On 19 September 2010, Brisbane Festival held West End Live. The event took place at Boundary St in the suburb of West End. Bus services affected none others than 196 and 199. West End, which is only within walking distance from the CBD, is quite a unique suburb. It’s home to Brisbane’s Greek festival, Paniyiri (which I didn’t attend this year), world food restaurants, a market and a very diverse & multicultural community.
First up, a replica of a vintage living room with, I presume, a black 7 white TV. Never before such a replica was put up in a street, usually I encountered this kind of thing at museum or art gallery. Don’t forget to tune in to Brian Cahill’s with Eyewitness News!
A kitchen? It reminds me of this Canadian movie titled ‘Spider’, which I watched at the State Library a few weeks ago. The kitchen set looks similar.
If you can, put racism claims aside for a moment. But, don’t you agree? I read on Courier Mail’s forum weeks ago about the naming of Boundary Streets and Roads across Brisbane and Southeast Queensland. During the British colonial era, those Boundary Streets and Roads were used as a border of where the Aboriginese could go.
Capoeira dancers in action.
By the way, you could dance along with the dancers if you wished to.
There were various food stalls available such as Mexican and vegetarian. This event is mainly about public art shows. Forums and talks were also taking place, one of the venue that I could remember is Avid Reader bookshop. Free sparkling drinking waters were provided by Brisbane Festival volunteers. Am looking forward to another great event next year.
Now, Into Africa is another Brisbane Festival event taking place at Yeronga State School. In order to reach that place, thou shalt take train on the Beenleigh line and stop at Yeerongpilly station. A shuttle bus is provided every 30 minutes between the station and the venue.
When I just reached Yeronga State School, suddenly it rained. But certainly it didn’t the dampen the spirit of going into Africa. Why this kind of theme? I heard it’s because human civilisation started out in Africa and make your conclusion using your own common sense.
There was a market selling African food products, art and crafts. There was also an Amnesty International booth. An Ethiopian band was performing not far from the market.
A lady introducing the Ethiopian coffee ceremony to the public. Yet using Australian milk? I didn’t try it though. Meanwhile, a Moroccan chef was demonstrating how to cook Moroccan food. As for lunch, I tried an Eritrean vegetarian meal. I didn’t know that Africans also eat rice. I thought what they eat more or less are the same as what the Arabians eat. It cost $10.
I didn’t stay long though. These trees were knitted for decoration purposes. But I’m not sure why.
My review: A bit disappointed with the event because, apart from the weather, there weren’t many African countries represented in the event. In particular western and central African nations. Hope the organisers can do better next year. But for those of you who want real African community feeling in Brisbane, I suggest you go to the suburb of Moorooka.
Apa Kabar Bram 