The Weekender: August 17 – 19
Escape to a country market, see how your favourite video games are made or catch a glimpse of the future Miss China-Australia. Luke Henriques-Gomes has the details.
Photo: Manifest
Manifest
August 17 to 19 – Melbourne Showgrounds
How does a weekend jam packed full of Japanese pop culture sound to you? We’re talking video games, anime, manga, cosplay, the works. Well that’s what you’re in for at Manifest, as well as a heap of screenings, competitions and workshops. If that sounds enticing, you can snap up tickets from the Manifest website, or simply buy them on the day.
Photo: Somers Winter Market
Somers Winter Market
August 18 – Coolart Wetlands and Homestead, Somers
If you need some time away from the hustle and bustle, take a drive to the picturesque seaside town of Somers this weekend. About an hour and a half out of Melbourne, this boutique handmade market is a favourite among locals and Melburnians. This year, the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead will provide the perfect backdrop as you peruse the market stalls and feast on a variety of winter foods. And all proceeds go to Somers Pre-School! More information, including directions to Somers, is available from the website.
Photo: Glamorazzi
2012 Miss China-Australia International Tourism Pageant
August 18 – Federation Square
This Saturday, Federation Square will be all glammed up for the 2012 Miss China-Australia Melbourne auditions. Beginning at 1:30pm, contestants from all over Victoria will be judged according to appearance, intelligence, smile, performance and body action (whatever that is). The 20 successful semi-finalists will represent Australia and depart for China for the grand final. The Glamorazzi website has more.
Photo: Game Masters and ACMI
Games: A Family Affair
August 19 – Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI)
A while back, The Weekender told you about Game Masters, a video game exhibition at ACMI. While Game Masters itself isn’t free, there are some workshops and activities that are. Games: A Family Affair is one of them. If you get down to ACMI on Sunday, you’ll explore the mechanics of games like Angry Birds, Pokemon and Sonic. Or if you’re feeling creative, you can make and take home your very own Game Masters trading cards and cardboard game characters. There will also be series of short talks about the issues facing the gaming world. Suss them out at the ACMI website.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMT6s_e6NKQ&feature=plcp[/youtube]
Bluejuice, Deep Sea Arcade at The Eagle Bar
August 17 – Latrobe University, Bundoora
Triple J favourites Bluejuice are halfway through a run of shows at uni venues across the country. Friday night they’ll play The Eagle Bar at Latrobe with fellow Sydneysiders, Deep Sea Arcade. Bluejuice are one of the country’s foremost rock bands, while Deep Sea Arcade’s impressive and confident debut Outlands, melds 90’s baggy and 60’s pop. It’s not often you get to see two amazing local acts, in a small venue, for under $30. If you’re keen, Oztix can get you there.