CELEBRATE Mexico’s Day of the Dead in Southbank, take part in a Knowledge Hub in Swanston Street, check out Macau’s architecture against the backdrop of Melbourne’s buildings or hang out at a pop up bar in St Kilda. Enjoy what’s on offer this weekend as Anthea Batsakis keeps you in the loop.
El Guapo
Friday, October 31 (4.00pm – 1.00am); Ponyfish Island, (Under) Pedestrian Bridge
Image: Ponyfish Island’s Official Facebook Page
One of Melbourne’s most uniquely located bars, Ponyfish Island, will be celebrating Mexico’s Day of The Dead fiesta. With a plethora of paella, face painting, and Mexican music, the bar will be serving up tequila cocktails and jugs of sangria to quench the thirst of your inner Mexican.
For those who haven’t been, Ponyfish Island is located literally on the Yarra, under the Pedestrian Bridge. It can only be accessed by taking stairs directly down to the bar from the bridge and can easily pass by unnoticed.
El Guapo is a highly anticipated event that guarantees a great night out with your amigos. Ponyfish Island will continue this fiesta every Tuesday in November. It is a licensed venue and an over 18 event, running from 4.00pm until 1.00am.
To learn more, chceck out Ponyfish Island’s official website.
Melbourne Knowledge Week
Monday, October 27 – Sunday, November 2 (Various times); Various locations
Image: Quinn Dombrowski; www.flickr.com
Melbourne Knowledge Week reaches its last days this weekend, hosting more than 90 events in total. This week is dedicated to celebrating the ideas, talent, and innovation that has earned Melbourne the prestigious title of the world’s Most Admired Knowledge City (the MAKCi) three times.
Come and explore what this intellectual city has to offer by taking part in a wide variety of events that range from hearing industry specialists discuss the future of global business, to discovering the seemingly limitless combination of art and technology, to exploring Melbourne’s medical precinct and talking to the world’s best scientists.
And for the first time in the five years that Melbourne Knowledge Week has been held, a Knowledge Hub on Swanston Street is available for you to take part in extra events and to find out what’s happening in and around the city during the week.
Visit their official website to discover the various events you can attend this weekend.
Macau Fringe Sound and Light Show
Friday, October 31 – Wednesday, November 5 (12.00pm – 10:00pm); 1A Queensbridge Street, Southbank
Image: Macau Tourism AU-NZ’s Official Facebook Page
For the first time, the Macau Government Tourist Office has chosen Melbourne to partake in a vibrant sound and light show in Southbank. With additional entertainment like balloon artists and stilt walkers amongst the light shows, this free six-day event is not one to miss!
Each night the show will three-dimensionally map Macau’s World Heritage-listed sites of both Portuguese colonial and Chinese architecture against the backdrop of Melbourne’s pre-existing buildings. Ranging from A Ma Temple to the Ruins of St Paul’s, these luminous nightly shows will be a spectacular event for all ages.
And if you’re inspired by the beautifully lit architecture and want to make a trip to Macau, representatives from the Macau Government Tourist Office will be set up in and around the area to provide information about tourism.
Learn more about this festival at the event’s official page over at That’s Melbourne’s website.
‘Wonder of Nature’ Stoneleigh Metro
Wednesday, October 15 – Saturday, February 28 (Wednesday – Friday: 4.00pm – late; Saturday – Sunday: 12.00pm – 3.00am); 60 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
New Zealand’s renowned still wine brand, Stoneleigh, will be offering Melbournians a taste of luxury with a pop up bar in the heart of St Kilda.
This pop up bar is created by Australian stylist and design editor of Belle Magazine, Steve Cordony, who manages to create an oasis nestled amongst the busy city life. With lush hanging gardens and the iconic sunstones that make Stoneleigh wine so distinct, Steve Cordony creates an indulgent escape, perfect for relaxing in the coming warmer months.
A guided ‘Cellar Door’ wine tasting experience will be offered at affordable prices, ranging from $10.00, to $12.00, and to $20.00, with the canapés to match that is sure to tantalise your tastebuds. Accommodating up to seven guests, the Cellar Door tasting tour is available from Wednesday to Friday, from 4.00 – 7.00pm.
Visit their official site to learn more about the event.