Of Coffee, Art and Music.

Brought my family for a roti canai breakfast at one of the mamak restaurants downstairs, ordered two glasses of teh tarik to be shared among four of us (???) and head to the boulevard for a few cups of FREE brewed coffees! How did that sound? What’s more, we had a window shopping stroll at one of the most tendy shopping mall in town and ended up spending a wholesome four hours of quality time with my family.

Publika is the shopping mall located within the bigger well-integrated residential and commercial development called Solaris Dutamas with a special promotion on arts as its unique attraction. Last weekend (26^th-28^th September), a family-oriented consumer and trade coffee and art event was held here. Organised by Racing Creatures Sdn Bhd, the coffee and Art Fringe Festival Asia 2014 (CAFFA) covered the Publika areas of the Boulevard, The Square and MapKL, the event truly celebrates the wonderful rise of the specialty coffee scene, music, arts and culture.

The large crowd at the Boulevard

Besides Nescafe as one of the main sponsors, this year’s exhibitors include Coffee Stain by Joseph, Standing Theory, Beans Depot and Coffea Coffee. While coffee holds the spotlight, tea lovers will be sated with tastings and appreciation offered by Sri Lankan tea company Dilmah. Their handpicked, colouring-free tea leaves and flowers range from peppermint and chamomile to oolong and sencha. Also be sure to check out Pop the Soda!’s booth to grab a bottle of their new Honeydew flavour, which they created especially for the festival.

Adding to the festivities at CAFFA was an art bazaar by Tempatan Fest, a photography exhibition by Joshua Paul and Emerging Artist Exhibition by Gallery Titik Merah at Whitebox, a poetry recital by Numinous, and a doodling competition by Doodict Collision.