MELBOURNE — What could top being Australia's official musical representative at East Timor's massive independence concert in May last year? The members of the seven-piece funk, ska and reggae band the Dili Allstars have the answer: being asked to conduct a three-week concert tour of Portugal sponsored by that country's Communist Party.
The Allstars have been selected by the Portuguese Communist Party to appear at the massive Avante Festival on September 3, in recognition of the band's long-time activities in support of the East Timorese people. The fact that the band is well-known for its good-time, high-energy live shows also helped.
"This tour is a major deal for us", said Dili Allstars founder Gil Santos. "A lot of Timorese escaped to Portugal after the Indonesian invasion in 1975. We will be the first ever Australian-East Timorese band to go to Portugal. The Avante Festival is a massive event, kind of like five 'Big Day Outs' in a row."
The Allstars, with help from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, will also appear at several concerts organised by the Australian embassy in Portugal.
To coincide with their tour, the band will release an album in Portugal, Peace and Unity.
The Dili Allstars will perform a final pre-tour Melbourne gig on August 22 at the Esplanade hotel, St Kilda. Guest artists include the Northern Lights, Jose Honardo, Little G and the Spare Change Society. Admission is $10. For further info about the Dili Allstars contact Paulo Almeida on 0411 784838 or Paul Stewart on (03) 9292 1225.
From Green Left Weekly, August 13, 2003.
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