Frisky business: spring flings with no (purse) strings

Monday 13 September 2010, 11:45 AM
By The Team | Posted in Things

Like a slinky that has escaped from its box at the top of a staircase, before you know it spring will actually be upon you. For many of us that means we’ll soon experience a sudden burst of extra energy. Let the spring cleaning wait! We’ve found some fun – and free – ways to expend that spring friskiness.

Jogger-licious

Most keen city joggers know the joys of The Tan track, and in particular, the joys of ‘Mount Anderson Street’. But not everyone has tried the serenely flat three-odd kilometre Princes Park track. AFL footballers (and not just the Carlton team) are regular users, as is a beautiful mix of plodders, sprinters and strollers, together enjoying the shady avenue-style jogging track.

The Capital City Trail cuts through Princes Park so you can get there by bike from the city, too. Even freer!

Ride to Work Day
Wednesday 13 October

Maybe you’re the kind of cycling commuter that goes the long way (such as via Mornington) to get to work. Perhaps you trundle into town wearing your high heels and cardie and barely break a sweat. Or, possibly you’re the person standing at the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets, feeling the wind from an enthusiastic lyclist (lycra-clad cyclist) and wondering if you could, at last, be ready to give this riding to work thing a go.

Ride to Work Day is a good day to start, offering a free breakfast at Federation Square plus plenty more fun stuff.

South Yarra Laughter Club 

Health-wise, sitting on the couch and watching The Running Man, Logan’s Run or any movie starring Tom Cruise is a poor substitute for going for a jog. However, it does seem that laughing at nothing can bring the same benefits as laughing at, for example, this. The South Yarra Laughter Club hosts weekly laughter exercise sessions. ‘Oh my aching sides’ is no idle threat here – your abs will work as your giggles gather.

lululemon athletica 

lululemon athletica is a well-travelled sportswear brand, hailing all the way from Canada. Its super-comfy, stretchy and non-scratchy offerings are prized by many a moving Melburnian. As well as keeping us chafe-free, lululemon does its best to keep us all limber, too, offering free yoga classes as well as a weekly running group.

The store is closed for renovations from mid-September, but will be back in action on Monday 4 October. They publish their class timetable online. BYO comfy clothes and water – mats provided.

Tai Chi at Federation Square

Tai chi looks tricky, but also very relaxing. Which is nice if you’re going to try an ancient martial art in the middle of a public square. You’ll be so chilled you’ll forget where you are and just go with the flow. It’s is what tai chi is all about after all.

Bring comfy clothes, a friend to pull faces at when no one is looking and expect to be pleasantly surprised. Flat shoes are a very good idea, too.

So how about you? Where do you get your free sporty kicks in our fair (and defrosting) city?

Melbourne, we dare you

Friday 27 August 2010, 9:08 AM
By The Team | Posted in Things

Tired of the grind? Try a little reckless risk-taking – we find it does wonders for the complexion.

We’re not suggesting you do anything that could land your mugshot in MX and your butt in the back of a divvy van – there’s no need to take things that far! In Melbourne you can stick your neck out in the name of fun without disturbing the peace (too much).

Think you’re up to the challenge? Go ahead, Melbourne: we dare you!

Laughter is good for the Spleen

You know, you really are a hoot. Every great comedian has to start somewhere, so why not kick off your career at Spleen’s open mic Mondays? Comedy@Spleen  always includes established acts, so you won’t be cracking jokes just for the bartender and that kanoodling couple in the corner. There’ll be a real audience, and real laughs.

Tai Chi cadets

Too scared to join the zen, hip, seventy-plus super-grans who do perfect Tai Chi in the park? Hone your Tai Chi chops – and entertain a few passing commuters – at Fed Square on Tuesday mornings.  Before you know it, you’ll be grasping the sparrow’s tail and repulsing the monkey with the best of ‘em!

Public piano, please

We don’t care if you wagged every one of those expensive piano classes your parents paid for: we want to hear you tickle the ivories. Wow the crowds with your public piano performance on Wednesdays at Fed Square. Bring a few friends for a guaranteed standing ovation … and break a leg!

Trigger-happy snappers

Secretly fancy yourself as a photographer? Join a Loop photography night walk . Snap happily – with arty advice – while you stroll the most scenic corners of our fine city. Then it’s back to the bar, where, with a stiff drink, you can watch your work screened on the wall for all to see.

80s countdown on ice

Admit it: you can’t ice skate, and you know every word to Footloose. Sounds like you’re the ideal candidate for the 80s countdown on Icehouse’s mega-rink this Friday. Mix a bunch of uncoordinated mates, the Safety Dance and some razor-sharp skate blades for the ultimate in hair-raising hilarity. Don’t forget your leg warmers!

 If, after all this, the daredevil in you is still hungry for adrenalin, these coming events might help you get your thrills:

The St George Melbourne Marathon – but remember to put some training in – or choose a length that’s going to see you finish better in a better state than this distance event’s namesake.

Thrill the World invites Melbourne – and the world – to dance to Thriller in a city-wide flash mob on Saturday 23 October.  

What daring antics have you been up to recently?

What’s cooking with Chef-de-Mission Moneghetti

Friday 16 April 2010, 10:21 AM
By The Team | Posted in Events

The Queen’s Baton is visiting Melbourne as part of its journey through the 70 countries of the Commonwealth to Delhi for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. On Tuesday 20 April, the baton will be carried by athletes and members of Melbourne’s Indian community before arriving at Federation Square.

Steve Moneghetti is the Australian team’s Chef-de-Mission, representing the team and offering the wisdom, advice and inspiration that comes from being a medallist for three games (embrace the pun) running. He answered our questions recently.

What does it mean to you, to have the Queen’s Baton back in Melbourne?

It is a wonderful reminder of the great time we had as host city for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

When Melburnians think of the Commonwealth Games, what would you like them to remember most?

How the city embraced the Games. From the volunteers and spectators to our athletes who all supported the event with such vigor – it was a terrific time to be a Melburnian, Victorian and Australian.

You’ve collected the set of Commonwealth Games medals, gold, silver and bronze. Which one do you like best?

My bronze was a surprise but my gold was best as I finally achieved what I had set out to do eight years before

We’re wondering how many times you think you’ve been around The Tan track in your lifetime?

Not as many times as I have been around Lake Wendouree in Ballarat!

Many of Melbourne’s regular joggers dread turning that corner onto ‘Mount’ Anderson Street and dragging themselves up that hill. Do Commonwealth Games gold medal winners ever feel the same way?

Yes, but then we think of the lovely downhill all the way to the Shrine and we feel a whole lot better.

People might expect to see you at a local sporting event – but what else do you like doing in the city?

Visiting a venue to see a live band or enjoying a nice ‘long black’ in Lygon Street. (That must be my Italian heritage coming out.)

Find out what else is happening at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay and make sure you’re at Federation Square to witness the Queen’s Baton handover.