The International Caribbean Music Festival (ICM FEST) returns with a vengeance on its original pre-Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday, November 16, at the historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Key Biscayne, Florida.

This popular event has experienced a lot of positive changes since its inception in 1997 as a family fun day, when it was originally billed as the  "Reggae Bash" and held at the AT&T Amphitheatre, with a lineup that is still being talked about today. Among the artists that graced the stage were Beenie Man, Capleton, Sanchez, Spragga Benz, Richie Stephens, and General Degree. It was also Sean Paul's first major show in the States.

In 2001, "Caribbean" was added to the event's title to reflect the new direction of the festival. Artists from various genres throughout the Caribbean were added to reflect the diversity of the region and also of Miami's Caribbean-heavy population.  Haitian acts like Sweet Mickey, Zenglen, Nulook, Boukman Experyans, and the Virgin Islands' super group Jam Band, along with dancehall act T.O.K., and veterans Sugar Minot and Cocoa Tea, were on the bill. It was clear that the event had outgrown the venue.

The fifth annual staging of the "Caribbean Reggae Festival" saw a new venue at the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, and "Beach" was added to the title.  The "Caribbean Reggae Beach Festival" show turned out to be the biggest event in Miami for 2002.  A taste of soca was added to the event with the sounds of Machel Montano and Denise Belfon. Yellow Man and Half Pint provided unforgettable performances, and Red Rat made an exciting entry by riding on the back of a motorcycle on stage, which left festival-goers in a frenzy.

Virginia Key Beach Park was closed for renovations in 2003; the "Caribbean Reggae Festival" then moved to its biggest venue - Bicentennial Park.  Over 30,000 fans from all over the globe traveled to see the sizzling roster of dancehall stars including Sizzla, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Elephant Man, Spragga Benz, and even Buju Banton made a rare Miami appearance.
 
In 2006, the name was changed to the "International Caribbean Music Festival" or ICM FEST, and the lineup was expanded to include international musicians other than reggae and dancehall.  It was also the first time that reggae, dancehall, reggaeton and soca artists appeared together on one stage. This was also the year that the ICM FEST was invited to be a part of Miami Carnival, which took place in early October.  Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, Bunji Garlin and Alison Hinds were the headlining acts.

In 1999, 2005 and 2007, there was no staging of the festival.  The promoters regrouped and have now returned with a vengeance, with the ICM FEST back on its original weekend and back at the Virginia Key Beach Park venue.  This year's staging, by all indications, will be the best thus far.  

For further information on the ICM FEST, log on to www.icmfest.com or e-mail info@icmfest.com.

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