In August Kelston Records will present a special one-off live ska and reggae celebration of the legacy to Bath of H.I.M Haile Selassie. It takes place on the late Bank Holiday Monday 28 August, as part of the Kelston Village Fete.
H.I.M Haile Selassie I lived at 2 Kelston Road, Bath during his exile 1936-1941.
Also known as Jah Ras Teferi, H.I.M lived for six years at 2 Kelston Road Bath, and left his house to the Corporation of Bath for the care of the elderly. It is now a day care centre and meeting place for Ethiopian Orthodox, Rastafari and civic Bath culture with a garden, gallery and regular Rastafari Sabbath celebrations.
The Bank Holiday lineup with be da Mighty Beaconnaires, with da Rooterz reggae choir (as featured on BBC Bristol) and DJ playing mellow classic reggae and ska. Da Mighty Beaconnaires is a pro-am south Somerset reggae covers band, with an evolving lineup. Lead singer is Guy Ogilvy (The Johnsons) draws on the spirit of Toots, Jimmy Cliffe, Desmond Dekker and other major reggae stars. Da Mighty Beaconnires were originally formed to help save Lamyatt village hall (which was indeed saved). They have since headlined the Bruton dub festival.
The Kelston Village fete raises funds for Kelston village hall and church, and other village projects. The fete will this year feature a Caribbean food stall, and a stall raising funds and providing information about Fairfield House and H.I.M’s time at 2 Kelston Road. Entry £2.
I was one of the stall holders at today’s event and must say I thought it was the best one yet that I have attended. Everyone was saying how good it was. Well done to all the organisers.