Festivals doing their bit for the world
Festival season is almost over. This means it’s nearly time to start thinking about which to go to next year. From hip hop to house, grassy fields to sunny beaches, the choice of festivals can seem endless.
In this blog for Restless Development, I explore festivals that combine having an amazing time with doing some good for the world. If you love music but also want to do your bit, here is a list of festivals to help you do just that.
SHAMBALA FESTIVAL (NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK)
When: August 21-24
From the minute Shambala opens its borders over the Bank Holiday weekend people come and they dance, and they don’t stop dancing until Monday morning. The crowd at Shambala will dance to everything; from music by the likes of electronic duo AlunaGeorge to random music played in tiny tents like the Police Rave Unit. The enthusiasm is infectious. Fancy dress is optional but a large majority take this very seriously. Everything from a drag theme on Friday, to sea creatures on Saturday, and maximum glitter is uniform. It’s about giving everything to your final weekend of the summer, before jobs, study, or the cold weather comes.
On top of the fun, Shambala is set to be 100% powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and waste biodiesel, and it is the first festival in the UK to send zero waste to landfills. It also supports projects like Frank Water, a water charity that provides people with unlimited refills of filtered water when they purchase a FreeFill bottle or wristband. In addition car travelers are encouraged to make a donation to the Travel Carbon Fund – in order to offset a portion of their carbon emissions. Take a look at their awesome infographic for details.
LAKE OF STARS (LAKE MALAWI)
When: Sept 30 -Oct 2
Set in a truly magical location, on the vast sea-like Lake Malawi, the banks of which the festival takes place. Lake of stars was founded by a club promoter Will Jameson who spent his gap year working in Malawi. When he returned he started a club night called Chibuku Shake Shake, which brought Malawian music to a mainstream clubbing audience. Soon he realised people would be interested in travelling back to Malawi to hear the music in its true glory, and Lake of Stars was born. It’s not just music though – you can hear poetry, watch short films and attend workshops, promoting a diverse range of cultures. The first event took place in 2004, now it’s estimated to generate 1 million a year for the Malawian economy.
Outreach trips are also offered to any festival-goer interested in seeing village life in Malawi. The festival promotes healthy, friendly tourism, but not gawping at the villagers. Money from every ticket sale also goes towards flood relief efforts
