TODAY MARKS the beginning of Reggae Month, so designated in January by Prime Minister Bruce Golding. A roster of events, coinciding with celebrations commemorating the 63rd birthday of reggae legend Bob Marley, will mark the inaugural staging.

One of the high points of the month is the Global Reggae Conference, which takes place at the University of the West Indies' Mona campus from February 18-24. Organised by the institution's Reggae Studies Unit, this symposium has attracted several notable figures, including American Roger Steffens, the respected Marley archivist.

Must-see documentary

Another high-profile event is the premiere of Africa Unite, a documentary showcasing the concert of the same name promoted by the Marley family in Ethiopia and Ghana. The film, directed by American Stephanie Black, will have its premiere at the Carib 5 Cinema on February 6, Marley's birthday.

It features African-American actor-activist Danny Glover and African singer Angelique Kidjo.

The third staging of the Africa Unite series, 'Africa Unite/Smile Jamaica', takes place February 23 at the James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St Mary. It is homage to the 'Smile Jamaica' concert of December 1976, which had Bob Marley as headliner.

Marley performed at the peace show at National Heroes Park just days after he was shot by gunmen at his Hope Road home.

Members of the Marley family, new-wave roots-reggae star Tarrus Riley and Barbadian pop sensation Rihanna, are billed for the show.