Festival returns with a spectacular multicultural lineup

Get ready to embark on a multicultural adventure without leaving the Sunshine Coast as the beloved Festuri Cotton Tree festival makes its return.

After a three-year pause due to Covid and economic challenges, Dominique B. Cisse and the Festuri team are back with an electrifying lineup. This September 16, from 10am to 6pm at Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore, enjoy a day of vibrant dance, music, food, and cultural exploration.

"I really wanted to go beyond what we had done and achieved in the past by bringing together the best of what the Sunshine Coast multicultural dance and music groups offer," Dominique said.

The festival will start with a welcome-to-country by traditional custodians and didgeridoo player Jayson Kokles, red-hot Hot Ginger Chorus, followed by Seharum Nusantara, a Papua New Guinea dance group, will kick off the program.

The program would also include Kru C Thai Dance, authentic Thai traditional dancers, kids’ entertainer Marc Bright and a large mother drum “for people to bang on”.

In the afternoon, Dominique said there would be Drums of the Pacific, Mama Buluku, a West African Dun Dun drum and dance group by Sunshine Coasters, Cachicamo Latin Harp family, Bella Bellydance, Waiting for Brenda, Canta La Tumba and more

"The festival will reach fever-pitch with Mexican en la Piel, genuine folkloric Mexican dance, Te Aukaha Maori Performing Arts New Zealand, Kanasuc Sega Dancers, featuring the traditional Mauritius island vibrant and exotic dances, Sunshine Coast Tango, and Ampersand, a Noosa-based youth group funk fusion band."

There will be international food stalls and workshops such as Papua New Guinea basket weaving, children's Faerie face painting, lovable animal petting, and the exciting exercise-filled rock wall.

There will also be dragon boat paddling on the shore that "kids and adults alike, always, absolutely love".

“Instead of spending money traveling around the world, get your sense of adventure and culture for free on your own turf and have a fun day out with the kids," Dominique said.

• FESTURI is a not-for-profit charity promoting multicultural celebrations on the Sunshine Coast. Go to www.festuri.org.au/donate or www.festuri.org.au/sponsor to offer this help.

Festuri returns to Cotton Tree Park on September 16.

“Instead of spending money traveling around the world, get your sense of adventure and culture for free on your own turf and have a fun day out with the kids," Dominique said.

It’s the multi-cultural adventure you can have at home.