What’s on: Food festival, live music - it’s all happening in Darwin in May

If you’re looking for food and fun, there are a couple of cultural festivals to check out this weekend in Darwin, writes Kate Dinning.

Gracie's toasties in Darwin. Picture: Kate Dinning

WHAT’S ON THIS WEEKEND

If you’re looking for food and fun, there are a couple of cultural festivals to check out today; the ‘Joy of many colours’ Multicultural Food Expo at Netball NT Marrara from 4pm, and the Latin American Festival in Civic Park, featuring live music, food, art – and of course – dancing.

If you’re looking for a long weekend vibe – check out The Negronyz Jazz Band live from 6pm tonight at The Trader Bar, and celebrate an early Cinco de Mayo with a Latin fiesta band – live at Flora’s Temper on Sunday from 3pm.

As you know, I am a big advocate for shopping local, so I am excited to see over 90 stalls from local artisans and makers at the Tactile Arts Makers Market, from 9am–3pm on Sunday at the Darwin Waterfront – just in time for you to get a Mother’s Day gift, some new art for your home, or some new accessories for your Dry Season wardrobe.

Boats returning to Fannie Bay. Picture: Kate Dinning

SOMEWHERE YOU NEED TO EAT

Obviously as it was May 1 this week, we’re all talking about the change of season.

For me, the Dry season means more food vans – and last week I got to taste test a brand new toastie and coffee van that I hear will be setting up for weekends at Windsurfers Corner later this month.

Gracie’s serves the classics: ‘the reuben’, the aptly named ‘classic duo’ (I’ll let you figure that one out) and even some fun combos like the ‘campfire beans’ and the ‘festive feast’.

I tried the reuben and the festive feast, and they were both worthy of a shutout.

Gracie’s will be serving DTown coffee with the toasties - keep an eye out for the cute green van on the Nightcliff foreshore on Saturday mornings, kicking off from the end of the month.

LOCALS TIP

Although we aren’t seeing the ‘not a cloud in the sky’ Dry season outlook yet – some of the key markers are there.

I often think about what marks the ‘start of the dry’ for me – and I think my favourite one is the collective smiles you get on the Nightcliff Foreshore / East Point walk on the first morning that everyone can really *feel it*.

There are also some of the obvious ones, like the yachts returning to Fannie Bay, or the first night you sleep without airconditioning – and even the appearance of swimmers at Nightcliff Beach again.

I definitely know it’s almost Dry season when my coffee order switches back to hot, and I start to spot people in jeans at the Parap markets.

The biggest indicator? I just checked my calendar … I barely have a free weekend until September.