|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| Jolly Green Giant of a Festival The eagerly-awaited second Earthwise Festival takes place this year from 1st – 4th June on a stunning hill-top setting under the watchful eye of the famous Cerne Abbas Giant. Earthwise is a family gathering with camping aiming to promote awareness of, and practical solutions to some of the problems facing our environment and society from recycling and sustainable living to social justice and natural health. As well as being situated in a stunning location with sweeping views across the rolling hills of Cerne Abbas, this year's festival really does have something for all family members right across the age range. You can shop-til-you-drop in the Earthwise market, a colourful, inspiring set of stalls selling clothes, jewellery, lighting and crafts with products that are made and sourced without harming people, animals or the environment; for the gourmet, there is a feast of gastronomical delights from Mediterranean and South Asian specialities to burgers and a full-English – but all vegetarian and organic! This year, for the first time, there is a fully equipped 'youth stage' providing an opportunity for young people to make and play their own music. There is also a designated Kids Zone offering activities as diverse as face painting and games to juggling, stilt walking and archery. 'I'm bored' will be one phrase you won't hear at Earthwise! And as you'd expect from a great festival, there's some great music! Some of the best-known names on the festival circuit will be playing at Earthwise including Nik Turner's Galaktikos; Seize the Day; Kangaroo Moon; 3 Daft Monkeys and SubGiant, From funk and jazz to folk, from rock and reggae to hip hop, there is something to suit all tastes. The remarkable thing about all of these activities is that all on site power is from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind generation, including power to the sound and light systems for the bands. Bob Buxton, Director of Earthwise and a well-known local spokesperson on environmental issues said 'I think people are becoming increasingly concerned about how we are affecting our planet and want to know how we can do our bit to make a difference. Earthwise offers an opportunity to find out how to do just that in a friendly, relaxed environment. Green and fun can and do go together! We know it can be difficult for people to make sweeping life-changes. We're not asking or expecting any of us to do that. If festivalgoers come to Earthwise, have a great time with their friends and families and go home just a little greener and better informed than when they arrived, that's a great start. We all know what happens to acorns in fertile ground under a warm sun. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |