INTRODUCING...
Trainscendence’s Golden Ticket
This one magic ticket will grant you access to SIX events coming up over the next few months.
This includes our extra-special Grand Opening, as well as a grounding, collaborative and inspiring event designed to best utilise each of our five levels. The first of these, Alleycats, our laneway jazz Sunday session, is snowballing into something a bit epic, and there’s a good chance the other events shall also.
For less than half of a price of many festivals, grant yourself a gift that keeps giving, and save some cash! (save approx $200 in total).
Trust us with your social calendar, we won’t let you down!
Only 10 golden tickets available!
// 7.30pm - 9.30pm
An extremely carefully curated two hour music mix guides a journey each Wednesday night. Cacao before, chats after. This aims to be a space of expression, authenticity and safety. The soundscape aims to inspire, move and transport. We think both music and movement are medicines, and we love that conscious dance can be a solo journey or a journey of connection, depending on what one needs on a given night. We’d love to see you there.
‘Sissy Heff’ AKA Harley Hefford and ‘Water Signs’ AKA Callum Lawson are co-coordinating this event, with original live music created and performed by Callum and light facilitation offered by Harley. Seasoned dancers, as well as those who have never attended a conscious dance before are welcome.
Booking recommended, book using the button below.
Don your cat ears and strut down to a laneway Sunday sesh
with some of Naarm’s best. Thrilled to have such a high-class
lineup bringing some serious GROOVE to the vibin’ Collingwood
alley all day. Stalls, projections and a couple of mystical surprises.
If this ain’t love, why does it feel so good ?
Presented by Trainscendence & Rolling Stock, who both front onto
'Rolling Stock Lane,' a day of excellent vibrations and camaraderie to
bring life to the magical little laneway. We'll be jiving from early afternoon
right through sunset. Various delicious drinks, food trucks, crafty stalls
from local makers, plus some world-class tunes, courtesy of:
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
SAXY
Funky hip-hop & bass DJ ft. live Saxophone
Z E D S I X
Six-piece Afro-Jazz Hip-hop outfit xx
DJ MANCHILD
Funk/Soul brother w/ Latin, Afro & more in the bag
DON’T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE
Hip-Hop collective ft. fire house band
AMBER FERRARO
Soulful singer, Discohouse DJ & literal cat
JOHN SNED
Futurebass Electro-Jazz Fingerdrummer
Snap your fingers and befriend some new cats amidst the bricks.
(BYO cat ears if you so desire.)
more info about the fantastic artists:
The one and only SAXY keeps the energy high and the saxophone dreamy. Kicking off
proceedings in style, this Sax man cranks the bass that bit more than most sax men.
We’ll let the laneway know we’re here to have a good time within it. Get yourself prepared
for the beats to come at https://www.instagram.com/saxy_music/ and you may even catch
a glimpse of hard mode unlocked: upside-down saxophone!
ZEDSIX, a six-piece outfit who reimagine the golden eras of jazz and hip hop. Re-working
and remixing classic American and African jazz standards through new lens, they create
the sound of the future. The ideal sound for a Sunday alley session, we can't wait to receive
their intersection of boom bap and be bop. Led by ZEDSIX aka Zvi Belling, producer, composer
and bass player from Johannesburg, South Africa. Listen here: https://zedsix.bandcamp.com/
Beloved veteran of the scene, DJ MANCHILD has played funk, soul, latin, african, hip-hop, disco
and beyond to dancefloors of Melbourne since early 2001. He has DJ'ed and dug for records in
places as far flung as Mumbai, Lagos and Tokyo, bringing back booty for his PBS radio show The
Breakdown which has been running for years on Friday afternoons. The list of people he has
supported is WILD, and includes Nas, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, MF Doom, Dead
Prez and Mos Def! Check out this breezy half-hour mix for a taster:
www.mixcloud.com/AssemblePapers/warm-up-mix-by-dj-manchild
The absolute fire house band of DON’T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE gathered three fateful years ago
to support whichever freestylers and MCs might want to take the night. Their Tuesday night event
at Shotkickers has become notorious. The dope band, fronted by Tumi the Be, are ready to spread
their wings and begin performing full festival sets. We’re lucky enough to get a taste of what they’re
up to, just as the sun begins to descend. Video here: facebook.com/watch/?v=678555793784780
As we journey into night, AMBER FERRARO will get her paws on the decks. A resident DJ at Onesixone,
she’s brought her passion and depth to clubs in Naarm, UK and Europe. Her musicality extends to
being the soulful singer in live house act Honey, the lead singer for Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir,
and the co-creator of Silhouette DJ/kink showcase nights. Get yourself into the groove ahead of time
by checking out her soundcloud here: soundcloud.com/user-371776093
Finally, the legend JOHN SNED, hailing from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and who has already happily
become a Trainscendence regular! Pushing the limits of electronic controllerism, Sned brings a jazz
background, live fingerdrumming and bass guitar together into a bit of beat-conjuring magic, created
before our very eyes. He describes the “adventure of exploring a profound lifelong fascination for
electronic music,” and we’ll join in that adventure to end our laneway day foray. Hear John play here:
https://www.instagram.com/snedmusic/
// 10.30am - 6.30pm
On Saturday, May 10, we’ll host a day of fascinating and expansive workshops.
It’s the Trainscendence School of Wit, Craft and Wizardry!
Alongside your classmates-for-a-day, learning from magical instructors, you may even feel like a student of (specific wizarding school which is a registered trademark and thus-shall-not-be-named).
SCHEDULE:
We’ll gather all aboard the Trainscendence Express for an opening inspiration. Then, we’ll have a moment with the ‘Selecting Cap,’ which of course bears no resemblance to the Sorting Hat which may or may not appear in a popular fictional franchise. After that, choose your own adventure throughout the day:
🎭 The Wit options will be something like: poetry, improv or embodied movement (keeping your wits about you).
🧶 After lunch, you’ll select a Craft class such as: pottery, crochet or freestyle rapping.
🪄 Finally, it’s time for Wizardry. The options there will quite likely be: herbalism, wand-making or coding (tech wizardry).
Then, a spirited finish as we reconnect, share a little of what we’ve learnt and very briefly vanquish a painting of he-who-must-not-be-framed. Finally, of course, we’ll celebrate every student’s favourite part of the school day: the Home Time bell!
A school day a little more like how many of us might have dreamed our school days to be: full of intrigue, connection and imagination. Happily devoid of standardised testing. Probably what a school day in Scandinavia feels like.
For the role players and theatrical members of our community, you’re welcome to attend as a character. This is fully optional though. More about that in the fourth question below.
(If your question is not answered below, please email us at info@trainscendence.com.au to enquire about anything at all. Thanks :) )
Q: Do I need to know anything about the subjects being taught?
A: No! The instructors will aim to structure the classes so that both total beginners and folks with some familiarity will both be challenged.
Q: Can me and my friend stay together the whole day?
A: Yes! Just choose the same classes at the beginning, and you’ll be together the whole day.
Q: Is lunch provided?
A: No! In the lunch hour, you can venture to one of the many nearby eateries to buy something, or you’re welcome to bring lunch. Fridge, kettle, sink, cutlery and crockery all available.
Q: Can I Come In Character?
A: Yes! If you wish, the Trainscendence School of Wit, Craft and Wizardry is definitely an opportunity to play and to pretend to be a student of a magical college for a day. Our instructors will take on wizarding-world-esque professor characters. We welcome people attending in kit (costume), and enjoying the day in a very light LARP (role play) fashion.
We intend for this to be optional, and to create an environment where you’re equally welcome to attend as yourself, or in character. If you wish to be a character, simply introduce yourself as that character in the opening. We’ll provide nametags. There will be a few spare robes for those who get inspired to dress up a a little once they arrive.
Our awesome smorgasbord of instructors to be announced soon!
// 10.30am - 5.30pm
A movie screening with an (dare we say it) IMMERSIVE twist. A new format for a day event, combining movement/physical/embodiment workshops with the film screening. Another Trainscendence event in which we learn together, journey as a group and share in something a little unique and special over the course of the day.
The day slowly increases in energy, then descends, following the classic story arc.
We’ll gather at 11am. The date will be Sat, 24 May. With much fanfare, the mystery movie shall be revealed.
Next, a meditative opening class, preparing us for the themes of the movie ahead.
Then, the first third of our mystery movie is screened. This film has some connection to movement of some kind. A relevant workshop follows, taking energetic and thematic cues from the point in the film which we’re paused at. We take a breather, and have some lunch, themed to match the movie that we’re watching.
After lunch the middle third of the film, pausing at a cliffhanger, the most climactic moment. A high energy workshop after that, of course. We’re really in it, the climax, the tension, the uncertainty. The plot has not yet resolved. But we believe. And we move in that belief.
Finally, the final third of the movie. We celebrate the newfound ending and share our experiences together.
In our minds and bodies, we’ve really gone through the experience of the film in some way.
An experiment. One which we imagine will be fun and interesting. Limited to only 25 people.
There’ll be three great practitioners leading the workshops, a truly fascinating mystery film, and a sense of camaraderie between us as we quest together.
No expertise in dance styles or movement classes required, teachers will tailor the classes to suit a variety of experience levels. Activities during the day will be opt-in, the focus is on the shared experience of watching a film in three parts and exploring movement and energy between the parts. This exploration can be taken completely at one’s own pace.
// 1pm - 6pm
A top secret, highly exclusive visioning summit for the 0.00001% of entrepreneurs who are ready to take the plunge.
Could it be a sincere exploration of our future intentions; could it be a parody of Zuckerberg types, could it be both?!?
So...
Imagine you have achieved an immense deal of success in an area you would love to be successful. Perhaps this means you’ve produced something well-loved. Perhaps it’s resulted in a luxurious lifestyle. Perhaps you’re a respected public personality. Perhaps you’ve made a significant impact upon the world and humankind. You are able to define the success however you like. Simply, you’ve managed to achieve something which right now would seem amazing, desirable and unbelievable to you. Congratulations.
VISIONBOARD is a workshop which invites you to imagine your wildest dreams have come true. So much so that you’ve been able to attend an absurdly overpriced ‘wellness summit,’ at the top of a mountain only accessible by private jet. Your company is a handpicked group of similarly successful people.
You will play a character - a version of yourself in a hypothetical future where you’ve become extremely successful at something. Before attending, you’ll do a brief pre-event questionnaire online. This will guide you to consider which success/successes you’d like to focus on and develop a sense of the character you’ll be playing.
On the day, we’ll greet each other out of character and set some conventions for the day ahead. Then, we’ll imagine travelling through space and time to the ‘wellness summit.’
We’ll do mantras, cold plunge and visioning exercises. Everyone’s portrait will be framed. Your guides are the eccentric billionaire event designers Harlothemew and Luc. More than insight, foresight or hindsight, we’ll gain upsight, diagonasight and outtasight!
The day intends to have a parody energy and invite in a little of the ridiculous. At the same time, it’s hoped that stepping into a dream future and exploring visions of one’s life path and goals may be genuinely useful and powerful.
This experience is limited to only 10 brave souls.
Heed the call to join, and gain some serious insight,
and some even more serious outtasight.
(If your question is not answered below, please email us at info@trainscendence.com.au to enquire about anything at all. Thanks :) )
Q: So, is my character just myself?
A: Yes! Yourself in the future. You will probably take the same name, unless you believe that your name might have changed in the hypothetical future we’re exploring.
Q: Do I have to do a cold plunge?
A: No! This, and a few other ‘wellness summit’ activities are offered as part of the high-end exclusive entrepreneur experience, but your character may prefer to sit some things out and gain wisdom through witnessing.
// 3.30pm - 8.30pm start times (2 hour group experience)
Now, this one is going to be fun! Unlike all those other dumb events.
This lighthearted interactive experience will traverse all five floors of Trainscendence. Encounter a few mystical characters, solve a couple of puzzles and enjoy the intrigue quest of Melbourne’s most underground quest.
On holiday in Athens, you’re part of a small group who signs up for a ‘tour of the Underworld.’ Your charming tour guide leads you underground via a crumbling staircase, then through the darkness via lamplight. Abruptly, your tour guide vanishes, leaving you on a cavernous train platform. At this point, an announcement informs you all that trains to the underworld are not currently running. Luckily, there are replacement buses available.
From there, your group must navigate on your own. There are a few puzzles, some familiar mythological characters and some less expected characters, and at least two different possible endings. The silver lining is that no matter which ending you get, it will feature a surprise musical performance offering.
The whole experience is two hours long, and five different sessions will run throughout the day on... Friday the 13th... oooooooo!
One day only. We may repeat this event, but that’s currently TBD.
Replacement Bus In The Underworld is designed for groups of 8-12. You are welcome gather your own group of that size. If you prefer to book in as an individual, or a group of fewer than 8, then we’ll assign you to a group of soon-to-be friends. (Friendship not guaranteed, it’s reasonably likely that you’ll simply have a nice time with the fellow players not already known to you, but not stay in touch.)
(If your question is not answered below, please email us at info@trainscendence.com.au to enquire about anything at all. Thanks :) )
Q: Do I need to be in character?
A: No! This event does not require you to play in character yourself. It is implied that you are on holiday in Athens as a group, so you’re welcome to embellish the story of how you came to be in Athens during the experience if you so desire.
Q: Will actors touch me or invade my personal space?
No! At the beginning of the experience, we’ll invite you to choose a red, yellow or green sticker. This lets our actors know how comfortable audience members are. Anyone with a red sticker will never be directly interacted with, while a bold green-sticker-wearer might be chosen as a audience volunteer. (We’ll also advise you to keep our actors comfortable by not touching them unless directly invited).
Q: Is there a ‘winning’ ending?
A: Yes, in our minds. Although this will not be communicated to players until a few days later, so in the moment it’s up to you to decide whether you think you’ve ‘won’ the game. Even when the ‘correct’ ending is revealed, you might decide that you prefer the ending you found anyway.
GO: GRAND OPENING
// Friday: 7pm - 1am; Saturday: 3pm - 3am
We’re pulling out all stops and putting together a truly high-calibre line-up for G.O! Our Grand Opening. This will be reasonably huge and is quite likely to sell out. Booking recommended.
To celebrate the venue being fully set up, and ready to regularly open, we’re holding a two-day fiesta! We’re keen to make the winter solstice special. Across Friday night, Saturday day and Saturday night, we’ll host a high-quality smorgasbord of music, performances and installations. Rumour has it that Trainscendence will magically expand, doubling in size like some magic trick. With the tragic closure of many festivals, we’re keen to get as close as we can in the city. Retire to your comfortable bed on Friday night and then come back to meet up with the same people in the same place the next day. What a feeling.
Several awesome Melbourne crews will do a take over of a particular floor. With ten floors available at this event, perhaps changing a little from the Friday to the Saturday, you never know quite what you’ll find behind each door, as you explore the double trouble venue. There are rumours of surprise doors in the laneway, leading to more mystery, music and magic.
Also! Roll the dice with a Monopoly-themed game running throughout the weekend as well. We’re fans of double-meaning and of slight confusion, so this game will be called GO. Not to be confused with the existing popular strategy game called Go. The event is also called G.O! “Are you going to G.O?” “Yes, I can’t wait, I’m definitely going to play GO at G.O!” “Oh, you play Go?” “No, not that Go, they’ve made a new game called GO.” “Oh so we could play Go and GO and G.O!” “Yes, at the same time, so it could be your go in Go while it was my go in G.O.” “Love it. Let’s gooooooo!”
Hope to see you at G.O: Grand Opening. Single Fri night or Saturday day+night passes, as well as full weekend passes available.
Q: I’m really confused by what you said the game ‘GO’ !?
A: Apologies! This game will be available to be played at the event. There will be tables with game hosts, who will invite players to join when there are open spots at their table. They’ll explain the rules to new players.
Q: Grand ‘opening’ …so, what happens after you’re open?
A: After this Grand Opening, we'll start by opening three days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. 8am-8pm. Members will be able to head upstairs and enjoy the sauna, performances and workshops, kitchen facilities and a variety of spaces to use for co-working, meeting, creative pursuits and more.
Q: So you have to be a member to enter?
A: The ground floor, Platform Infinity, will be a casual co-work cafe, available to all. Non-members will only be able to head upstairs to attend a specific event, if it has a non-member ticket available. We’re incentivising membership because we want to build a community, so membership will definitely be the best value. Members can come and enjoy all we have to offer 24 hours a week (these opening hours will increase after we get properly started).
Q: How much will membership be?
A: Initially, $35-$40 a week. We’re open to thoughts, feedback and discussions too, as we finalise this.