Festival Girl Up Coming Festival: Filipino Lantern and Cultural Festival | Supported by Parramatta City Council

The first time I tried Filipino food was at one of my close friends engagement party, who happened to be Filipino. As they were catering the party, they of course provided lots of traditional Filipino dishes to offer their guests. I was totally hooked. To be honest, I have no idea what the dishes are called, or what's in most of them, but for a number of years, I have been craving these dishes and looks like my prayers could possibly be answered with the Filipino Lantern and Cultural Festival that is coming to Sydney, Parramatta on the 20th November 2010 in celebration of the Filipino Christmas known as 'Pasko' - Sa atin lahat ito!

The Filipino Lantern and Cultural Festival is commuted to bring together the Filipino-Australian community in celebrating Christmas and showcasing Philippine cultural traditions. The Filipino celebration of Christmas is truly unique. The rich and lively blend of culture and tradition is meant to be shared so come take a closer look and see the sights, all the sounds, the aroma and flavours of the Filipino Christmas. Supported by the Parramatta City Council, this is the festival's first year and is a non for profit event with passionate volunteers dedicating their time to share the rich Filipino cultural heritage with the Australian community. 

Filipino 'Pasko' conjours up Simbang Gabi, churros, bibingka, putobumbong, queso de bola, parols, a lechon, noche buena, a nativity scene or “belen”, caroling, and of course, the golden glow of candles and the warmth of being around all my family and friends.

 

Filipinos have the longest Christmas holidays in the world starting the day after Halloween. For all the Filo's reading this and are feeling homesick at this time of year, the Filipino Lantern and Cultural Festival will be your chance to recreate the special glow of the Philippine Christmas celebrations right in the heart of Parramatta.

Some streets will be closed to traffic for a street parade, followed by Christmas choral carol, a lantern-making and competition, food stalls, gift stall, sports demonstrations, a talent quest, buskers, and other Filipino cultural activities

Details:

Price: Free

Philippine Lantern and Cultural Festival 2010

Parramatta Town Hall, Church Street, Parramatta

Saturday, 20 November

9.30 -10.00 am Opening ceremonies at Town Hall

2.00 -3.00 pm Street Parade at CBD area

10.00am-6.00pm Stalls open, various games, competitions and talent shows at Town Hall forecourt

2.00 – 6.00 pm Lantern making demo and contest

7.00pm – 9.00pm Christmas Carols Choral Competition

Maligayang Pasko! Merry Christmas!

For More info, click Here

Love,

 Festival Girl xox

Festival Girl Up Coming Festival: Filipino Lantern and Cultural Festival | Supported by Parramatta City Council

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

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

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 

View map

Price:

Free - POA

Check out the official site for more specifics for dates and venues

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

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:

Red Wagon

Angus and Celeste

Koolaman Designs

So French So Chic

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

                                                         

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