Ryan ChartrandKick back for some mellow jams and put on your dancing shoes for a birthday celebration for one of reggae’s legends. Downtown Brewing Co. will be hosting its third-annual Bob Marley Birthday Bash Friday night, led by reggae musicians and enthusiasts Resination, Native Elements and the Kicks.
Local nine-piece reggae band Resination will headline the show once again, playing Bob Marley cover songs in honor of his birthday, as well as songs from their new album, “Conscious Development.”
“It’s a really good day to celebrate Bob Marley. He opened up the door for a lot of reggae musicians. He’s the one that put (reggae) on the map. He’s given us the chance to even be able to play the music and have it be accepted for what it is,” said Resination drummer Tim Cordero.
According to Korie Newman, Downtown Brew’s booking and venue coordinator, this show has sold out the past two years. She said they expect a full house of about 400 people.
“Everybody (who goes) is positive and happy. It’s a real party atmosphere with lots of great music. Primarily, the night will be focused on Bob Marley and celebrating reggae music and what he did for the reggae community,” Newman said.
San Francisco-based reggae band Native Elements will also take the stage. Like Resination, Native Elements will be performing original songs as well as Bob Marley covers.
“As a reggae band, you got to throw in some Bob Marley covers,” said Mike Heuser, Native Elements trombone player.
Native Elements plans to play about five Bob Marley cover songs including, “Thank You,” “Waiting in Vain” and “Could You Be Loved?”
This will be Native Elements’ first time playing a show at Downtown Brew.
“We heard it’s a good place to play,” said Heuser. “(Resination) are hometown favorites down there, so they’ll draw a crowd,” he said.
“Bob Marley had a really strong message on how he thought the world should be. He was a pretty powerful man,” said landscape architecture senior and reggae fan Ian Casey.
“It’s great to see his music kept alive,” Newman said.
Bob Marley, legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter and leader of the reggae community, was born Feb. 6, 1945 and died at the young age of 35 from melanoma.
Due to the popularity of the event, it will be restricted to 21-and-over. The show will start at 8 p.m. and last until 2 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at Boo Boo Records, Downtown Brew box office or online at ticketweb.com for $8.