A event held at The Trinity Centre on Sunday 24th September. The event starts at 12:00.
Made on the Moon proudly presents the return of our East & South East Asian (ESEA) arts & culture festival in Bristol, MOON FEST (@moonfestofficial).
What's on the MOON?
Expect a fun and festive blend of live music performances, short film screenings & art, craft and food stalls all by the ESEA communities! We are over the moon to bring more ESEA representation, celebrate ESEA Heritage Month as well as the traditional festivals that inspired MOON FEST like Mid-Autumn Festival, Chuseok, Tsukimi, Tết Trung Thu and Uposatha of Ashvini.
We hope to see you on the MOON!
Who are the organisers?
Made on the Moon (@made.on.the.moon) - A creative collective founded by multi-disciplinary artist Monica Wat, fostering creativity in the East & South East Asian communities through events, art projects and more. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to find out more!
Who will be there?
We have already confirmed a line up of talented artists and brilliant short films, but this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more updates on participating creatives and community members.
Live Performances/DJ Set:
Latifa (@latifamusic) - She is a dance pop singer songwriter from Birmingham. Latifa has Algerian and Singaporean roots, making her a truly multicultural artist at heart. She brings her unique heritage to her music with Asian melodies, Arabic beats and high energy dance tunes. Latifa has amassed over 58,000 followers on TikTok after her singing videos went viral on the platform. She has since been featured on BBC music introducing and her tracks have been aired on national radio.
Rj Belo (@rjbelo_) - A London-based artist with Filipino heritage, Rj creates rnb/soul inspired by artists like Frank Ocean, Aaliyah & Sampha. With over a million and a half streams from production works released in global territories, Rj will be releasing more material showcasing his own songwriting and vocals. Previous radio plays from Reprezent radio & multiple song entries in New Music Friday PH proves accessibility in his style, fused with palpable authenticity and narrative driven music that are set to develop a journey over the releases of the coming seasons.
The Mollusc Dimension (@themolluscdimension) - As a British-born Chinese transqueerian performer, songwriter and artist, The Mollusc Dimension transforms life's challenges and disappointments into mini-magical adventures. He loves bringing my absurd humour to people, inviting them to interact and sing-along!
TIRTA ꦠꦶꦂꦠ (@hannahsuharto) - TIRTA celebrates her South East Asian heritage through an eclectic mix of dance music. Ranging from ambient house, breakbeat and jungle. Her confident sound is a rhythmic whirlwind, always with the intentions of sharing eastern sounds that open the audience to another world.
Kamī (@okami_zone) is a singer-songwriter, producer, DJ, radio presenter and community facilitator from south London. An experimental and immersive artist, her psychedelic and ambient soundscapes tap into the esoteric nature of ancient Japanese mysticism whilst exploring themes of ancestral connection, the complexity of grief and eco-feminism. Kamī will be performing tracks off her upcoming EP at this year's Moon Fest.
Arts & Craft Stalls:
Little Egg Crafts - In their own words: Little Egg Crafts is co-founded and co-owned by 2 best friends - that’s us in our logo! The two of us run our small handmade shop and craft Instagram in our spare time alongside our day jobs. Little Egg Crafts started as a passion project for us and has now evolved into a way to connect with the creative and ESEA communities. At Little Egg Crafts we design and create amigurumi inspired by our shared Hongkonger culture, our heritages and by the things we love. Amigurumi (編みぐるみ in kanji) directly translates to 'crocheted or knitted stuffed toy'. This is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed plushies using yarn. The word is a blend of the words: 'ami (編)' = crocheted or knitted, 'nuigurumi (ぬいぐるみ)' = a small, stuffed doll.
Quartzdreamer - Bea creates nature inspired work.
Ashni Wilson - Using mixed media her artwork explores complex messages in everyday life that can be difficult to express, but are can be told visually. Recently Ashni has been delving into 3D form, turning these ideas into tangible and unique clay pieces and pins.
Jade Harding - Both her print practice and ceramic making are heavily influenced by geometry and patterns taken from nature. Jade likes to use block colours and bold lines to create fun illustrations and intricate ceramic patterns!
Phanida Fung (Doc Doodle) - Phanida works as a clinician in the NHS during the day but in my spare time I'm obsessed with arts and crafts. If I'm not doodling away I can be found knitting, cross-stitching or more recently crocheting. My art style can tend to vary but there'll always be a black fineline somewhere! I'm inspired by travel, literature, pop culture, nature, medicine and my East and South-East Asian heritage.
Rosi Tooth - Rosi’s work draws on her own experiences of being a woman in society, body shaming, her culture and mental health through light hearted illustrations and ceramics.
Film Screenings:
Mixed Feelings - Mixed Feelings is a short documentary film exploring mixed identity, through the filmmaker's own Mixed East Asian heritage, as well as the experiences of others in the UK.
Golden - Trapped in the isolation of a mosquito net, Lucinda discovers a younger version of herself - Yian Yian - alone and frustrated with the confusion of youth. Yian Yian and Lucinda come to accept themselves through each other, and that the world they inhabit isn't a singular, confined experience, but one they can build for themselves. A stylised, meditative film exploring diasporic identity in the absence of a role-model.
This Perfect Day - Jules walks into a music store. This could be the day that changes their life.
Prom Night - An experimental exploration of ‘’minor feelings.’
KAPATID (Bound) - KAPATID (English title: BOUND) is an experimental movement film that explores the dynamic between two siblings as the punishing gaze of the Parent puts a strain on their relationship.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT/ЯКЩО ВЫ БАЧИТЕ ЩО ЩОСЬ НЕ ТАК/凹凸 - Two girls from two different worlds - they meet in the underground and try to heal their wounds, both physically and mentally, via their fantasies towards one another.
Music for the End of the World - The apocalypse doesn't seem all that bad to teenage Freddie Chan. It means no more corrupt politicians, no more climate change, no more homework! He's free to boogie away his troubles atop a gorgeous sunny hill all day. But eventually real life finds a way to catch up...
Food Stalls:
One Home Chef - A home chef based in UK with unlimited imagination. Specialising in home-made Hong Kong street food available in various Asian supermarkets.
Miyabiya - 'I grew up in Japan and when I first moved here I was very disappointed that I couldn't find any authentic Japanese food at all. I want to share the food of my hometown with the people of Bristol! My specialty is Japanese food. There are many delicious Japanese dishes that aren't found in restaurants and are mostly unknown outside of Japan.'
5 Foot Way - 5 Foot Way is a family run catering company based in Wiltshire. They cook for weddings and other private events, supperclubs and corporate parties . They specialise in Malaysian food and due to the influence of the different ethnic and cultural identities there, they also cook other South East Asian, Chinese and Indian dishes. Michelle was born in Malaysia of Chinese heritage and has lived in the UK for the last 40 years. Her husband, Steve, is English, loves Asian food and is king of the satay grill and crispy belly pork.
What is ESEA?
East & South East Asians (ESEA) is a diverse community, and we respect the differences between our regional culture and are here to foster better understanding of different forms of experience and discriminations that have been faced. Whilst creating space for ourselves we also stand alongside other POC communities in solidarity.
There is a nuance to the British Asian experience; in the UK, the word ‘Asian’ has traditionally stood for South Asian, while the opposite is true of the Asian American identity, where there is much more visibility of ESEA people. In the last couple of years, the acronym, which stands for East & Southeast Asian, has gained popularity in the UK, galvanized by the Stop Asian Hate and Black Lives Matter movements, through the organising of community groups. (ESEA Music, 2022)
Where will the proceeds go?
All ticket sales from MOON FEST will first go back to covering necessary venue-related costs, supporting ESEA creatives, communities and funding for future MOON FEST and ESEA-specific events. We are a not-for-profit collective with a small budget, so your support would be vital to the running of the event! We very much welcome donations and sponsorships from like-minded partners. :)
Notes from the MOON
Please note, there will be photography and videography at the event. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please speak to us at [email protected] or the registration desk.
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
If you cannot make the event, but want to donate to support us and ESEA communities, you can do so by purchasing a donation ticket!
If you are a friend of East and South East Asian (ESEA) heritage, and you would like to attend but your financial circumstances do not allow that, please email us at [email protected].
MOON FEST 2023 is produced by Made on the Moon and co-organised by the Moon Team consisting of volunteers who signed up via an open call.
Refund policy:
We are open to refunding costs of tickets if a request is made more than 24 hours before the event takes place.
Entry requirements:
What's on the MOON?
Expect a fun and festive blend of live music performances, short film screenings & art, craft and food stalls all by the ESEA communities! We are over the moon to bring more ESEA representation, celebrate ESEA Heritage Month as well as the traditional festivals that inspired MOON FEST like Mid-Autumn Festival, Chuseok, Tsukimi, Tết Trung Thu and Uposatha of Ashvini.
We hope to see you on the MOON!
Who are the organisers?
Made on the Moon (@made.on.the.moon) - A creative collective founded by multi-disciplinary artist Monica Wat, fostering creativity in the East & South East Asian communities through events, art projects and more. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to find out more!
Who will be there?
We have already confirmed a line up of talented artists and brilliant short films, but this is just the beginning! Stay tuned for more updates on participating creatives and community members.
Live Performances/DJ Set:
Latifa (@latifamusic) - She is a dance pop singer songwriter from Birmingham. Latifa has Algerian and Singaporean roots, making her a truly multicultural artist at heart. She brings her unique heritage to her music with Asian melodies, Arabic beats and high energy dance tunes. Latifa has amassed over 58,000 followers on TikTok after her singing videos went viral on the platform. She has since been featured on BBC music introducing and her tracks have been aired on national radio.
Rj Belo (@rjbelo_) - A London-based artist with Filipino heritage, Rj creates rnb/soul inspired by artists like Frank Ocean, Aaliyah & Sampha. With over a million and a half streams from production works released in global territories, Rj will be releasing more material showcasing his own songwriting and vocals. Previous radio plays from Reprezent radio & multiple song entries in New Music Friday PH proves accessibility in his style, fused with palpable authenticity and narrative driven music that are set to develop a journey over the releases of the coming seasons.
The Mollusc Dimension (@themolluscdimension) - As a British-born Chinese transqueerian performer, songwriter and artist, The Mollusc Dimension transforms life's challenges and disappointments into mini-magical adventures. He loves bringing my absurd humour to people, inviting them to interact and sing-along!
TIRTA ꦠꦶꦂꦠ (@hannahsuharto) - TIRTA celebrates her South East Asian heritage through an eclectic mix of dance music. Ranging from ambient house, breakbeat and jungle. Her confident sound is a rhythmic whirlwind, always with the intentions of sharing eastern sounds that open the audience to another world.
Kamī (@okami_zone) is a singer-songwriter, producer, DJ, radio presenter and community facilitator from south London. An experimental and immersive artist, her psychedelic and ambient soundscapes tap into the esoteric nature of ancient Japanese mysticism whilst exploring themes of ancestral connection, the complexity of grief and eco-feminism. Kamī will be performing tracks off her upcoming EP at this year's Moon Fest.
Arts & Craft Stalls:
Little Egg Crafts - In their own words: Little Egg Crafts is co-founded and co-owned by 2 best friends - that’s us in our logo! The two of us run our small handmade shop and craft Instagram in our spare time alongside our day jobs. Little Egg Crafts started as a passion project for us and has now evolved into a way to connect with the creative and ESEA communities. At Little Egg Crafts we design and create amigurumi inspired by our shared Hongkonger culture, our heritages and by the things we love. Amigurumi (編みぐるみ in kanji) directly translates to 'crocheted or knitted stuffed toy'. This is the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small, stuffed plushies using yarn. The word is a blend of the words: 'ami (編)' = crocheted or knitted, 'nuigurumi (ぬいぐるみ)' = a small, stuffed doll.
Quartzdreamer - Bea creates nature inspired work.
Ashni Wilson - Using mixed media her artwork explores complex messages in everyday life that can be difficult to express, but are can be told visually. Recently Ashni has been delving into 3D form, turning these ideas into tangible and unique clay pieces and pins.
Jade Harding - Both her print practice and ceramic making are heavily influenced by geometry and patterns taken from nature. Jade likes to use block colours and bold lines to create fun illustrations and intricate ceramic patterns!
Phanida Fung (Doc Doodle) - Phanida works as a clinician in the NHS during the day but in my spare time I'm obsessed with arts and crafts. If I'm not doodling away I can be found knitting, cross-stitching or more recently crocheting. My art style can tend to vary but there'll always be a black fineline somewhere! I'm inspired by travel, literature, pop culture, nature, medicine and my East and South-East Asian heritage.
Rosi Tooth - Rosi’s work draws on her own experiences of being a woman in society, body shaming, her culture and mental health through light hearted illustrations and ceramics.
Film Screenings:
Mixed Feelings - Mixed Feelings is a short documentary film exploring mixed identity, through the filmmaker's own Mixed East Asian heritage, as well as the experiences of others in the UK.
Golden - Trapped in the isolation of a mosquito net, Lucinda discovers a younger version of herself - Yian Yian - alone and frustrated with the confusion of youth. Yian Yian and Lucinda come to accept themselves through each other, and that the world they inhabit isn't a singular, confined experience, but one they can build for themselves. A stylised, meditative film exploring diasporic identity in the absence of a role-model.
This Perfect Day - Jules walks into a music store. This could be the day that changes their life.
Prom Night - An experimental exploration of ‘’minor feelings.’
KAPATID (Bound) - KAPATID (English title: BOUND) is an experimental movement film that explores the dynamic between two siblings as the punishing gaze of the Parent puts a strain on their relationship.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT/ЯКЩО ВЫ БАЧИТЕ ЩО ЩОСЬ НЕ ТАК/凹凸 - Two girls from two different worlds - they meet in the underground and try to heal their wounds, both physically and mentally, via their fantasies towards one another.
Music for the End of the World - The apocalypse doesn't seem all that bad to teenage Freddie Chan. It means no more corrupt politicians, no more climate change, no more homework! He's free to boogie away his troubles atop a gorgeous sunny hill all day. But eventually real life finds a way to catch up...
Food Stalls:
One Home Chef - A home chef based in UK with unlimited imagination. Specialising in home-made Hong Kong street food available in various Asian supermarkets.
Miyabiya - 'I grew up in Japan and when I first moved here I was very disappointed that I couldn't find any authentic Japanese food at all. I want to share the food of my hometown with the people of Bristol! My specialty is Japanese food. There are many delicious Japanese dishes that aren't found in restaurants and are mostly unknown outside of Japan.'
5 Foot Way - 5 Foot Way is a family run catering company based in Wiltshire. They cook for weddings and other private events, supperclubs and corporate parties . They specialise in Malaysian food and due to the influence of the different ethnic and cultural identities there, they also cook other South East Asian, Chinese and Indian dishes. Michelle was born in Malaysia of Chinese heritage and has lived in the UK for the last 40 years. Her husband, Steve, is English, loves Asian food and is king of the satay grill and crispy belly pork.
What is ESEA?
East & South East Asians (ESEA) is a diverse community, and we respect the differences between our regional culture and are here to foster better understanding of different forms of experience and discriminations that have been faced. Whilst creating space for ourselves we also stand alongside other POC communities in solidarity.
There is a nuance to the British Asian experience; in the UK, the word ‘Asian’ has traditionally stood for South Asian, while the opposite is true of the Asian American identity, where there is much more visibility of ESEA people. In the last couple of years, the acronym, which stands for East & Southeast Asian, has gained popularity in the UK, galvanized by the Stop Asian Hate and Black Lives Matter movements, through the organising of community groups. (ESEA Music, 2022)
Where will the proceeds go?
All ticket sales from MOON FEST will first go back to covering necessary venue-related costs, supporting ESEA creatives, communities and funding for future MOON FEST and ESEA-specific events. We are a not-for-profit collective with a small budget, so your support would be vital to the running of the event! We very much welcome donations and sponsorships from like-minded partners. :)
Notes from the MOON
Please note, there will be photography and videography at the event. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please speak to us at [email protected] or the registration desk.
The venue is wheelchair accessible.
If you cannot make the event, but want to donate to support us and ESEA communities, you can do so by purchasing a donation ticket!
If you are a friend of East and South East Asian (ESEA) heritage, and you would like to attend but your financial circumstances do not allow that, please email us at [email protected].
MOON FEST 2023 is produced by Made on the Moon and co-organised by the Moon Team consisting of volunteers who signed up via an open call.
Refund policy:
We are open to refunding costs of tickets if a request is made more than 24 hours before the event takes place.
Entry requirements:
Tickets for similar Bristol events.
