The Weekender: June 3 – 5

WINTER has arrived and with it, a bevy of events to attend before exams strike! Visit the The Light in Winter at Fed Square, see a documentary about the Nepal earthquakes at RMIT or get your green thumb going this weekend. Samantha Chew has your weekend highlights.

The Light in Winter 
Friday, June 1 – Sunday, July 17 | Federation Square (Corner Swanston St & Flinders St)

The Helix Tree display at Federation Square. | Image by : Chris Phutully via Flickr

Witness the magic of winter with illumination exhibitions and shows starting this Friday. In celebration of the tenth birthday of The Light in Winter, director and arts luminary Robyn Archer AO has lined up special events, performances, exhibitions and even culinary delights.

The Light in Winter’s Indigenous Campfire will also be lit, welcoming delegates to the International Society of Performing Arts (ISPA) congress. The campfire program also includes workshops and performances that the public can take part in.

Take a stroll in the cold winter weather around the illuminations after dinner to enjoy beautiful visual works, music and performances. This event, for the most part, is free except for certain sections and activities.

To view the full festival schedule, or to learn more about the event, visit The Light in Winter’s official website.

The Other Place
Friday, June 3 | State Library of Victoria (328 Swanston St)

Christopher Bryant, playwright. | Image supplied by: Suzie Gasper

Art aficionados should not miss out on a chance to catch a reading of an original play by Christopher Bryant. Held at the State Library of Victoria, this play is based off the lives of two women who have had a direct influence on the theatre industry: Australia’s Betty Burstall and Britain’s Buzz Goodbody.

Christopher Bryant is a critically acclaimed playwright who has worked with various companies such as Malthouse Theatre, MKA, ATYP, Apocalypse Theatre, La Mama, ACPA and Monash University. His previous works have attracted success, successes which include being shortlisted for the Belvoir’s Philip Parsons Playwriting Fellowship in 2014 and the Arch and Bruce Brown Foundation’s Playwriting Competition in 2015.

As a part of the Inaugural Russel Beedles Performing Arts Fellowship, this play explores the correlation between the lives that these two women led and the theatres that they produced, paths they forged and their significance in the performing arts field.

Lose yourself in art and witness how performing arts and individual lives intertwine with each other. The play will explore themes and texts of feminism, philosophy and theatrical style.

This is a free event that requires bookings. Head over to the website to make a booking. The event starts at 7.00pm and ends at 8.30pm.

For additional information on the play, head over to The Other Place’s event page at State Library of Victoria’s official website.

Earth-Q the Documentary
Saturday, June 4 | Kaleide Theatre, RMIT University (360 Swanston St)

Earth-Q Documentary | Image Provided by : Mark Pinoli

Earth-Q is a documentary that aims to take you through the beautiful Himalayan region of Nepal and the subsequent effects of several earthquakes that struck in 2015.

The earthquakes left 9,000 people dead and millions homeless. Schools, buildings and towns were ruined leaving the people at risk and children without education. Logged On Foundation, a charity based in Melbourne whose founder was able to capture relief efforts on film, wasted no time and touched ground in Nepal only a month after the disasters occurred.

The film documents the rebuilding and charity efforts that were carried out at the time and, additionally, how the introduction of Nepal’s first Constitution put all of it on hold due to economic turmoil. Watch as a community of people fight to restore their homes and infrastructure that they need to survive.

Held at the Kaleide Theatre at RMIT University, tickets cost $30 or $25 concession. Doors open at 6.00pm and a light meal with refreshments will be will be served before the screening at 8.10pm. A smart casual attire is also expected.

For more information about the screening, visit the event page at Logged On Foundation’s official website.

Pop Up Patch Open Day
Sunday, June 5 (1.00pm – 4.00pm) | Federation Square

Pop Up Patch | Image Provided by: The Little Veggie Patch Co.

Tired of the concrete jungle? Learn about and enjoy the great bounties of food in a community at the Pop Up Patch, The Little Veggie Co’s city backyard where an unused car park has been turned into a community vegetable patch.

The Pop Up Patch will be hosting an open day for visitors to check out its vegetable patch of more than 140 crates, crates that have been installed and rented by various members of the community from restaurant owners to residents.

Spark conversation and learn from others among the community on how you can help build up this little oasis away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Bring some friends along and who knows — you could end up discovering a green thumb!

This event is free and does not require any bookings. The open day starts at 1.00pm and ends at 4.00pm. Bring along the family for a fun day out!

To learn more about the event, visit the event page over at The Little Veggie Co’s website.