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I’ve recently had the good fortune to watch the idea of a festival take shape as a group of people, drawn together by the idea of putting a festival on, threw ideas around a table until what excited them all emerged and took shape - and then they unleashed it!

The group called themselves the ‘Sleeping Elephants’ and the event they have created is the 'Global Sounds' music festival.

The shaping of the event has seen difficulties, of changes of ideas, of patience in meeting long-term imaginings, of meeting the principles of what the event should represent.

Mas Y Mas

For example the group wanted the event to be a night of swirling dancing laughter, and the bands have been chosen to enable that, from the Latin dance and salsa of ‘Mas y Mas’, to the groove, reggae and afro-beats of Glastonbury-appearing ‘Mankala Beat’.

But at the same time the Sleeping Elephants wanted to develop something for the community it takes place in - to be able to feed back into the community in a variety of different ways.

The group want Global Sounds to be sustainable, not just so the event can bring another night of fun and happiness next year, but also so the proceeds from the event start to feed a community project.

The Sleeping Elephants want it to be sustainable in an environmental sense, to use green ways of producing the power it uses, of recycling.

Quirky Turquoise

They want it to showcase local foods, local artists such as ‘Quirky Turquoise’, to show the great diversity we all contribute to. Big ideas but threaded through an evening of simple and happy fun. Dancing. Perfect.

It’s amazing what motivates people to gather together and produce something, not just talk about it.

“Wouldn’t it be great if…” those phrases we all use but then let those ideas drift on by...but actually produce something, something that people can come to and meet and enjoy.

Inviting people from inside and outside a community, to gather and enjoy a time together.

Only good things come of such positive action, and when the ideas behind that gathering are based on such good principles only more good can come of it - so come and join in.

Be happy and share a great event…and listen and dance to some fantastic music on Saturday 16th August in Wirksworth.

Global Sounds takes place behind the Lime Kiln pub in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. Tickets priced at £10/£5 are available from the Lime Kiln and Traidlinks in Wirksworth or from the website.