It is about time Tooting Bec Common was taken by the scruff of the neck and made it into a playground for the senses one summer weekend, and that is exactly what has happened, with the inaugural Balham and Tooting Carnival taking place this weekend.

Featuring two stages which will present an eclectic mix of local, national and internationally-renowned musicians, art and music workshops, a dance tent and children's activities, food and craft stalls and a licensed bar, the Balham and Tooting Carnival is looking like the ideal weekend day out.

And it is one which both reflects and celebrates the diverse and vibrant community of south London.

Entry to this family-oriented event is free and all profits will benefit local charities such as Re-Play Music (Merton Abbey Mills), Raw Material Music and Media (Brixton) and the Friends of the Neo Natal Unit at St. George's Hospital (Tooting) - all of which are working to improve the lives of children in south London.

One of the Carnival highlights will be Nashville-based Welsh acoustic phenomenon, Rodney Branigan, a sensational instrumentalist and singer-songwriter whose show-stopping ability to play two guitars simultaneously to awe-inspiring standards prompted Music Connection Magazine to describe him as "one of the most amazing artists you will ever see ... impossibly talented".

Among the wealth of talent on show will be Nashville-based Welsh acoustic phenomenon, Rodney Branigan. This man is a sensational instrumentalist and singer-songwriter whose show-stopping talent is to play two guitars simultaneously.

Branigan’s act prompted Music Connection Magazine to describe him as "one of the most amazing artists you will ever see” and “impossibly talented" and after his appearance in Wandsworth he will be embarking on a fresh US tour.

Other highlights include the funk/rock outfit Kubla Khan, indie bands Hoover Maneouvres and Hidden Movement, reggae/roots master Leroy Simmons and country/blues band the Blind Hearts.

The carnival is truly woven into the fabric of the community with its charity donations and also through its association with Chestnut Grove school in Balham, whose pupils entered a competition to design the poster with artist Faisal Abdu'allah. The winner was Billie Miller, whose design you may have seen about the borough.

Staged by M4C Events Ltd, the fundraising arm of children’s charity Music4Children, the Balham and Tooting Carnival is a key part of the charity’s ethos to use music to educate and financially improve the lives of children, both locally and internationally.

Music4children's Colin Brown reflects the sense of anticipation: "We're really pleased with the support we’ve received from the whole community. We have a great team and many of our members are also involved with the Glastonbury Festival this year."

The event will also promote eco-sustainability, both in the way it's produced - using green energy, recycling and waste reduction initiatives - and by raising awareness of environmental issues.

Balham and Tooting Carnival, Tooting Bec Common, Saturday/Sunday 30/31 August, 11am-8pm, free balhamtootingcarnival.com