Melbourne shows its cultural prowess with this film festival celebrating reggae and rocksteady music. I wish I could get along to see Rocksteady: The Roots of Reggae, as it is meant to be a great documentary, and Babylon on the big screen will be a hit, I'm sure. Find full details of the film festival below (or by clicking read more).

* 30 Jan The Arthouse (616 Elizabeth St, Mel, 3001) 8 pm $10 Loonee Tunes (headlining), The High Tides, The Elephant Gods (NSW) & Tin Soldiers

* 5 Feb The Birmingham (333 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Mel 3131) 3pm $7 + Loonee Tunes etc (SKA B Q)

* 6 Feb The Birmingham (333 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Mel 3131) 3pm $7 High Tides etc (SKA B Q)

* 27 Feb The Arthouse (616 Elizabeth St, Mel, 3001) 8 pm $TBA The Skavendors (headlining), Johnny Longshot, Loonee Tunes, The High Tides

This weekend sees Melbourne ska band The High Tides venture to NSW. Interspersed with their gigs are some great club events that are well worth your attention if you're in town.

Thursday December 10th, 5 pm - midnight
Garageland @ UTS's Loft Bar
Free entry
DJs Gus (The Hightides), Johnny McKelvey (The Rumjacks), Robotico (Freedom Sounds), Glen Dizzybeat and Snap DJs spinning ska, reggae, soul and punk.

Friday December 11th, 830 pm
The High Tides @ the Hotel Gearin, Katoomba
With The Elephant Gods and Dirty Lindy

Saturday December 12th, 3 pm - 7 pm
Soul Shakedown Party @ The View Factory, Newcastle
Free entry

Saturday December 12th, 9 pm - 3 am
Take It or Leave It @ Kelly's, Newtown
Free entry

Sunday December 13th, 4 pm - 10 pm
The High Tides @ the Oxford Tavern, Wollongong
With The Resignators, Steppin' Razor, Steel City Allstars etc

It's the last Garage Land do of the year this Thursday at UTS's Loft Bar. We'll be taking the next two months off so come along to finish off the year and listen to some great reggae, ska, soul and punk sounds played by a string of DJs. We'll kick off just after 5 pm, playing well into the night, so come for a drink after work or a long Christmas session.

There's nothing new about child prodigies in reggae, but this time around they are the kin of Max Romeo and calling themselves Rominal.

I've just been added to the DJ lineup for Uptown Top Ranking on Saturday night at the Hollywood Hotel. I was going anyway as it is going to be a top night. Free entry at one of Sydney's most iconic pubs - one can't go wrong.

Kingtide, Sydney's most popular exponents of roots reggae with generous dashes of ska and rocksteady, will be playing a free gig this Sunday November 29 @ the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi. The show kicks off at 8:30 and it will no doubt be a very energetic affair.