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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Festival Girl Up Coming Event: Parramasala | Australian Festival of South Asian Arts


The time is coming to head down to Parramatta for the first annual Australian Festival of South Asian Arts Parramasala. Commencing Across the first weekend of November, the city of Parramatta will be welcoming the vibrant celebration of talented artisans engaging in the traditions and innovations in South Asian arts. 

Running over a few days, there is plenty of time to organise an an hour, afternoon, a whole day to this exciting event. A lot of organsiation and planning has gone into the event and definetly looks like the place to be over November. The Day By Day Parramasala Festival Guide, allows you to plan your day accordingly -  whether it be experiencing dance, music performances, visiting the theatre, talks with cultural professionals and the most visually entertaining way to experiecne a culture and its traditions.

Festival Girl is excited about:

Masala Nights

MASALA NIGHTS
Want to know what happens when Church Street gets a Masala Makeover? Over this time, 
the streets of Parramatta will be transformed. If you ever wanted to visit India, without hopping on a plane, here is your chance. Parramatta’s central thoroughfare will be transformed into a living canvas full of light, sound, colour, flavour and fragrance that will delight and inspire. From late afternoon each day, a rich program of dance and music from local community and international artists can be seen on the outdoor stage as well as at Mars Hill Cafe
experience the fun and free entertainment

 I met Poh from MasterChef yesterday at her Dymocks Book signing where I of course bought her book and got it signed. I was so star struck, all I could manage to mutter was 'your book is nice'.... Sigh

Continuing on the Masterchef theme, the Masala Nights Market will be launched on Thursday night by MasterChef’s Jimmy Seervai. Come and get some Cheese Nan and Somosa's as you dine along Church Street - there will delicious treats from Sri Lanka, Nepal and India, including freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and authentically brewed masala tea. This will definitely be Parramatta at its spiciest.


Fun bits to look out for:

  • Free performances on the outdoor stages will include the world renowned Australian duo, Dva
  • A beautiful roving elephant puppet created by Erth
  • Traditional caste musicians from the Indian state of Rajasthan
  • A wide range of local South Asian dance and music artists including tabla and sitar musicians Yama Sarshar and his father Ustad, classical Hindi singer Archna Goswmani, Ruchi Sanghi Dance Company, Sankha Ridman Dance Ensemble, Thrayee School of Dance and many more.
On Saturday, the regular Town Hall Square Farmers Market will spill over into Church Street with a South Asian twist of flavours.  
Make Masala Nights on Church Street the place to start your Parramasala experience before heading off on a short walk to see a fantastic ticketed performance at any one of the festival venues across the city.

Deepavali Fair 2010

DEEPAVALI FAIR 2010

There is nothing I love more than seeing a culture and its tradition celebrate and come to the people. The Deepavali Fair happens to cooincide with Parramasala this year, one of the most significant annual festive occasions for people of Indian origin all over the world. The Festival of Lights will be celebrated with the Deepavali Fair at Parramatta Stadium
Each year the festival is celebrated on New Moon day of the Hindu month of Karthik. 


Deepavali started as a celebration of when Lord Ram returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. His people lit earthen lamps to welcome him home in the dark night of the new moon. Literally translated from Sanskrit as String of Lamps, Deepavali continues to this day as a festival of joy and celebration where sweets, gifts, fireworks and illumination always play a major role. I can't wait to check it out!


Fun bits to look out for:

  • Come along and enjoy delicious food stalls, decorated Indian Bazaar, jewellery and gift stalls, music and dance performances, Indian henna and tattoo demonstrations, face painting, puppet shows, and unique displays of Indian floor decoration.
  • The parade of the 40-foot high Raavan effigy, complete with pyrotechnic effects and culminating in a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the day.
  • Attend our free 20x20 Cricket Match at Old Kings Oval, and then spend the rest of day at Deepavali, before catching an evening show at Riverside Theatres, presented by the Hindu Council of Australia
Parramasala Event Details:

When

2 - 8 November 2010
Till 10:30PM

Venue

Various Locations 

Price:

Free - POA
Check out the official site for more specifics for dates and venues


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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Festival Girl Up Coming Events: Magnolia Square November 2010 | The Oaks Marquee Randwick Racecourse Alison Road, Sydney



After travelling much of the Australian landscape, Magnolia Square is coming back to Sydney in November. Magnolia Square is a curated market place showing the best in fashion and design, homeware, paper goods, craft, food and things for children

Some of my fav retailers will be at the show:





Want to see who else will be there? Click Here for a list of the all the retailers featured. Or check out the look book here for a preview of all the cuteness to come or check out the virtual tour from the show in VIC.

Event Details:

Where:
The Oaks Marquee
Randwick Racecourse
Alison Road, Sydney 


When:
Friday 12th November 10am - 9pm
Saturday 13th November 10am - 5pm
Sunday 14th November 10am - 4pm


Entry:
$5 (Includes Parking, kids free) 


Click Here to see what Festival Girl's thought of the  Magnolia Square Sydney Show in June 2010 at The Oaks Marquee Randwick Racecourse. 


Don't miss it! This is a truley unique pop up shopping experience for gorgeous wares

                                                           xxx Festival Girl
                                                         


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Monday, October 25, 2010

Festival Girl Rates: Art and About 2010 Review

...On my way to the Night Noodle Markets, I stumbled on Art and About: An artistic presence that resonates through Hyde Park. Infiltrating all aspects of Sydney life, Art and About has taken over laneways, parks, galleries and spaces across the city. I love when Art is about to enter the public space - there is something so interesting when a piece of Art is intriguing enough that even a yawning worker in the rut of their 9 to 5 working day and can escape for a second and experience Art and life from a different point of view.

Below are snaps of some of my favourite works of the day:


Jenny Templin, 'Carmen, Elizabeth Street.'


Tom Williams, ' The Osman family'


Kelly-Ann, 'Donna'


Beborah Clare / Veronica West, 'Sydney Harbour Sunday'


Tamara Dean, 'The Pack'


Paris Spellson, 'Bondi Beach Local'


James Hill, 'The Five Ways Theatre'


Lynn Smith, 'Blue Man'


Ernest Fratczak, 'Based on a True Story'



Geoff Harvey, 'My Shed in St Peteres - A Self Portrait'


I also managed to stumble on the Sydney Statues Project, where historic Queen Victoria statue got a 21st century makeover, as artists and costume designers unleash their imaginations on the statue and make passsers by squint and ask, 'is the Queen statue really wearing those colourful clothes?'




The official run-down for the Art and About Event for 2010:


Art and About 2010 Launch, Thu 23 Sep, 6-9pm, Hyde Park North.
Sydney Life, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Hyde Park.
Live Green House, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 26 Sep, Hyde Park.
Banner Gallery, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Around Sydney.
Sydney Statues Project, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Around Sydney.
The Bike Bike, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Martin Place.
Oh Alfred! Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Prince Alfred Park.
Camp Stonewall, Thu 23 Sep-Tue 1 Mar, Taylor Square.
Laneway Art: Are You Looking at Me? Thu 23 Sep-Mon 31 Jan, Around Sydney.
ArtPark, Fri 24 Sep-Sun 26 Sep, Hyde Park.

Some other events you might want to take a look at:

Primavera 2010, Thu 19 Aug-Sun 21 Nov, Museum of Contemporary Art.
In the Balance: Art for a Changing World, Thu 19 Aug-Sun 31 Oct, Museum of Contemporary Art.
Blake Prize 2010, Fri 3 Sep-Sat 2 Oct, National Art School.
Dream Home, Fri 3 Sep-Sat 9 Oct, Australian Centre for Photography.
Escapade, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Gaffa Gallery.
Romance, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Forbes and Burton.
Pine Street's Annual Students Exhibition Fri 24-Sat 2 Oct, Pine St Creative Arts Centre.
The 45th Annual Portia Geach Memorial Award, Fri 24 Sep-Tue 9 Nov, SH Ervin Gallery.
The Big Draw, Fri 24 Sep-Sat 25 Sep, National Art School.
Sydney Children's Festival, Mon 27 Sep-Sat 9 oct, CarriageWorks.
Namatjira: The Next Generation, Tue 28 Sep-Sat 16 Oct, Birrung Gallery.
Open Weekend at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sat 2 Oct-Mon 4 Oct, Art Gallery of NSW.
Much Lead, Sat 2 Oct-Sun 10 Oct, Object Gallery.
We Craft This City, Sat 2 Oct-Mon 10 Oct, Object Gallery.
FBi's Still Life 2010, Fri 8 Oct, Art Gallery of NSW.
The Engine Room, Fri 8 Oct, Object Gallery.
Streetscape Animation, Fri 8 Oct-Mon 18 Oct, Firsdraft.
The Imagine Festival 2010, Fri 8 Oct-Sun 10 Oct, Cleveland St Theatre.
Sydney ARI Tour, Sat 9 Oct, meeting location TBA.
Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom, Fri 15 Oct-Sat 20 Nov, Australian Centre for Photography.
Nikon-Walkley Photographic Exhibition, Fri 15 Oct-Sat 30 Oct, Australian Centre for Photography.
START Studio Art Fest, Sat 16 Oct-Sun 17 Oct, Around Sydney.
The Hole Thing, Tue 19 Oct-Sun 24 Oct, TAP Gallery.
In Light of a Moon, Thu 21 Oct-Sat 23 Oct, Hyde Park North.

Although Art and About is over now, if you would like to see more abuot the artists or their works, take a look here.


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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Festival Girl Rates: Night Noodle Markets 2010 Festival presented by Crave Sydney International Food Festival


Festival Girl Rates: 3/5

Love Asian inspired food? Yes I hear you say! Well the Night Noodle Markets is where it is at. Presented by the Crave Sydney International Food Festival, The Night Noodle Markets will not be here for much longer, I went last week and had a ball. 

Festival Girl Highlights:

Let the warm spring night take you away with over 40 tantalising food stalls including Asian and Middle Eastern Cuisine, Asian Cultural entertainment and or those who love to wine and dine, there are three bars. I went after work with a girlfriend and the weather was great (except for a few sprinkles, thanks Sydney weather.) 


Festival Girl Lowlights:


We stuffed ourselves with Salt and Pepper Calamari and octopus ($18),  4 Satay sticks ($2.50 each), prawn stick ($2 each), delicious Peking duck pancakes (could have used some dipping sauce) ($5 for 3), sang chow bao lettuce cup ($5 each), Lemonade drink with Mint ($5) with NO ice, can you believe it? Tasted like drinking lemon flavoured detergent then to wash it all down some Poffertjes - but don't you dare ask me how to pronounce it - Perfutjeuses? Porfegueous? Anyway, they are those little mini Dutch pancakes that you can get Maple syrup ($12 for tweleve, extra for strawberries and cream), not really cheap but damned near impossible to resist. There is only one way to describe it, how do you say yum in Dutch - oh, how disappointing, the Dutch word for YUM is, Yum...


Cutlery - I don't know why I have such a soft spot for cutlery, especially when its environmentally friendly. All disposable cutlery was provided by 'BioPak,' who provide carbon neutral, plant based and compostable cutlery saving the Earth one fork at a time.


Moving on, Looks like CityBank were sponsoring the event, so flash your card and you can get into the restricted bar area with a million twinkle lights sparkling above you. If you don't, it doesn't matter, there is an entire city with real stars to spend the night under.




Fesitval Girl Lowlights:


Light drizzle made the ground muddy - bring an umbrella.
No Chairs - get there early if you want a seat. 
A touch expensive? So bring lots of cash. I think with some smaller 'sample' options, this would give budgeters more of a chance to taste more foods, not get too full and still have some change in their pockets for the trip home. 



Opening Times
Oct 11-15 and 18-22 5pm-9.30pm Weeknights


Dates:
Mon 11 Oct to Fri 22 Oct


Location:
Hyde Park. Corner of Elizabeth St and Park St


To download a map of the Night Noodle Markets, including a list of all stalls click here or for more details


And while you're here....

Check out Festival Girl's thoughts on (some of) Art and About...

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Festival Girl Rates: Sydney Vintage, Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show

Festival Girl Rates: 4.5/5

As mentioned previously, I decided to take a trip to the 9th Sydney Vintage Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show held at Canterbury Racecourse on a really windy Saturday morning. With over 60 exhibitors from all over Oz, this is the place to be if you love vintage and antique clothing and accessories, antique and vintage jewellery, linen, lace and textiles and small collectables. 

There is nothing I love more than coming to this event, this will be the fourth time and every time I come home with something new (thats old) and learn about old things that are new to me. 

Festival Girl Highlights:

Prizes for Best Dressed in Vintage - here are some girls in their favourite vintage outfits


Lucky Door Prizes were given away - sigh, I didn't win anything 












Starting at $25, The Lindy Charm School for Girls gave some lucky ladies the opportunity to look like the pin up girls of a time gone past, as the girls style hair and do your make up so you will mirror Dita Von Teese. 




Next, Charlotte Smith, the custodian of The Darnell Collection and author of "Dreaming of Dior" and the new "Dreaming of Chanel" gave a presentation about her intriguing inheritance. She also was available to sign the new copy of her book for those lucky readers who managed to purchase the book a few weeks before official release.




Check out her an excerpt of Charlotte Smith's presentation here Please note, my camera ran out of space, so this is only an excerpt -note to self, buy more storage.






If you want the chance to see the Darnall Collection again with contextual furniture from the 50's to the 70's then Vampt Vintage Design will be hosting the event 'When Fashion Meets Furniture' - See flyer for details or contact 0416463331.








Then Nicole Jenkins author of Love Vintage and owner of Melbourne vintage clothing shop Circa gave an interesting talk on how to best look after your vintage garments. Some great advice from an experienced vintage shopper.





And my favourite for the day, Candice DeVille specialist vintage model and style blogger of Super Kawaii Mama shared her secrets and  wealth of knowledge with us in how to create the perfect vintage glamour look. (Note - my SLR camera ran out of batteries and for the second half of the show had to resort to my phone camera)


Circa Imported Vintage Hats has Hats, hats and more hats!


 Why must we wait for the races to wear these beautiful hats?



This young vintage goer looked so adorable with her lady like hat 


Recycology - This is definitely my idea of a beautiful future



Oh the colours - I want one of each!


Look at all these delicious accessories - Mmmm


Vintage gowns a-hoy at Zipper on the side 


I want to be a Vintage Tart - Totally in love with this headpiece - Is there any better way of combining super cute head wear with your favourite record? I think not


Vintage overload - Ahh


Loved these cute bangles, one in each colour YAY


Lou Murray was oh so sophisticated at the Vintage Fair


Wicker casted head moulds to show off those beautiful vintage hats - brilliant


If you are in the Bawrol neighbourhood, be sure to drop by the Mittagong Antique Centre; not to be missed


Chinese influenced Vintage from The Girl Can't Help It, love this mannequin's expression


This was the only snap I could take before my SLR Battery died - but this is definitely one of my favourite stores - Jewellery by a farmers Daughter is so fantastically unique, interesting and stunning one off pieces that encourage recycling and creating art from what would usually be waste.


Loving the kitcsh stylings of old school barbie 


Adorable Chinese children's slippers with bells - so cute


Love this Peacock Fan and funky boots


From Paris with love with Pymble Antiques Linen and Retro


Beautiful shawls and pearls - my fav


Miss Parasol - Thank god its still raining in Syndey giving all of us an excuse to keep buying these beauties









Mrs Peel is very appealing - sigh, yes that was a lame pun, but is a great way to describe the retro glam that is Mrs Peel




Lookie at what I bought - its not much, but they are beautiful. These are the joker cards of a particular deck.



Lowlights: Really windy Day - Okay so NOT the events fault. There really isn't anything particularly negative about this event. I guess the only thing I could say is there is too much to do in one day and unless you come to all 3 days, you miss out on a bit. But Iguess that really is the best excuse to come to all 3 days 

Dates: 15 - 17th October 2010

Venue: Canterbury Park Function Centre, Canterbury Racecourse, King Street Canterbury, Sydney  NSW Australia

Cost: 
Single Day Adults $12,
Pensioner $10,
Children 10-16yrs $5,
Under 10yrs free,
Family $30
Two Day Ticket Adults $20,
Pensioner $16,
Children 10-16yrs $8  

If you are truly a fan, you can even buy the 3 day pass which will make sure you don't miss out on anything the show has on offer.

Travel: Here's how you can travel to the show:

Free parking. Free Shuttle Bus from Strathfield and Canterbury Stations

Dammit I missed it? Check out the Love Vintage show will be on again next April in Sydney. Check the program Sydney Vintage, Clothing, Jewellery and Textiles Show for more info.

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