In a normal year, February would only be recognized as Reggae Month but in 2024, that will change somewhat as Jamaica will have an annual celebration dubbed ‘Dancehall Week’.
For those who don’t know or have seemingly forgotten, Dancehall is the sub-genre of Reggae that came out of Jamaican ‘dance halls’ in the 1970s. It was popularised by youth-culture, infused by life stories, attitude, energy, and yes, dance moves.
Since then, dancehall has been exported across the world and has influenced millions. Understanding this, Roxelle “Glamm” McKenzie, Co-Director of Dancehall Lifestyle, and her team conceptualized “Dancehall Week”.
She explained to SLEEK the reason behind a week of activities.
While dancehall is loved around the world, Roxelle added that it does not get the push it needs or should get and believes that Dancehall Week will trigger the shift needed for more attention to be given to dancehall and the culture internationally.
The week will begin on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and will culminate on February 19, 2024, following a week filled with 100 percent dancehall activities which have all been endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism.
On Tuesday (Feb 13) the party ‘Fashion Roadblock’ will happen and according to the promoter Roxelle, “This where you dress up in your ‘boujee’ dancehall wear and you come out”.
Then on Ash Wednesday (Feb 14), ‘Morning Bliss’ is the party, a red and white affair embracing the day of love, Valentine’s Day.
No event has been slated for Thursday (Feb 15), but Roxelle says there is a possibility for any local promoter to join Dancehall Week.
However, Friday (Feb 16) seems to be the talk of the town as the event for that day is the ‘Old School Graduation’ uniform style – the best of the 70s/80s/90s, and early 2000s.
Saturday (Feb 17) will be a major musical clash as it is the ‘Sound Battle’ – the promoters have not revealed who the sound selectors will be.
Then, Dancehall will take to the streets on Sunday (Feb 18) with the major event ‘Street Parade’. According to Roxelle, the parade will see a ‘carnival-like’ feel as persons will be decked out in costumes from local designers and will have a ‘safe’ dance-filled time with fun on the road.
The week culminates on Monday, February 19 with a Dancehall Yacht party dubbed ‘Yacht Chill’.
All events will be held in Kingston, Jamaica, and will be part of the official listing for Reggae Month 2024.
More details are to be revealed in short order.
Dancehall Week was officially launched at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday and hosted by TV personality Talia Soares.
