Cali-RAD Fest

09/30/2025

We had some big news to drop for you all this week, but we ended up getting some news ourselves. We are saddened to find out that our hosts at Black Plague Brewing have had to close their doors 😢 We are thankful to them 🙏 for having the Cali-RAD Fest fam 🟩🟨🟥 at their Oceanside location in 2024 and we were looking forward to an even better event this year. We wish the Black Plague Oceanside family all the best ❤️

That said, we are looking for a new location to host our event this year. We were originally scheduled for November 8 and hope to secure that date elsewhere. While we are checking several locations, if anyone knows of a spot or has connections to one, preferably in North County SD, that can hold 500+ of the RADdest fans, please hit us up. Tag them and Share this post with them. Tag us too. Or send us a DM.

Respect and much love to you all,
Cali-RAD Team
🙏🙌🤙

05/30/2025

Boys with Duchenne, Rising Up for boys with Duchenne!!! 🔥🔥🔥

From the moment Ryan (Wheelz TheRapper), FJ Yuva, and Nathan took the stage, the room lit up with courage, creativity, and joy. Their stories reminded us all...

02/05/2025

What's up Cali-RAD Fam! We are looking for volunteers. DM us if interested:

🟩 Marketing Director
🟨 Social Media Director
🟥 Graphic Design Artist
⬛️ Web Designer (WordPress)
🟩 Sponsorship Director
🟨 Grant Writer
🟥 Vendor Director
⬛️ Auction/Raffle Director

CureDuchenne

11/12/2024

MAXIMUM RESPECT to the hosts, bands, DJ's, volunteers, vendors, and, you, the Cali-RAD Fam, who attended this years Cali-RAD Fest!!!

A HUGE SHOUTOUT to Audio Design Rental for the staging and sound!!!

And, a BIG UP, UP, UP to BLACK PLAGUE Brewing in Oceanside for allowing all of us to be together spreading awareness and good vibes for Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Without all of you ☝️, Cali-RAD Fest isn't a thing.

Thank you all so much for Rising Up against Duchenne!!!
🟩🟨🟥

HOSTS: Ras Mike Nugradio & Jessie Rules
DJ's: , ,
BANDs: , .blaac.lionss, , Indica Roots, Empres Akua , SM Familia
FOOD: We Cookn and One Love Island Cuisine

11/08/2024

Returning for the second year in a row, the hosts of Cali-RAD Fest 2024, RAS MIKE and JESSIE RULES!!!

Michael Johns aka Ras Mike, host and on-air personality at Nugradio has hosted Cali Vibes, Reggae Rise up, Bay Fest and countless other festivals. His energy and apparent love of the culture and music is prevalent in every show he has hosted. His high energy celebrating the diversity and culture in recognizing the influences of past and present artists shows in his ability to Move the Crowd (MC). Interacting with the crowd and making the crowd feel part of the show is what he does and he loves for the audience to be a part of, not apart from, by setting the tone and making sure they enjoy themselves

Jessie Rules is an independent artist with a focus in graphic art, logos, body painting, photography, video editing, interviewing, podcasting, and custom crochet.
Currently working as a Graphic Artist creating logos, band/business promotion, and custom designs. Forever finding the balance between being the best mom she can be, creating art to the best of her abilities, and thriving through living with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and other chronic illnesses. Make every moment count.

Come early and support the entire crew who are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com
GA Tickets go up from $30 to $40 the day of the event.

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11/08/2024

Starting at 1:30pm on the Black Plague Brewing indoor stage, we have DJ's REAL ALOFA SOUND and FADY HERMEZ returning for the second year in a row! Joining them this year will be GUERRILLA HIFI! As true lovers of reggae music, selectors Real Alofa Sound, Fady Hermez and Guerrilla Hifi will cover all styles when it comes to reggae selection. From foundational roots reggae to lover’s rock, rub-a-dub, dancehall and dub! Lots of old reggae, new reggae and everything in between kind of reggae. Come and full-joy the vibes!

The DJ's will be spinning vinyl records for 30 minutes to start the event, then again between each bands set. Make sure to get inside after each band, grab a cold one, and chill out to the sounds of sweet reggae music.

Come early, support our DJ's, and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com
GA Tickets go up from $30 to $40 the day of the event.

🟩🟨🟥

11/07/2024

Headlining at 8:45pm on Nov 9 at Cali-Rad Fest and returning for the second year in a row...S...M...FAMILIA!!! SM Familia is a collective of colleagues brought together by El Gato to create a sound that has not been often heard.

SM has slowly become one of San Diego's premier Roots Reggae backing band for many legendary Jamaican artist like Sister Nancy, Michael Palmer, Eek A Mouse and more. During this time, they were finishing singles, and wrapping up some music videos that have been very successful on the largest Reggae Publication, ReggaeVille.

As they defined their sound, these guys have been blazing the trail to put more latin flavor into our amazing reggae scene. Opening for bands like Cultura Profetica and Residente, it's allowed a new audience to be captured by the infectious grooves and strong lyrical content of singer El Gato. Follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and their website. Put your email on the homepage to sign up for their mailing list where they always put exclusive footage, music, and content you won't find anywhere!!

Come early, stay late and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com

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11/06/2024

Fifth up on the stage on Nov 9 at 7:15pm, EMPRESS AKUA!!! Based in Los Angeles, California Roots Reggae vocalist, songwriter and performing artist, Empres Akua has been performing, touring and recording her own material with many of the greatest musicians and producers, not only those that the Reggae genre has to offer but throughout the music industry overall for the past several years creating music which uplifts, informs, and expresses the creative foundation of reggae.

As a touring artist she has toured as an opening act for Kymani Marley, Sister Carol, Mikey Dread, Eek A Mouse, Bush Man, Black Eyed Peas, Outkast, Goodie Mob, T.I. & Xibit.

Empress Akua connects with the roots. Born and raised in south central Los Angeles, Empress Akua traces her roots back to the Aboriginals of New Guinea and the Native American Cherokee Indians as well as Africa. She was introduced to reggae music at an early age writing her first song at age eight and has not looked back since. Committed to promoting “One Love” in action, her vision and message remains to uplift and encourage positive thought and actions as well as exhibiting compassion for the well-being of the less fortunate feeding and clothing as many of them as she can, motivating others to do the same. Her powerful, soul-stirring voice and performance style have drawn comparisons to the likes of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Lauryn Hill and Love Joys and all four the artist names as her personal musical influences. When she first met Judy Mowatt, Judy named her the young Judy Mowatt!

Come early and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com

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11/05/2024

Fourth up on the outdoor Cali-RAD Fest stage on Nov 9 at 5:45pm...returning for their third straight year...INDICA ROOTS!!! Indica Roots brings the sweet sounds of reggae music to the stage with unique hints of rock, ska, surf and punk to the table ❤️💛💚 With members ranging from San Diego to Menifee, they bring the sounds of Southern California to life.

Come early and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com

🟩🟨🟥

11/04/2024

Third up on Nov 9, JAHTIVA at 4:30pm!!! Jahtiva is the semi-eponymous roots reggae brainchild of father-daughter duo Mario and Mia Jativa, known by a diverse and growing global fanbase for their signature take on the classic roots reggae of the mid to late 70s. With an expanding catalog of original tracks as well as covers, Jahtiva's music is a testament to the enduring power of the genre and the importance of keeping its legacy alive for new generations. Jahtiva released their debut EP in 2024, featuring an all-star cast of collaborators including Ziggy Marley's drummer Santa Davis, Slightly Stoopid trombonist Andy Geib, and Grammy-winning sound engineer Fabian Cooke.

Come early and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com

🟩🟨🟥

11/02/2024

The second band to grace our outdoor stage on Nov 9 at 3:15pm, BLAAC LIONSS! Blaac Lionss is a multi-cultural Reggae and Dancehall band with a deep passion in uplifting and educating their audience with the message of oneness, good vibration and love for humanity.

Lead singer and band leader Tafari Watkis, born and rooted
in the island of Jamaica filled with an enriched west African heritage, has the tenacity to captivate his audience once fully tapped into his ancestral legacies.
Kizzy, lan and Ras Small combines a harmonious link from North America to the Pacific Islands and Panama, leaving your heart, mind and soul fulfilled from sweet melodies, percussions and heavy bass lines.

Greetings and Welcome to BLAAC LIONSS.

Come early and support all the bands that are Rising Up Against Duchenne muscular dystrophy!!!

Tickets can be purchased at our website: caliradfest.com

🟩🟨🟥

02/06/2024

Happy Birthday Robert Nesta Marley
💚💛❤️