GOOD SOUNDS: California has a bevy of excellent reggae-focused weekends, but the summertime party in Monterey Bay is certainly among the most famous (and well-attended; the festival expects 15,000 festival goers this year). Reggaefest has been around for a decade and a half -- well, add a year onto that for 2011 -- and it consistently attracts great artists. Inner Circle, Wailing Souls, New Kingston, Maxi Priest, and Mykal Rose are a few of the performers set to take the stage during the three-day celebration, which is happening from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds.
NEW TO 2011: There's advanced VIP parking, say the Reggaefest organizers, and a VIP meet-and-greet. There's also a family area with a lot of stuff to keep the kidlets busy. Another major musical confab is happening in the area, and it wraps up on Saturday, July 30; it's the Carmel Bach Festival, which is just shy of marking its 75th year.
