Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Arts will launch its 2012-13 season on Saturday, Oct. 6, with a performance by the Jamaican band Third World to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the island’s independence.
According to Leatrice Elizy, managing partner of Beatrix Moss LLC, a local arts and culture management and research firm, Third World has been a dominant Jamaican reggae band since the early 1970s when it was formed.
Although the band has gone beyond merely playing reggae and blends folk, African rhythms, pop and R&B styles into its work, it remains a cultural icon for the island.
“Their music is one of Jamaica’s biggest exports,” Ms. Elizy told GlobalAtlanta in a video interview citing hits such as “Now That We Have Found Love,” and “96 Degrees.”
The band’s performance will be preceded by a celebration of Jamaican culture including a demonstration of how to create costumes for its popular carnival and samples of its foods.
Jamaica was granted its independence from the United Kingdom on Aug. 6, 1962, but it remains a member of the Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth II serves Queen of Jamaica and as its head of state.
To learn more about the Rialto’s season, click here.
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