The Source: AFLW season launch scores own goal with mushroom menu item

The AFLW season launch provided a hearty serve of nervous nourishment when the league’s top brass were handed a mushroom dish.

Too soon for mushrooms? The AFLW launch put nervous diners to the test.

Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers.

It could have been party pies and sausage rolls.

Instead the top brass at the AFLW season launch on Monday night were served something deliciously more conversational.

Mushrooms have been the elephant in the kitchen since three people died from suspected poisoning in Leongatha.

Have you been served mushrooms since? If so, did you pass, citing fears that they might be catastrophically bad for your health?

Amid speeches and the freshness of MC, Flex Mami, toasties went around at the forum — of the cheese and mushroom variety.

There were, let’s say, a few wry smiles.

Intrepid types – or were they just too hungry to notice? – dived in.

Happily, there have been no reports of illness since.

Erin Patterson cooked a mushroom lunch that is suspected of leaving three people dead.

The Weeknd, Christina Aguilera announce Melbourne shows

Canadian superstar The Weeknd has announced a series of Australian shows.

The pop, soul and rap crossover artist will play Marvel Stadium on December 1.

Tickets go on sale on Friday.

The local shows, announced Tuesday morning, came after the artist teased a Down Under tour by posting an image from his After Hours Til Dawn tour with an Australian flag on his Instagram stories on Monday night.

The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, is one of the world’s biggest chart-toppers with hits including Can’t Feel My Face, Save Your Tears, Blinding Lights and Starboy.

Variety described the After Hours til Dawn Tour as “(The Weeknd’s) most ambitious production to date ... a journey through a cosmic cataclysm that has erupted and plagued the Earth. The devastation is widespread and will most likely continue till dawn.”

The massive staging features a row of destroyed buildings, a post-apocalyptic skyline, and an inflatable moon.

The Weeknd has teased Australian shows via Instagram

The Weeknd is set to hit Melbourne later this year.

The Weeknd’s shows boosts a stellar summer of stadium rock with confirmed shows by Motley Crue and Def Leppard, Sir Paul McCartney, Pink, and Taylor Swift.

Hopes are still high for Bruce Springsteen, Madonna and Beyonce to schedule shows Down Under.

Meanwhile, Victoria’s exclusive music showcase has announced US pop star Christina Aguilera as its headline act.

Aguilera will perform at Flemington Racecourse on November 25, brought to Melbourne under the state government’s Always Live program.

Her hits include Dirrty, Genie in a Bottle and Beautiful.

Swedish DJ Eric Prydz, rap duo AB Original, and Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett will also perform shows at Always Live.

Always Live runs from November 24 to December 10.

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