This is an event fundraiser with a carnival theme. Why a carnival theme? Read on!

When we think of the carnival, we imagine family entertainment: Ferris wheels, ring-toss, and cotton-candy. But today’s carnivals are descended from a long line of earthier entertainment including vaudeville, burlesque but also the side-show, circus, and freak-shows. These events offered a critical, humorous, and above all bawdy vision of the world that was open to all.

In fact, the word carnival is made up of two words which might be translated as “farewell to flesh" – both a literal farewell to eating flesh during Lent, but also a farewell to bodily (carnal) pleasure of all kinds. Activities during the carnival period include parades, processions, street theatre, effigy burning, music, and more.

This tradition of carnival was perhaps inspired by (and definitely takes its name from) European carnival events. The thickest root of the European carnival tradition was the season of excess just before and in contrast to the fasting of Lent in medieval Europe.

However, the main activity in the carnival tradition is the suspension of the social hierarchy for a single day: fools become wise, kings become beggars; opposites are mingled (fact and fantasy, heaven and hell).

Above all, the carnival tradition from medieval times down to present represents the tension, struggle, chaos and noise of human existence. That’s what the theme of this event is all about: exploring the idea of carnival as ‘the world turned upside down’.

To help shape the carnival theme, this will be a participatory event - everyone needs to pitch in to create a carnivalesque atmosphere.

Check the other pages of the site to volunteer, create art, and perform.

Further carnival info if you are interested:
Talk like a carny
Burlesque
Vaudeville
Carnivàle