54 EVOLVE
CULTURE
AUSTIN, Texas – Every year on April 20 the city of Austin plays host to thousands of people for the annual Austin Reggae Festival. This year’s event featured three days of reggae, world and dub music with the beautiful Austin skyline as the backdrop. There were more than 40 different bands from all over the world playing on two stages for three days. There were also dozens of food and drink vendors with local, regional and international food options. There was even a large inflatable zip line for kids. The Austin Reggae Festival donates a portion of all ticket sales to the Capital Area Food Bank. In 2012 the event generated more than $219,000 to help feed hungry central Texas families. Since the event started, the event has donated more than $1 million to the food bank. I had the chance to experience the festival this year and it was very underwhelming – in the right way. It may have been the abundance of stoners, or the relaxing reggae music or a combination of the two. Either way, I had a great time with friends. Unlike a usual outdoor concert, there were no mosh-pits or out-of-control drunks.