A World Apart at the 9^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

"The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is known for the positive, conscious, environmentally aware community it attracts…dedicated to nurturing a world family peacefully united in celebration of the universal spirit of music… ¾ Epiphany Artists

Summer Solstice is a very special time of year. Observed to be the longest day of the Earth year. Interestingly, the word solstice derives from two words. One meaning "sun" (sol) and the other meaning "sistere" which translates as "to cause to stand still" - because as summer solstice draws nearer each day, the noonday sun climbs higher and higher in the sky until the day of solstice (June 21^st) when it is at its highest/northerly position and magically appears to stand still. Since ancient times solstice was observed and honored as the Sun was recognized as the most Supreme Being amid the celestial bodies observed by the astronomers of antiquity and recognized as the supreme authority of the Creator in many ancient civilizations.

Today, we in Northern California celebrate and honor the Summer Solstice in one unique way, we attend the world-class Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, an annual 3-day music and camping festival held this year on June 21, 22 and 23 in Calaveras County's historic Gold Rush Country in Frogtown and Angels Camp, California. The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival always features the best Reggae and World music and this year will again feature world music artists on two stages for non-stop entertainment pleasure.

This year's festival will feature performances on Friday, June 21st by Sizzla, Coco Tea, Mahotella Queens (South Africa), Jah Shaka (Jamaica), Earl Zero and the Bay Areas own West African Highlife Band. Taking the stage on Saturday, June 22nd will be the great Jamaican legends, Toots & The Maytals, Culture, Leroy Sibbles, Mutabaruka, Sugar Minott and Marcia Griffith with Dean Fraser. Also performing will be Abijah (b. Andrew Smith and the son of Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari drummer Winston Smith), Hassan Hakmoun (Marrakech), John Brown's Body, Quetzal, Les Yeux Noirs, and one of the best sound systems in the world, Stone Love and many more artists. On Sunday, June 23 performers will include Steel Pulse, Niney the Observer, The Melodians, Johnny Osborne, Prezident Brown, Midnite, King Chango, Bamboleo (Havanna Cuba) Tabla Beat Science featuring Zakir Hussain and many other world artists.

The festival will also provide a dancehall area for those who like to whine. In the Festival Village a first-class food court for those who like to dine on the exotic foods of Jamaica, Ethiopia, West Africa and India. Those of you who like to "shop till you drop" The Festival Village also is home to the best international craft show with wares coming literally from every corner of the world. The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival also caters to the young and the young a heart with wonderful children programs, workshops and entertainment. Many attending will stay for the entire weekend event by setting up their gear at the family safe on-site camping area. The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is truly "a world apart" and is committed to providing the people with the very best in Reggae and World Music that offers it's audience a rare opportunity to witness performances by artists that seldom, if ever, appear in the States.

For more information and for complete lineup schedule go to the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival website at: http://www.snwmf.com

See you all there!

Blessed Love