Photo: Supplied.
Much of the richness and flavour of the Redlands and the Bayside is due to the wide variety of cultures that they embrace. The inaugural Bay Islands Multi Cultural Festival, staged on Russell Island, will showcase and celebrate this diversity of cultures with performances, music, dance and food.
Two performance zones have been designated; the Main Stage will feature the Bay Island Singers, the Orana Polynesian Dancers (traditional storytelling through dance) and music on homemade instruments by the Obisun, the One-Man Band. For a change of pace, visitors can enjoy the Ukulele Ensemble and Larrikins Puppetry on the Demonstration Stage, where afternoon demonstrations will be given in crafts and classes.
Food is part of the celebration, and the festival’s culinary offerings include gourmet fusion bites, Mexican street food, German sausages, South African curries in the Hub and a multicultural community stall – participants welcome!
The festival is presented by the Bay Islands Multi Sport and Recreation Association (BIMSARA), a grassroots non-profit dedicated to fostering community connection across the islands.
BIMSARA President Ros Stiles says that the festival supports everyone – youth, families and seniors – and cultural representation. Mainlanders are more than welcome to participate as visitors or stallholders.
“Locals and mainlanders alike are invited to set up stalls or demonstration tables representing their class, club, group, or cultural community. There are no stall fees for non-profits, and business sponsorship tables are available by request,” she says. “Whether you’re joining as a visitor, a performer, or a proud cultural ambassador, this festival promises a warm Bay Islands welcome – celebrating unity, diversity, and the creative heart of a coastal community.”
Ros says that the Islands themselves have developed their own style of life.
“We have a different culture from the mainland,” she says, “As small as our population is – somewhere between four and eight thousand – as well as the usual mix of Australian-born people, we have people from New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Scotland, middle Europe and England. We tend to be more laid-back and slower – and we still wear thongs when we go out.”
The evening will transform into music by moonlight with The Gift (acoustic First Nations storytelling by Getano and Toni Bann) and Aussie rock with Wasabi Monkey.
Entry is by gold coin donation. Picnic blankets and dancing are encouraged, and island residents are warmly encouraged to wear ancestral clothing, share traditional children’s games, and donate multicultural treats to BIMSARA BITES – a community food stall celebrating heritage through homemade biscuits and cakes. As Ros says, “Celebrate culture by day, and music by moonlight!”
The festival will take place on Saturday, August 30, from 10:00am to 10:00pm. For enquiries or to get involved, email [email protected] or call 0403 815 863.
