Perhaps in response to rumors flying around about bankruptcy, non-refundable ticket rip-offs and other troubles, Reggae Rising has released a lineup for its Aug. 6-8, 2010 reggae festival. On the list of acts are Ky-Mani Marley, The Melodians, Yami Bolo and others. None of the major acts of reggae are confirmed. Since the original Reggae on the River ended in 2006, Reggae Rising has been put on in its place. Ever since then people have referred to the original as the 'real' reggae on the river.The first 'Rising' shows had great lineups with Stephen and Damien Marley, UB40, Steel Pulse and others, making this year's lineup anemic by comparison.

According to the Redwood Times, Reggae Rising owes various local and state agencies money from the last two years festivals. Among those agencies are the California Highway Patrol and CalTrans. In that article it is reported that the show cannot proceed without letters from all of those agencies, most of whom will not do so until the finances are cleared for the last two shows. It is possible they cleared those debts.

Reggae is Back

To make things more complicated, the Mateel Community Center, the original organizers of Reggae on the River have announced a 2010 show featuring legendary acts like Don Carlos, Sly and Robbie and Pablo Moses. That show is advertised for July 17 and 18, 2010. The spirit behind these shows became uncharacteristically un-Irie in 2006 when Dimmick Ranch and People Productions became the main financial interest, rather than the non-profit Mateel. So this year, reggae fans, there is a choice, but choose wisely because the future of this Northern California reggae tradition might be decided this year.