Solas Festival - a Greenbelt sort of experience in SCOTLAND.

Music and dance from around the world, all aboard the Loveboat Big Band, panels and politics, and a new space for kids. Family Fun Fancy taking a journey through the digestive system, learning about all things gory andgloopy, making a den, or just making some music? Well we've got it all at Solas Festival this year, with Glasgow Science Centre'sBodyWorks team busking all day sunday, and the newKidding AroundSpace open all weekend.  World of Solas As if the very best of Scottish music wasn't enough we're bringing you experiences from around the globe. We'll have ragas from the Himalayas, and reels from the Highlands with the unforgettable fusion of India Alba plus beatboxing and workshops from Jason Singh. Then there'll be dabka dancers -from the Lajee Centre in  Aida Refugee Camp, Palestine- performing, talking about life for children in the West Bank, and enjoying the sun at their first ever festival!  Love Boat Sail away with us on Sunday night when there will be music from the one and only LoveBoat Big Band. Made up of musicans from some of the best bands in Scotland, they'll be bringing us a night of maritime mayhem, top tunes and pop classics. So it's full steam ahead, and there'll be on the spot prizes for the best sailors and pirates out there!  Imagination State We'll not just be making you sing and dance this June, we'll be making you thinkas well! There'll be a conversation hosted by Radical Independence, as well as another from Radical Devolution and Douglas Alexander MP.  Plus talks on Zimbabwe, Our Three Tongued Nation, Criminal Justice, Bairns and Brains, and more. You should probably book your tickets now! Kidding Around at Solas Festival  Kidding around is a children's play space based on the ideals of co-operation, sharing and child led play. Our team of cheerful grown -ups will help run child led workshops; making dens, all sorts of arts and crafts, outdoor music making but it changes everyday. Our aim is to provide activities and facilities to help children and parents play, create and imagine together. So head on down to play and for a welcome sit down for the grown ups....though not for long as we are sure you won't be able to help joining in, after all you are never to old to jump on our 'never get wet' puddle! Come in the evening join us to show off your groovy moves on our child friendly volume dance floor, with all sorts of ultra violet activities going on you are sure to have a fun packed day right up til bed time! Around the World at Solas Festival  Not only do we have the likes of the Lajee Centre coming from Palestine, and India Alba -who performed at the opening of the commonwealth games in Delhi- but we also have world renowned dance Margie Gillis flying in from Quebec. Margie last performed in Scotland at the 1989 Edinburgh International Festival, so it's a rare treat. Then we have I See Hawks in LA joining us from California. Oh, and he may not have opened the commonwealth games, but he did once open for Hugo Chavez! David Rovics will be joining us from Portland. And I am sure you didn't forget that Karine Polwart, Liz Lochhead, The National Theatre, We Were Promised Jetpacks, and many many more will all be there flying the flag for Scotland. Volunteer and Spread the Word It takes a huge number of people to make Solas Festival as wonderful as it is, so if you know anyone that might be interested in volunteering at the festival with anything from managing a venue to manning a gate then tell them to get in touch via office@solasfestival.co.uk, or have a look at ourvolunteering page. We're also looking for anyone that would like some Solas Festival posters to put up in your local bar, church, or laundrette! Email the same address and we'll send a few your way.