Coburg Night Market
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Coburg Night Market

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“We have a talented team here at the Council who are working hard to make sure we put on the best event possible,” she says. “The market has been run in-house since 2014, which was our most successful year to date – and if the sun comes out for us again this year I think we’ll top last year for sure. This event started as part of the Queen Vic Market Summer Night Market series in 2010 and has since changed and grown to become the well-known and not-to-be-missed event it is today.”

Hosting a localised event such as the Coburg Night Market, the managing parties face a few obvious challenges. Either they can focus squarely on fostering the local scene or aim to create a livelier event that attracts people from all over the city. Beyond that, there’s also the issue of making the event enjoyable for adults, whilst keeping things family friendly. For Ratnam and the Night Market’s managing team, the goal is to satisfy all parties.

“Keeping things local is important to us,” she says. “We have so many talented designers, performers and vendors in Moreland, so in this respect our job has been quite easy. This year we’ve worked to find a good balance of local and not so local partners to piece together an incredible mix that we think will go far in creating a memorable event for market-goers. I think we’ve also found a good balance of family friendly fun and a great night out for adults this year. We have a dedicated kids entertainment zone and kid-friendly activities happening early on, but we also have two stages, two bars and a stack of food trucks and stalls and handmade and locally produced wares on offer all night. It’s a safe and secure environment to have a good time, relax with friends at the end of the work or school week, and one of the best things about the market is that balance of things that interest everyone.”

A couple of the interesting additions to this year’s Night Market come in the form of dance classes. On week two there’s BeyDance, an open minded, tongue in cheek class dedicated to Beyoncé. Then the following week punters will experience the swing and jive magic of Anna’s Go-Go Academy.

“I think adding an element of interaction to the lineup this year is a great move,” says Ratnam. “I’ve attended BeyDance classes in Brunswick and they are always a lot of fun – I challenge anyone to stay seated when the BeyDance team joins the market crowd on December 4. I’ve heard great things about Anna’s Go-Go Academy so I’ll be there working on my moves on December 11 with the masses for sure.

“Along with this, having two stages has allowed us to increase the number of bands and genres of music we feature at the event,” says Ratnam. “Opening night kicks off with the talented kids from the Coburg Primary School band, followed by Sin Frontera Trio and Mick Thomas with Squeezebox Wally. While this is going on, we have the infinitely talented Juzzie Smith performing three sets at the Cedar Tree tent. I’m looking forward to catching Woodlock on December 11 and I’ve heard Mars Madness, among others, is well worth a listen.”

BY THOMAS BRAND