There’s a good chance something at Maestro Marley Cup will appeal to you.
At least that’s the hope of Ky-Mani Marley, a son of music icon Bob Marley and the producer of the festival that is a mash-up of reggae, island food and soccer coming to Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle on Saturday, March 5.
Performers include Yellow Man, Jesse Royal, Locos Por Juana, The Dubplates and Dubwise. In addition to Ky-Mani Marley other members of the famed family will be joining him onstage including KJ, Kastin, Stephen, Damian and Julian Marley.
The event’s title comes from Ky-Mani’s nickname, “Maestro.”
Plenty of South Florida events combine Caribbean music and food, but soccer? That’s what sets this event apart, according to Marley.
“Soccer was my first love,” Marley said from his Miami Beach home. “I’ve been playing soccer ever since I knew myself. And music has always been a part of me. My father was a big lover of football. I just think it’s a great fusion — sports and music go together. It’s like a glove.”
Back in 2018 Marley and co-organizer David “Big Hair” Brisacher (from The Dubplates) put on the first Maestro Marley Cup in Charleston, N.C., which is Brisacher’s home.
“This is the second one, but we’re definitely planning on making it annual here in Florida,” Marley adds. “What better place to bring it to than South Florida, where it’s a melting pot?”
He also gives Brisacher the credit for curating the cuisine that will be at the festival.
“Here in South Flroida we’ve got a lot of great food vendors, these great food trucks. That way we have Spanish food, Jamaican cuisine, the islands, everything — you know, tastes of the world.”
The soccer (or “football” as it’s often known outside of the United States) will be a fast-paced 7 vs. 7 tournament with 15-minute halfs.
“So far we have about seven teams signed up and I think we’re only allowing 10,” explains Marley, who stars, wrote, co-directed and produced the movie “Vendetta” coming out this fall.
He adds, “I want it to be a nice fun family day, you know? Especially with what’s been going on. Just a fun day where we play some football and listen to music.”
If you go info
Hollywood ArtsPark at Young Circle is located at 1 N Young Circle in Hollywood.
Gates will open at noon when the 7 vs. 7 soccer tournament starts and will go until 4 p.m.
The concert performances will begin at 4 p.m.
Throughout the day there will be food and cultural vendors.
Advance general admission tickets are $30; advance VIP tickets are $65 and the soccer team fee is $250 for seven players and includes concert admission.
To order or register a soccer team, call 954-921-3500 or go to MaestroMarleyCup.com.
Donations will be accepted to help create soccer scholarships for underprivileged youth in Hollywood, Florida and Falmouth, Jamaica.
