‘Small festival with a big heart’ | The Bubble

Hot off the heels of this weekend's Earth Garden, another holistic festival will sprout at Buskett Gardens.

Organised by Duncan F in aid of Kiss Africa - and further enhanced by the performing arts hub Creative Island - The Bubble will transform Chateau Buskett into a "contemporary arts festival, with a purpose".

Broadly defining The Bubble as a varied event incorporating "art, music of all genres, comedy, literature, poetry, environmental awareness, a market, theatre, healthy food, entertainment, all types of workshops, massage, the list is endless," Duncan F goes on to explain the genesis of the festival - now in its fourth edition.

"It all began when Joe Le Groove and I, a DJ friend of mine from the UK, were about to embark on a mission that would take us to Africa. This involved us and a crew of eight people moving from town to town, throwing parties and playing in the richer areas whilst re-directing the money made to the poorer communities. The plan didn't materialise at the time but I still was left with a concept and one good intention - The Bubble."

Originally starting out as a small-scale event at Groove Gardens, Gianpula, The Bubble eventually became a bona-fide festival in its own right, always maintaining a commitment to charity. This year, with the help of Kiss Africa, all proceeds from the festival will go towards the building of a sanitation and water supply system for 10,000 people in the Guraghe Zone, located 200km away from Ethiopia.

Among the many sights and sounds to be experienced at The Bubble - ranging from massage sessions to food stalls and beyond - is 'The Theatre', an entertainment hub curated by Creative Island.

"The idea of the The Theatre is to have a mix of creative arts and workshops and for it to keep evolving throughout each day," says Creative Island founder Nicole Cuschieri.

"We will start out each day with some poetry recitals, performed originally by trained actors. Then throughout the weekend there are workshops in Salsa, Belly Dancing and Music for Kids. In evenings we have a number of music performances such as Bark Bark Disco, TACT and Harriet Cohen. We will then close the festival on Sunday with Stand up Comedy and a number of comical Burlesque Sketches from Dazzle Troupe."

Duncan F hopes that this holistic atmosphere will contribute towards creating a truly memorable event.

"The natural surroundings that Buskett Forest has to offer gives the individual a sense of freedom and connection to nature. This is a key factor to a life changing experience. Chateau Buskett is bang in the middle of this magical location with the added bonus of an in-house theatre, main stage arena, a secret garden, restaurant and all the necessary facilities.

"The perfect venue for a small festival with a big heart."

The Bubble will be taking place over June 7, 8 and 9 at Chateau Buskett, limits of Rabat. Staring with an opening party from 19:00 till late on June 7, the festival will be open from noon till 04:00 on June 8 and from noon till midnight on June 9. Tickets are at €15 (single day) and €20 (weekend pass). Children are allowed in from 15:00 to 19:00, for free. Tickets available from WhyNot? (St Julians), Hotch (Paceville), Chateau Buskett (Ex Buskett Road House), Ryan's Pub (Spinola Bay), Alfie's (Gzira), Big Mama (St Pauls Bay), Fact (Qormi), Josef Spiteri, La Rive (Sliema), Lounge 21 (Gozo), Toni & Guy (Gozo), Madliena Cottage, Malata (Valletta), New York Best (Msida), Mr Signs (Gozo), Surfide (Sliema), Royal Impact (Zabbar) & Xaxa (Mosta). Also available online: http://bounce.com.mt/en/event-tickets/webshop/27/the-bubble-malta-festival-2013.htm.

Those interested in helping set up stalls at the festival are to contact Duncan F via email on [email protected].