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1st Annual “Healing of The Nation Reggae Festival" Coming to Long Beach

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By Erika Crespo

 | Friday, 02 September 2011 08:14

9:15am | Ladies, throw your hair up in a colorful bandu and gentleman, reach out to your bredren and take them on a journey with you as you explore new ways to maximize your health and the health of our planet through culture, food, music, and awareness.
   
Your journey commences on September 11th as Long Beach plays host to the 1st Annual “Healing of The Nation Reggae Festival.”  In an effort to draw awareness on the various ways people can lead a naturally healthy lifestyle, this all-day event hosted at Alfredo's Beach Club will feature live performances from a variety of international and local reggae bands, organic gardening education, fire dancing, a creative outlet yard for the youth, and yoga classes as presented by LB Yogalution and Trilogy Yoga.  The event is complimentary and open to all ages. 
   
“What better place to hold a peaceful, educational event than on the beautiful coast of Southern California?” Says Dave Monaco of a Better Chemistry, one of the local bands that will be featured.
   
Headlining the festival will be Half Pint and Papa “Baddingo” Michigan from Jamaica with support from Better Chemistry, Jah! Fellowship, Long Beach Liberators, Sandollar, and The Divine Crime. 
   
The festival is designed to assist Sol Adventures Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to educate children about organic gardening and music, and a portion of all proceeds will be donated back to their cause.  Working with youth in Los Angeles and Jamaica, their mission, says Monaco, is “to assist disenfranchised individuals, especially youth, to discover their gifts and talents and share them with the world and gain strength through reconnecting with the community.” 
   
It was those two aspects –gardening and music –that personally inspired Monaco to contribute to Healing of The Nation along with his band Better Chemistry (their saxophonist, Brian Beekin, is one of the 3 founders).
   
“I started a garden this year in my backyard and discovered how beneficial it is,” he says.  “Growing my own vegetables and herbs is not only cost effective, but cooking with homegrown ingredients makes all the difference in taste.  Since gardening and music are two of my biggest passions, I figured this would be something good be a part of.”
   
And if a green thumb just wasn't included in your DNA makeup?  Or if you know you should be eating healthier but are unsure where to begin?  Attend one of the many speaker series that will be offered, ranging from “Raw Food Wellness” to “Organic Gardening and Permaculture” to “Yoga Philosophy.”
   
Once the mind is opened, stretch the body with a variety of yoga courses being offered all day alongside a DJ and full raw cacao bar (chocolate is a direct descendent of cacao . . .ladies)
   
As our nation continues to mend it's wounds on this 10th anniversary of 9/11, Monaco says “many people out there are in need of a helping hand and we feel this event is a platform to make people aware of the many ways they can be of service.”
   
“In this day and age of negativity, war, prejudice and recession, an event like this encourages peace, positivity, and giving back,” he says.  “Better Chemistry looks forward to being a part of that mission.”