On the heels of the Love Iyah 78th birthday celebration, a series of immersive experiences will honour and celebrate the legacy of Marley matriarch Rita Marley.
City Winery New York is set to host The Garden That Rita Grew: My Grandma Rita, an art exhibit and An Evening with Sharon Marley on August 7.
These events will mark the beginning of a two-month-long tribute to Rita Marley, featuring curated programming which showcases her immense contributions to music, art, and culture.
An Evening with Sharon Marley, the Rita and Bob Marley tribute concert and storytelling experience, will feature a tribute performance of classic songs from Rita and Bob Marley, along with live painting. This will be followed by a conversation on the Marley family’s global impact on the world and will offer fans a unique opportunity to engage with Sharon Marley as she shares personal stories and memories of her parents, Rita and Bob Marley.
The Garden That Rita Grew: My Grandma Rita art exhibit will be curated by film-maker Donisha Prendergast, the granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley.
It is a preview of a full instalment to be showcased at City Winery NYC from August 7 to October 7.
The exhibit will feature photographs and artwork celebrating the strength, resilience, and creativity of Rita Marley and is powered by Humanity Ova Vanity (HOV).
“Rita has played a pivotal role in developing and preserving Bob Marley’s rich legacy,” said Lee Jaffe, a featured photographer in the exhibit.
To further celebrate Rita Marley’s contributions to music, business, and culture, Donisha Prendergast will join hands with City Winery to launch a grassroots campaign to have Rita Marley recognised in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Along with a scroll available for people to sign in person during the exhibit at City Winery, an online petition has been created with the goal of gathering one million signatures. Fans are encouraged to join the movement and sign the petition at www.rita4thehall.com [2].
A portion of the proceeds from both events will be donated to the Rita Marley Foundation and the Rita Marley Girls Center, dedicated to empowering women and youth in Jamaica and across the globe.