A Night Out At The Noodle Markets

A few nights ago, we decided to venture out to Hyde Park and explore the festivities of the Night Noodle Market, that was mentioned in an earlier blog post.
Despite the light drizzle throughout the evening, we enjoyed the aesthetic ambience of the area, the chill music, and of course, the exotic street food available (despite a little overpriced).

Here's a short vlog of what shenanigans we got up to that night.

This vlog was filmed on the Canon EOS 500d by Rebecca with the help of Huong and Tung (the umbrella holder). Tung suggested the idea of filming footage of a festival, and Huong suggested the idea of Night Noodle Markets. Vlog was edited via Final Cut Pro by Rebecca. Robert aided in showcasing the features of the festival and added some light-hearted comedy. 

Oceanic Pro League (OPL) Grand Finals 2015

League of Legends (LoL) is a free to play multiplayer online battle arena, real-time strategy video game developed and published by Riot Games. The game is the most popular online game with 7.5 million concurrent players daily and many tournaments with it's largest prize pool boasting over 2 million dollars. The first ever Oceanic Pro League was hosted this year by Luna Park. 

Despite the main event being the grand finals for OPL at 6pm, the day itself was very festivalesque. Being hosted by Luna Park, there are no individual stalls by the community but they have done a great job with the League of Legends themed food, attractions, games and merchandise.

The day itself was a blast , the weather was great and the community were all having fun with amazing cosplays throughout the day and FREEBIES. The turnout was excellent especially being so the first year of the event, with 1300 tickets to watch the finals live in the Big Top sold almost immediately and free entry for the festive day and to watch it on one of the screens there was a lot of people.

Even if you aren't a major fan of the game, the atmosphere and cosplays are an amazing experience, and it's still Luna Park. My friend and I found ourselves going on the rides in the long breaks between rounds and coming back 10 minutes in a round. The Ranger and Rotor are especially fun.

                                           (video by my handsome friend,  Peter Tran)

If you don't already know what League of Legends is http://www.oce.leagueoflegends.com/ 
I'd go again next year.

Event: OPL Grand Finals 2015

Date: 8 August 2015

Location Luna Park

KYCK

This is a yearly Christian themed festival set in Katoomba for Christian Youth. It is essentially a camp that spans multiple days that focuses on the socialisation of youth as well as Christian teachings for the youth (Years 7 - 12).

Festival activities range from usual camp activities as well as student run ones like card games, spinning and trivia. The main event of course are the religious speakers and their speeches and songs for the Christian youth as they aim to adapt the relevancy of the gospel to a modern and young audience. 

Each youth group is headed by multiple leaders (around young university student age) and each organise and meet up with other at various venues near the main one. This festival also acts as a retreat and chance for the youth to feel more independent and undergo their own personal and spiritual journey.

Event: KYCK

Date: Easter Holidays

Location: Katoomba, Blue Mountains

Ganon's Castle Trials

This is a very small festival/event that is geared specifically towards the NSW competitive Sm4sh Bros community. This weekly event usually involves members playing the game with each other in a more casual, friendly and relaxed format rather than competitive but it does change depending on the week.

A usually week involves the community playing friendly matches and experimenting with different formats depending on community feedback (customs, time, stock formats) as well as legalities of certain game elements. Matches are also recorded in order to be critiqued by the top level power ranked players in order help better the proficiency of the community.

Once a month a competitive event is held with a small guaranteed cash prized for the highest ranked non-power ranking member in order to encourage the growth of our scene and strength of players. This is of course accompanied by a live stream of the event and commentary in order to emulate the pressure of playing at nationals as well as live and recorded feedback.

Now other festival activities involve the traditional pizza party as well as drunk trash talk. This weekly event however is held free of charge and money is only involved when pooling for a cash prize.

Event: Ganon's Castle Trials

Date: Friday (re-ocurring)

Location: Lidcombe, James Street

Balcombe Heights Australia Day Festival

Every year at Baulkham Hills in Balcombe heights during Australia day, the local community holds a festival celebrating Australia day. It is an annual local festival in which the community bands together to commemorate this event.

The festival focuses on entertainment and food. Small concerts are held as well as a variety of showcases and exhibitions. These range from singing, bands, comedy shows, magic shows, martial arts demonstrations and dances. The growing multicultural population of the local area has contributed in the diversifying of events that are present.

The food stalls usually remain as classic hot food such as chips, burgers, sausages but recently have been incorporating Asian and Lebanese food such as rice and noodle dishes as well as kebabs. Accompanying this is a range of carnival-like activities that you would see in a fair. These mini-games range from target practice, ball related scoring events and mock fishing.

Merchandise that can be bought is also your standard fair with show bags for the kids that carry candy and toys alongside plushes and funny hats.

This annual local event is community run has become a local tradition. It does not really focus on the core concept of Australia day but rather just focuses on the newer multicultural Australia and the unity of the community.

Event: Balcombe Heights Australia Day Festival

Date: 26th Jaunuary (re-ocurring)

Location: Balcombe Heights, Baulkham Hills

Sculpture By The Sea

Australians love beaches. They love outdoor activities. 

They feel the freedom to express themselves through arts.

What's a better way to welcome summer by visiting the beach and seeing the arts!!

So here it is, Sculpture By The Sea is back this year for the 19th annual celebration. It's the world's largest sculpture outdoor exhibition and it's one of the most anticipating events in Sydney every year.

This festival may sound like it only serves the arts people, but trust me, a lot of people make a note and take their time out to visit the beach during this festive period. Walking along the coast while enjoying the weather, bonus having all these 'weird' figures surrounded you will definitely be an awesome experience. 

Come and see how imagination can take people go beyond the sky and as crazy as you wonder how on earth they can come up with such a thing!! 

Event: Sculpture By The Sea

Date: 22 Oct - 8 Nov, 2015

Location: Bondi Beach

Newtown Good Food Fair

'Multiculturalism' - that's a big word in Aussie culture! Here you get a taste of everything, from languages, customs, habits, to music,... And of course, FOOD!!

Newtown was known as Thai City, and it's still, but now it's also about breweries, gelato, the nation's best pastries, and a lot more. It's more about the eating and drinking experience you get when you visit this suburb.

As part of City of Sydney Good Food Month, Newtown Good Food Fair this year is doubling its size to cater for thousands of visitors, making its the most popular event in the community calendar. You will be able to sample a wide range of food and drink and experience the local area.

More info on http://www.newtownprecinct.com.au/

Event: Newtown Good Food Fair
Date: 11 Oct, 2015
Location: Newtown Square

Mad Pizza 

Meat feature