Earthdance
Gemma Fox makes the case for getting your dance on for the globe at Earthdance
With a new (and smaller) location at Prince Alfred Park in Surry Hills, Earthdance is shaping up as one of the more globally aware events on the dance calendar, connecting bass lines and ley lines through 200 cities across 50 countries simultaneously. Earthdance promotes peace through cultural diversity, music and dance. This year's theme is ‘Honouring the Earth', so bring your heart and bum to throw into the mix.
The organisers have pulled together a line-up across five stages that's as diverse as it is abundant. The Electric Earth stage has Future Classics Peret Mako and Deepchild bangin' it out, along with ol' dirty bird himself, Emerson Todd.
Deep as Fu*k residents RifRaf and Marcotix will represent along with a live set from underground production duo Shades of Gray. The beats will be bouncing off the walls at the Disco Not Disco jumping castle stage with Spruce Lee, Mark Murphy, Magic Happens and Sleater Brockman.
The Beyond Barriers stage aims at uniting people through diversity and dance with a fistful of dub, roots and reggae acts The Versionaries, Foreigndub and Kingtide as well as electro-pop outfit Theatre of Disco.
The festival will showcase the talents of local artists displaying a wide range of works and interactive installations.
In case you don't feel up to grooving all day, there's a string of market stalls to sedate the habitual Saturday shopper. There's also the Living Essence Space for dancers to rest those tired, well-shaken bones with guided visualisation, or if you get there early enough, there's some morning yoga lessons. Urban gardening and tantra demos will chill out the hardest of hard-core fans.
There's plenty for the kids as well - circus clowns, karaoke, disco dancing workshops, arts and crafts, petting zoo, games and stories - so no excuse for anyone to miss out.
For those not satisfied with just one day of festivities, Earthdance's official afterparty will be held across the road at the Gaelic Theatre in Surry Hills. Doors open at 5pm with the likes of The Sweat Shop Boys, Space Cadets, Bird Automatic, Allies and Slow Down Honey bringing the party home.
The venue is smaller than last year so get there early to avoid disappointment. Earthdance is a free festival but donations are encouraged. Put your coins on the plate, put your faith in the music and peace be with you.
Earthdance Sat 13 Sep at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills from 9am.