QV Melbourne welcomes winter with Virtual / Chill: a winter village complete with a state-of-the-art new VR experience, build-your-own s’mores, fire pit, bespoke hot cocktails from Teeling Irish Whiskey, live music and more.
As cooler evenings descend over the city, the square at QV Melbourne will transform into a modern Nordic wonderland. Experience Scandinavian cabin comfort, warming food and drink, live music and the launch of a cinematic new virtual reality experience from Friday 18 May – Sunday 10 June. Best of all, the entire program is free, with complimentary food or drink every night.
Virtual / Chill will unveil an all-new completely immersive VR experience created by the multi award winning pioneers in 360˚ VR at Rapid Films. Using real footage filmed on GoPro’s newest flagship 360˚ video camera, the experience will see you soaring 2000 metres in the air past snow-capped mountains, dancing over treetops and through the valleys of the Swiss Alps.
“We are thrilled to be launching this new VR experience with QV Melbourne. Not only is this some of the first footage filmed on GoPro’s phenomenal new 360˚ camera, we have made the whole activation even more unique by turning it into a multi-sensory experience. Tactile or ‘touch’ elements will work to enhance the virtual reality in the real world,” says Rapid Film’s Executive Producer Susannah Phillips.
It is designed so the experiencer sits suspended in a paragliding harness, with cool air whisking past their face while they are immersed in Samsung’s Gear VR mobile headset.
“By replicating physical elements in the real world, the effect is really significant in creating a stronger sense of presence and immersion,” says Susannah.
At the launch on Friday 18 May, paragliders will be able to fuel up for their flight with a complimentary build-your-own S’mores Station. Pick and choose what you want ‘s’more of’, toast melting marshmallows on the open fire pit and sip steaming cocktails from the multi-award winning Teeling Whiskey, all while enjoying live music from rising star Tayla Thomas and dreamy singer-songwriter Emma Yarosh from 5pm – 10pm.
Live music will light up the following three Friday evenings from 4pm-7pm, with Emma Yarosh returning along with acoustic musician James Hall to welcome the weekends at QV Square. Performing by the light of the open fire, with marshmallows toasting, it’s the perfect nordic night out.
The sure-fire hit S’mores Station will be available from 4pm-7pm Friday 18 May – Sunday 20 May and Thursday 31 May – Sunday 3 June.
From Thursday 24 May – Sunday 27 May between 4pm-7pm, treat yourself to an après-ski with the Virtual / Chill Bar serving up custom made red grape, apple and spicy pear mulled wine, heated to the perfect temperature.
Warm yourself from the inside out at the Virtual / Chill Bar with complimentary hot cocktails by Teeling Whiskey from 4pm-7pm on Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June. Chase away the chills with Damn Fine Hot Whiskey, a blend of spices, rosemary, lemon and Teeling Small Batch Whiskey, their flagship expression matured in ex-rum barrels and bottled at 46% ABV with no chill filtration. Or if you prefer something sweeter, Teeling is reviving the Irish Coffee. Prepared with their signature Spiced Stout Syrup, orange zested cream and freshly grated nutmeg, it’s already a huge hit at NYC’s Dead Rabbit, crowned world’s best bar for two years running.
Worlds apart from other retail precincts in Melbourne, QV represents the quintessential Melbourne lifestyle. Intimate laneways in the urban precinct give visitors the freedom to wander and discover the eclectic mix of shops, cafes and restaurants at their own pace. Located on the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets, QV has something for everyone with boutiques, enlightening entertainment and cosmopolitan bars and restaurants.
Images: Teeling Irish Whiskey’s Irish Coffee and Damn Fine Hot Whiskey. Perfect tipples for World Whiskey Day is on 19 May.
Virtual / Chill Program
All activity takes place in the QV Square, Level 2, QV Melbourne, Corner Swanston & Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne.
What & When
Details
Virtual / Chill launches during Shop the City
Friday 18 May
5.00pm – 10.00pm
Join QV Melbourne for the Virtual / Chill launch event, coinciding with Shop the City in the QV Square.
Experience the thrill of paragliding over the snow-capped Swiss Alps via VR, fuel yourself with a complimentary build-your-own S’more, sip on steaming Teeling Whiskey cocktails around the open fire pit and enjoy live music from Tayla Thomas and Emma Yarosh.
Build-your-own S’more Station
Saturday 19 May – Sunday 20 May
Thursday 31 May – Sunday 3 June
4.00pm – 7.00pm
Winter warming comfort food never looked so good with the sweet smelling, oozy toasted marshmallows set to get your tastebuds dancing at the Build-your-own S’more Station.
Mulled Wine at the Virtual / Chill Bar
Thursday 24 May – Sunday 27 May
4.00pm – 7.00pm
Nothing says winter quite like mulled wine and the Virtual / Chill Bar will be serving up custom made red grape, apple and spicy pear mulled wine to be enjoyed as the sun sets in the city.
Live music from James Hall
Friday 25 May and Friday 8 June
4.00pm – 7.00pm
Enjoy the cool tones of acoustic musician James Hall as he performs live, while you sip on a hot cocktail from the Virtual / Chill Bar, and ease yourself into the weekend.
Live music from Emma Yarosh
Friday 1 June
4.00pm – 7.00pm
Sit back and let the dreamy tones of Emma Yarosh unwind the work-week -worries as you build your own s’mores by the open fire.
Hot Teeling Irish Whiskey cocktails at the Virtual / Chill Bar
Thursday 7 June – Sunday 10 June
4.00pm – 7.00pm
Hot cocktails from the multi award winning Teeling Irish Whiskey will be on offer at the Virtual / Chill Bar, with their Damn Fine Hot Whiskey and Irish Coffee revival cocktails acting as decadent tools to banish those winter chills.
**Information and Images Courtesy of QV Melbourne/Fuller PR – Keryn O’Donnell
Connie Lambeth
The Australia Times News
Editor GOURMET – Food/Wine/Events
connie.lambeth@theaustraliatimes.com.au
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READ here for information on QV Melbourne – qv.com.au