By JASON TURNER
Expect to feel uplifted and on your feet dancing when Sol Nation’s rhythmic beat spices up Dandenong’s annual Australia Day Festival.
The well-travelled seven-member group will bring its unique mix of reggae, East Timorese folk, salsa and a dash of African drums to a line-up as equally diverse at the Dandenong Park festival on Saturday.
Sol Nation’s lead vocalist and Dandenong resident Paulo Almeida describes his group’s music as “uplifting”. “It’s the kind of music that makes you happy,” he said.
Almeida, who brings traditional folk music from his native East Timor to the musical mix, explains that the band’s audiences love the experience.
“We play a lot of festivals and everyone seems to pour in and just dance.”
Sol Nation’s band members come from all corners of the world. Almeida moved to Australia from East Timor in 1985 and others have come from places such as Mauritius and Egypt.
It’s certainly a cultural melting pot with all band members showcasing different musical talent — vocals in English and Portuguese are often joined by Latin dance and African beats.
Sol Nation is just one of the headline acts playing at Dandenong’s Australia Day Festival in the Park.
Other acts include Skipping Girl Vinegar, Benny Walker, Soliloquy and Grey Ghost.
Almeida said he would be staying around to soak up the atmosphere. “It’s a great line-up,” he says. “It’s always good to support other local acts.
“It’s another special day for everyone to celebrate the multiculturalism of the country.”
Greater Dandenong’s Australia Day
Festival in the Park is on this Saturday from 3-9.30pm at Dandenong Park, corner of Pultney and Foster streets. This all-ages, drug and alcohol-free festival will feature three stages full of free entertainment and activities, including breakdancing crews, circus, Bollywood, rock climbing, giant slide, flag-making and fire twirlers.
For full details, go to greaterdandenong.com.au.
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