Swan Festival of Lights 2013

The Perth Swan Festival of Lights is an annual festival, spanning across three days in 2013 to coincide with the celebration of Diwali. The theme of inner light is ever present at the festival, with light radiating from the big screen, traditional performances, fireworks displays, glowing candle lanterns from childrens' hands and of course, the stunning picturesque Perth City skyline as the backdrop of this luminous event.

With all these different sources radiating with light, colour and beauty, the simplicity of light on its own is used as a symbol to unite our differences while never forgetting to embrace the cultural diversity of our world.

Navigating the crowds

There's a big turn out for the festival, despite the night I visited being the last of the three nights it had already been running for. The food tents are bustling towards the later hours and I'm intrigued by the vegetarian spread prepared by the folk from Annalakshmi, whose restaurant overlooking the river operates by a simple yet most noble of all principles - the diner pays with their heart. Bless them.

I learn there's an impressive menu of dishes on offer as I swiftly skip past all the food vendors noting what's on their signs while trying to make it obvious that I am not pushing in front of everybody!

Beverages tent

There is a constant stream of customers at every single food and beverage tent spread across the grass, and the lines at each one progressively build longer and longer. It's a good idea to come early to avoid the crowds and minimise the wait - both in line and for your food.

The beverage tent sold an assortment of drinks; the one at the top of their menu seems to also be their top seller for the night, observing the amount of people at the festival with a mango lassi in one hand and food on the other. There's also a tea infused with Indian herbs and spices called masala tea, which sounds like a better option after not having much luck with the masala lassi at the Blue Ginger Club.

One of many vegetarian food tents

Food and celebration through eating is a significant aspect of the Diwali festival and although the options at the festival are limited to vegetarian dishes, there really are no limitations at all. Everyone is spoiled with a plethora of choice ranging from mee goreng and nasi lemak to more traditional dishes which I only learnt of on the night. The tents are distinguished by categories of food - main meals, snacks and desserts with the last category especially intriguing, with options like lentil donuts with coconut condiments or the cham cham, a ricotta cheese dessert.

Food and drink coupons

Although the cartridges of the people trains in front of every tent get longer and feelings of reluctancy to wait surface, the lines move quickly and the wait is not annoying in the least. The waiting time is slashed with an efficient coupon paying system being in place at each of the tents - these are pre-purchased at designated coupon tents and all orders are paid for using these and saves the fumbling around and delays that cash causes. Coupons are the official and only currency in operation at the Swan Festival of Lights, and the efficiency is tops.

Pilau Rice with Vegetable Curry - $7

We decided on a vegetable and chickpea curry with pilau rice as a hot option to inject some warmth against the cool weather. Pilau rice is a rice infused with spices and the meal was actually so simple but so nourishing as much as it tasted delicious. I haven't had a light, meatless meal in a while (shocking I know) and this felt really comforting and hit all the right spots.

Plain flour breads and wheat flour puffed breads, components to form the Puri or Paratha sets, which are both served with curry.

Plain Dosai: Flat rice pancake served with sambar and chutney

Masala Dosai - $8

Sambar is typically a stew, or a slightly chunky chowder with vegetables and dhal. The masala dosai is served with two accompaniments, and sambar is one of these. The liquidy, yellow-tinged sauce is initially not to my taste, but as I give it further tries due to my strict policy of no food wastage, ever makes me start to enjoy this a lot more than I thought. I like the slight chewable texture of the sambar, unlike the chutney which has a subtle hotness but no texture. A lack of eating utensils and a finished pancake later, I end up using my fingers to scoop out the remaining sauce - it's a messy encounter, but meh, it was good.

Crisp rice pancake

The dosai is a crisp scroll, a thin crepe-like pancake made from a fermented rice and lentil batter. Griddled until golden brown, they are served hot and with a potato masala filling that's pulpy but still holds its form. The dosai is softened in the places the potato filling touches but the paper-thin outer edges retain their crispness; I break off the pieces with a snap and practically scoop up the sauce condiments like a spoon. I'm all for using all sorts of food as makeshift eating utensils :)

Perth weather is a blessing!

What's a cultural festival without showcasing its culture through traditional music, dance and performances? Along with song and dance, there are fashion shows with beautiful traditional costumes and acts on the stage broadcasted onto the big screen. The huge grass area of the park is a relaxing place to leisurely sit the night away, watching the festival go by under a perfect clear cloudless sky.

Different stalls set ups dot the festival grounds, selling handicraft works among a variety of workshops teaching meditation and the cooking of traditional dishes. Festival goers can also experience the intricacy of henna tattoos.

Out of the festival's tents, the arts tent gathered a good crowd interested in its offerings. Other stalls sold clothing, sarees and delicate accessories with intricate detailing.

Entertaining children is catered for through face painting and - I thought I was going to fall off and die when I first got on this friendly animal at 7 years young - camel rides around the park. These kids looked pretty chilled - I remember gripping ever so tightly for dear life with my tiny hands!

This is one of many cultural festivals that Perth holds and to immerse myself into new food, the arts and everything else these types of festivals offer is a really great experience to recognise and embrace the multicultural diversity of our city. There's a big sense of community that is felt at such cultural festivals as people from all backgrounds gather together to learn about each other's culture, and Perth is growing into a bigger and better place to live because of it.

Happy festival going, there's more than just a few in the lead-up to Christmas!

Subi Street Festival 2012

Rewinding life backwards to 2 months ago, I was working hard at twiddling my thumbs at work when I looked up and saw a few chaps wheeling a couple of skilltesters (well known as "those claw machines") across the busy Rokeby Road.

While my colleague assumed that a new arcade games store was opening down the road, this happy sight reminded me that there was a festival to get to that night!

Subiaco; the lively, hip and trendy suburb more affectionately known as Subi, is the latest to jump aboard the festival bandwagon. They held their first Subi Street Festival, which was a grand extension of the Sunset Food Markets already in place at Subi Square over a few balmy Summer nights. 

It was a completely rare sight to not see vehicles in the very commercialised street of Subiaco, as it was only open to pedestrian traffic for the evening. This includes paws! Lots and lots of paws.

I loved seeing so many furry friends join in the celebrations - big, small, long, fat, clean, dirty, groomed and way too furry - trotting along and being hustled about by human legs everywhere.

Fancy a climb?

 Intent on being a very family and community oriented festival, there were several "zones" dotted over the festival with a load of activities that kept the needs of super active (read: hyperactive) kids in mind.

This was evidently a popular attraction, with several kids all over it and another several in queue who couldn't wait to be all over it.

I had a childish giggle in my moment of immaturity when I realised this giant sculpture looked so much like a giant...sculpture.

Other family-fun zones included this immensely popular activity that I've seen at every other festival - umbrella painting.

Paint: Getting into it, getting it on themselves

 This very interactive kids' play area unleashes artistic creativity with blank umbrella canvases and real paint, and not just the type of Paint you find under the Accessories tab on your computer.

Behind the paint station is a display of some spectacular finished creations, worthy of admiration. I never managed to establish a trustworthy partnership with my paintbrush!

Amanda's African Sauces attracted a good crowd with their free samples of sauces and breads to passer-bys. The stall sold a wide range of exotic and unique sauce and dips that you probably wouldn't see on a supermarket shelf.

I spied names like banana jam, roast eggplant, chilli mussel, cashew pesta, kassundy, mango pickle, chilli mint...and wanted to try them all. I didn't. Can't look too greedy in front of strangers!

Pop up Cards

3D pop-up cards are every bit gorgeous and attractive, handmade by very creative hands at Unique 4 U. I spied intricately detailed cards for every occasion, with cute designs popping up.

My very talented friend M has been keeping alive the tradition of sending cards through the mail, and I love seeing her handmade goodies. She posted a picture of pop-up cards she came across on her holiday recently, and really, the art of 3D cards can get pretty crazy!

Nova

The Youth Zone featured a very chilled out relaxation area amidst the festival, pumping out tunes and complete with astro turf, sofas and beanbags sprawled on the street. With the Nova radio station crew present, one of the highlights offered was a guided tour of their building, a live radio station in action.

And just in case you were not blown away by fascination by the sheer size of that inflated red Nova mascot, I will attempt to by alluding you to the actual size of it compared to a child (if you even noticed her in the first place).

Free Photobooth. Score!

They say the best things in life are free, so this free photobooth made PERFECT sense. There was a constant queue for this small photobooth from Wink Peace Pout that instantly prints out all your cringeworthy shots.

Photobooths are immensely popular especially at weddings, and usually come with all the props needed to see formally dressed, elegant, reserved ladies transform into pimped out, streetwise grannies.

Street performers, buskers & entertainers

This mischievous stiltwalker had a great time ghosting unsuspecting individuals :)

Main stage providing free live entertainment

Street stalls; one of which offered Ping Pong matches!

2 peacocks, clearly not attracted to each other :P

Peacocks are a normal everyday sight for me, watching them casually roam the grounds of my university and chase anyone holding a sandwich within chasing distance.

The small animal petting farm at the festival attracted many pairs of eyes and hands, eager to pat and feed.

The Absolute Wurst hot dog van, selling many variations of the humble wiener.

The very busy Crepes van, selling both sweet and savoury crepes within the $7-$10 range.

Savoury options included ham, cheese and tomato; ham, cheese and pineapple; and ricotta, baby spinach, salsa and feta; while the sweet side entices with a maple syrup crepe; a nutella crepe; banana and nutella; and an indulgent, one-time-only maple syrup, banana and cream crepe.

The familiar La Paleta, selling Mexican ice treats made with real fruit and recipes from Mexico.

Nuts for You sell a lot of nuts for you, spiced with different flavours like honey roasted and chilli sea salt, as well as popcorn and a honey or chilli sunflower and pumpkin seed mix.

I've got a fierce and stubborn cough from a nut overdose, as I finished a 200g bag of mixed nuts and about 7 nut bars in 2 days. Too much of a good thing IS a bad thing.

Go easy on nuts.

Flippin' pastries

The Murtabak stall had a loooooong line of flaky, crispy paratha bread cravers. For $10, you can get a serve of a piping hot flatbread parcel with your choice of meat (beef mince, carrot, spinach onion and cheese) or vegetable (potato, lentils, carrot, spinach and onion) fillings.

Cooking for carnivores

You'd think these chunky beef ribs were going for free judging by the queue that was waiting for them, fresh hot off the supersized coal barbeque. El Asador (translation: the barbequer) lured in the crowds with their Tira de Asado - a seasoned then slow-cooked Argentinean style rib cut served with chimichurri.

Smell = delicious.
Delicious smell = Ridiculously unappetising crazy long line.

La Latina casted delicious smells from their 3 cauldrons, bubbling away with an aromatic chicken and seafood paella.

Maison Saint-Honore had a range of small cakes, and their complete rainbow of macarons; with flavours like mocha, pistachio, coconut, mango and honey & thyme.

Shak Shuka brought a taste and smell of Morocco to Subiaco, serving up shakshouka to the hoards. Usually eaten as a breakfast dish, the all familiar 2 poached eggs are cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with herbs, garlic and chorizo, served with crusty baguette and a chilli harissa dip.

Also on the menu is Chicken Tajin with Couscous, a traditional slow-cooked chicken stew with dry fruits on couscous or a vegetarian version with chickpeas.

Strung with lights, the Snags and Sons stall dished up a Latino Chorizo with chipotle mayo, apple & fennel slaw, balsamic onions and smoked cheese combination.

Takoyaki in the making

The Japanese Savoury Pastries stall let out a warm glow and warm scent of freshly cooked, golden balls of takoyaki. These were tossed and turned in their indents with precision and speed, their crunchy vegetable interior a variation to the usual chewy octopus texture.

Other stalls that joined the party were:

• A stall selling hawker style Asian meals, including Penang fried Kuey Teow, Hokkein Char Mein (stir fry noodles), Hainan Chicken Rice, Roti Paratha with Curry Chicken and Tofu Goreng (Tofu stuffed with veges and peanut sauce);
• Another crepes and paella stall; and
• A gozleme stall, with fillings like lamb, spinach and feta; Med style with spinach, feta, sundried tomatoes and olives; Breakfast gozleme with spinach, feta, eggs and tomato and an Eggplant Moussaka.

Dj on the decks

Kids Zone

I was puzzled when I tredded through the street, littered with torn telephone directory pages from the Yellow Pages. I later found out this was the aftermath from a muscular, skin-hugging leopard leotard wearing strongman who entertained the crowd with his phonebook ripping acts!

Suitcase Circus was a play space with circus and carnival themed entertainment for the kids, showcasing circus performances, balloonists, clowns, magicians and workshops that taught very vital life skills of juggling and plate spinning :)

With the entire street coming alive with fire breathers, aerial shows and pyromaniacs, along with more food stalls than you can throw a hungry person at, I'll be gatecrashing this big annual party that Subiaco throws, every single year without fail.

Maylands Street Festival

Perth has become festival-happy in the crazy fast lead-up to the festive season, and so have I.

Festival hopping results in excessive spending, but is a worthy expenditure when these hard-earned dollars in turn work even harder to contribute to a local community that is playing a role in Perth's rapid development.

Organised by the not-for-profit Maylands Business Association, The Maylands Street Festival is a bi-annual event taking place on the 25th of November this year.
As a great initiative to promote businesses in this emerging suburb, the festival brings out the creativity and culture it has been hiding and showcases the interesting character of (and characters in!) this thriving neighbourhood.

The bustling crowd on 8th Avenue

The festival, albeit smaller than most others, took place on a small but abundant strip in the suburb and undoubtedly had strong unanimous community support from local residents and visitors alike.

It attracted a steady crowd of people and immensely popular with families, with many activities aimed at the smaller people :) Children were spoiled with choice from all the games, face painting, amusement rides, art and craft workshops, and a live animal farm they could get their hands on (literally!)

As to keep us bigger ones amused, an abundance of market stalls stood amongst a constant movement of talented street performers, buskers and other forms of roving entertainment.

Don't wait 'til the Royal Show!

Once a yearly treat to get excited about, but now the pop-up showbag stand is everywhere where the kids + adults combination can be found.

Good news to the kids; but a detrimental effect on parents' wallets.

So that's what it feels like to be inside an orange...

Many items become so much more amusing when made into either a giant of miniature form, and this is no exception. Slightly ruined however, as this sadly, very very sadly, reminded me of Annoying Orange.

Because really, no matter how you think of it, this is also a talking orange.

Get down and dirty (Your hands)

In the artsy craftsy corner of the street lay a dedicated station loaded with bright, colourful paint mixes for every kid to be a kid and every adult to become a kid.

MYO Umbrella!

Sighted at just about every festival I have visited are a plethora of kids crowded around this particular art station, set up with a sea of plain paper umbrellas as a blank canvas for every person's artistic ability (or wild and senseless scribbles) to be released on.

A very creative idea to bring out the child's imagination, and a very practical item giving much needed shade from the harsh, unforgiving Aussie sun.

Colouring In and Silhouette artwork

We walked past a wall display of some impressive artwork done by primary school students, which only made me cringe at the rubbish I managed back in year 4.

Only I believed they were true indecipherable works of art (just like a true artist does).

Adventureland Bouncy Castle

A bouncy palace, fit for every little king and queen in every Mum and Dad's hearts :)

The Western Bull

And it wasn't just the kids who enjoyed a thrilling ride that day!

Kangaroo Drop

Kangaroo Drop, a much smaller scale of the ride I am too chicken to go on.

Add caption

As expected, there were queues for food and drink but nowhere near as long as frustration extends to.

The guys from Milkd sure did fill the air with the ubiquitous carnival smell of sausages and onions, sizzling away in a lifesized fry pan and baristas pumping out cups of milky brown liquid desire that people are so fond of.

Need this for my home

A one pan fits 10 meals approach - a genius solution to efficiency, or just pure laziness :)

Just one of many

While food is popular, others sold pre-packaged cups of bubble tea, sweet snacks and desserts to keep everyone going for the day.

Delish Ice

The Delish Ice mini caravan sold various gourmet popsicles at $3.50 a pop, a perfect companion and enemy of the heat.

Scrawled on the blackboard were the flavours available, including classic foolproof favourites like banana, strawberry and choc chip and orange and strawberry.

Venturing into more exotic choices, there is a ginger beer, mint and lime choice and the Herbes de Provence, infused with Madagascan vanilla and thyme.

For the alcohol-happy among us, Delish Ice have a range of cocktail inspired popsicles including the Mojito (mint and lime) and the Basil Smash (a gin inspired syrup) of elder flower and basil.

Mrs S stand

Following their prominence on the breakfast scene in Perth and the Maylands cafe strip, the Mrs S. team had a very prominent corner on the street with a steady queue for their sweet and savoury offerings.

Hot off the hotplate

Mrs S. has given the standard sandwich a slightly fancier cousin famously known as the manwich, a macho combination of pulled pork, aioli, rocket and beetroot relish for $8.

The same $8 also gets you more standard breakfast fare - piping hot bacon and egg rolls with homemade BBQ sauce compiled fresh off the overworked barbeque.

Refreshing chilled beverages

Salted Caramel Popcorn - $4

Bags and bags of popped joy - salted caramel sure has had rocketing fame lately!

On dainty little flower entwined cake stands sat beautifully decorated and presented sweets and cupcakes.

Temptations up for grabs included eton mess for $7, chocolate raspberry brownies and lemon curd cakes, both for $4.

I didn't have any, but I'm just as delighted to look at them :)

...

Primarily residential in nature, it is great to see the joint efforts by local businesses committed to bringing Maylands' transformation into a foodie's, fashionista's and artist's hub.

Admittedly it only took under 15 minutes to wander through the whole festival, which also featured live music from local bands and entertainment on stage. I ended up eating at one of the restaurants open for business instead, after keeping my stomach empty for all the food I anticipated at the festival.
A greater focus on food produced by local businesses would have amped up the deliciousness of the festival - the most predictable foodie speak right, I know.
(Hey, I am a foodie after all, what did you expect to hear!)

Originally under the threat of cancellation due to lack of council financial support, the festival stood strong. Evidence of a supportive community spirit shone through, with philanthropic financial contributions from the people with generous hearts behind the Dome Coffees and LJ Hooker business names.

There's still faith in humankind :)

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For future updates:
http://www.facebook.com/MaylandsStreetFestival

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