The Weekender: September 15 – 17

Animaga 2017
Saturday, September 16 – Sunday, September 17 | Royal Exhibition Building (9 Nicholson St, Melbourne)

If you have an adoration and fondness for all things anime, love reading manga and dabble in gaming from Japan, do not miss out on this weekend’s big Animaga event!

Taking place at the Royal Exhibition Building, this annual celebration of anime, manga and gaming will host a wide variety of events for enthusiasts to participate in. Watch the anime music video showcase, enjoy the service of its Maid Cafe, build some Gundams and witness the cosplay competition.

Beyond these activities, exhibitors big and small will also be selling their wares at Animaga. If you’re after a new collectible, a decorative item from your favourite anime, a new model to build or physical copies to your favourite shows, Animaga’s exhibitors are sure to bring the goods to you.

This year’s guest lineup is also sure to delight fans. Voice actress Kanae Ito (Yui from Sword Art Online) will be appearing before the Animaga faithful as will Taiwanese cosplayer HIKO-san, Japanese cosplayer REIKA and character designer Mel Keshida (who has worked on games like Blue Reflection, and the Atelier series).

To buy tickets or find out more about Animaga 2017, visit their official website for further details. 

Mexican Independence Day
Saturday, September 16 (1.00pm – late) | Hopscotch Melbourne (4/2 Riverside Quay, Southbank)

Photo: Lauren Topor via Flickr

Celebrate Mexico’s independence by partying it up at Hopsctoch in Southbank this Saturday!

The event, which is essentially just a great excuse to eat good Mexican food and down some tequila, will be taking place all day long and will feature the following:

• Mexican street food specials all day (including a $15 dollar tasting paddle)
• Live music from 1.00pm
• the 1kg Burrito Challenge (it’s 15 minutes to enter the challenge and if you’re the quickest person to finish the burrito, you’ll win a $150 tab to use at the bar)

If you RSVP now, you’ll be able to get a cup of Mexican punch on the day! What a win!

For more information on Mexican Independence Day celebrations at Hopscotch, visit the bar’s official website.

Africa On Screen Film Festival
Friday, September 15 – Saturday, September 16 (Various times) | Backlot Studios (65 Haig St, Southbank)

Witness the majesty of Africa and celebrate its culture on screen as the African On Screen Film Festival makes its way to the Backlot Studios this weekend!

With its key mission to showcase and promote the best independent films emerging from Africa (created by African artists), this inaugraul two-day festival will not only include a diverse lineup of films but will also include workshops and discussions.

See films like White Colour Black, a film about a young and hedonistic photographer who changes his life around when he learns his estranged father has died in Senegal, and The Suit, which is based on the acclaimed short story by banned South African investigative journalist and author Can Themba.

Full priced adult tickets to the festival are charged at $20.50. Concession tickets go at $18. The festival is part of the Melbourne Fringe program.

Visit the festival website and see what other films are on offer. 

Perfect Macarons
Saturday, September 16 (1.00pm – 5.00pm) | Kensington Neighbourhood House (89 McCracken Street, Kensington)

Photo: KJ Vogelius via Flickr

Ah, macarons! So delicious but so deceptively hard to bake sometimes…

If you’ve always wanted to make macarons yourself or just haven’t been able to perfect them, swing by the Kensington Neighbourhood House this Saturday afternoon for a workshop on how to bake the perfect macarons.

Vy Cardona of Duchess Cakes and Desserts will be your macaron-making guide on the afternoon so be sure to pay attention. And after you’ve tried your hand at making a scrumptious macaron, you’ll get to do some tastings and take them home too! A true winning treat!

The full priced cost for this baking workshop will set you back $60 but for concession holders, it’ll be $40. Spots are still available but registrations need to be done in advance.

Registrations, and more information about the Perfect Macarons workshop, can be found at the Kensington Neighbourhood House website.