festival, but he hoped the lineup would be exciting to the whole city.
Full story: Reggae fest to bring in more Caribbean heat
2nd Annual Ottawa Reggae Festival Success!
The staging of the 2nd Annual Ottawa Reggae Festival was a huge success! Thousands of music Lovers skanked, cheered and rocked with their favourite artistes over three days, being treated to Reggae, Soca, Reggaetone and Hip Hop. Hosted by Natasha Von Castle and Clev Cartel, fans were impressed with this year’s selection of introductory acts which included Rexy Rolle, Diction, Island Jam and Ras Lee.Artistes who made an exceptional impact include the Yardiz Dancers, Acoustic Soul singer Rita Carter who earned a standing ovation for her set, as well as the Rock Reggae group Loud Love whose blend of Rock and Reggae was so impressive, their set was extended an extra 10 minutes. Atlanta’s Hustle Boy proved that Southern Rap is appreciated in the North, based on massive crowd participation.
“This year we wanted to give everyone something they could appreciate in addition to Reggae” said Festival President Benjamin Williams.
More at Headline Entertainment online: 2nd Annual Ottawa Reggae Festival Success!
Shaggy Is In The House!
Frederick Carle, Distraktion Magazine
Shaggy!…Shaggy!…Shaggy!…Shaggy!…Shaggy!…
That’s what people were screaming last night on LeBreton Flats right before the king of reggae got on stage. The crowd went even crazier as Shaggy climbed the stairs walking towards the them.
It was a perfect night for the event with no rain in sight and a cool breeze. As the evening wore, more and more people filled Lebreton Flats and the atmosphere was just right for a great show. The musicians performing before Shaggy, Loudlove and Pressure, really pumped up the audience for the big event with some rocking beats and even more reggae love.
Full story and some great shots: Shaggy Is In The House!
Images From The Ottawa Reggae Festival
Frederick Carle | Distraktion Magazine
The Ottawa Reggae Festival was up and running on saturday with a lot more people in attendance than there was on Friday night. The music was great and the performers gave a great show.
View images on the Distraktion website: Images From The Ottawa Reggae Festival
Fests set for last big weekend of the summer
TIM WIECLAWSKI | METRO OTTAWA
SuperEX is one of the many events happening during the last big weekend for festivals this summer.
While the 16th annual Ottawa Folk Festival – which includes a series of gardening and music workshops along with performances by Bruce Cockburn, Steven Page, Amy Millan and Joel Plaskett – is held at Britannia Park, the second annual Ottawa Reggae Festival is held at Lebreton Park.
The 2009 edition of Capital Pride also kicks off Friday. “Ottawa’s most colourful festival” has something for everyone this year,” said Capital Pride parade grand marshal and past chair Joanne Law.
Full story on the Metro Ottawa website: Fests set for last big weekend of the summer
