Reggae On The River’s 25th Anniversary A Smashing Success
The Mateel Community Center would like to share its appreciation for everyone who came out in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Reggae On The River. Held on Saturday, July 18th at Benbow Lake State Recreation, this year’s festival was an important building block in the Mateel Community Center‘s effort to reestablish the great Reggae On The River tradition.
The natural majesty of our redwood surroundings and our mellow community vibe set the stage for a beautiful event which came to life in a diverse array of powerful performance, with lots of fabulous craft and import vendors, and plenty of fun stuff for families and kids. All of us at the Mateel Community Center feel it was the perfect, if unexpected, way to celebrate our silver anniversary and we hope the positive vibrations will resonate throughout the land and that even more of you will join our tribe in 2010.
Most of all we want to thank the ticket buying patrons. Your willingness to spend your hard earned dollars in support of our efforts is truly humbling and, more than anything else, has ensured that Reggae On The River will remain part of the Mateel/ local identity for years to come.
Thanks also to our sponsors: Humboldt Nutrients, KMUD, Lagunitas Brewing Company, North Coast Mercantile, Hydro Pacific, KHUM, North Coast Co-Op, Amerigas, Redway Liquor & Deli, Sweet Leaf Tea, US Cellular, New Harris General Store, Mystic Lion Art, and Pipe Creek Posters. Your support went a long way in making the festival a financial success.
Major kudos to our wonderful coordinators, contractors, and volunteer crews. Your dedication to your jobs helped make for a smooth running event and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you.
We’d also like to share our appreciation for our festival neighbors, especially Charles and Jan Benbow, John Porter, Matt Futrell, and Chris Anderson (who we’d also like to thank for the lions he donated), plus Garberville Chevron and the businesses of the Majestic Center for use of their properties for parking and as festival shuttle stops.
Big ups also to the good folks at Benbow Lake State Recreation Area for all their support. Although we never expected that Reggae On The River would (or could) happen at this venue, we can’t thank them enough for welcoming us with open arms and allowing us to continue the tradition in our local park.
All in all it was a wonderful experience and we can’t wait to see you again next year as we celebrate 26 years of great reggae and world music. Long live Reggae On The River and the Mateel Community Center!
Justin Crellin
On behalf of the board and staff of the Mateel Community Center
32 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 27, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Anonymous
How much did they make?
July 27, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Moviedad
Where would the Mateel be without people like Justin, Garst, Cassandra, and the rest of the gang…..way to go.
We sold out of Coconuts in the KMUD Ice Coffee booth. It was so worth setting up for the one day. even though I was responsible for setting up the booth in the wrong spot….
I would like to apologize to the “Indian Taco” booth. It was very nice of them to not make us take it all down, and move it over.
While I’m talking about amazing people, doing amazing things, for amazing organizations. KMUD’s Board President: “Katie” is doing such an amazing job with the Ice Coffee booth. I think it really helps people to donate and give to a non-profit, when they see the people in that non-profit, working hard for the money and not just sitting around asking for it.
Mateel & KMUD. If only we could clone them, and plant them throughout the country. Not only would we finally have change, but we would also have one really great party.
July 28, 2009 at 6:47 am
Anona
Thanks so much to everyone who made last Saturday possible; it was my 17th ROTR and – like Justin said – I never expected it would be a one-day affair at Benbow, but it was incredibly satisfying to participate again all the same. I hope it was successful enough to do again next year.
Maybe this has been covered elsewhere, but I found it odd that Carol Bruno was in attendance. Am I missing something?
July 28, 2009 at 9:39 am
Eric Kirk
Maybe she wants to bury the hatchet. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Give me another moment and I’ll come up with another cliche.
July 28, 2009 at 11:11 am
annnonymoose
Carol and some of the other PP group were too cheap to pay their for tickets . They took advantage of their connections to the artists to get wristbands for backstage and then acted like THEY were putting on the show. Standing onstage. Shmoozing with the performers.. Acting like it was no big deal.
No contrition on their part after having tried to bankrupt and destroy the Mateel Community Center .
“Remember I made the Money that built the Hall” ” Carol Bruno
“We just happened to be talking in the parking lot and Tommy offered his land for ROTR” Paul “PB” Bassis
“We went into a vortex of spending that no one could keep track of”
Susie “the Bookkeeper” Matila.
These people belong in jail not backstage at Reggae on the River
July 28, 2009 at 11:31 am
longwind
It’s astonishing to relate, 7:42–the Mateel made $80,000 from the one-day Reggae, and still paid the park such gobs of money that they’re welcome back for more. Jah rocks.
July 28, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Anona
Eric, I think the idea of Carol doing the hatchet burying is rich. It took incredibal cajones for her to be there at all. What’s the story behind Carol & Tom’s break up?
July 28, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Over it
I heard that the Mateel made 80 thousand on the event. It is now a thriving event owned free and clear by the Mateel. Who cares what Carol does now? She is irrelevant.
July 28, 2009 at 2:38 pm
anon
so it was a $uccess? did it make any money? does anyone know if it was that kind of a success? or just a touchy-feelie-groovie success…just curious…
July 28, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Eric Kirk
For the record, I am not letting through the intense personal attacks. We’ve been there, done that.
July 28, 2009 at 5:50 pm
anonymous says
kmud is going to broadcast Reggae Rising all week end long. Simon is setting it up down at the Dimmick Ranch and will be broadcasting starting on Fri July 31st thru Mon. Aug 3rd.
July 28, 2009 at 6:22 pm
ecumenik
I pray the Mateel and KMUD never let the overly combative “warfare is good for the right reason” crowd ever hold sway again.
Thanks Erik for not letting them get started.
July 28, 2009 at 7:33 pm
ananamuse
Sorry Erik, but the personal attacks are well deserved. that would really be too too bad if KMUD was at rr. People in this community are sure easily swayed by $$$.
July 28, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Eric Kirk
Even if I agreed that they are “well deserved,” they’re not productive. The war’s over.
July 28, 2009 at 7:49 pm
anon
is KMUD at RR?
fuck i hope so, why not?
signed, MCC supporter
July 28, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Eric Kirk
I agree. They can’t just pretend it isn’t happening.
Besides, as I’ve said before, in this economy we need things to happen.
July 28, 2009 at 9:34 pm
anonymous says
cynthia/Kmud will be reporting from on stage at Reggae Rising…….should be a great signal.
Do you think this makes her/Kmud a sell out?
July 29, 2009 at 7:18 am
anon
we all sell-out everyday with most everything we do/ who can stay so politically correct that they sit in their cabin eating wild chard and walking to town once a week for half and half?
July 29, 2009 at 8:46 am
silence do good
Humble is, as Humble does, I always say, who can claim to know whats in anothers Heart, Perfect Love Casteth Out all fear, some hippy pacifist said that a long time ago, I think
July 29, 2009 at 12:39 pm
ananamuse
yes, she is a sell out, if true.so is KMUD. what is td’s agenda for inviting kmud, if this is true. why hasn’t rr been live on kmud before? why does this economy “need things to happen” eric, at the cost to the mcc and everyone else’s heart and soul because of cb, td, pb et al?
July 30, 2009 at 7:12 am
anon
I think it is a good thing that RR will be broadcast on KMUD.
Like it or not, RR is a large event that impacts our area in many ways, both good and bad.
PP would never allow broadcast of ROTR, using the BS excuse that the artists didn’t want it.
If the locals have to put up with the influx of people and general disruption of community life, not to mention the dis-unity caused by the festival, at least we should be able to tune in some good live music.
All the “selling out” has already happened. We don’t have to forget history, but let’s quit beating a dead horse. CB basically shot herself in the foot—maybe even in the heart. She can simmer in her own stew of dis-harmony—the rest of us need to go forward by letting go of what is already gone.
July 30, 2009 at 7:35 am
ecumenik
It’s probably impossible, but I think that KMUD needs to stay above the conflicts. They are the microphone for both sides of any debate. It becomes a complex, sticky situation when KMUD comes down on one side of another.
That said, I completely understand why KMUD couldn’t do the first Reggae Rising. but by now, they have a job to do, which is to broadcast.
The coffee booth gang, tossed around many ideas about what to do during the conflict: Do the booth, and donate the money to the MCC, or stand firm with the Mateel. Which is what happened. I’m still not sure which was better. but as a volunteer/member, I don’t want to see KMUD get dragged into a public opinion on divisive issues. But, I was pissed, and so was every person I was in contact with at the booth. So I support the decision makers at the station. I’m very glad that I don’t have to make those decisions, since I tend to change my mind, after time passes and I get more information.
The former GM of KMUD, (Dave) and I, marveled at the crazyiness at the new site. I heard that one of the contractors refused a check, and was paid in cash, then other contractors heard about it, and they refused anything but cash. I saw some individuals with $1200. worth of wristbands on their arm.
It was total insanity. There is no way, anyone could have given an accurate accounting of what was spent. Knowing that, I was shocked when Tanya began demanding a full accounting. I don’t think we have to worry about the management of MCC, making such political mistakes in the future. There were two power camps at that festival, Ms. Bruno’s, and Ms. Stapps (?)
In the future, those at the radio station who want to come down on one side of an issue, should get their evidence, and testimony together and broadcast it. Not drag the station down to arguing in favor of one side over the other.
But of course, that was not possible then. A for profit corporation, stole a Non-Profit’s festival, that was its main source of capital. It was very simple. It was the Mateel. I agree.
But what about future conflicts. Conflicts that are not so cut and dried? KMUD must be neutral, if it is all possible.
July 30, 2009 at 11:42 am
Annon
1. The board demanded the audit.
2. Ms. T gave CB warning in 2005 that there would be an audit every year.
3. PP and TD had two years to prepare.
4. The audit didn’t cover the year it expanded dip do wad.
5. No one covered the real facts from the trial in print. lalalallalalalalal I got my earcoverings on and no one is gonna change my mind.
6. Let go of the bickering but don’t rewrite history or it will all happen again.
July 30, 2009 at 11:45 am
Annon
Oh just reminded.
7. The audit rule was made by the California State Attorney General for all nonprofits reporting over 2 mil from 2005 on.
THANKS TJ.
July 30, 2009 at 11:50 am
Annon
And of course you probably wanted MCC to ignore all those rules like the rest of the businesses in town do. It takes an idiot to do a job the right way in So Hum.
July 30, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Anonymous
I am glad for the Mateel and it was a sweet event. Many people who have avoided the drug-athon-on the river reggae concert had a mellow event to go to.
I have heard from local teens and seniors alike say that they aren’t going to the big reggae party(RR) where the stressed out city people come to get wasted and weird.
So now there are two options for reggae goers, and two opportunities for our local capitalist ventures (for profit and not) to work. I hope this really helps the local coffers, and that people don’t get hurt this weekend.
There was a rumor some years back that there was an intention to bring more large scale events to the area using the Dimmick site. I know Willie was there. Are people considering offering more music there? Would music events as “music tourist dollar harvests” be a good idea? How many more could/would the community allow? Just thinkin’
July 30, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Annon
“It takes an idiot to do a job the right way in So Hum.” An idiot with a spine of steel, a heart of gold, and a lot of protection to keep from being dumped in a ditch.
July 30, 2009 at 2:47 pm
ananamuse
“go forward by letting go of what is gone”—sounds like what g.w. and cheney are getting from obama. td does not deserve any good graces from KMUD or the rest of the community. I love the anything goes because of the money attitude. It’s all so perfectly capitalist.
July 30, 2009 at 2:56 pm
ananamuse
I don’t want to hear 3 days of nothing but reggae. After one day it all sounds the same. I want George and soup to nuts, and ED and all the sunday talk. like Bob Doran said last year, 3 days of reggae music was TOO much. rock and roll!!
July 30, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Jane
I think you may miss the point on this one ananamuse. As long as you hang on to your anger TD and PP own a part of you. Correct the facts. The spots on the leopard don’t change and sooner or later the jungle they live in will be the final judge. Don’t waste your energy. Put it somewhere productive.
July 30, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Eric Kirk
So listen to Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and Prairie Home Companion on KHSU for a weekend. Plenty of rock on KHUM and the Point if that’s what you want. It’s just one weekend.
July 30, 2009 at 6:07 pm
anonymous says
kmud is trying to change and start serving ALL of the community again like it used to. But it’s been very difficult .
Unfortunately The manager and some board members brought that mateel conflict right into kmud and it has taken the wind out of kmud’s sails ever since.