Love City reggae fans are in for a treat next year!
Legendary reggae greats Third World will kick off their global tour and launch their new album “Patriots” at a January 29, 2011, blow-out concert at Winston Wells ball field. And that is just the end of a full fledged week-long reggae party called Love City Live!
The extravaganza is the brain child of St. Johnian Glenn Wasi Philbert, president of Global Venture Consultants, an Atlanta-based event production company. Philbert, who grew up on St. John before moving stateside to play baseball and attend college, had long dreamt of hosting a reggae concert on his home island.
“When I came back, I just saw a need for this,” said Philbert. “I see things here that are not the same vibe as when I grew up. And this is what I do.”
“So I wanted to bring some of the vibe back,” Philbert said. “For years, I was a hypocrite who used to complain and didn’t do anything. So I figured instead of that, I should just see what I can do.”
Ever since playing on the diamond as a Rookie on St. John as a youth, Philbert has loved the sport of baseball. He was drafted to play college ball, and then when an injury sidelined him, went to work as a scout for the Seattle Mariners.
Along the way, he earned his degree from Tuskegee University and started his own event production company. Global Venture Consultants partners have been responsible for such top-notch festivals as the annual Atlanta Caribbean Carnival, Atlanta’s Jazz in the City and Soca in the City.
Philbert saw the chance to bring some reggae vibes to Love City while also bringing local energy back to the sport he loves.
“I’m really looking at this as the main fundraiser to revitalizing baseball on St. John,” said Philbert. “I realize it’s going to take funding and some visibility. I’ve tried many different ways and tried partnering with many different people.”
“But I figured the best thing was for me to just put myself out there and do it,” he said. “All I want is for people to be a part of revitalizing baseball on St. John. Help me get equipment down here and fix up that ball field.”
Now St. John will get the opportunity to get its reggae vibes on while raising funds to start grass-roots baseball programs. Philbert is serious about his motivation, but isn’t about to let that get in the way of the fun.
He’s planned a week full of events across St. John to ring in the big January 29 concert, which will also feature Love City’s own Inner Visions as well as Melame Gange and The Blackstar Band.
The fun starts on Friday, January 21, with a Jackpot and Stilettos party at The Parrot Club, and continues on Saturday night, January 22, with an Ole Time Fish Fry at Cases by the Sea in Coral Bay.
For those not in the mood yet, a beach party is sure to do the trick. Stop by Oppenheimer on Sunday, January 23, when Love City Live sponsor St. John Brewers will host a beach party. Reggae fans can then catch their collective breath until Thursday, January 27, when the fun starts all over again with a Beer Vibes party at The Tap Room.
Keep those dancing shoes on for Friday, January 28, for a Euphoria Art Walk and Cocktail Party at Mongoose Junction. The big reggae concert at Winston Wells ball field will start on Saturday night, January 29, at 8 p.m. and is sure to deliver serious vibes until the wee hours of the morning.
But it’s not over then. Cap off the week’s festivities with a Hang Over Brunch at Miss Lucy’s Restaurant on Sunday, January 30.
When he conceived of the idea for the reggae blow-out festival, Philbert knew he wanted to host more than a one-night concert.
“I wanted first of all to be inclusive to both sides of the island,” he said. “That’s why we’re having parties all over St. John. And I wanted people to come down for a week and have plenty to do.”
He also wanted the party to be a distinctly St. John affair.
“I wanted this to be a uniquely St. John event,” Philbert said. “Our sponsors, Boyson Inc. and St. John Brewers are St. John companies and everything is happening right here on St. John. I want to drive commerce to the island.”
While Love City Live! is a St. John event, Philbert is inviting neighbors to the party. A special round-trip ferry service will run from Roadtown, Tortola, to Cruz Bay January 29, and he’s expecting a lot of reggae fans from St. Thomas to join in the fun too.
For more information or updates about scheduled events and venues, hotels and transportation check out www.ExperienceLoveCityLive.com. The group also has a page on Facebook. Check that out at www.facebook.com/LoveCityLive.
