Boomas Cole Takes Soul Food Caribbean Festival to Diaspora Markets After UK and Canada Runs

Fabian “Boomas” Cole and his wife, Shakeria Campbell Cole, built the Soul Food Caribbean Festival from a weekly Jamaica night called Soul Food Tuesdays into a touring brand now reaching overseas audiences.

The Jamaican promoter said rising interest among Caribbean communities abroad for reggae- and soul-led gatherings is driving the push beyond the island. Stops in England and Canada have already drawn crowds, and the next Canadian date is set for 1 July 2026—Canada Day—in Markham, Ontario, with reggae veteran Capleton billed to headline.

Cole told DancehallMag the festival blends vintage soul sounds, Caribbean heritage, and food offerings aimed at patrons who want a different lane from dancehall-heavy calendars. “Jamaica is known for dancehall, but there’s a soul movement happening right now,” he said. “People love the vibe and the emotional connection that soul music brings.”

This year’s Markham edition is slated for Esna Park and is expected to include sets from Capleton, Gyptian, and up-and-coming vocalist Dyani. Cole said the site sits in a busy commercial pocket with parking close by, making travel within Markham straightforward for attendees. “It’s a central area in Markham, Esna Park,” he explained. “We have parking right around because it’s a commercial area. People can easily get around in Markham. It’s a very centralised location.”

He reported that advance ticket movement has been strong and linked the brand’s traction in Canada to long-standing local enthusiasm for reggae and wider Caribbean culture. “Canadians love reggae music,” he said. “I think we both have the culture where Canadians are grounded in reggae.”

With overseas momentum picking up, Cole outlined ambitions to bring the festival to major United States markets such as New York and Los Angeles, while also planning a large home staging in Jamaica. “We’re Jamaican and we have the brand, so we definitely have to do one in Jamaica,” he said. He added that American R&B singer Keyshia Cole is on his wish list for a future Jamaican show.

Although much of the current calendar sits outside the island, Cole maintained that audiences in Canada still share a strong bond with reggae and soul traditions rooted in Caribbean heritage.