Argentinian Roots Group Nonpalidece Will Come to Cartago this Weekend.

The town of Haché, Cartago will be alive with music this weekend, as it prepares for the Roots Time Festival 2008. The music festival, which takes place on Saturday, July 19, promises to be a wild celebration of reggae beats and the human experience, bringing together some of the world’s most famous artists and those from closer to home.

The festival’s three international guests — Chilean group Gondwana and Argentinean groups Resistencia Suburbana and Nonpalidece — are leading reggae artists who will Travel to Costa Rica, bringing a unique energy and vibe to the show. They will be joined by Costa Rican artists including Mentados, Mekatelyu, Fuerza Dread, and Moon Light Dub.

Gondwana, headquartered in La Pincoya, Santiago, Chile, was founded in 1987 by I Locks Labbé. Their leader, “Quique” Neira is known for his charisma and high energy, which has helped Gondwana achieve international success. The band has recorded under RAS Records, with the leadership of producer Dr. Dread, and has released seven official albums (1998-2007). They perform around the world, with strong followings in both Jamaica and the United States.

Resistencia Suburbana is a slightly younger band, founded in 1993 in General San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Their reggae music touches on current themes and human emotions, with eloquent lyrics that discuss war, reality, and political discontent. Choosing to confront hard topics, their music is strikingly free of the typical reggae — and tico — theme of “no problems,” or as we say in Costa Rica, pura vida.

Nonpalidece, formed in 1996 in El Tigre, Argentina, is a diversified reggae group, touching on original themes and partnering with nontraditional partners. Their sound is often referred to as “fresh,” incorporating unusual, and very complimentary, trumpet and saxophone.

The Roots Time Festival 2008 will open its doors at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and music will fill the air from approximately 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Transportation will be available throughout the day from San José, and buses will leave as they fill up. The festival’s transportation will leave from the northeastern side of the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social building, and will cost ¢750 each way ($1.35). For dedicated concert-goers with a car, parking and camping is available.

“The day before the event, the attending public will be allowed to camp in the back part of Picacho. There will be outhouses and lights at night, and the on-site restaurant will be open,” event manager, Cindy Quesada, detailed.

Entering the festival with food or drink is prohibited, though event organizers assure that there will be plenty of food and drink available once inside. It is also prohibited to enter with liquor, knives, weapons, drugs, or video cameras. Photography cameras are allowed. “We’ll have 60 security personnel checking as people walk in,” Quesada assured.

Tickets are still available for the event, and cost ¢18,000 for VIP ($32), which gives ticket holders the right to attend a get together with the artists after the show. General admission tickets cost ¢12,000 ($21.60) in advance, ¢15,000 ($27) at the door. All proceeds will benefit the Association for the Fight Against Stomach Cancer.

Photo courtesy of Al Dia.

Editor’s Note: In an unfortunate display of stubbornness since this article was posted, the Argentinian group Resistencia Suburbana decided not to board their plane to arrive to Costa Rica to participate in the Music Festival when their last minute requests for a stop-over were denied. Festival organizers had already purchased direct Flights to Costa Rica and could not interchange them. The organizers promise that the music group will be sued as tickets have already gone on sale and they were one of the major headliners for the festival.

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Filed under: Costa Rican Music on July 17th, 2008