Bob Marley Foundation to make Haile Selassie smile
The Haile Selassie High School in St Andrew is set to benefit from a music room, funded by the Bob Marley Foundation. The Bob Marley Museum yesterday said part proceeds from this year’s Smile Jamaica Concert anniversary celebrations will go towards the project.
“The foundation has donated over J$2.5 million creating music rooms at both Alpha Institute and the GraceKennedy’s S.T.E.A.M. (homework) Centre. By donating part proceeds to Haile Selassie High School to fund a special music project, our aim is to plant the seed of hope for the younger generation through the instrument of music,” Marie Bruce, general manager of the Bob Marley Museum, said.
In addition to contributing towards the Haile Selassie project, patrons are also being asked to donate non-perishable items to be distributed to Reddies Children’s Home, which is supported by the foundation.
“Our focus is making someone smile, the same way Marley chose to bring hope to people, despite the attempt on his life,” Bruce said.
This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme ‘Make Someone Smile’. It will feature a series of night tours at 56 Hope Road next week, which will culminate in the room in which Bob Marley was shot 41 years ago.
This year’s Smile Jamaica Concert anniversary celebrations will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be performances by Runkus, Blvk H3ro, Leno Banton, Royal Blu and several other special guest performers, all paying tribute to the legend.
At the Smile Jamaica Concert in 1976, Marley delivered a passionate 90-minute set, days after being injured in an assassination attempt. The concert was held in a politically charged atmosphere at the National Heroes Circle. Some 80,000 people are believed to have attended.
“The Bob Marley Foundation continues to honour Marley’s stance on good conquering evil, as it is even more relevant today, given the current happenings in the world. Forty-one years later, we continue to advance Marley’s vision by using music as a change agent,” Bruce said.