The Weekender: July 17 – 19
WINTER break is soon coming to an end, so why wait on exploring the different scenes of Melbourne for a good post-holiday story? This weekend, Allan Tanoemarga offers you a selection of trips you can take and events you can visit, from a literary event to an all-French festival.
Melbourne Rare Book Week
Thursday, July 16 – Sunday, July 26 (Various times); Various locations around Melbourne
Image: Shareon & Nikki McCutcheon via Flickr. Some rights reserved.
For those of you who like the company of books more than the company of people, the Melbourne Rare Book Week is one event not to be missed.
Channel your inner love of the literary world and everything words by attending the series of exhibitions and talks from the best in the industry. The program has a wide range of treats on offer to please everyone, whether you’re a big fan of Yeats, a devoted follower of Shakespeare or even just a casual book reader!
If you’re wondering how much money you should dig out of your pocket to attend, it’s zero dollars. Surprise surprise, it’s a free event for the love of books!
Keep in mind though that some of the individual events, especially the talks, require you to make a booking, which you can do with ease by sending them an e-mail.
Go check out the event program and delve more into the details at the Melbourne Rare Book Week’s official website.
Colombian Independence Day
Sunday, July 19 (2.00pm – 6.00pm); St. Brigid Catholic Church (378 Nicholson St, Melbourne)
Image via Colombian Independence Day’s Facebook event page.
Mark your calendar on July 19, our friends from the Colombian community are inviting you to come join their independence day’s celebration!
It doesn’t matter if you speak good Spanish or not, the event is open for everyone who loves a good time and most importantly, appreciates Colombian culture. Awaiting you there is an extensive range of local cuisine, music and dance that will sure to give you the experience of a lifetime.
The event is absolutely free to attend and what’s more, you can win flight tickets from Melbourne to Sydney, hot spring bath houses’ day passes, movie tickets and even bottles of fine wine!
Make sure you’re dressed properly though, as there will also be a religious service scheduled.
Go say hi and ask any questions you want about this celebration at their Facebook’s event page!
Finders Keepers
Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19 (various times each day); Royal Exhibition Building (9 Nicholson St, Carlton, Melbourne)
Image via Finders Keepers’ Facebook page.
Put on your coat, brace the cold wind and take a trip to Royal Exhibition Building, as Finders Keepers –one of the biggest design and arts markets in Australia – is returning this winter!
The 250 independent art and design stalls have been handpicked from the very best around Australia to ensure that all visitors have the best shopping experience throughout the day in the market. Who knows, you might even fall for a new designer or two and discover some new favourites!
Apart from all the design works, the market also celebrates handcrafted food, drink and music. So during the shopping break, you can sip on hot coffee or cold beer, munch on crème brûlée or popcorn chicken, all while listening to the beautiful voices of Australia’s talented musicians.
If you’re still not convinced, feel free to visit the market’s official website and find out what the hype is all about!
Bastille Day French Festival
Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 19 (starting 10.00am); State Library of Victoria (328 Swanston St, Melbourne)
Image via Bastille Day French Festival Melbourne’s event page.
Oui mon ami/amie, it’s time to embrace your love of the French in this weekend’s commemoration of Bastille Day. You can start practising your French accent as well now if you want to come very prepared.
If you’re wondering what Bastille Day is all about, it’s the French National Day to celebrate the beginning of the French Revolution and the unity of the French nation in 1789 and 1790 respectively. In France, the biggest parade is held around the famous Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the country’s president and invited world leaders.
In Melbourne, the festival is held for the first time this year to showcase the best of French culture such as Provençal food, wine and cheese, music, film and everything in between. Taking place in and around our own Champs-Élysées, the selection of events and markets are sure to please everyone from any age group!
Don’t have much cash to spare? Again, don’t worry, entry to the main event is mostly free. This means you can just hang around the area and enjoy the French atmosphere alone, with some friends, or with a special someone.
If you’re curious on what else the festival has to offer or want to check out on the exclusive events, go visit the festival’s website to get all the information you need.