Boomshaka 2018

For more than 30 years, the sports arena in San Diego, currently called Valley View Casino Center and formerly known as the San Diego Sports Arena, hosted what was locally known as the Bob Marley Day Festival. Not without its own drama and struggles, changing times, changes in generations, and blending of sounds and genres, the evolution of reggae in California has shown its effects in San Diego as well. 

This year was the first year of Boomshaka, a one-day music festival taking place in February (Bob Marley's birth month), and more specifically and traditionally on President's Day, geared towards honoring the reggae genre and including several local bands and other reggae legends. 

Co-headlining the event this year was Stick Figure and Tribal Seeds. Also performing this year - HIRIE, Don Carlos, The Original Wailers, The Expanders, Aloha Radio, and special appearances by Kyle and Miles of local legendary band, Slightly Stoopid. 

The vibe in the air was one of a unified community with a laid-back feel and smiling faces. The arena was transformed into a magical festival with the sweet sounds of reggae, that transported you to a musical place far from the arena it once was. 

We are grateful to have been a part of this event, and will surely not miss any future reggae festivals planned by this group. A big thanks to the organizers and venue. We can't wait for more to come!

Photos: All photos taken with iPhone 8