We love a good block party, especially one that rightly involves our local talents and treasures. The next one to catch will run along Chinatown Food Street, in a two-day event celebrating all things local. From Nov 4-5, market extraordinaire The Local People will host the Local Lingo Tingkat Party, and bring an indie art and music market to the popular heritage street.
Naturally, a big highlight at the event is the food. But it isn’t just the usual artisanal F&B vendors; these same pop-up vendors will sell alongside the permanent veteran hawkers of Chinatown Food Street—thereby juxtaposing old and new in a single street. It’s a nice change to see an effort to have both co-exist peacefully (and not have heritage make way completely for trends).
To further embrace customs from way back when, tingkats, or tiffin carriers, will be sold at $12 a set with your choice of up to three dishes from the 16 available by the veteran hawkers. That means you can pick favorites from stalls like Boon Tat Street BBQ Seafood and Newton Circus Ahmad Ibrahim Satay and have them lovingly packed into your very own tingkat, like how your grandmother would back in the day.
As for the art market, expect the usual bevy of craft-makers and local entrepreneurs, selling everything from books to stickers and customized accessories. Craft workshops from Fashion Makerspace let you create bazhang (pandan leaf dumpling) bags, “Good Morning” towel drawstring bags and five stones kits, should you get bored. Local music acts like Nisha & Syaf and Desiree Orient Tay & Tim De Cotta will provide the days’ tunes.
Local Lingo Tingkat Party happens Nov 4-5, 1-11pm, at Chinatown Food Street, Smith Street.
