The Weekender: January 18-20
LEARN the art of Qigong, eat your fill at the Chinese hawker food market, stare up at giant LEGO constructions or get involved in the tennis craze at the Australian Open. Elizabeth Yick fills you in.
Health Qigong
Every Friday until March 31, 8-9am, Federation Square (at the main square, moved to the Atrium if weather is poor)
Start off the weekend this Friday morning with an invigorating hour of Qigong class! Qigong is a traditional exercise developed and practiced by the Chinese to channel the flow of Qi (energy) along channels of the body. It is renowned for its mental cultivation properties as well as various other health benefits. The Qigong class at Federation Square is led by expert instructors from Tai Chi Australia, and incorporates a series of physical movements with regulated breathing. This is a free event with no bookings necessary, for more information contact info@fedsquare.com or call (03) 9655 1900.
Chinatown Market Day
Every third Friday of the month December 20, 4-10pm, Heffernan Lane in Chinatown (off Little Bourke Street between Russell and Swanston Streets)
For those who cannot travel overseas to sample some delicious hawker grub, there is now a mini Asian street market every month in Melbourne’s Chinatown. On the third Friday of the month (that is this Friday for January), Heffernan Lane in Chinatown will be transformed and filled with hawker-style stalls dishing up all sorts of deliciousness in the form of dumplings, noodles, buns, and cakes. There will also be stalls selling craft, souvenirs, jewellery, and other trinkets. There is no entry fee, so stay until the sun goes down to experience a true Asian night-market right in Melbourne. For more information click here or email cpamel@bigpond.net.au.
Brickvention 2013
Saturday January 19 and Sunday January 20, 9.30am-5.30pm, Royal Exhibition Centre (Building 9, Nicholson Street, Melbourne)
This is an exhibition for that geeky LEGO-stacking child within all of us. Brickvention is an annual Australian convention for fans of all things LEGO. This two-day exhibition showcases a range of original and unusual creations assembled by Australian LEGO modellers and collectors. Exhibit includes trains, ships, planes, buildings, castles, Star Wars figures and space ships… and much, much, more. There will also be face painting and competitions, as well as LEGO sets and merchandise for sale. Tickets must be purchased prior to entry, are are available for purchase online on here. Tickets are priced at $12 for adults, for more information visit the official Brickvention site.
Jacob’s Creek Super Sunday at the Australian Open
Sunday January 20, Melbourne Park
The Australian Open, being one of the four major grand slam titles on the tennis world tour, has always been one of the most anticipated and exciting sporting events in Australia. This year is no exception, especially with Aussie Sam Stosur competiting as a top-10 seeded player in the women’s singles. This weekend, Jacob’s Creek is proudly sponsoring the event with a Super Sunday, where visitors to Melbourne Park will have the opportunity to meet My Kitchen Rules judge Pete Evans and listen to Australian rocker Jon Stevens perform at the Grand Slam Oval stage. Furthermore, there will be a Jacob’s Creek Wine Bar serving up chilled glasses of their Cool Harvest wines, whilst the Jacob’s Creek Open Dining dishes up some good food. Tickets to the Australian Open and Jacob’s Creek Super Sunday can be purchased online at Ticketek, for more ticketing options and event information visit the Australian Open official website.