It’s funny to think that just 7 weeks ago, the door closed on Alpine Winter Village… what did Adelaide do during those 7 weeks. There were, perhaps, five or six sunny days to go outdoors? And there was a few wine events, but nothing major to speak of in the city.
Thank goodness for OzAsia and their partnership with The Social Creative in creating the Good Fortune Markets in Elder Park. Without the AFL, options to get outside and enjoy a spectacle had started to seem limited.
And what a spectacle. This installation-come-market-and-food-court, with all great respect to the immense turn around achieved to create Alpine Winter Village, feels more full realised with more on offer to satisfy the curious, as well as those who simple enjoy entertainment.
Maintaining the intensity of an Asian Street Market, reimagined in a park with a oblong sort of shape, was always going to be a challenge but rather than condense the space to focus upon that aspect of the atmosphere, Good Fortune chooses to spread itself out and offer a series of ‘destinations’ surrounding a central focus of the OzAsia main outdoor stage and the secondary focal points of the Rotunda which offset the main stage entertainment, and a miniature boardwalk offering views to all corners of the park.
The main bar tent is it’s own destination, as is the Yalumba Deck. There are ping pong tables centrally located, but behind that are the sweetest people you’ll ever meet in the Indonesian Tourism tent who on the opening night were proudly watching a Balinese band on stage and handing out free samples of fried tempeh, pineapple cake and coffee. It was truly welcoming.
The main stage and roving programming add a great unifying aspect to the whole space. When the main stage wasn’t hosting a performance the Rotunda took over to maintain the atmosphere while roving processions and individuals wearing lit up suits and clothing added charming additions around the space.
We did the hilarious faux elephant tour experience making complete fun of Thailand’s penchant for tours. There is also a karaoke bar in a shipping container which screams Saturday night and the Ukiyo tent looks ominous and will offer a great additional performance space when OzAsia’s programming takes over. The colourful light feature creatures, wonderful and whimsical and paired with the lanterns which overhang the space make it truly magical in the evening and no doubt there will be a long roll of Instagram check-ins illustrating this point.
But the food is truly where it’s at for Good Fortune. This is a premium collection of traders and while street food it may be, but street food quality it is not. It’s a cut above. We had a tasting of Chinese delights at Bing’s Chinese Restaurant, consisting of flavoursome hokkien noodles topped with chicken, bok choy, onions, carrots and spring onions. The dumplings were out of this world, probably because we loaded them up with copious amount of soy sauce and chilli oil (steamed though, because we’re health conscious). There is plenty of seating, plenty of space, always a clear view to the main stage and, wonderfully, the markets are also always open. They’re a small but dedicated bunch of local traders and we’re sure there will be plenty of browsing done.
There is just so much to potentially do, as well as family friendly programming and spaces so by no means is this simply a space for the evening.
Visit the Good Fortune Market in Elder Park from 5pm-late on Monday through Friday and from 12pm-late on the weekend. Entry and main stage entertainment is FREE.
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