If You Are A Big Tree #1: Lovers Rock
Film. Food. Music. Community.
Time Table
18:30 – diner
19:30 – movie
20:50 – soundsystem
A gathering around film, food, and music to honor the joy of community.
If You Are a Big Tree borrows its name from Bob Marley’s song (Small Axe), a timeless reminder that even the smallest voices, when joined together, can shake the tallest trees. This program is an homage to the rhythms, flavors, and stories that root communities and keep resistance alive. It is a space where film, music, and food intertwine as they carry echoes of struggle, joy, and belonging.
For this first edition, the celebration centers on the rich culture of Jamaica’s reggae scene, featuring Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock, Ital cuisine and, of course, the irresistible pull of sweet, sweet reggae music.
To close the night, Shamba Lion presents a rootical journey that dissolves the boundary between screen and sound. From early steppers to deep dub, this unique set channels the spirit of Lovers Rock, pulling the audience straight into its sonic heartbeat.
This program is brought to you in association with Africadelic Festival 2025 and Caribbean Creativity.
Authentic Jamaican dishes by Ash’s Plek
We teamed up with Ash’s Plek, a Pop-up restaurant and caterer in Amsterdam serving authentic Jamaican dishes. They will join If You Are a Big Tree with a special Ital menu.
Secure your dish in de ticketshop.
Lovers Rock is the second installment in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed Small Axe series, which offers an immersive cinematic experience. Set during a 1980s West London house party, the film is a sensual ode to Black British youth culture, where Lovers Rock, Dub, and Roots reggae fill the air with rhythm and longing.
DJ Rowstone
DJ Rowstone is a well-established name in the reggae, dancehall, and soca scene. His passion for these genres started at a young age and has grown into an impressive career filled with energetic performances, classic mixtapes, and a loyal fanbase. He’ll open the night with popular contemporary Reggae tunes.
Shamba Lion Soundsystem
Shamba Lion Soundsystem is an internationally operating Reggae Sound System from Amsterdam. The crew is known for incorporating live elements and guest singers/MC’s into their live shows for an original and interactive Sound System experience.
Would you like to attend this program, but don’t have the means to pay for a ticket? Send an email to info@felixmeritis.nl, we can work something out.