Party
in the Lane
Thousands of locals crowded
Collins Court, in Hobart’s first Moo Brew party in the lane last night.
Office workers, young
families, and anyone else looking for fun, came out to party in Hobart’s CBD. By 5.30 pm the laneway was already
surging and the St David’s Cathedral car park adjacent was well on the way to
full to the brim.
Timing is everything. The
party in the lane’s early start was a night out for those going home to kids or
the couch, or a meeting place for others planning to make it a big one.
The crowd watched on as
street artists collaborated to transform a temporary wall into a vibrant, eye
of Shiva, and grooved to the beat of DJ Dameza. Trees and poles were adorned
with gorilla knitting and other fibre art. Warmth was provided courtesy of a
spread of gas heaters.
MONA’s Heavy Metal Kitchen
was responsible for plenty of food options, complemented by Moo Brew beers and Morilla wines. We
ate a tasty plate of paella-style brown rice and vegies with yoghurt dressing. Enough
as a meal for one or to share as a stomach-liner.
Seeking only to avoid bar
queues, I opted for a Moo Brew pale ale. I drink beer about once a year and I
figured I could make the beer outlast my Friday night staying power. Not quite, so the Lovely
Deputy took on the queue the second time around.
Like a festival of sorts, a
street party can transform our busy, fragmented lives by bringing us together
as a community. And Hobartians certainly got behind this party in the lane with
everyone in excellent spirits.
Hobart hasn’t fully
embraced the laneway space though. Moo Brew’s party in the lane might just be
the thing to catapult more people into action; creatively making the most out
of underutilised space in a way that connects the people of Hobart.
Let’s hope Moo Brew
continues to do events. More art and performance, that engages with the audience, and more food and drink
options like you find at MONA’s markets would shore up the party in the lane
for sustainability.
The event was hosted by Moo
Brew in conjunction with the Hobart City Council. Thanks to everyone
involved.
Find Party in the lane on
Facebook here.
This is one of the things Aedan Howlett
gets up to when he’s not making street art - The Alabama Hotel.
In England, street parties have some history of community celebrating peace, see one perspective here.
