Celebrate Reggae
Sat. & Sun., May 23 & 24, 2026
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Schedule of Activities
Celebrate the rich musical heritage, global journey, and worldwide impact of reggae! Learn about the genre’s roots and offshoots in all-ages drumming workshops, engaging performances, and high-energy DJ sets.
Supported by the Afro-Caribbean Cultural Association of Arizona
Programming supported in part by the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture and Arizona Commission on the Arts
Craft: Rumba Box
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make and decorate a rumba box, a popular instrument in Jamaican mento music.
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Drumming Workshop: Walt Richardson and Dowell Davis
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Founders Room
Join two local musicians for an exciting reggae drumming workshop.
Curator Talk: The Wailers, Rastafari, and Afro-Jamaican Drumming
11:30 a.m.–noon
Event Room 3
Join Daniel Piper, MIM’s curator for Latin America and the Caribbean, to learn how Afro-Jamaican traditions influenced reggae and to celebrate legendary artists whose instruments are featured at MIM, including the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and Bob Marley’s band the Wailers.
Roots-Rock Reggae Performance: Sharae and the Budderfly Effect
12:15–1:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy soulful roots-rock reggae from this Phoenix band.
Drop-In Dance Party: Reggae Through Time with DJ Kenyattasaurus Rex
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Experience reggae’s journey from Jamaica to the world in a dance party. Listen, dance, and learn as the music tells the story of how the genre helped shape global culture.
Dancehall Workshop: Shaks
1:45–2:15 p.m.
Founders Room
Learn the basics of dancehall with Shaks from Phoenix dance studio the Jukebox.
Pick Up and Play: Reggae Instruments
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Try out popular reggae instruments and learn how to play reggae rhythms with empowerment organization Girls Rock! Phoenix.
Hip Hop–Reggae Performance: Dobra Sound
3:15–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy good vibes from the Arizona hip hop–reggae music collective.
Craft: Rumba Box
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
South El Río
Make and decorate a rumba box, a popular instrument in Jamaican mento music.
Photo Booth
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
El Río
Have your picture taken in our hands-free photo booth! Digitally share your pictures and tag us with #MIMphx for a chance to be featured on our social media.
Sing-Along: Walt Richardson and Dowell Davis
10:30–11:00 a.m.
Founders Room
Sing and play along to popular reggae favorites!
Curator Talk: The Wailers, Rastafari, and Afro-Jamaican Drumming
11:30 a.m.–noon
Event Room 3
Join Daniel Piper, MIM’s curator for Latin America and the Caribbean, to learn how Afro-Jamaican traditions influenced reggae and to celebrate legendary artists whose instruments are featured at MIM, including the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari and Bob Marley’s band the Wailers.
Performance: The Conveyors
12:15–1:00 p.m.
North El Río
Experience polished, feel‑good reggae from this Arizona band.
Drop-In Dance Party: DJ Skoolboi
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Event Room 2
Join Jamaican DJ Skoolboi for a high-energy dance party featuring reggae, soca, dancehall, and Afrobeats tunes!
Documentary Shorts: Global Reggae Culture
2:00–2:30 p.m.
Event Room 3
Journey through the history and global spread of reggae through a series of short documentary films.
Guest Talk: Dr. Shola Roberts
2:30–3:00 p.m.
Event Room 3
Join Arizona State University School of Music, Dance, and Theatre assistant professor Dr. Shola Roberts and learn about the cultural roots of reggae and dancehall, as well as music’s role as a voice for expression, resistance, and community identity. Move to the music—and use that movement to understand the music beyond listening.
Hip Hop–Reggae Performance: Dobra Sound
3:15–4:00 p.m.
North El Río
Enjoy good vibes from the Arizona hip hop–reggae music collective.
Weekend ExtrasAvailable for Purchase
Lunch at Café Allegro
Offered daily 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Enjoy a menu of delicious global cuisine with fresh entrées, salads, soups, and grill items showcasing local produce and flavors from around the world.
Programming supported in part by
City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture
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