The countdown is on. There's just a little over a fortnight remaining from the day this fine rag hits the streets to the day DRAGON DREAMING FESTIVAL '09 exultantly bursts forth with an astounding array of sounds, sights and tantalising delights. On top of the multitude of music styles, independent films, international food and market stalls and theatre and dance performances, there'll also be 14 wide-ranging workshops. From how to find bush tucker to how to master Ableton Live software, Dragon Dreaming's got it all.

Jake Cassar could well be Australia's next Bush Tucker Man. Just like the Akubra-wearing, big-grinning Les Hiddins, he is a bush tucker and bush medicine consultant. Cassar's been practicing professionally for the past five years, though he's spent "the last 20 fine tuning [his] survival skills, uncovering knowledge and gaining experience in the University of the Bush."

Cassar's workshop consists of a comprehensive and interactive talk about native and introduced plants and their uses, and he'll also be discussing how bush tucker and bush medicine played a vital role in the survival of the area's original inhabitants. He'll then offer a crash course in bush survival which covers how to find food, water and shelter. A wide range of edible bush tucker will also be available for workshop participants to try, so if you've always wondered what witchetty grubs taste like, now's your chance. (If you're not so game, however, I'll tell you: slightly hazelnutty.)

Luke Burns is another workshop facilitator and Dragon Dreaming veteran as he played at last year's festival as S.E.T.H as well as in the duo Sinister Sequence. Burns operates a small business called Australian Computer Music Education (ACME), which focuses on private training for computer musicians and aims to provide comprehensive DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) solutions for established and emerging artists.

Burns' "fast-paced" workshop will be based on the Ableton Live 7 software, and will feature "[his] techniques plus hints and tips on production and remixing." Says Burns, "I will be fresh from doing another workshop in Newcastle for Electrofringe Festival and will focus on creating a track from audio and midi clips which have been created at that event, so essentially I'll be 'remixing a remix.'"

"During the session we will cover the basic and esoteric concepts involved in new software, explore sonic combinations and 'create a scene' faster than ever using Ableton Live software. You will hear some classic and new software in action and even have a chance to influence the mix yourself. Together we will explore and discover just some of the possibilities and scope involved with audio artistry."

And now to the remaining 12 workshops. Let's kick off with Kim the Laughing Faery, a professionally trained laughing instructor who assures laughter workshop participants that once they get in touch with their inner belly laugh they'll be smiling in absolute bliss for the rest of the fest. For early risers or all-nighters, the early morning drumming circle, which is based on the techniques of Native Americans, promises a deep connection to Mother Earth through guided meditation from an experienced shaman. All night dancers rejoice! Another workshop that you will definitely benefit from will be presented by renowned local yoga instructor and osteopath Craig Patrick, who will direct both beginner and advanced students through yogic sequences that focus on the feet.

Other physical workshops include fire twirling and juggling, and an introduction to the ancient Chinese weapon, the Meteor. This workshop is suitable for people who have already mastered poi or staff, and Meteors as well as fire sticks will be available for use and purchase at the workshops.

For those more inclined towards less physically demanding activities, there's the Atomic Chanting workshop in which participants will experience the deep calm that results from chanting, and the Laws of Consciousness workshop, which aims to develop participants' understanding that through observing an action one is able to affect the outcome and ultimately create one's future. Similarly the Mindfulness Training workshop, which is based on Buddhist philosophies, aims to teach participants how to strengthen their ability to shape their own internal and external reality and enhance their mental focus, awareness and clarity, while in Happiness and Human Empowerment participants will learn that the most powerful decision one can make is the decision to be happy.

Other workshops include a discussion on sustainable housing, a discussion about the phenomenon of naturally occurring geometric shapes and patterns, and finally a discussion entitled Time Acceleration, in which participants will examine how frequent technological breakthroughs affect humanity..

When the workshops have worn you out and it's time to refuel, there's a gastronomic galaxy of international food on offer, from tasty Ethiopian to scrumptious woodfire pizzas, baked potatoes and luscious burgers. The Psy-Bus Café will be there in all its glory serving velvety hot chai and coffee, as well as Brekky Quesas - quesadillas stuffed with mouth-watering Mexican fillings. Breakfast will never be the same!

And what's an outdoor festival without market stalls? There'll be thousands of handmade and locally produced items on sale including clothing, accessories and tribal jewellery, circus and juggling equipment, kites and wind socks, art... you name it, they'll have it.

As is tradition, Dragon Dreaming will be supporting the community by contributing to various organisations; all profits raised by the Scouts' stall are going to help transport the troop to their massive Scout jamboree, and funds raised from ticket sales are going towards Oxfam's aid program to help fight poverty and injustice.

Dragon Dreaming '09 is set to blow our minds. I'll see you there.

Dragon Dreaming Festival will be raging from Saturday October 3-5. For further details and ticket info head to www.dragondreaming.net.