Docklands set for a blockbuster summer

Although the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting mild summer temperatures due to a La Niña weather pattern circling the Pacific, Docklands is starting to heat up with a blockbuster schedule of events over the coming months.

Australian music royalty, Daryl Braithwaite and Joe Camilleri and the Black Sorrows Trio, kicked off proceedings during the weekend of November 26 to 28, with the first in a series of free music events as part of the DISTRICT LIVE – Summer Music Sessions.

DISTRICT LIVE – Summer Music Sessions will continue throughout the entire month of January, bringing the precinct alive with some of Australia’s biggest music names, and a host of local supporting talents.

Continuing the theme at The District Docklands comes the opening of Pasted and Wasted, an exhibition featuring more than 800 original music posters spanning more than half a century of Australian live music from collector, Nick Vukovic’s, private collection.

Pasted and Wasted in the first exhibition at District X, a new immersive space earmarked to support Melbourne’s creative industries and local talent, running from November 26 to December 31.

The District Docklands CEO George Karabatsos told Docklands News the Pasted and Wasted exhibition was just the tip of a very large iceberg of exhibitions, activations, and events throughout the precinct this summer.

“From a strategic point of view, we have always been very conscious of creating new experiences and new destinations and celebrating everything that is cultural in Melbourne,” Mr Karabatsos said.

“Our major attractions are now open, with the return of visitors to The District to enjoy new experiences, and spend time in our entertainment, leisure, food and beverage precinct.”

Nowhere else in Australia can you go bowling, ice skating, play glow golf, see a move, experience immersive art and choose from 30 dining options in one place.

Just a short walk to NewQuay Promenade and you’ll find the Summer at The Docks market series running over three consecutive weekends on December 4 and 5, then the following weekend December 11 and 12, culminating on December 17 with the District Docklands’ Christmas night market.

The Summer at The Docks markets are an initiative of the Docklands Chamber of Commerce (DCC), to support and amplify existing community business infrastructure.

Looking ahead to the turn of the year, and in what will come as a monumental surprise for all Docklanders, New Year’s Eve (NYE) fireworks are back.

According to the DCC the City of Melbourne is toning down all other NYE celebrations in favour of activating Docklands with two night-time displays – a family friendly version at 9.30pm followed by the traditional midnight launching.

NYE will also see the introduction of Australia’s largest drone show, with a squadron of 350 drones bringing in 2022.

The drone show will then continue for much of January, with shows twice a night from January 3 to 20.

The jam-packed events schedule will be complemented by DCC’s flagship Docklands Dollars program which treats visitors to $210 in rebates across participating businesses Docklands for a minimum two nights stay.

According to DCC executive officer, Shane Wyle, the DCC are busy working with local stakeholders and a newly appointed executive committee to bring in Docklands’ biggest summer yet.

“Our annual general meeting saw the retirement from the chamber of our nine-year standing president Johanna Maxwell,” Mr Wylie said.

“We can’t thank her service to Docklands adequately. She’s aware she’s loved and we are all grateful for her continual efforts.”

“Daniel Hibberd, owner and director of Quest Docklands, has some very big shoes to fill but we welcome him to the role along with Ahmad Trad of the Xary Group to the vice president role.”

Rounding out the committee is treasurer, Gautam Gupta, from Saras Care – a not-for-profit at The District Docklands, secretary Mo Hamdouna from MoWorks, Snap’s Paolo Castellazzi, The Sebel Melbourne Docklands’ Wei Xiong, Berth and Cargo’s Vanessa Muggianu, Docklands Private Collection’s Peter Kelly, and Mark Scholem from New Energy Physiotherapy •