The Weekender: December 9 – 11
EXPERIENCE cinema under the stars, catch a One Day game of cricket, drink your way around Melbourne or get a taste of African culture this weekend! Grace Kang has your highlights.
Moonlight Cinema
Thursday, December 8 – Sunday, April 2, 2017 (7.00pm – late) | Royal Botanic Gardens
Make the most of these upcoming summer nights as the Royal Botanic Gardens will play host to some of the best blockbusters right beneath the stars.
Starting from December 8, the BYO-friendly Moonlight Cinema is set to screen nearly 20 advanced screenings and 19 new releases. This weekend’s screenings include The Girl on the Train (December 8), The Secret Life of Pets (December 9) and an advanced screening of Disney’s Moana (December 10). Gates are open an hour and a half before the film starts, so hurry there to pick your spot!
Just bring your picnic basket, set your picnic spread on the grassy patch, lay back and enjoy the summer cinema experience. If you didn’t bring anything to munch on, don’t worry as there’ll be plenty of food trucks and fully licensed bars set up to complement your night out.
Student tickets go for $16.50 and adult tickets go for $19.00. Special ‘Gold Grass’ Packages can also be purchased at $35.00 per person which enables you to a Bean Bed in the premium viewing location of the open air cinema. Do bring extra cash if you intend to eat and drink at the Moonlight Cinema as well!
For more information about the event, visit the Moonlight Cinema’s website.
One Day International – Australia v New Zealand
Friday, December 9 (2.30pm– late) | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Photo: Ameel Khan via Flickr
Cricket fans won’t want to miss out on the exciting One Day International game between Australia and New Zealand this Sunday.
Essentially a shorter version of cricket, the One Day International sees internationally-ranked national teams compete in a match that is generally completed in one day. Unlike other versions of crickets, it doesn’t require fans to commit days of attendance just to watch the conclusion of the game.
This particular matchup is one of the most awaited contests as it will pit the top-ranked Australians and second-ranked New Zealand in fierce cricketing competition. So get dressed up and show your colours for your team (ahem, Australia!).
Tickets go as low as $30 for adults.
For more information on the One Day International contest between Australia and Zealand, visit Cricket.com.au, the home of cricketing in Australia!
Melbourne Champagne Festival
Friday, December 9 – Sunday, December 11 (Various times) | Various locations
Ever feel like having something sweet but also fancy? Aspire to be a sommelier but also a chocolatier? Taste the daring combination delicate bubbles and the bitter sweetness of cocoa at the three-days Melbourne Champagne Festival!
Established through the collaboration between wine and liquor store Wine Republic and award winning chocolaterie Koko Black, this free event is sure to impress. Get ready to taste rare and divine varieties of boutique champagne sourced from small-production wineries. Along with the bubbles, there will also be chocolate delicacy carefully crafted by Melbourne’s best chocolatier.
Do note that the festival takes place at various locations at times:
- Friday December 9 (6pm – 8pm): Wine Republic Windsor (118 Chapel St, Windsor)
- Saturday December 10 (2pm – 5pm) Wine Republic Fitzroy (265 Brunswick St, Fitzroy)
- Sunday December 11 (2pm – 5 pm): Wine Republic Northcote (226 High St, Northcote)
Entry to the festival is also free though do be prepared to bring cash if you do actually want to buy a bottle or two!
Get more information at Wine Republic’s official website.
African Music and Cultural Festival
Saturday, December 10 (11am – 9pm) | Federation Square
Get your groove on this weekend by joining the free one-day African Music and Cultural Festival!
As an all-age event located right at the heart of the city, the largest annual African festival in Australia will transform Federation Square into an upbeat celebration of African culture. What can you expect? Catwalk fashion shows, African music and a slice of cuisine from different parts of Africa!
So to really see the diversity of Australia and experience African culture in person, come on down to Federation Square this Saturday!
Attendance is free but of course, if you’d like to buy some food or gifts, do bring cash! More information on the African Music and Cultural Festival can be found at the official website for the event.