It's celebration for all to enjoy, but a stacked Culture Mix dance program will also involve some friendly competition when the festival hits Wollongong.
Now in its second year, Culture Mix is made possible thanks to a two-year grant via the Multicultural NSW Stronger Together Major Festivals Grants Program.
The full festival program featuring a wide array of cultural music and dance, a huge traditional home-cooked food offering along with art installations, workshops and cultural markets ensures the 19 October event truly offers something for everyone.
Among a host of dance workshops and performances, the Celebration Stage will host an epic 'Dance Off on the Green' with different cultural dance styles featured in what's sure to be a cannot-miss part of the program.
It will see Afro Peruvian (SALCO), Cook Islands (Empress Eventz) and Indian (Nachle Dance School) groups take to the stage to put their culture on show.
"The dance-off is between us and two other dance schools, so they'll be doing different dance styles and it's going to be really fun," Vidiya from Nachle Dance School said.
"We really want people to be engaged, people to have fun. Even if you're doing right instead of left, it's all about being in the moment and having fun."
The significance of dance in all cultures makes it a major part of the Culture Mix program, with plenty of free dance workshops to join, performances to watch and great music to move to all day long.
In addition to the dance off, a DJ Space on Crown Street Mall will serve up multicultural DJ sets and free dance workshops and performances, with DJ Rico performing world music sets from Afrobeats to Latin.
Our local Wollongong community will enthral with presentations of their cultural music and dance at the World Stage in the mall, which will include the Pasifika Community Showcase from 4.30pm to 6pm.
There's plenty of opportunities for attendees to find their own groove through the African dance workshop in the Women's Circle at Town Hall, or K-Pop or Indian Folk at Wollongong Library.
The Global Stage in lower Crown Street, curated by local Wollongong producer, Cody Munro Moore, will serve up a unique selection of diverse musical styles from around the globe next to the Food Fair.
In addition to dance, the Global Kitchen will host a celebration of four culinary cultures with cooking demonstrations accompanied by dance performances and displays alongside 14 multicultural food stalls.
The Culture Mix Street Parade will also start at World Stage and travel down through Lower Crown Street, led by the Ogoh-Ogoh Monster and Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra between 3.30-4pm, while the Greek Zorba Dance Flash Mob will begin at Youth Hub at 5.15pm.
With art installations and workshops and cultural markets also on offer, Wollongong Lord Mayor Councillor Tania Brown said there is quite literally something to satisfy every taste.
"Our cultural diversity is what makes Wollongong such a great place to live and call home, and the Culture Mix program is a shining example of the rich contribution different community groups make to the cultural life of our city," Cr Brown said.
"We are grateful for the NSW Government's support of the festival this year, and with everything on offer, from dance, to music, food and art, you simply cannot have a bad time if you head into the CBD on Saturday."
Steve Kamper, Minister for Multiculturalism, also encouraged people to get out and enjoy the festivities in Wollongong.
"This year, the NSW Government's will invest over $3.8m to support local councils deliver major festivals across the state," Mr Kamper said.
"We know when we bring people from diverse backgrounds together to share culture and food, we are building social cohesion creating stronger communities. When we come together, we realise that we have much more in common than any external differences.
"I encourage everyone in the community to attend the upcoming Culture Mix Festival, set to be a wonderful celebration of the many beautiful cultures that enrich the region. I take this opportunity to wish those who call Wollongong home, and those planning to visit the festival from outside the region, a truly enjoyable day."
