Stacks On – The World’s Happiest Festival

Culture Jam events are something special, they push past the everyday into an experience that is part game, part experiment, part let’s get weird. I have been lucky enough to attend a number of the Culture Jam happenings over the past two years, and every time I leave with a massive smile on my face, I guess that’s why in particular they call Stacks On the world’s happiest festival.

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The reason that Stacks On is such an immersive event is not just the extreme efforts that are put into production, but how the curators succeed in calling upon the attendees to move beyond audience and actively participate, from impromptu performances to antics and acrobatics. Beside the main stage was the Viral Happiness zone, an acrobatic wonderland where anyone, young or old, regardless of skill level can come along and teach, practice or learn hula hooping, fire twirling, rope balancing and a variety of other skill based activities. The more experienced of the Viral Happiness crew put on an amazing show for those just wanting to observe before trying it out for themselves.

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The soundtrack for the event was an eclectic mix of live performances and DJ’s bringing fresh beats from electro-swing to techno. My favourite performance of the day was from local act Formidable Vegetable Sound System who write funk-a-licious music about permaculture, sustainability and sweet potatoes, all while retaining the ultimate level of street cred.

The selection of food vendors, bars and stalls at the event are also hand-picked by the Culture Jam team. I was delighted to see my festival must have, Vegilicious, dishing out their brand of delicious environmentally conscious cuisine that always sustains my dancing shenanigans at multi day festivals. I personally recommend the Vegilicious combo plate which will give you a taste of everything on the menu, they also have recently opened a restaurant in St Kilda if you want to try them outside of the festival scene. Drinks were available by the team at Magic Mixers, who have their very own naturopath to deliver energizing alcohol free concoctions to keep you buzzing all day, all that in a fresh coconut, YUM!

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Overall it was an action packed day at Stacks On and the sun shined down on us all day. If you are interested in making it to a Culture Jam event you will be more than happy to know the team will be back with their second multi-day extravaganza The Town held on Easter weekend.

-Brenton Spink
Brenton Spink is a social Melburnian who loves a good feed, drink, dance, and other related shenanigans. Find him on Twitter at @SoSpinky.

To check out all upcoming events by Culture Jam, including The Town, all information is on their website

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Culture Jam.