by Renée Miller

​Imagine a place where one can enjoy the cool, cool breeze of the hills, a breath-taking view of the city, and the unforgettable sounds of authentic, classic roots, rockers, reggae and dub music.  Imagine a place that has such a natural vibe that you will wish to steal a piece of it and take it home with you. This place exists and it’s Kingston Dub Club on a Sunday night. To get there requires a sound vehicle and a capable driver to manoeuvre the narrow winding roads, and JMD500. To truly enjoy it requires an appreciation of or a curiousity about Jamaican culture and a taste for reggae music.

​The moment you step through the gates of this hidden, elevated slice of Jamaican culture, Dub Club transports you into a world of Rastafari Livity. Several steps down will take you into the heart of the music pulsating open-air club that seems to heave in tandem with its own beat. If you’re out of breath after taking the steps to get to the club, you can refresh yourself with natural juices such as june-plum and soursop, or choose from a list of alcoholic beverages, all at affordable prices. To eat, you can try the kitchen’s tasty ital soup, tuna melts, assorted wraps, and Jamaican pastries which include gizzada and grater cake. There is comfortable seating to relax and enjoy the atmosphere, or you can dance the night away on the dance floor located right next to the DJ booth.

Below is an extract from a Jamaica Observer article. The full article can be found here.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will be the guest speaker at the official opening today of the Peter Tosh Museum at the Pulse Centre, Trafalgar Road, St Andrew. The museum is opening its doors on the 72nd anniversary of Tosh’s birth, and five weeks after the 29th anniversary of his murder at the hands of robbers at his home in Barbican.

According to the chairman of Pulse, Kingsley Cooper, when the museum officially opens its doors, Jamaicans and visitors from around the world will be able to see a large collection of never-before-seen Tosh memorabilia.

​Continue reading.

In celebration of Reggae Month and Black History Month the Jamaica Music Museum is hosting "Groundation" in February. The focus this year will be on the artistry and skill of trombonist Don Drummond. For more information see the flyer below.

Many devotees of legendary reggae star Peter Tosh have made the trip to his burial ground in Westmoreland. Visitors to Kingston will now have an opportunity to experience the story of Peter Tosh. According to a recent release a museum dedicated to the life and music of Peter Tosh is to open in Kingston in the summer of 2016. The museum will house "a collection of fascinating Tosh memorabilia and artefacts... including Tosh's famous M16 guitar." 

Simply put, we're excited.

To read the remainder of the Gleaner article, click here.

To book music themed tours, email karen@travelkingstonjamaica.com for more information. 

Imagine, JAD400 per adult (less for children and senior citizens) to view as many as 4 researched and thoughtful exhibitions. That's less than USD4. This is the great value that you get from a visit to the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ). And what you see and learn is very interesting as well. For example, at the time of the writing of this post there were three exhibitions on display: Rastafari (highly recommended), Taino Display, and the Memorial for the Morant Bay Rebellion 1865. This is not even counting the exhibitions at the Jamaica Music Museum or the National History Museum.

​True, the IOJ is a little like a rabbit's warren and the displays are spread out, but it's cool, kind of like being on a fantastic voyage. The guides are very helpful (big up, Abebe, Stephanie and Ayana!) and can provide help on navigating through some of the Admin snags. Or you can simply book a tour that takes you there.

Tips:
1. Buy tickets first at the gift shop. If you are facing the IOJ you will see a set of grand-ish looking stairs. About a third of the way up go to the left and there's the gift shop.
2. It's always useful to book ahead, especially if you'd like a guided tour. 
3. Expect lots of school children in September and October. It's the new school year and Heritage Week, the third week in October, seems to all but require teachers to take students out of the classroom. Depending on your temperament, this could be fun too.

To learn more about the Institute of Jamaica visit their page http://www.instituteofjamaica.org.jm/

To hear more about tours going to the Institute of Jamaica email karen@travelkingstonjamaica.com

Kingston is a diverse destination perfect for persons interested in art, food, music, and history. A visit to Life Yard on Fleet Street in inner city Parade Gardens is a fascinating glimpse into authentic Kingston life. Life Yard is a co-operative organic farm run by a group of young Rastafarian men who have been getting a great deal of attention locally and internationally for their community spirit and self sufficiency. After chatting with Shane Morgan and his fellow brethren, after sipping natural juices prepared by the young men, you can take a walk through the community to view stunning murals on display. 

It's a little off the beaten path, not likely to be in guide the books, but definitely worth the visit.

To schedule a tour call 1 876 374 6370 or 1 876 540 8570 or email karen@travelkingstonjamaica.com.

Beginning January 2016 the price to tour the Bob Marley Museum has changed. See the release from the museum below with the details.