Things to Do in Melbourne That'll Help You Live in the Moment This Summer
Slow down and appreciate right now with these five spectacular events.
Things to Do in Melbourne That'll Help You Live in the Moment This Summer
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Slow down and appreciate right now with these five spectacular events.
There are moments in our everyday lives when we're jolted out of our heads and into our bodies — when we stop on our commute home to watch the sunset, or as we feel the cool wind change when we're exercising in the park. And it can feel good to appreciate living in the moment when our lives are often filled with things to do, see and achieve.
What feels even better is when those worlds collide, like when you're listening to live music outdoors surrounded by loved ones and picturesque gardens, or taking to the streets as part of an art-filled movement and community. With a little help from Sunglass Hut, we've put together five events that'll help you live in the moment this summer.
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There’s something introspective about days spent wandering a gallery and taking in some exceptional art. This summer, works by Brooklyn-based artist Kaws (aka Brian Donnelly) can be found at the National Gallery of Victoria in Kaws: Companionship in the Age of Loneliness.
Best known for his large-scale sculptures and vivid murals of pop culture-inspired characters, Kaws offers an antidote for loneliness in the modern world through humour and generosity. The exhibition features a sprawling collection of his pop culture reworkings and collaborative pieces, including newly commission work Gone (2019) — a seven-metre-tall bronze sculpture standing imposingly tall in the NGV’s Federation Court.
The main event is backed by Kaws: Playtime — an interactive, touch-focused installation complete with soft sculptures and a hands-on multimedia game. While it’s created for kids, we’re sure you’ll find a few kidults living in the moment and exploring it, too.
Need new shades? Face summer head on with: Ray-Ban ($215).
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There are few better ways to spend a summer night than stretched out on the grass with your buddies and a picnic, plus wine and a good film. Thankfully, Moonlight Cinema is back for its 2019–20 season with a program of recent blockbusters and cult favourites. The annual feast of outdoor movies is the perfect excuse to get your loved ones together to share a few drinks as the sun goes down, before relaxing under the stars as a thought-provoker plays out on the big screen.
In the lead up to Christmas, all bases are covered for those after something a little bit festive — Moonlight will screen Last Christmas, Die Hard, Home Alone, Love Actually and Elf.
If holiday classics aren’t your jam, new releases on the program include Rocketman, Hustlers, Joker, Knives Out, Cats, Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker and Charlie’s Angels. The outdoor cinema will also mark 20 years since The Matrix with an anniversary screening, and revisit last year’s A Star Is Born and Bohemian Rhapsody. Dirty Dancing is also on the bill, like every year — it wouldn’t be a Moonlight without it.
Face summer head on with: Prada ($370).
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Take a moment to centre yourself for the day and welcome a calming energy into your week with an early morning yoga session in Queen Victoria Gardens. Senior teachers from Happy Melon studios are leading a series of gentle yoga flow classes at the new minimalist, white structure of MPavilion, surrounded by lush lawns and gardens.
Across six Tuesdays, from December 3 until January 28, you’re invited to enjoy this relaxed environment, no matter your ability or yoga skill level. Plus, if you have ever forked out more cash than you can afford for yoga class passes that you never got around to using, you can rejoice at the opportunity to take part in some completely free sessions.
Classes run from 7.30–8.30am, leaving you time to grab coffee and treats from the on-site kiosk before heading to work with an extra spring in your step.
Face summer head on with: Ray-Ban ($205).
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The perfect pairing:
Don your rainbow flags, bust out the glitter and pop on some platform boots (or comfy walking shoes) for Melbourne’s annual celebration of gender and sexuality solidarity. In 2020, the Midsumma Pride March marks its 25th year of the LGBTQI+ community coming together, loud and proud.
At 11am on Sunday, February 2, the parade will head down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda to declare that marching for pride is as important now as it was 25 years ago, and to celebrate love and community with our friends, family, lovers and allies. The fanfare will make its way to the foreshore of Catani Gardens, where the party will continue on the Summer Pride Stage.
All of this is a part of Midsumma Festival 2020‘s huge program of queer arts and cultural events coming to Melbourne for 22 days this summer.
Face summer head on with: Vogue ($149.95).
Image: Dean Arcuri.
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The perfect pairing:
For more than three decades, Hayao Miyazaki has been hailed as the shining star of Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli, spinning gorgeous on-screen stories about magical worlds, buses shaped like cats, moving houses, friendly fish and more. No one can tell an enchanting tale like the masterful filmmaker — but, no one can make melodic music to match like Joe Hisaishi.
First collaborating with Miyazaki on 1984’s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the composer has provided the score to every one of the director’s features since then.
After taking over Hamer Hall for four sold-out shows in 2018, Hisaishi and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are heading to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for one night only for Music from the Studio Ghibli Films of Hayao Miyazaki.
The sounds of Ghibli will echo through Kings Domain while Hisaishi conducts the full orchestra and the MSO Chorus, and a montage of clips from the likes of Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away — and the rest of Miyazaki and Hisaishi’s shared filmography — plays on the huge screen.
Face summer head on with: Valentino ($320).
Face your summer head on with new shades from Sunglass Hut and get tickets to their exclusive summer experiences here.
Top image: Jackson Grant.
