Summer Street Festival debuted last year and in
its first edition, was well attended and had a warm
and relaxed atmosphere for its visitors, with lots to
do rather than just have high decibel music take the
lead. Now in its second year, the festival seems to
have learnt from its first experience and incorporated
all the desired changes to make it better and slightly
bigger with newer players participating in the event
this year. Summer Street Festival opened its gates for
visitors yesterday on May 22, 2016 and will go on till
Sunday, May 24.
The man behind this fun-filled fare, Vasco Alvares,
says, “The Summer Street Festival is a vibrant familyoriented
festival that focuses on the street concept
bringing together street food, street art, performing
art, street music, street entertainment and also some
of our street culture, like the traditional feast fairs and
flea markets. We plan to use the Festival as a platform
to ultimately look at the long-term possibilities in
preserving the historical and cultural beauty of the
city, and at the same time, create a tourist attraction.”
The festival has a recreation of a street fair with
clothes, jewellery, toys, traditional sweets and
other shopping avenues. New concepts have been
introduced like the live street art, a street gallery and
caricaturists, similar to what can be found in Europe,
with artists creating their masterpieces at the venue.
The artists will also hold workshops and contests for
kids.
After enjoying a healthy response last year, the
creators of the festival have added new elements
to the jamboree this year. The festival has an art
gallery featuring works of artists like Meena Desai,
Anushya by Sharma Norman Tagore, Manjunath
Manjunaath Naik, Chetan Salunke and Osborne
Carvalho. A new play arena and kids zone has been
added where kiddies can keep themselves busy with
activities, managed by Marsha Kim D’Souza and
Karen Yadav Tewari. Mime artiste Drupad Gaonkar
will be performing at the festival. In yet another new
addition, Tito’s have put a bar in addition to Cazulo
Premium Feni, Madame Rosa and Vallone Vineyards
and Armada. Music will flow in sync with the
intoxication with Chrysalis (Chrystal Farrell, Clifford
Siqueira, Sancho Menezes, Joe Ferrao, Shayne
Ballantine) performing alongside Sebastian Almeida
and White Flames, and Zezinho Fernandes with
Talking Drums – Carlos Gonsalves and others.
Vasco adds, “For entertainment, we have
introduced the busking concept with street musicians,
magicians, mimes, balloon sculptors and jokers, as a
means to share, appreciate and discover local as well
as travelling talent. Additionally, we will invite street
theatre performers and tiatrists for impromptu acts.
We have also introduced the concept of street cinema
with an array of undemanding and subtle films, from
a little Charlie Chaplin to a smattering of Japanese
animation. We also have bands playing on the main
stage, ranging from amateur rising talent to the best
in the business.”
What’s a street festival without something for the
tummy! To tend to the foodies, there’s a unique food
court with some of the best chefs and restaurants
in Goa creating different types of street and popular
food. From chaat to burgers to crispy fried seafood
and pork ribs and an innovative south Indian menu,
the Summer Street Festival has it all. To name a few,
there will be food stalls by VasQuito’s, Fat Panda,
Antojitos, Gazaali, Janet&Johns, Charliz BBQ and
steak, Athenaz, Cluck Tales, Aka’s Naga kitchen,
Andy’s Khana, Viva Delhi street food and more.
To cater to the sweet tooth, some of the best
desserts – from rich pastries to soft doughnuts and
even local sweets can be savoured at the venue.
And to quench that summer thirst, the beverage of
the season and a close cousin of the heritage drink
Feni – Urrack mixed in a variety of whacky ways along
with the usually preferred drinks will be served at the
festival.
