New wave of activations to hit North and West Melbourne

Melbourne is set to continue in its rapid reawakening as the weather warms up, with 18 activations soon to be popping up in and around the city.

Among the recipients of the latest city activation grant round, which will see more than $800,000 go towards supporting the upcoming events and pop-ups, is the North and West Melbourne Precinct Association.

As the only precinct association to receive the grant, it’s currently working hard on what it plans to do this October.

“The North and West Melbourne Precinct Association, together with The Place Agency, have been working hard designing a creative activation to be launched in Spring,” a spokesperson for North and West Melbourne Precinct Association said.

“The activation Dance This Way aims to attract new audiences and to surprise and delight locals, and the team have been busy creating a series of performances, installations and giveaways to attract traffic to the area and promote local business.”

The $1.75 million grant program is part of the joint City of Melbourne and Victorian Government’s $100 million Melbourne City Recovery Fund, and successful grant recipients will receive up to $50,000 to support the delivery of their idea.

Winter Sessions at the Queen Victoria Market precinct, Lygon St and Alexandra Gardens will farewell the wintry season this month with live music from emerging and established Melbourne musicians.

Spring will then be celebrated with Florals by the Docklands and Bike Valet which will turn the precinct into a floral wonderland with street art installations and encourage people to ride their bikes.

People can also make the most of celebrating the weather with dance and music through the Salsa in City sessions at Queensbridge Square, Dukes Walk and Collins Landing.

An augmented reality experience of the past and future of Melbourne will also be seen through Remember the Wild, and Creek Chat will acknowledge the underground Williams Creek through a sound-based public art intervention. •

The council’s city activation portfolio lead Cr Roshena Campbell said the council was doing everything it could “to breathe new life into Melbourne”.

“We know events are driving Melbourne’s recovery, which is why we’re supporting a diverse range of new activations, performances and activities to keep visitors coming back to the city, putting dollars into local traders’ pockets.”