The Weekender: April 12-14
Elizabeth Yick has your weekend sorted with a silent disco tour around Melbourne, Khmer New Year celebrations, the Step Off Dance Crew Competition or a food journey at ‘Taste of the market’.
Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour
Friday April 12, 9pm-10pm, tour starts from outside the State Library of Victoria
Have you ever seen a group of people dancing likes maniacs and looking like they are having lots of fun… to no music? Well, the reason for this is likely to be Guru Dudu’s Silent Disco Walking Tour around the Melbourne CBD.
The Silent Disco Walking Tour is meant to create joy and open the ‘laughter meridians’ of our body for better spiritual health. The Silent Disco Tour takes participants from the lawns of the State Library to various iconic landmarks around the city, where the participants can dance their heart out and break into some interpretative dancing or even spontaneous flash mobbing at their pleasure.
The tour goes for one hour, and will end in a bar in the CBD. Headphones are provided and there is plenty of laughter and fun to be had. Booking is essential and can be done through the tour website, with prices at $20 for adults and $15 for concession.
Khmer New Year Festival
Friday April 12 – Sunday April 14, Wat Buddherangsi (159 Clarke Rd, Springvale South)
The traditional bathing of Buddha statues on the third day of the Khmer New Year. Photo: samsith via flickr
The Khmer New Year Festival is the Cambodian New Year, and it begins at the end of the harvesting season and traditionally lasts three days. The Khmer New Year is symbolic for the community to celebrate the harvest and the fruits of their labour before the rains begin.
The first day of the New Year is called Maha Songkran, it is a day of celebrating the ending of one year and the beginning of the next; the second day is Virak Wanabat, and it is a day for charity and helping those less fortunate in life; and the final day is known as T’ngai Leang Saka, where traditionally the Buddha statues are bathed to promote longevity, happiness and prosperity for the year.
The festival In Melbourne is held at Wat Buddarangsi and also Wat Khmer, both in Springvale South and within walking distance of one another. There will be celebrations of song and dance performed over three days, traditional games played throughout the festival and even a glimpse of the cultural rituals of the Buddhist Cambodian community.
There will, of course, also be various traditional foods served, an integral part of any Asian New Year celebration. It is a rare occasion to witness such cultural richness right in suburban Melbourne that should not be missed!
Step Off Dance Crew Competition
Saturday April 13, 6pm-late, Dallas Brooks Centre (300 Albert St, East Melbourne)
As part of National Youth Week, Moonee Valley Youth Services have joint forces with the City of Melbourne to once again bring the Step Off Dance Crew Competition to the public.
Step Off is an urban dance competition, where young up-and-coming dancers can showcase their talents and skills. Last year, there were more than 400 competitors, who drew in a crowd of around 1,300 people.
Tickets are on sale now at $35 for adults and $25 for concession, and are available online. Sales at the door will be limited, so book now for a chance to witness some of Melbourne’s best urban dance talent.
A Taste of the Market
Sunday April 14, 9am-4pm, Queen Victoria Market
Spanish Paella. Photo: mettamatt via flickr
Are you missing the delicious street food of the summer Suzuki Night Market? Well, there is no need to despair, as many of these favourite traders from the Suzuki Night Market will be returning for ‘A Taste of the Market’ – an international street food festival running for 10 Sundays at the Queen Victoria Market.
There will be a mouth-watering array of street food from delicious dumplings to steaming paella, not to mention sizzling Sicilian barbeque and a taste of some of the more exotic cuisines. Entry to the festival is free, and there will be live music and performances throughout the day. So head on down this coming Sunday for some delicious food and afternoon entertainment!