Las Vegas is becoming a hotspot for the appreciation of Jamaican culture, and one of the key voices behind this shift is Mona Bell, a Jamaican actress and the promoter of Las Vegas Brunch Weekend, now in its fourth year. As she sees it, this growing recognition is both timely and necessary.
“I love it, it’s about time,” Mona said enthusiastically about the synergy between Sin City and Caribbean culture . “I would love to see a Bob Marley hologram in Vegas.”
This fall, Primary Wave, FiveCurrents and the Marley Estate bring the immersive Bob Marley 56 Hope Road experience to Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, offering visitors a chance to connect with the legendary reggae artist’s legacy.
Between September and December 2024, Las Vegas will see music residencies by major artists across various genres such as country, pop, R&B, and rock. Some notable acts include Adele, The Eagles, Lionel Richie, Garth Brooks, and Shania Twain.
With these events happening at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Dolby Live at Park MGM, Sphere, and the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, Mona believes that Marley’s global impact and the increasing influence of Jamaican culture in the entertainment capital marks the beginning of something bigger for reggae and dancehall in the city.
“This is the beginning of having Bob Marley as a staple name,” she explained. “It’s an iconic name globally, but what Vegas offers can do more for reggae and dancehall.”
Mona is optimistic that this shift will lead to even greater things for Jamaican culture in the city, including the possibility of a dedicated space for dancehall history. “Absolutely, eventually it will fall in place because it’s needed. Vegas has everything for every genre and now dancehall is getting quite potent here. We need a museum or a showcase or a street to honor and recognize our culture and what we do for other cultures too.”
The fourth edition of Las Vegas Brunch Weekend starts tonight September 13 and got through to Sunday.
