Albert Road Reserve pop-up park

From December 2020 to November 2022, the Metro Tunnel Creative Program activated the temporary pop-up park in Albert Road Reserve to engage the local community. Key events included:

  • seedling giveaways from local nursery Garden of Eden
  • free dog grooming mornings with Shaggy Doo
  • RU Okay Day fundraiser
  • Anzac Day commemorations including Anzac biscuits made by Rye Dough and performance from cellist, Lore
  • Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea to fundraise for Cancer Council
  • sausage sizzle in support of RSPCA
  • Red Nose Day fundraising
  • Talk Like a Pirate Day fundraising for Childhood Cancer Support.

Thursday pop-up performances in Federation Square

In the warmer months of 2022, the Metro Tunnel Creative Program presented performances in Fed Square, including:

  • Snorkelarama – These intrepid adventurers from the deep seas donned their snorkel gear and came to investigate the fascinating world above the water. The silver snorkelers brought with them their own aquatic madness and fishy accompaniments as they 'swam' among the strange humans they encountered.
  • The Punk Emus – These giant emu puppets and their riders are totally 'punked up'. They get up to mischief wherever they go. Adored by humans of all sizes, the cheeky birds are spectacular up close and from a distance. Catch them pecking for food, promenading the streets and cutting up the dance floor. The creative brainchild of PO PO MO CO, the Punk Emus are an ensemble of queer performing artists and theatre makers. The troupe was founded by Kimberley Twiner in December 2015 and the current core ensemble is Kimberly Twiner, Lily Fish, Rebecca Church and Hallie Goodman.
  • The Wikimen – They string up the double bass, pat the drum set, tickle the ukulele and polish the vibraphone for a new sonic adventure in the realms of early 20th century pop jazz.
  • Hoodoo Mayhem – Seduced by New Orleans funk and brass, it’s a horn blowin’ beat party as good as they come. Featuring Melbourne’s hottest horn players and stick technicians, the band boasts a creative and organic repertoire of original music and is proud of their unique Melbourne sound.
  • Emilie Bloom – Polly Darton and her magical unicorn Jolene delight with their charming wild west-style banter, cheeky jokes and riddles.
  • The Huxleys – Melbourne’s iconic creative duo, made up of Garrett and Will, sparkled and shimmered their way around Fed Square for the Creative Program’s 2021 Christmas event, As Camp as Christmas.
  • Aleshanee Kelso and Tomas Correia – These talented NICA graduates can do everything from dizzying juggling to mesmerising acrobatics.
  • Marquisa D’or – Gracious, flirtatious and cheeky, the ‘Marquisa D’or’ combines stillness and clowning with 17th century artistry to silently interact with her audience, creating a wake of comic situations as she tries to gain the attention she thinks she deserves.
  • Stiltuesque Stiltwalking – Flamingos on stilts?! Rising up high above the crowds, these exquisite stilt walkers will have you looking up in wonder.

NOLA district

  • Silent Disco – Led by the infamous Guru Dudu, the Metro Tunnel Creative Program took participants on Silent Disco tours of the NOLA (North of La Trobe Street) precinct. The groups shimmied and sashayed through the streets, grooving past our Memory Lane exhibition on Franklin Street as part of Midsumma Festival, as well as the State Library station sheds, exploring some of the hidden pockets of the area.
  • Melbourne Fashion Week – The Metro Tunnel Creative Program celebrated Melbourne Fashion Week in 2022 with a roving pop-up runway in the NOLA precinct, featuring some of Melbourne’s best LGBTQIA+ designers.

Photography by Theresa Harrison