'People Get Ready' Reincarnation of Reggae Fest teams music with ecology expo

Tulsa's much-loved Reggae Fest returns Saturday, only not to Tulsa but to Jenks, thanks to volunteers and two entrepreneurs dedicated to bringing it back to glory.

It's a free festival at Jenks' RiverWalk Crossing, sporting street performers, local artists and seven bands including local acts Sam & the Stylees, Citizen Mundi, and a rare show from Local Hero.

The concerts begin at 1 p.m. with what should be an astounding martial arts performance by a Tulsa troupe of Capoeira students.

Amie Nguyen, festival organizer, said she's pulling off the festival by pairing it with her Green Country Eco-Expo, which showcases vendors touting environmentally responsible products and practices. Nguyen and her sister, Carie Cave, operate Earth Friendly Goods, at 10304 E. 47th Place.

Reggae's themes of empowerment and protecting the Earth seemed like a natural combination with the Eco-Expo, Nguyen said. The expo debuted last year at Woodward Park.

The only people getting paid are the bands, thanks to fees paid by the expo's 10 vendors, Nguyen said.

"I believe it's important for community events to be free, at least occasionally, because that's what makes our city live with art and culture," Nguyen said.

Also playing are: Norman's Tincture; Kinky Slinky, from Oklahoma City; Jah Roots, of Springfield, Mo.; and Louisiana's Outlaw Nation, Nguyen said.

Nguyen said she moved to Tulsa four years ago from Houston, and many people she knew complained about Reggae Fest's demise. So, she and her sister, who visits Jamaica regularly, decided to bring it back, Nguyen said.

While enjoying the music, attendees can also learn about the city's storm water system at a City of Tulsa booth. Other vendors include NaturalFarms, an organic meat store at 420 S. Utica Ave., and Oklahoma Computer Recyclers.

The bands bring different takes on reggae's similar fare.

Kinky Slinky plays "world music," the band's Web site states. Citizen Mundi offers an eclectic mix of the music stylings of Mars Volta, Metallica, Manu Chao, Rush and Peter Gabriel.

Jah Roots, Sam & the Stylees, and Outlaw Nation have similar influences including British act Steel Pulse.

It may be some time before the reborn festival approaches the power and sweep its the festival's heyday. It began around 1985 as a street party organized by a local club owner, and ballooned to a 20,000-spectator festival that rocked the River Parks.

It ended with a whimper in 2000 after the organizer moved it to the Brady Arts District, booked fewer big-name acts and attendance tanked.

This edition of Reggae Fest though, has the bands excited.

"It's pretty grass roots," said Ryan "Santanna" Griffith, percussionist for Local Hero and Sam & the Stylees, fresh from playing Bricktown's reggae festival in Oklahoma City. Griffith played with Local Hero at the last outing seven years ago.

"It's good to see it back. I'm definitely happy about that. This is a new thing for the new people that are putting it on. It's kind of good to get a fresh outlook on things," Griffith said.

Griffith is happy the festival is back on the river as well.

The festival comes as the band is putting the finishing touches on its new album before sending it off for mixing in Jamaica, he said.