San Diego Bahia Fest to feature reggae acts, including Cultura Profética and Rawayana, from several countries

The Puerto Rican reggae band Cultura Profética in concert

San Diego Union-Tribune en Español

Oct. 18, 2019 2:17 PM PT

San Diego —

Music is very close to the Latin heart.

The genres that Hispanics enjoy cover a wide variety. One of them is reggae, the classic, dance-friendly Jamaican style that will be the focus of Saturday’s debut edition of San Diego Bahía Fest. It will take place at Embarcadero Marina Park North, across from Seaport Village.

The lineup includes Latin reggae bands from several countries. Mike Beltran, one of the festival’s organizers, believes there are enough Latinx Reggae fans in Southern California and Baja California to make it pay off to bring such acts as Cultura Profética from Puerto Rico, Rawayana from Venezuela and Alboroise from Jamaica to perform at Saturday’s 21-and-up event.

Bahia Fest is not just for Latinos, according to Beltran, who hopes the event will draw as many as 5,000 attendees.

“We are focusing on all fans of reggae music, because reggae is the world’s music,” he said. “There isn’t another genre that comes close to it in the ways that it unites people from all cultures. The purity of the beats and rhythms of reggae music transcend language boundaries to the point that, regardless of what language the music is sung in, the soul communicates, not just the tongue.”

Beltran added that in his travels to Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica and throughout Mexico, reggae music is the most common musical genre.

“In every corner of the Americas, from the smallest fishing village to the biggest concrete jungle, you can hear reggae music or find a reggae music fan,” he said.

Saturday’s lineup will also include Tijuana’s Somos Uno, along with Alikla, E.N. Young and Leilani Wolfgramm. In addition to music, an array of food and drink options will be available.