Global Celebration Of Food, Music And Culture Coming To Queens Park

Global Grooves 2024 will be a feast for the senses complete with cultural dances, global music, vibrant traditional dress and mouthwatering food from across the world.
This free family event will transform Queens Park into a global party on Saturday, October 26.
Twelve cultural dance groups and bands will entertain crowds from 3pm to 8pm.
There will also be two exciting workshops where you can learn Latin dance moves and rhythm drumming and a dozen market stalls, showcasing global-inspired creations and local assistance programs.
Mayor Greg Williamson said the variety of performances this year would be exceptional.
“Included in the exciting stage lineup will be Latin, Irish, Thai, Māori, Filipino, Chinese, Papua New Guinean and Aboriginal dance performances,” Mayor Williamson said.
“There will also be bands like Piping Mad, who fuse rock music with bagpipes to create a toe-tapping, kilt-swinging good time,” he said.
“We are also excited to have The Solomon Black Coral Band in the lineup.
“Black Coral have been around for many years but have only just reunited, so we are happy to have them on the Global Grooves lineup. They will be sharing traditional songs in various dialects that echo the beauty of their Solomon Islands homeland.”
Mayor Williamson said the event would have a strong First Nations spotlight in 2024.
“It’s tremendous to have the Aboriginal Dance Group Tchundal Malar headlining the event this year,” he said.
“Not only do they provide an exceptional showcase of Indigenous culture and dance – they also put on a great show. They use rhythm, didgeridoo playing, dance, traditional dress, smoke and fire to share their tribal stories.”
One of the other big drawcards of Global Grooves is the opportunity to try traditional food from different nationalities. This year’s options include fourteen vendors offering everything from dumplings, ribs and woodfired pizza to lechon (pig on a spit) and various curries.
Global Grooves is an initiative of Mackay Regional Council and the MECC.
Stage schedule:
   • 3.35pm - Latin Roots
   • 4pm - Claddagh School of Irish Dance
   • 4.20pm - Piping Mad
   • 4.50pm - Paradise Dance Troupe
   • 5pm - International Dance Affair
   • 5.15pm - Thai Aussie Community
   • 5.40pm - Te Kapa Haka o Te Ataakura
   • 6pm - Mackay Chinese Association
   • 6.10pm - Natiding Art
   • 6.20pm - Mackay Filipino Community
   • 7pm - Solomon Black Coral Band
   • 7.30pm - Tchundal Malar
Workshops (60 minutes)
   • 3.45pm - Rhythm Business
   • 5pm - Latin Roots
FOOD VENDORS:
   • Dumpling Hut
   • Nonno’s Woodfired Pizza
   • Da Sausage
   • The Rib Crib
   • Idas Kebabs
   • Rubie Rush
   • Mackay Filipino Australian Community
   • Islamic Society of Mackay
   • Mackay & District Italian Association
   • Masala Indian Cuisine
   • Fancy Kransky
   • Eat Street No.8
   • Filipino Kuisine
   • Ziffy's
For more information, including market stalls, head to themecc.com.au/globalgrooves

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Tchundal Malar provide an exceptional showcase of Indigenous culture and dance

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