NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.) - Fans and musicians alike head to New York City this week, to admire and hopefully cop a shiny statuette at the 28th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA). The celebrated show is set for this Sunday, May 3, 2009, at the York College Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York.
Attending guests and fans of Caribbean and world beat music can expect to see the likes of Beenie Man, Etana and Queen Ifrica on stage. They will be joined by Cocoa Tea, Mighty Sparrow, Alison Hinds, Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser, Calypso Rose, Tony Rebel, Gramps Morgan, Lt. Stitchie, Awilo-Soukous Band, Barbee, Mutabaruka, D'Angel, Duane Stephenson and poet, Malakai, all making for another memorable installment of the coveted awards.
This year's band of nominees is led by dancehall star Mavado, with nods in eight categories. He's followed by Beres Hammond, Elephant Man with seven nominations, Etana and Queen Ifrica each grabbing five nods, and Mr. Vegas with four nominations. Other nominees include Shaggy, Machel Montano, Morgan Heritage, Duane Stephenson, Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley, Wyclef Jean, Serani, Jazmine Sullivan, Luciano, Tony Rebel, Tarrus Riley and Stitchie, among others.
The IRAWMA was conceived as a venue to promote reggae music globally and 28-years later, it's time to take it to the world stage."I'm looking forward to the day when IRAWMA is televised worldwide," states Ephraim Martin, President of Martin's International and Associates. "And when all world beat music is fully recognized."
The 28th IRAWMA kicks off at 6:00pm for VIP ticket holders, and 7:30pm for general admission. This year the ceremony takes place at the state-of-the-art York College Performing Arts Center, located at 94-45 Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens. The official after party will be at Club Tobago on Liberty Avenue in Jamaica, Queens, and kicks off at 10pm.
Tickets for this celebration of music are now on sale at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000, and also from IRAWMA at 877-9-REGGAE, and the York College Performing Arts Center box office at 718-262-2840. Advance VIP tickets are $150 and general admission tickets $75, with more at the door. Tickets are also available from selected sponsors' locations.
