The Reggae Won't Stop At New Town

The New Town at St. Charles will be jammin' this weekend when Non Stop Reggae returns for its annual reggae concert at the community's amphitheater.

The free concert begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. Visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Coolers are allowed, and local businesses will have food and drinks available for purchase. 

You might not think that New Town, with its pastel-painted homes and perfect urban design, would be a hotbed for reggae fans. But you'd be wrong.

"The reggae concert is unabashedly our No. 1 event," said Richard Kennison, entertainment director for New Town. "I look forward to all our musical events, but I really look forward to Reggae."

This is the fifth year for the event. "We have all kinds of music festivals here," Kennison said. "We added reggae because I love reggae music."

Kennison brought in St. Louis-based Non Stop Reggae for that first show, and the band has been coming back ever since. The band takes its name quite literally.

"They'll play from 7 to 10 nonstop," Kennison said. "It's kind of amazing to watch. The music never stops. They have a large following."

What brings them back every year? 

"The excitement of the venue," said Jody Carter of Non Stop Reggae. "New Town is a special community. It has its own character. They just love us, they're very enthusiastic. We're encouraged by it. We get a good reception every year." 

Non Stop Reggae formed in 1998. Carter said the band will bring in eight to 12 performers, including four lead singers as well as dancers from the Caribbean, for the New Town show.

"It's just a nice event," Kennison said.

Reggae developed from other musical styles in Jamaica in the 1960s. Its best known performer is the late Bob Marley.

"It's a spiritual music that people really respond to," Kennison said.

"Reggae is upbeat. It's about love. It always gets a good response," Carter said.

Kennison anticipates 5,000 people could show up Saturday night for the concert, if the weather cooperates. "It's grown every year," he said. "We've come close, but we've not hit 5,000 yet."

The show is not just popular with the locals, "People come from all over. It's probably the most attended show by people who are not residents of New Town," Kennison said.

The Reggae concert isn't the only thing going on in New Town this weekend. A sand volleyball tournament--Stop Your WINEing and Serve Volleyball Tournament sponsored by the Domain Street Wine Bar--will take place earlier in the day at the volleyball court near the amphitheater.

The New Town Summer Garden Tour will take place on Sunday. The event features a tour of 10 residential gardens in the community. The tour begins at the Town Hall on Rue Royale Street. Tickets cost $10 and are available at Marsala's Market in New Town. Proceeds from the event will go to the New Town Trust.

For more information on events at New Town visit www.newtownatstcharles.com/