Hay Street Mall’s empty spaces will light up and come alive at 5pm on Thursday, September 7th with Activate Perth’s inaugural A Moveable Feast offering a unique and free-to-attend gourmet journey for wandering foodies.
Kicking off at 5pm, Hay Street Mall-facing empty spaces within Carillon City will be occupied throughout the evening by pop-up food outlets offering Perth’s finest fare to delight and surprise food enthusiasts, local residents, city office workers and tourists alike. The senses will come alive as chefs, live music, and street performers will unite to create an immersive experience of toothsome flavours paired with the vibrant atmosphere of a bustling marketplace.
The initiative, realised in conjunction with venue partners Fiveight and Carillon City and presented in partnership with the Western Australian Government’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSCI) through the CBD Revitalisation Grant Program, is a Perth first aiming to enable a welcoming community atmosphere with shared seating arrangements, and providing a terrific spread of restaurants, caterers and specialty vendors to showcase Perth’s dynamic gastronomic landscape.
Activate Perth is a not-for-profit dedicated to empowering and enriching Perth’s lively community through inspiring experiences designed to bring people together and celebrate diversity and inclusivity. With a recent injection of funding from DLGSCI and under guidance from new leadership Activate Perth’s vision and expertise have fresh impetus to drive impactful projects that resonate with the city’s needs.
Activate Perth Board Chair Kristi Dempster is excited to see Perth’s empty spaces activated.
“A lot of planning has gone into what we hope will be a beautiful, bustling and creative feast for the eyes – and tummies – when Hay Street Mall lights up after dark for A Moveable Feast.
“We have a diverse guest list of chefs, caterers and specialty vendors who are preparing the most delicious array of gourmet delights Perth has to offer as well as street performers and DJs to add a dash of extra sparkle to the night.”
Culinary excellence is on the menu throughout the event with some of Perth’s most renowned chefs confirmed to take part, including Tom Randolf from Meat & Main, Stephen Watson of Heyder & Shears, and the talented teams behind Lucky Chan’s and Gather Foods. Live funk, soul and house music will add to the atmosphere, provided by Randa K of Randa And The Soul Kingdom alongside local Perth DJs including Charlie Bucket.
WA’s stunning array of premium wines and local beers will also be on offer to tempt festivalgoers with Hay Street Mall transforming into a licensed area courtesy of festival bar veterans Heyder & Shears. Perth’s best acrobats, dancers and street performers will weave throughout the event bringing added vibrancy and fun.
Fiveight CEO, Paige Walker said the partnership with Activate Perth works in tandem with the interim placemaking initiative for the Carillon City space, Spaces Between.
“Partnering with like-minded organisations such as Activate Perth allows us to support our vision to revitalise the Perth CBD, adding social value to the community while the Carillon City space undergoes planning for redevelopment. Following Strange Festival in June this year, A Moveable Feast is now the second activation at Carillon City, and the first as part of our Spaces Between initiative. We are excited to be the host for this inaugural culinary event,” Mrs Walker said.
“Support for events such as A Moveable Feast helps us play a short-term part in our long-term vision to help breathe life back into Perth city. Through the Spaces Between initiative, we will continue to utilise this prized CBD space to engage with the local community and host fresh new experiences where there are opportunities to do so,” Mrs Walker said.
Activate Perth’s A Moveable Feast will take place on Thursday 7th September 2023, from 5pm – 10pm on Hay Street Mall. It is a free event, with children under 18 allowed to attend when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Individual meals and drinks are available to purchase from each of the pop-up stations dotted throughout Hay Street Mall and long tables with shared seating will be available with the intent to promote communal spirit during the feast.
