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Richmond Yard

The Richmond Yard

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For a limited summer season, The Richmond Yard  have set up shop every Saturday evening transporting you into the post-apocalyptic year of 2023. Alongside six to eight  themed trailers set up filled with artifacts relating to a specific character created by the team, there’ll also Melbourne’s pop-up food, indie craft beverages and DJs.

Described as “An immersive post-apocalyptic bar and grill,” you can reserve your 2 hour slot, to explore the trailers which will be filled with artifacts relating to a specific character created by the team.

Regular trucks on rotation include Easey’s and Burn City Smokers cooking up the food and a vintage Airstream-style trailer selling Quiet Deeds beer, Flying Brick cider and a selection of cocktails to quench your thirst.

When: Sat 4pm-midnight, until February 20, 2016.

Where: 55-67 Cremorne Street, Cremorne

Visit the website here. 

 

 

Get into the Swing of the Australian Open 2016

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Melburnians love their sport. It’s one of the reasons visitors love our city. It’s summer. It’s January. It’s Melbourne’s Grand-Slam tennis event, the Australian Open, and in 2016, it’s bigger than ever.

Sure it’s all about the tennis – the players, the scores, the tournament, the referees, the ball kids and the facilities (organisers claim the title of the world’s biggest Grand Slam footprint for the Australian open at 255, 739 square metres). Tournament attendees can experience new tech offerings from customised tennis emojis to a 360-degree video experience that puts you live on court.

Australian Open 2016 – the event

Who | 44 players – 285 male and 155 female players from 34 countries, including 45 Australian participants.

What | The Australian Open is one of four Grand-Slam tennis events worldwide. It is the frist in each year’s calendar of events. The others are: the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

Where | Melbourne Park – Rod laver, Margaret Court, Hisense Arena and grounds, Olympic Boulevard, Batman Avenue, Melbourne – gates open at 10am daily and close at completion of play.

Why | Each Grand Slam, including the Australian Open, offers players the highest ranking points, prize money, media and public attention. Players participate in one of the five disciplines – men and women’s singles, mens, womens and mixed doubles.

When | Monday 18 January to Sunday 31 January 2016, gates open around 10am daily but actual playing times change each day due to the weather and length of games. Day session ticket holders may watch tennis on the outside courts for the night session but must leave Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas at the end of the day session. All night session ticket holders can enter the precinct from 5pm. Twilight ticket holers can enter the precinct on Friday 29, January from 2pm on Saturday 30 January from 12pm and on Sunday, 31 January from 4pm.

Prize Money | Total prize money for 2016 is up 10% to $AUD 44 million. The men and women’s singles winners will each pocket a cool $AUD 3.8 million – up a staggering 65% since 2012 – and the runners up will receive $AUD 1.9 million.

Weather | A Melbourne neccesity to discuss! The Australian Open’s three arenas enable the tennis to go on rain, hail, wind or shine, except in the case of extreme heat. The referee may suspend play in line with the policy and forecast. Don’t forget the sunscreen.

Don’t miss out on these highlights during the 2 weeks:

Heineken Saturday – January 23rd

Heineken Saturday returns to the Australian Open in 2016 for its historic 20th year. Dress up as a Tennis Legend and help Hot Dub Time Machine tear up the Heineken Live Stage. Get in early to enjoy one of the best days of the year.

Australian Open Festival

Stop by the banks of the iconic Yarra River for the free, family-friendly Australian Open  Festival at Birrarung Marr. Open every day of Australian Open 2016, get a taste of Melbourne’s famous world-class dining and food vendors, as the pathway to the Australian Open serves up the Grand Slam action and excitement right in the heart of Melbourne. There’ll be food stalls from all of Melbourne’s favourites including Mamasita, GAZI,Uncle St Kilda, Gelato Messina, Combi, Organic Avenue Australia juices,Cobb Lane, Huxtaburger, Huxtable and the brand new Estelle Mistress by Scott Pickett Chef; plus drinks and DJs by Canadian Club; and of course live tennis action on the big screen!

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Can’t make it to the Australian Open? These venues will be showing all the action live on their big screens so you don’t miss out:

Common Man’s ‘Common Lawn’:

Situated on the Yarra River, at South Wharf Promenade hthe Common Lawn will feature a massive 15m² outdoors screen broadcasting live this year’s Melbourne tennis Grand Slam. With the Yarra River and City as the big screen’s back drop, this is the perfect place to skip the lines  take in the tennis without the mass crowds. There’ll also be bar with stands plenty of Canadian Club jugs to go around, along side Common Lawn’s pop-up kitchen featuring tennis themed treats – cucumber sandwiches, strawberries and cream, hot ham sandwiches (just to mention a few). Friday – Sunday will really heat up with a spit roast and outdoor BBQ. When legs need to be stretched be sure that plenty of activities will rowdy up the crowd for the next game.

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Federation Square:

Pull up a deck chair and watch the games live on the big screen! Best of all, it won’t cost you a thing! From 11am daily.

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Riverwalk at Crown:

Head down to the mini-stadium set up by Crown and enjoy some gourmet food and drinks from the pop-up stalls. From Friday the 16th, through to Sunday 1st of February you’ll be able to pop the bubbly with some  Moët and Chandon bubbles, or licking some Mövenpick ice-cream, with big stars like Maria Sharapova, Eugenie Bouchard, Kei Nishikori and Li Na popping in to sign autographs.

Cocoon at The Swanston Hotel

Watch all the live action in Cocoon and enjoy a Sweet Australian Open deal including Strawberries & Cream with strawberry meringue and chocolate soil + a glass of chilled Prosecco for $12.

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After some fun fast facts about the Australian Open? We’ve got some for you here.

 

Ghost the Musical

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Remember that pottery wheel scene between Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in Ghost? Did you know that it’s become the most famous love scene in movie history and this February you’ll be able to relive that scene (minus Demi & Patrick), live on stage at GHOST the Musical.

After successful international seasons including London’s West End and Broadway – GHOST The Musical comes to Australia for the very first time. Based on the Oscar®-winning film of the same name, GHOST is the story of Sam and Molly, a young couple whose relationship takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death.
Trapped between this world and the next, Sam refuses to leave Molly when he learns she is in grave danger. Desperate to communicate with her, he turns to a storefront psychic, Oda Mae Brown, who helps him protect Molly and ultimately avenge his death.

The supernatural power of love will explode onto the Melbourne stage from 5 February 2016 headed by ROB MILLS as ‘Sam Wheat’, JEMMA RIX as ‘Molly Jensen’ (Wicked fans will be overjoyed), ALEX RATHGEBER as ‘Carl Bruner’ (direct from his Helpmann Award Winning performance in Anything Goes) and introducing remarkable British theatrical and television actress WENDY MAE BROWN as ‘Oda Mae Brown’ (the role made famous by Whoopi Goldberg).

 

Employing special effects never before seen in an on-stage musical, Ghost The Musical features an incredible array of illusions – Sam, as a ghost, walks through a solid door, inanimate objects take on a life of their own while spirits ascend to the heavens and subway passengers are thrown in the air and people disappear and reappear right before your eyes.

Since premiering in Manchester in 2011, the musical has been enjoyed by over a million people worldwide and nominated for numerous awards including five Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards.

When: February 6

Where: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne

Visit the website here.

 

Victorian Cider & Pork Festival 2016

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Set amongst the vines at the picturesque Rochford Wines,  for the first time ever in Victoria – the Yarra Valley will play host to the inaugural Victorian“2016 Cider and Pork Festival” – to be held over the Australia Day Long Weekend.

Celebrate the humble pig and crushed apple at this two-day festival where there’ll be more than 75 international and Australian ciders will be on showcase -with more than 15 local hero boutique cider producers in attendance, including- St Ronan’s Cider, Napoleone Cider, Punt Road Cider, Batlow Cider Co, Square Keg Cider, Hills Cider, Custard & Co, Daylesford Cider Co, Flying Brick, Sidekick Cider, Young Henrys and many more.

To keep you from going hungry, there’ll also be 15 different food trucks and pop-restaurants showcasing more than  60 different and mouth-watering pork dishes from locally sourced produce and leading Melbourne restaurants. o

If that’s enough to fill your day there will also be Masterclasses held over both days of the festival where you can learn about varying ranges of ciders from all over the world-including France, Australia and the UK, and also learn that pork and fine cider do go together!   With live entertainment, two live music stages, leading cider makers and a range of cooking demos by leading Melbourne chefs- and TV personalities- Jess Pryles, Ben O’Donghue and Robert Murphy from Aussie Barbecue Heroes and the Australasian Barbecue alliance  – this 2 day festival is set to be a truly memorable weekend overlooking the rolling hills of Yarra Valley.

When: 11am – 7pm, 23 -24 January 2016

Where: Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley.

Visit the website here. 

 

So Frenchy So Chic in the Park

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Last Sunday, the We Know Melbourne team escaped Melbourne for So Frenchy So Chic in the Park. Set in the beautiful gardens of Werribee Park, the day was filled with plenty of sunshine, cocktails, French music and plenty of joie de vivre.

The park was filled with plenty of  umbrellas (for the much needed shade on the 31 degree day), food and drinks stalls, a Kerastase braid bar and gorgeous festival goers dressed so very chic. Of course, no French festival would be complete without plenty of parasols, champagne and cheese to purchase and proving most popular for the day the gelato and frozen yoghurt stall. The Lillet stall was by far our favourite and to cool off from the heat we couldn’t help but go back again and again for  the Rouge Obsession: Lillet Rouge, Capi Cranberry and a wedge of lime.

The soundtrack to the festival included Moroccan singer, Hindi Zahra (our favourite), the twins from Brigitte, Lou Doillon (also a favourite) and Soviet Suprem to get the crowd dancing with their Balkan beats at the end of the evening.

All in all the festival was the perfect way to spend a  Sunday in the gorgeous surroundings of the Werribee mansion. Lines were never too long for any stall (nor the toilets), there was plenty of sunshine and shade to keep everyone happy and a certain je ne sais quoi filled the air. Suitable for families (kids under 12 get in free), stylish Francophiles and anyone else who was just looking for a lazy day in the sun with a French soundtrack.

Visit the website here. 

Slipping and Sliding at Slide the City

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What could be more Australian than on a 30 degree plus, sunny Melbourne day than to throw on a pair of bathers and jump on a massive slip and slide through the city.

Armed with post-Christmas tans and various blow up devices ranging from the standard issue tube, giant inflatable thongs, right through to super fashionable flamingos – hordes of people did just that last Sunday. The lines were long and the the food and shade was scarce, but overall, like any good slip and slide concocted in a mates backyard at a barbecue with a tarp, hose and a bottle of Morning Fresh, no one cared about the teething problems, everyone was there to have a great time – and they did.

I kicked a guy in the chest by accident, rammed a small child because I couldn’t steer or stop, and fell on my face multiple times – and I had a blast.

Slide the City hits Sydney next for some more crazy wet fun. For more details see: http://www.slidethecity.com.au/

We Know Melbourne tip: A tip for sliding pros, although they might be super fashionable, we did see a couple of inflatable flamingoes sadly abandoned on the side of the slide – it seems looks aren’t everything when you are looking for the perfect slide experience…

Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Written by Kerstyn Dance

The Australian Open Fast Facts

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Tennis Season is almost upon us! From January 18 -31st the best of the best tennis superstars will rally it out for the Grand Slam title at The Australian Open.

To get you into the swing of it, here are some fun fast facts we bet you didn’t know :

1. Marius Copil sent the fastest serve of the tournament at 242 km/h in 2015.

2. Serena Williams served 88 aces, the highest in the women’s singles draw in 2015.

3. A record 55k sandwiches and baguettes were sold in 2014.

4. Over the duration of the 2015 tournament, there was a record 14.3m unique visitors to ausopen.com

5. 2014 saw record temperatures at the tournament, reaching 43.9°C (110°F). Almost 1,000 fans were treated for heat exhaustion and both Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Corline Wozniacki mentioned that their shoes and water bottles were beginning to melt at times.

For more fast facts plus what makes it one of the most exciting events in the world of sport visit bit.ly/1T9CmLc.

When: 18 – 31 January 2016.

Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.

(Facts by Accor Hotels)

Melbourne Latin Summer Festival

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Celebrate summer with passion at the Melbourne Latin Summer Festival this January 9th.

This annual free event will showcase Latin American art, culture and entertainment including cuisine, art, music, nightlife, family entertainment and activities, as well as crafts, jewellery and fashion stalls.

Dance along to Latin music styles including salsa, reggaeton, cumbia and bachata or stand back and enjoy the  circus-inspired roving performances. In between dancing try all sorts of Latin street foods from Chile, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.

When: 12pm – 9pm,  January 9.

Where: Federation Square

Visit the website here.

Want to find out more about what’s happening in Melbourne? Sign up to the We Know Melbourne mailing list here to stay in the loop.

Sidney Myer Free Concerts

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Summer in the city means free live music in the Sidney Myer Bowl. Join the MSO this February 17, 20 & 27 as they present  Dvořák Under the Stars, Summer Carnival and The Tang of the Tango.

The Sidney Myer Free Concerts are the perfect soundtrack to summer in the city at one of Melbourne’s most iconic outdoor venues. Admission is free and gates open at 4.30pm. The concert will run for 2 hours and includes a 20 minute interval.

Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Visit the website here.

Cats the Musical

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Following its triumphant season in London’s West End, the acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical CATS has arrived in Melbourne for a strictly limited season.

The hit revival, which was reworked for the most recent season in the West End by the original creative team—Director Trevor Nunn, Choreographer & Associate Director Gillian Lynne, Set Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber—received excellent reviews and extended its season due to overwhelming demand.

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is set in a larger than-life junkyard playground and is alive with our favourite feline characters including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks. The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year – the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

For a purring good time, book your tickets now.

When: 18 December – 16 January, 2016.

Where: Regent’s Theatre

Visit the website here.