Big weekend serves up a feast of entertainment across Hobart
Thousands of locals and interstate visitors will be hitting the streets for a fill of footy, food and fun in one of the state’s biggest weekends of winter entertainment.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
TASMANIA is gearing up for one of its biggest winter weekends yet with thousands of locals and interstate visitors gathering for major events around the state.
The bumper weekend is expected to inject tens of millions of dollars into the state’s economy, providing a much-needed cash boost to counter the Covid-19 slump.
DARK MOFO
In the South, the return of the popular Dark Mofo festival will cater for tens of thousands of patrons over the weekend.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said it was great to see Dark Mofo return and lauded the impact the event has on the state.
“This week we’ve been reminded of just how special and critically important Dark Mofo is and how much it encourages people to get out and explore,” Mr Martin said.
“Having a successful winter tourism industry in Tasmania has been the nut the industry has been wanting to crack for 50 years and Dark Mofo, and events like the Festival of Voices, are the catalysts in doing that.
“The best thing about these successful events is that interstate visitors who come down over winter will get around and explore the rest of Tassie and discover that winter is a great time to be down here.”
Federal Group executive general manager Daniel Hanna said that despite travel restrictions it was going to be a big weekend in Hobart.
“There’s no doubt bookings have been impacted by Covid outbreaks in Melbourne and Sydney, but there are still plenty of people about and Tasmanians will make the most of everything that’s happening across the city this weekend,” Mr Hanna said.
FOOTY FEVER
Mr Martin said he was also excited by the AFL double-header in the state this weekend, with North Melbourne hosting the Brisbane Lions at Blundstone Arena in Hobart on Saturday and Hawthorn hosting Essendon at UTAS Stadium in Launceston on Sunday.
He was thrilled to have Essendon playing in the state and said the sellout between the Hawks and the Bombers was a show of support for AFL being played in Tasmania.
“The impact that the footy has in Launceston is spectacular and for Sunday’s game to fill up without the Melbourne traffic is extraordinary and tells us we want AFL here in the state, it’s just great,” he said.
The match in Launceston was capped at 15,000 tickets, which were sold out within hours of going on sale.
Premier Peter Gutwein was pleased with the response to the blockbuster.
“I have to say that it’s great to see the match on Sunday, between the Hawks and Essendon, sold out within a matter of hours,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I think it sends a very strong message to the AFL in terms of rostering.
“You know, for years, we have been saying that you put the right games on and we will fill the stadium. And that is exactly what’s occurred.”
MAKING MUSIC
On Saturday Wrest Point’s lawns will be packed with 4000 music lovers as multi-ARIA winning performer Amy Shark brings her Cry Forever Tour to Hobart.
The award-winning artist is doing two shows in Hobart on Saturday with both shows selling out the 2000 ticket capacity.
TIME TO GIVE
Across the lawn and inside Wrest Point Casino’s Tasman Room, more than 300 guests will be having their own fun as they are wined and dined at the Variety of Chefs Gala Evening.
The $195-a-head black tie event will be a celebration of the best produce the state has to offer and will help raise funds for the longstanding Variety children’s charity.
Another children’s charity, Ronald McDonald House, is also having a special event on Saturday with hundreds expected to gather at the Hotel Grand Chancellor’s Federation Ballroom for the RMHC’s Tasmanian Ball.
The $265-a-head event is a major fundraiser for seriously ill children and their families and will involve a night of entertainment and fine food to raise vital funds for sick Tasmanian kids.
Scarlette’s goal bombs dad’s plan
Brett Stubbs
THERE is no doubt Sunday’s Hawks-Bombers clash is the hottest ticket in town, but not for Essendon supporter Scarlette Hall.
The eight-year-old will miss the sold-out game between the arch rivals in Launceston as she will be lining up herself for the Lindisfarne under-12s. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I can’t go because I’m playing,” Scarlette said.
Asked if she was sad to be playing rather than watching her red-and-black heroes live in the state for the first time in nearly three decades, Scarlette was emphatic.
“Nah, I’d rather be playing and I’m more excited about kicking a goal,” she said.
But her dad, Nathan – who instilled his love of the Bombers into his daughter – wasn’t so thrilled to be missing the blockbuster.
But the news is better for Riley Sheen, 12.
The North Melbourne devotee, who also plays for the Lindisfarne under-12s, got to see the Roos last week – a draw against the Giants – and is going again on Saturday to see his side take on the Brisbane Lions.
“It is great getting to see the Roos here in Hobart,” Riley said.
But he didn’t rate the Roos’ chances too highly against the fourth-placed Lions.
“Bad,” was his response when asked how he thought North would go.
Justin Baldoni reveals Taylor Swift’s role in It Ends With Us
An unpublished interview with Justin Baldoni suggests Taylor Swift’s involvement in It Ends With Us was larger than previously thought.
Neighbours axed again two years after revival
Long-running TV series Neighbours is on the chopping block again after its production company failed to reach an agreement with Amazon.