When Friday rolls around, often you either have an anxiety-inducing, jam-packed social calendar or one full of tumbleweeds. Striking the right weekend balance can be tricky, but don’t stress, there is an art to it. For us, it’s curating a flavourful weekend with your mates, unleashing your creativity, or trying something new so that by the time Monday rears its ghastly head again, you feel rejuvenated, inspired and satisfied.
To celebrate the Australian launch of Truly Hard Seltzer—our new favourite weekend bevvy—we’ve rounded up a fresh mix of activities for you to try if you’re looking to add a little flavour to your weekend, no matter what mood you’re in.
Melbourne
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Nothing beats hanging with your crew and laughing until you wheeze—and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is the nation’s ‘hive of happiness’. Comedians from all corners of the globe are taking to a bunch of different stages around the city to try their goddamn hardest to get you giggling. There are some big names on the lineup this year too, including Wil Anderson, Cal Wilson and Dave Thorton to name a few. Tickets are still up for grabs—some with a price tag and some for free—with the final shows wrapping the festival up Sunday, April 24. A tasty Truly Hard Seltzer with a side of silliness? It’s a yes from us.
GROOV3
If you’re ready to eject yourself from your weekday slump and switch to weekend vibes, GROOV3’s hip hop dance classes will give you just the spark you’re seeking. Celebrating the power of dance and movement, each class is totally non-judgemental and a safe place to sweat it out and laugh. Instructor and founder Aisha Kuryana have choreographed and danced for many artists including some heavyweights like Kylie Minogue, Guy Sebastian and Kimbra, so you know you’re in good hands. A Saturday class will only set you back $20 and is worth every cent.
NGV Friday Nights
Say 'music and art with a slice of disco' and you officially have our attention. NGV Friday Night Series is back with a stellar lineup of local acts spinning pop, disco, lounge and house sets in the NGV Garden and ground floor. If you’re stuck for something to start your weekend off on the right foot, NGV Friday nights is a chilled, chic and ambient way to wrap up your work week. Explore the vast number of rotating exhibitions at the NGV after hours and transport yourself to a European-style alfresco courtyard with French-inspired dining, bars and more. Expect performances and beats by the likes of Afrodisiac, Edd Fisher, DJ Jimmy James and IN2STELLAR. Tickets range from $16 to $35.
Melbourne Street Eatz
Food trucks are always a vibe, but when food trucks park together in one mega, delicious place, well… the possibilities are endless. Melbourne Street Eatz is back and bigger than ever this year. If you’re in the mood to kick back and chill with your mates with a flurry of tasty food options at your fingertips, then head down to South Wharf on the Yarra Front from Thursday to Sunday. Expect drool-worthy nachos, cheesy slices, crispy chicken burgers, bursting buns and loaded fries.
Sydney
Groove Therapy
If you’re in the mood to move and reignite your energy levels, a beginners class at Groove Therapy is where it’s at. No matter how uncoordinated you are, struggling to breathe through non-stop belly laughs with your mates in a guided beginner's Groove Therapy class is such a vibe. Specialising in easy and fun step-by-step dance routines, an hour class will cost you $20, covering a range of street-style dances like hip hop, house, afrobeat and dancehall. Get your crew together and sweat it out. While classes are technically during the week, a Thursday night class is a feel-good way to kick-start your weekend on the right foot.
Darling Harbour Rollerama
One of the most fun and unmissable pop-ups to try with your crew this autumn is Darling Harbour Rollerama. Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, wedged between Darling Square and the Chinese Garden Of Friendship, the pop-up rink is open until Sunday, April 24 and guarantees loads of fun. Whether you’re a spectator or a roller enthusiast, there’s an option for everyone—no matter how wobbly you are, there’s zero judgement. Don your skates and vibe it out with DJs spinning some beats from behind the decks, themed dress-up nights, ‘Cheapskate Tuesdays’, or keep the adrenaline pumping by learning how to skate dance. Tickets and roller times vary, so be sure to check it out here and book in before it sells out.
Sydney Biennale
Feeling like you need to feed your brain with wonder, awe and inspiration to reignite your creativity? Sydney’s Biennale is the perfect place to hit up over the weekend. Returning for its 23rd year with a city-wide exhibition, spend countless hours exploring over 330 artworks by 89 participants, all investigating notions of water ecology and relationships with the natural world. Exhibited across 400 events throughout Sydney at a string of stunning venues including Barangaroo, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery Of NSW, it’s one of the most memorable art exhibitions to hit Sydney. Don’t be too slow to scope it out though, the Biennale is only here until 13 June and won’t be back again until 2024.
Dumpling Master Class
Who doesn’t love a dumpling, amirite?! They’re like a little delicious pocket of pure joy. If your home cooking is feeling a little flat than fire, team up with a couple of mates and try your hand at making your very own dumplings from scratch at The Gardens By Lotus. The laidback class is only $78 per person and includes a dumpling making experience, take-home printed recipe and a Lotus apron. The best bit? You’ll be on your way to becoming a dumpling master and you can whip them up any time at home next time your mates pop ‘round.
Ready to add a little more flavour to your weekend? Truly Hard Seltzer will serve up the flavour you need to level up your weekend vibes… kind of like a weekend wingman. It not only comes in two delicious flavours—Watermelon and Kiwi, and Lime—but it’s only 95 calories and is now available in bottleshops nationwide.