CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Canadian roots-reggae star Jah Cutta and the Boston-based band Westbound Train are headliners at this spring’s Bud Light Reggae Festival at Sugarloaf.

All told, 11 bands will perform April 16-19 with indoor music stages in the King Pine Room and the Widowmaker Lounge, and outdoor performances on the newly redesigned Beach in front of the Base Lodge.

All outdoor music is free and open to all ages.

Renowned throughout the reggae world for his traditional roots-reggae style and lively performances, Cutta has been hailed as “Canada’s Top Reggae Act” by the Canadian Reggae Music Association. He has shared the stage with many of the biggest names in reggae music, including Buju Banton, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh, The Wailers and Beenie Man. His latest full-length album, “Whagwan,” was released in March 2007.

Cutta will headline the Saturday night show in the King Pine Room, along with Rebel Fire, a New York-based band featuring roots reggae with politically inspired lyrics and eloquent songwriting.

Westbound Train, a seven-member, Boston-based band featuring modern reggae and ska music, will headline Friday night’s show in the King Pine Room.

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The band has toured throughout the United States and Europe since its inception in 2001, and has shared stages with big names like the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Rancid.

Westbound Train will also appear outdoors on the Beach on Saturday, April 18.

Also on Friday night, the Widowmaker Lounge will feature Darryl Jenifer, famed bassist from Bad Brains, a group that defined the hardcore reggae scene and inspired many hip-hop and hardcore bands, including the Beastie Boys.

Appearing at Sugarloaf throughout the weekend will be Maine-based bands EastWave Radio and Stream Reggae, as well as The Cool & Deadly, Big Takeover, Kabbalist, The Royal Hammer and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. The Widowmaker will also feature disc jockeys John Lee, Yellow Fever and Punani Soundsystem.

Sugarloaf is offering several ticket options for shows throughout the weekend. For $40 guests may purchase a good vibes pass that guarantees admission to both the Friday and Saturday night King Pine Room shows. This the only ticket that may be purchased in advance of the festival.

Individual tickets for Friday and Saturday night shows are $25 on the day of show only. Widowmaker Lounge upgrades will be available for $10 each night as space permits.

All King Pine Room and Widowmaker Lounge shows are 21-plus only and proper ID is required. All outdoor shows on Saturday and Sunday are free and open to all ages. No alcohol may be brought into the venue, and all bags and coolers are subject to search. Ski-and-stay packages are available. For more information, visit www.sugarloaf.com.

The Bud Light Reggae Festival got its start at Sugarloaf in 1988, as a way to celebrate the change of seasons and enjoy spring skiing at the ski resort. Since that time, the festival has grown into an event that draws 10,000 or more reggae and spring skiing fans each year.


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