Photography: Boa Onda Festival
From August 2 to 4, Quinta Vale d’Água (in Sobral da Abelheira) will host the “Boa Onda” festival, an event dedicated to Reggae music, bringing international artists from various parts of the world to Mafra.
“Boa Onda” is currently the only Reggae Festival in Portugal that gathers various Portuguese and global artists for days of great music (mostly roots reggae) and others diverse activities.
more than mere entertainment, this is an event dedicated to Jamaican root culture.
The festival will take place in a charming location 20 minutes from Ericeira, aiming to share this fundamental component of Jamaican culture with a wider audience, showcasing high-quality artists and offering a diverse program.
It will be three days of dancing, concerts, sound systems, market, workshops, and therapies, as the Boa Onda organization advocates a holistic approach.
On the first day of the festival, August 2, artists like Dezarie and Rubera Roots will take the stage, bringing their unique vibes and talent.
Defining Dezarie’s musical work is not a trivial task. Born in St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands), she possesses a unique, soft yet powerful, voice.
Born into a family that loved music and spirituality, she began singing in her childhood. Her music carries a message of spiritual elevation, equal rights, and justice, with powerful instrumentals provided by the creative Ron Benjamin, her Musical Director and Producer of four of her five albums.
Rubera Roots
Formed in 2013, the Rubera Roots collective aims to share a positive and spiritual vibe through their music. This is a roots reggae band that preaches an active search for the Rastafari experience.
Through their music, these musicians share a cultural manifesto of Creole and African culture, transmitting a militant message involving the meaning of African and Africanist ancestry.
On August 3, one of the highlights will be Orlando Santos & The Bagattels. Orlando, a talented musician and composer also known as Lion, hails from Lisbon and is deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, which has always influenced his music. Master of the “slide guitar,” the artist fluidly blends reggae, rock, and soul.
His debut album, “My Soul,” features original tracks along with a captivating version of the Melodians’ classic “Rivers of Babylon.” Collaborating with references like Orelha Negra or Jim Barr, Orlando’s compositions resonate globally, addressing themes of hope, love, and environmental awareness.
Jah Live
On August 4, Jah Live will close the festival. In 1998, four young men from Brasília came together to create garage music. In their first year, the band began opening for local artists, which eventually led to opportunities to perform at nationally and internationally known events.
Still independently, Jah Live recorded a live show that sold over 20,000 copies, solidifying their position among the top Brazilian reggae bands. With exponential growth, the first label willing to produce them emerged, resulting in the album “Se Curvar Jamais.”
unity is the cornerstone of the festival
This is not just an entertainment event. To make it more valuable, education, discovery, and learning are fundamental. Therefore, workshops and therapies will be present throughout all festival days, from carpentry and capoeira to yoga and acrobatics.
The Souk Market, which gathers local and international vendors, not only promotes growth but also strengthens social cohesion. As a business model, handicrafts address current social, economic, and environmental concerns while promoting independence.
All information about the festival and its tickets can be found on the Boa Onda’s official website.
Esta publicação também está disponível em | This article is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)
