Dark Mofo 2019: Festival making winter cool again

There are just two days remaining in the seventh edition of the Dark Mofo winter festival – and it has been rated a huge success.

DARK Mofo has redefined winter in Tasmania and festivals nationwide, Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds says.

As the seventh annual winter festival winds to a close, Dark Mofo — which has attracted about 20,000 interstate visitors to Hobart this year — has been hailed a huge success.

Councillor Reynolds said Dark Mofo and its premier event the Winter Feast had reshaped how Tasmanians engage with the community during winter.

“It’s really redefined festivals. Previously Australian festivals have all been about summer and now suddenly, through Dark Mofo, people are recognising winter is an amazing time in Hobart,” she said.

“I think it really puts Hobart on the map in a big way. Every Uber driver and small business owner I’ve spoken with says just how thrilled they are with how many people are in the city and how lively it is.”

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Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief Luke Martin said “you have to walk Hobart’s streets and experience the vibrancy and energy to understand how significant Dark Mofo has become for the city”.

“We’ve cracked the nut of invigorating Hobart over the depths of winter, we still have some work to do in extending this to regional Tasmania,” he said.

The Winter Feast concludes on Sunday night after one of the event’s best years yet, according to organiser Jo Cook.

See below for the top five Winter Feast dishes.

“It’s another step up. All the stallholders just ‘go to town’ in their effort preparing for the feast and there’s a great camaraderie between stakeholders,” she said.

Anna and Harriet Claydon, of South Hobart, at the Winter Feast on Friday night. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

At the Winter Feast on Friday night, punters were rolling in by the masses.

Anna Claydon and her daughter Harriet sat between a firepot and a double bassist as Harriet enjoyed her potato she’d smashed and dressed herself at the Fire & Ice children’s program.

“We try to come as often as we can, it’s a wonderful change for us to get out and about. It’s so cheerful in its own peculiar way,” Anna said.

Helping to set winter alight, Spectra has revealed its blinding light at Mona and the Ogoh-Ogoh is filling with fears ahead of Sunday’s ritual burning following its parade through Salamanca to Macquarie Point from 5pm.

On Saturday morning, 2200 people will take the plunge at Long Beach for the Dark Mofo Nude Solstice Swim. And the Dark Path – from the Domain to the Botanical Gardens – will be trodden for the final time this year on Saturday and Sunday.

TOP FIVE DISHES AT WINTER FEAST

Dark MOFO Winter Feast - Pictured at PW1 during Friday night's Winter Feast is (L-R) Anne Ashbolt of the Ashbolt stall holding a potted goat pie with natural yoghurt, elderberry relish and pastry cross - $15 Picture: MATT THOMPSON

The Ashbolt Potted Goat Pie: With natural yoghurt, elderberry relish and pastry cross, this is perhaps the most wholesome of dishes at the Winter Feast. The goats are tender and flavoursome and it’s like your grandma’s best stew on a cold winter’s night. $15

Dark MOFO Winter Feast - Pictured at PW1 during Friday night's Winter Feast is (L-R) Tim Sculthorpe holding a Cricket Taco ($6 or 3 for $15) from the stall, Palawa kipli. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Palawa kipli cricket Taco: If you have a taste for adventure try one of palawa kipli’s cricket tacos. If you close your eyes it’s just a delicious taco with a bit of crunch. $6 or 3 for $15

Dark MOFO Winter Feast - Pictured at PW1 during Friday night's Winter Feast is (L-R) Sappho Brothers holding a Roast Vegetable Plenty Plate with dolma, salad, saukraut, pickles, tahini, citrus tahini - $15 Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Orlando Plenty Roast Veg Plenty Plate with dolma, salad, saukraut, pickles and citrus tahini. If not sourced locally, it’s made locally. The fermented plate of goodness is a vegan option to tickle all your tastebuds.

Dark MOFO Winter Feast - Pictured at PW1 during Friday night's Winter Feast is (L-R) Apprentice Chef, Sam Phillips from Heavy Metal Kitchen is holding a Lamb Wrap - fire roasted sumac onions, hummus, za'atar $18 small, $26 large. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Heavy Metal Kitchen lamb wrap with asado roast lamb, fire-roasted sumac onions, hummus, za’atar spice, flatbread and parsley, this slow cooked roast lamb on the firewall has all the Middle Eastern flavours and tender textures to fill you up. $18 small, $26 large

Dark MOFO Winter Feast - Pictured at PW1 during Friday night's Winter Feast is (L-R) Jo Adams of Yeastie Beastie sourdough doughnuts with a Dark MOFO Special - vanilla custard with blackcurrant curd - $8. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Yeastie Beastie Dark Mofo Special: A sourdough doughnut with vanilla custard with blackcurrant curd. Be warned, it’s a beast. With the sourdough depth and custard and curd creaminess, the Dark Mofo Special is a must do to end the night. $8

DON’T MISS

Dark Path: Regatta Grounds, Queens Domain and Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens.
5-10pm until Sunday.

Winter Feast: Princes Wharf 1, $20 between 4-8pm Saturday, then free until 11pm. Free entry 4-10pm Sunday.

Spectra: Light installation at Mona, sunset to sunrise until Sunday.

Night Mass: Corner of Murray and Liverpool streets from 10pm. Tickets are sold out but door sales from 9.30pm, $95 subject to capacity.