I love anything Australian - there's such a rich, deep culture to explore! I wanted to share an extraordinary global carnival with you, Australia's Bellingen Global Carnival, held this year from October 3-5. It is a music and multicultural festival, replete with world music, workshops, international foods, social action, a dharma village with meditation, yoga, and Buddhist monks that specialize in sand mandalas, street theater, children's activities, aboriginal performances, a circus, mosaic workshops...and a great location, in NSW Australia.

The Bellingen Global Carnival acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr people on whose land this festival is celebrated.

An exciting multi-arts festival with great music, outdoor theatre, children’s festival & exotic food & craft held in the glorious Bellingen Valley. Experience the rich sights, sounds & tastes of the world while slowing to the rhythm of a beautiful country town.

I had the good fortune to talk with Bryony Taylor, the Festival Director, about this year's Global Carnival. Here's what he had to say...

WE:  What is the history of the Carnival?

BT:  It grew out of a promotions business called 'Die Happy Productions' which my partner and I started together.

WE:  How many visitors do you have each year?

BT:  Approx 15,000 over 3 days.

WE:  How can people contribute, when at the Carnival? Do you have volunteer opportunities?

BT:  Yes - masses of ways to give back to the community - as well, we are an incorporated 'not for profit' arts event and organisation .

WE:  Where can visitors find out more about housing and food recommendations?

BT:  We provide camping onsite or for alternative accommodations, ring Bellingen Visitor information centre: (02) 66555711. We have a great food and craft market with dishes from around the world.

WE:  What/where else would you recommend people visit, in the geographic area?

BT:  The rainforests on the plateau above and the gloriously breathtaking beaches on the coast of our lush, sub-tropical river valley!!!

WE: Thanks so much, Bryony! I appreciate your time, and hope that we can get to the Global Carnival. The music, workshops, and kids activities - and the food - are quite enticing.

Here is the musical lineup - followed by the contact information.

INTERNATIONAL

Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk – deep & nasty funk from New Orleans……
Tete – blues tainted singer/song writer – France
Bob Brozman – virtuoso world blues guitarist – USA
Mary MacMaster & Donald Hay – harp & percussion – Scotland
Batucada Sound Machine –hip-hop laced with Brazilian spice – NZ
Tenzin Choegyal with the Tashi Lhunpo monks – Tibet
Pacific Curls – Pacific roots with Celtic soul – NZ
Vinod Prasanna – classical flute & tabla – India

HOMEGROWN

The Liyarn Ngarn show w Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter and Shane Howard
Mista Savona – Melbourne meets Kingston
Arte Kanela – dynamic execution of Flamenco
The Red Eyes – authentic dub & militant reggae.
Inga Liljestrom – rich strings, beats & sung poetry
Yilila –red flag dancing  & reggae from Arnhem Land
Psycho Zydeco – a Spicy Gumbo of Australian Zydeco
Linsey Pollak’s Cycology – the art of playing a bicycle !
Dereb Desalegn & the Lion of Judah – new wave Azmari from Ethiopia
Zulya & the Children of the Underground – music from Tatar and Russia
Noriko Tadano & Toshi Sakamoto –Japanese Shamisen &Taiko drumming
Pin Rada & Istanbul/ Melbourne Kolektiv – a fusion of Australia & Turkey
Victor Valdez & the Marin bros –Mexican harp & South American folkloric
The crooked Fiddle band – swampstompers & punked up Celtic reels
Sayon & Molly Souare – music & dance of the African Mandinka
Maja Petrovna – E. European opera & haunting gypsy music
Arrebato Ensemble– contemporary flamenco, world/jazz
Son Veneno – blistering afro-Latin rhythms & hip-hop
Tribe of Jubal – Melanesian funk & jazz

SPECIAL EVENTS AND KID’S FEST

Captain Quirk - a wacky juggling show!
LightnUp - Lantern making over the w/end
Electric Doll House - electrifying aerial animation
Flying Heart productions - clowning, circus & music
Company Gongoma - West African shadow puppetry
Yarn-Up – have a yarn with the Gumbaynggirr people
Headland Artworks Mosaic creation over the w/end
Michael Vlasto – the Bard of Bellingen Shire!
& more…………….

12 & under – FREE for the festival and camping! 

For more information, please visit: www.globalcarnival.com

All photos provided by and copyright of Bellingen Global Carnival.