Global Grooves brings out the best in local culture and cuisine

Indian, Sicilian, Sri Lankan, Thai, Italian, Pacific Islands, Fijian, Filipino and an assortment of other exotic cuisines will be on offer between 3pm and 8pm.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the smells coming from Queens Park would likely be enough to draw a crowd.

“From Asian dumplings to woodfired pizzas, Sicilian cannoli, butter chicken, curries, barbecue and traditional hangi-cooked food, the Global Grooves menu will be tremendous!” Mayor Williamson said.

“Your taste buds really can go on a world trip, and that’s one of the big drawcards of this event – it brings these communities together and provides access to this authentic cuisine, all in one location,” he said.

The Mayor said it was great to be back in the newly upgraded Queens Park in 2021.

“Queens Park really is the home of Global Grooves and provides plenty of green space for families to spread out and experience the global music and dance performances,” he said.

“And what a range there is this year – more than a dozen performers and dance groups will take the stage.

“It’s a special day for many of them, as they rehearse for months before the event and put a huge amount of effort into their traditional costumes, and it really shows.”

MECC and Festivals manager Andrew Bobeldyk said, this year, the Festivals team had decided to make the event a showcase of local multicultural talent.

“With border closures, booking an interstate or international headline act was always likely to end in disappointment, so we have gone all-out to highlight local talent – whether that’s from our multicultural communities or local performers with global music influences,” Mr Bobeldyk said.

“The other thing we’ve tried to highlight this year is the workshop epee,” he said.

“You can learn salsa and Latin dancing or African drumming, and the kids can get their face painted and join in a story time session.”

Entry to Global Grooves at Queens Park is free. For more information, follow Mackay Festivals on Facebook.

Global Grooves is proudly supported by ABC Tropical North and the Queensland Government.

Full stage lineup:

3.00pm                 Anette Worthington

3.30pm                 Welcome to Country, Mayor welcome

4.00pm                 Whitsunday Thai Community

4.10pm                 Mackay and District Pipe Band

4.30pm                 Mackay Chinese Association Tai Chi Sword

4.40pm                 Claddagh School of Irish Dance

5.00pm                 Thai Aussie Community Mackay

5.30pm                 Ji Aaya Nu

5.40pm                 Viva Acoustic

6.10pm                 Nepalese Australian Association of Mackay

6.25pm                 QLD Multicultural Lions Club

7.00pm                 Mackay Filipino Australian Community Inc.

7.15pm                 Mackay Chinese Association Tibetan Dance

7.30pm                 VaMa Music