Concert | Reggae Legend Performs at a Family-Friendly Night of Music (In a Park)

Known as the Empress of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths takes listeners on a journey as expansive as her storied 40-year career. From inspiring the iconic Electric Slide dance with her hit Electric Boogie to her electrifying performances, Griffiths is a true living reggae legend. Brown Rice Family, the Brooklyn-based opener whose eight members hail from across the globe, draw from their diverse backgrounds to create vibrant and colorful soundscapes. Dj Miss Hap Selam spins as the doors open for a family-friendly night of music.

About the Artists
"The Empress of Reggae" Marcia Griffiths started singing professionally in 1964 with Byron Lee and The Dragonaires band. In her first gig with the Dragonaires, she performed a Carla Thomas original, No Time to Lose, to a rousing response from the audience who demanded an encore. Her recording career started soon after, and her first hit song was Feel Like Jumping, followed by Really Together. During the 1970s, she toured the world with Bob Marley and The Wailers as a member of the I Three, singing harmony on most of the reggae king's albums and songs. Griffiths continued her solo career, and in 1982, she reached a commercial peak with Electric Boogie, a dance number that sparked the Electric Slide dance craze in the United States. In all, Griffiths has released 18 solo albums, and five duet albums with Bob Andy.

Brown Rice Family (BRF) is today's freshest Roots band jamming towards Global Solidarity and Organic Happiness. They're a high-energy, eight-member ensemble that combines an eclectic mix of musical influences encompassing Reggae, Hip-hop, Dance-Hall, Brazilian, Afro-beat, Jazz styling, Latin, and Funk. With its members hailing from all over the world, BRF draws on its diverse backgrounds to set the stage for their unique, colorful, rhythm-driven, and highly danceable sound. BRF took Japan by storm: "BRF is bridging cultures together while creating a fun atmosphere within improvisation. Amazing...," wrote Vogue Japan. This "family" creates world rhythm driven music and dance that is infectious and nutritious for every age, gender, ethnicity, nationality, and group.

Selam Samuel, aka Dj Miss Hap Selam, has had the pleasure of playing some of NYC's longest-running reggae parties such as Coney Island Reggae on the Boardwalk, When Dance Was Nice, Downtown Top Ranking, and Swing a Ling. She has also made several radio appearances on The Lot, WFMU, WNYU, and BBox Radio. Outside the decks, you can find her several days a week behind the counter at Record City in Flatbush for all your vinyl necessities. You can catch Miss Hap spinning around Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and everywhere else in between.

Doors open 7:00 pm.