Tony Matterhorn thrilling the crowd at Passa Passa on Spanish Town Road in February 2004 at 7:00 in the morning. - File

Reggae Month, which starts today, is packed with activities celebrating Jamaica's most popular music.

The activities start with a Reggae Month Church Service at Fellowship Tabernacle, Half-Way Tree, at 9 a.m. today. In addition, there will be a Dennis Brown birthday special on Irie FM. Today also marks the start of the weeklong celebration of Bob Marley's birthday in Negril. Marley was born on February 6.

There will also be a Reggae Month Reception on February 8, at Vale Royal. Throughout the month, there will be Reggae Villages in Ocho Rios, Negril and Kingston, at which reggae-related films will also be shown. And, on March 1 at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Awards, which will be held at Jamaica House, persons in the entertainment fraternity will be recognised for their work

Reggae Month, which is in its second year, will also be saluted at Corporate Area weekly events such as Passa Passa, Bembe Thursdays and at the Asylum Nightclub. In addition, there will be live concerts, parties, symposia, films, exhibitions, award shows and school tours.

But Reggae Month committee chairman, Howard McIntosh, said there will not be many changes to the month.

"The difference is really in the presentation of the events of Reggae Month and the fact that this is the second year. And, the music industry players have participated more than I have ever seen," McIntosh told The Sunday Gleaner.

He said there will be small but important changes. There will be launches, a focus on education and a focus on the business of music. McIntosh also said the Reggae Month Committee will be ensuring that the celebrations are done properly.

However, McIntosh said he does not believe Reggae Month will overshadow Black History Month, which is also celebrated in February.

"The truth is Black History Month is an American celebration and we are using this month to bring about a focus on reggae music and the country," he said.

Nonetheless, McIntosh hopes there will be support from the country, relevant stakeholders and the media.

McIntosh