Reggae: Past, Present and Future

The Reggae Rising p.r. department sent this short Q&A.
Note: I'm sending my own set of questions today.

Below are a few Questions and Answers recently asked of Carol Bruno/People Productions:

What is different about the event this year?

There will be a smaller population. There will be lots of green grass and lots less dust because we are not doing major construction. Best festival lineup of the summer. Finally able to book lots of women to perform.
Beach area at the Dome site free of campers and cars. Heaven Bus is back with Chris Deckker and the Earthdance Crew.
Expanded Opening Ceremony featuring Native Elders in unison with Rastafarian Elders and drum processional.
The High Altitude Dancehall Club on Friday and Saturday nights. Guest performances by Lexus, Collie Buddz and Mr. Easy, Dancers, Lighting, Sound Systems, Private Restrooms, Large Viewing Screens. Comes with VIP package.
VIP upgrades, along with General Tickets, can be purchased online reggaerising.com or at local outlets including the Dimmick Ranch box office, People Production office in Redway, Streetlight Records in San Jose, San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Check website for complete offerings.

What is the history of your involvement with this event?

I was on the Mateel Board of Directors when the original hall in Garberville was burned by an arsonist. We decided to do a Reggae festival as a fund raiser to help rebuild the building and called it Reggae on the River. I worked in a small trailer and then in two consecutive small offices organizing the festival for five years while we searched, found and purchased the land in Redway. I worked at the Mateel Center for the next 6 years as the Director and produced the festival in house. In 1994 PB, Doug Green and myself founded People Productions and continued to produced Reggae on the River, and other events as independent contractors. We eventually went our separate ways and today I am the soul owner of People Productions. This year Tom Dimmick, owner of the Dimmick Ranch and myself are working together along with the original staff and production team and many of the volunteers who formed the family that has worked together over 20 years to produce the traditional reggae festival in Southern Humboldt. The festival this year is called Reggae Rising.
My company and this staff have worked for many years and earned funds totaling in millions of dollars for the Mateel Center and many other no-profit organizations combined. We do this with love as a gift to our community and to help sustain its needs.

Why reggae music?

The spiritual essence and message in the music. It's church. Reggae Rising is dedicate to the music.

Who are your influences...how did you learn the business?

I learned the business by trail and error and many years of hard work in the school of hard knocks. It has been my life's work and it has brought me much joy and happiness.

Who and what will benefit from this year's event?

27 non-profit organizations and Fire Departments will benefit. Also a payroll of over 500 local people, scores of local business in Garberville, Eureka, Arcata and Laytonville and Willits.
Last year earned many of the non-profits more income than any other past year. They depend on it to fund their projects.