Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for December 31 - January 6, 2008.
This week kicks off with the BIGGEST night of the year as we farewell 2007! La Befana sees a festive day on Sunday, Le Tan celebrates 30 years with a huge Beach Party, and Port Fairy continues a massive month of events with the Moyneyana Festival! The School Holidays also continue with plenty of action for the kids and new events in the School Holiday Guide!
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Major Events Guide
La Befana is the good Italian witch who, in Italian culture, flies on her broomstick to visit children and leaves presents in their stockings on the eve of the Epiphany. Held on January 6th at Piazza Italia between 12.00pm-9.30pm, La Befana includes Italian music and opera. In the neighbouring Argyle Square Gardens, childrens activities include circus workshops, face painting, The Connies and more!
Le Tan Summer Beach Party - To celebrate its 30 birthday, Le Tan, which is proudly Aussie made and owned, is holding a series of fun beach parties on Saturday the 5th of January.
Head on down to Frankston Beach for a bbq, music, face painting, free sunscreen and a fun day in the sun! The Beach Party runs from 10am to 3pm.
Port Fairy's Moyneyana Festival celebrates 60 years this year with a huge range of events and activities. Beginning on December 24, 2007, the Moyneyana Festival runs till January, 31, 2008. During the festival the Village Green comes alive with an Emergency Services Day, plus Art on the Green. There will also be a Giant 60th Birthday Party on the Village Green on Australia Day, with cake, games, and fun for all!
School Holiday Guide
Check out our School Holiday Guide for a head start on things to do with the kids during the school holidays in January, 2008.
Updated Weekly with all the Latest Events!!
The guide is updated weekly to highlight the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, to help you find perfect ways to enjoy the holidays with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The Teenage Rampage Holiday Program, held by the City of Stonnington returns in the Summer school holidays from January 7th to 18th. Suitable for young people in years six to nine, activities include bowling, arcade games, movies, horse riding, and more!
The Great Wall of Books is a public display of the biggest book ever bound! Free to the public, it is a large-scale sculpture, interactive installation, outdoor performance, exhibition space and more! It will be on display from January 5th to 10th at Fed Square.
Clothes for Modern Lovers showcases the work of Katie Pye, whose experimental and highly unorthodox fashions constantly challenged the conventional limitations of fashionable dress. This exhibition at NGV charts Pye's work from the late 1970s to 1990.
People, Places, Animals is a major survey of work by acclaimed British artist , whose real-life photos of his family became a notorious part of the 1997 Saatchi exhibition Sensation. It begins December 20 at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.
Power and Beauty - Indigenous Art Now, is showing at the Heide Museum of Modern Art. With works from contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in all areas of Australia, the exhibits attest to the artists' resilience in holding on to their culture.
Arts & Theatre
Disney's High School Musical is the worldwide smash hit that comes live to stage at the Frankston Arts Centre this Summer! Come along and see what the excitement of Disney's High School Musical - On Stage from 31 December to 6 January!
The Wind in the Willows - Pack a picnic, pack the kids... and enjoy a day out in Melbourne's beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens with Rat, Mole, Badger, and, of course, Mr Toad! A must for the holidays, there will be performances running until January 26.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the smash hit Broadway and West End musical, has finally hit Melbourne, playing at Her Majesty's Theatre. Directed by Mike Nichols, the play is based on one of the Pythons' best-loved films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, based on the popular Oscar-winning film, the play is fun, daring, over-the-top and unforgettable! Experience the beauty of the outback on stage with over 20 full-scale production numbers that will take your breath away!
Entertainment & Nightlife
End of An Era Party - On January 1st, Bar Altitude will close its historic doors for the last time as one of Melbourne's longest standing nightclubs. To celebrate, Altitude will see the night out with 20 of its DJ's. Doors open 8pm and close whenever the party winds down!
Spensers Live presents superb entertainment and quality food in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Every Tuesday night you'll find Jazz with the Michael Jordan Trio, featuring Steve Magnussen.
Nissan Moonlight Cinema is Australia's favourite summer outdoor cinema screening latest release, classic and contemporary films in the Royal Botanic Gardens' stunning parklands! This Sunday the Russian cult horror, Daywatch screens.
The Rooftop Cinema at Curtin House flickers into action during Summer, with films screening Tuesday to Sunday. Enjoy the night lights, classic cinema and the rooftop bar! This week's program includes John Water's cult film Cry Baby, screening Thursday.
Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the winners will also recieve two guided tours throughout 2008 to see the construction progress, a commemorative gift and invitations to the official VIP launch!
Competition Ends 12th of February 2008
$12,000 Cash Bonanza! Here's your chance to share in a $12,000 CASH BONANZA, courtesy of Financial Services Online! Apply free online for any comparative quote & you automatically qualify for free entry into their monthly prize draw of $1,000!
Menulog is the easiest way to avoid the New Year's Rush & book a table at one of Melbourne's many splendid restaurants! There are many Melbourne restaurants that are currently offering special deals for New Year's Eve so you can save money and have a great night out in Melbourne! Restaurants found at Menulog offer everything from New Year's special menus, a la carte banquets, and more!
Cleanskins.com sell premium Australian wines direct to the public at up to 50% off retail prices, offering Free Home Delivery and a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
Perfect for all lovers of wine, their impressive range of wines and service were recommended on Channel 7's Today Tonight and Channel 9's A Current Affair.
Saganaki Greek Cuisine & Grill offer sensational cuisine, and a perfect atmosphere set amidst quality design with floor to ceiling windows displaying the Docklands' water views. The Modern Greek cuisine is prepared using only the very best local produce.
Book Through Menulog and receive 50% off your food bill at Saganaki Greek Cuisine & Grill! Offer on Tuesdays Only - 12pm to 9:30pm - Book Early! Visit here for More Details @ Menulog
Melbourne offers a splendid range of food styles to enjoy. Here are just a few classic food styles to choose from..
Menulog Home Delivery is a great chance to eat fine cuisine at home! With over 300 of the best restaurants on offer, you're sure to find something to suit any taste or occasion. To find fast and easy delivery in your area, Visit Here.
Sporting Events
Cricket
The 29th Australian Blind Cricket Championships brings together the cream of Australia's blind and vision-impaired cricketers. The Blind Cricket Championships will see teams from across Australia play each other twice in a round-robin format, culminating in a Grand final on Friday January 11th. The Championships will be held at the rear of Vision Australia building, Glenferrie Road in Kooyong.
The Ocean Grove Tranquility Fair will be held on Saturday at Ocean Grove Park from 10am to 5pm. The Fair is a festival of music and food with over 100 stalls including alternative lifestyles, crafts, natural therapies, massage, readers and jewellery stalls!
Melbourne Market Guide - 1st Week of this Month
Make the most of the sunny days and hop along to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs this weekend for a bargain! An increasing number of food and produce markets including wine are always popping up around the suburbs. And don't forget garage sales!
The Suzuki Night Market has returned for summer at Queen Victoria Market, running Wednesday nights weekly through to February. Now a summer tradition, the Suzuki Night Market offers a great mix of unusual products, great food and atmosphere!
On The Spot
Charming, roving, vocal, virtuoso entertainers! This duo play early jazz, tango, bossas plus French, Italian, Russian, Klezmer, German and Gypsy melodies. These guys know how to have fun in a way that is truly infectious. Old fashioned entertainment with a splash of colour!
This Sunday - 10am to 12 noon
The Moonee Valley Drifters
This quartet mesh honky tonk, with swing, Cajun and even Latin rhythms...No one does hard-hitting, steel stringed, hardcore country and roots better!
This Sunday - 12 noon to 2pm
Melbourne For Kids
Lost Island: Curse of the Mask is Melbourne Aquarium's spectacular new exhibit, full of adventure and fun for people of all ages. These school holidays Melbourne Aquarium will take visitors on an amazing adventure into the heart of the Lost Island, a wild jungle with extraordinary aquatic animals, beautiful waterfalls and spooky caves. The special event runs from December 26, 2007 to January 26, 2008.
Masks of China at the Immigration Museum features handmade masks from China, some which are over 200 years old. With free entry for children the exhibition includes fun kids activity trail with the chance to sketch and colour-in their own mask!
The Independent Games Festival Exhibition is an interactive showcase of selected winners and nominees of the Independent Games Festival. The exhibition features a stunning selection of work such as Samarost 2 (pictured).
Circus Royale is a totally professional traditional circus staged in a luxury tent featuring International circus stars, high wire walkers, swing trapeze, clowns, acrobats, drummers, jugglers and more!
Performances will run from January 4th to January 28th in Geelong at Barwon Activity Centre Grounds - located at Belmont Common.
Family Tours
Puffing Billy Tour - take a tour the whole family can enjoy with a ride on Puffing Billy, Australia's best-loved steam train! Winding its way through lush ferns and towering timbers, this fantastic tour offers may treats, including wine tasting for the adults and also a trip to Healesville Sanctuary that kids will love!
Come & Try Rowing Day - The Y Rowing Centre, located in beautiful Albert Park Lake, invites you to try your hand at rowing. Held on the first Sunday of each month, these sessions are open to participants of all ages. Just turn up and have fun!
Cost: $10 - Booking not required.
Yoga at the Park is an initiative of The Health and Yoga Council of Australia, presenting Yoga classes in some of Victoria's most beautiful parks and gardens. Set in a relaxed environment, classes are designed to suit many age groups and levels of experience.
You Can Help
There are many social causes that are relevant to people from all walks of life, many of which rely on public support to better the community or assist those who are less fortunate. This week we ask you to consider the following..
Kids Help Line is Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25. Dealing with issues ranging from bullying to sexual abuse, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and drug and alcohol usage. Counsellors respond to more than 10,000 calls each week. However, due to lack of funding, thousands more continue to go unanswered..
To learn how you can help support Kids Help Line - Visit Here
OnlyMelbourne Welcomes..
Advertising your Business or Event at OnlyMelbourne is not only easy, but best of all it's FREE!! - Get Listed.. - don't forget to tell your friends!
Each week we highlight five of the latest additions to OnlyMelbourne's ever growing guide to services, businesses and information sites for your community.
This week we suggest the following:
Imbibe Bar - A great bar specialising in fresh juice cocktails!
A ghost walks Melbourne's splendid Princess Theatre. Singer, Federici, died as he descended from the stage through the trap in March 1888 after playing Mephistopheles in the opera Faust
The night after, the cast claimed that two Mephistopheles stepped forward to take their bows. Federici's replacement, Ernest St Clair swore that every time he stepped forward to take his bow invisible hands pushed him backwards.
Since then there have been many sightings and it is regarded as good luck to have seen the ghost. It's said that the Princess leaves a seat for Federici in the balcony on opening nights.
Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for December 31 - January 6, 2008.
This week kicks off with the BIGGEST night of the year as we farewell 2007! La Befana sees a festive day on Sunday, Le Tan celebrates 30 years with a huge Beach Party, and Port Fairy continues a massive month of events with the Moyneyana Festival! The School Holidays also continue with plenty of action for the kids and new events in the School Holiday Guide!
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Major Events Guide
La Befana is the good Italian witch who, in Italian culture, flies on her broomstick to visit children and leaves presents in their stockings on the eve of the Epiphany. Held on January 6th at Piazza Italia between 12.00pm-9.30pm, La Befana includes Italian music and opera. In the neighbouring Argyle Square Gardens, childrens activities include circus workshops, face painting, The Connies and more!
Le Tan Summer Beach Party - To celebrate its 30 birthday, Le Tan, which is proudly Aussie made and owned, is holding a series of fun beach parties on Saturday the 5th of January.
Head on down to Frankston Beach for a bbq, music, face painting, free sunscreen and a fun day in the sun! The Beach Party runs from 10am to 3pm.
Port Fairy's Moyneyana Festival celebrates 60 years this year with a huge range of events and activities. Beginning on December 24, 2007, the Moyneyana Festival runs till January, 31, 2008. During the festival the Village Green comes alive with an Emergency Services Day, plus Art on the Green. There will also be a Giant 60th Birthday Party on the Village Green on Australia Day, with cake, games, and fun for all!
School Holiday Guide
Check out our School Holiday Guide for a head start on things to do with the kids during the school holidays in January, 2008.
Updated Weekly with all the Latest Events!!
The guide is updated weekly to highlight the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, to help you find perfect ways to enjoy the holidays with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The Teenage Rampage Holiday Program, held by the City of Stonnington returns in the Summer school holidays from January 7th to 18th. Suitable for young people in years six to nine, activities include bowling, arcade games, movies, horse riding, and more!
The Great Wall of Books is a public display of the biggest book ever bound! Free to the public, it is a large-scale sculpture, interactive installation, outdoor performance, exhibition space and more! It will be on display from January 5th to 10th at Fed Square.
Clothes for Modern Lovers showcases the work of Katie Pye, whose experimental and highly unorthodox fashions constantly challenged the conventional limitations of fashionable dress. This exhibition at NGV charts Pye's work from the late 1970s to 1990.
People, Places, Animals is a major survey of work by acclaimed British artist , whose real-life photos of his family became a notorious part of the 1997 Saatchi exhibition Sensation. It begins December 20 at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.
Power and Beauty - Indigenous Art Now, is showing at the Heide Museum of Modern Art. With works from contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in all areas of Australia, the exhibits attest to the artists' resilience in holding on to their culture.
Arts & Theatre
Disney's High School Musical is the worldwide smash hit that comes live to stage at the Frankston Arts Centre this Summer! Come along and see what the excitement of Disney's High School Musical - On Stage from 31 December to 6 January!
The Wind in the Willows - Pack a picnic, pack the kids... and enjoy a day out in Melbourne's beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens with Rat, Mole, Badger, and, of course, Mr Toad! A must for the holidays, there will be performances running until January 26.
Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the smash hit Broadway and West End musical, has finally hit Melbourne, playing at Her Majesty's Theatre. Directed by Mike Nichols, the play is based on one of the Pythons' best-loved films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, based on the popular Oscar-winning film, the play is fun, daring, over-the-top and unforgettable! Experience the beauty of the outback on stage with over 20 full-scale production numbers that will take your breath away!
Entertainment & Nightlife
End of An Era Party - On January 1st, Bar Altitude will close its historic doors for the last time as one of Melbourne's longest standing nightclubs. To celebrate, Altitude will see the night out with 20 of its DJ's. Doors open 8pm and close whenever the party winds down!
Spensers Live presents superb entertainment and quality food in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Every Tuesday night you'll find Jazz with the Michael Jordan Trio, featuring Steve Magnussen.
Nissan Moonlight Cinema is Australia's favourite summer outdoor cinema screening latest release, classic and contemporary films in the Royal Botanic Gardens' stunning parklands! This Sunday the Russian cult horror, Daywatch screens.
The Rooftop Cinema at Curtin House flickers into action during Summer, with films screening Tuesday to Sunday. Enjoy the night lights, classic cinema and the rooftop bar! This week's program includes John Water's cult film Cry Baby, screening Thursday.
Scheduled for completion in late 2008, the winners will also recieve two guided tours throughout 2008 to see the construction progress, a commemorative gift and invitations to the official VIP launch!
Competition Ends 12th of February 2008
$12,000 Cash Bonanza! Here's your chance to share in a $12,000 CASH BONANZA, courtesy of Financial Services Online! Apply free online for any comparative quote & you automatically qualify for free entry into their monthly prize draw of $1,000!
Menulog is the easiest way to avoid the New Year's Rush & book a table at one of Melbourne's many splendid restaurants! There are many Melbourne restaurants that are currently offering special deals for New Year's Eve so you can save money and have a great night out in Melbourne! Restaurants found at Menulog offer everything from New Year's special menus, a la carte banquets, and more!
Cleanskins.com sell premium Australian wines direct to the public at up to 50% off retail prices, offering Free Home Delivery and a 100% Money Back Guarantee.
Perfect for all lovers of wine, their impressive range of wines and service were recommended on Channel 7's Today Tonight and Channel 9's A Current Affair.
Saganaki Greek Cuisine & Grill offer sensational cuisine, and a perfect atmosphere set amidst quality design with floor to ceiling windows displaying the Docklands' water views. The Modern Greek cuisine is prepared using only the very best local produce.
Book Through Menulog and receive 50% off your food bill at Saganaki Greek Cuisine & Grill! Offer on Tuesdays Only - 12pm to 9:30pm - Book Early! Visit here for More Details @ Menulog
Melbourne offers a splendid range of food styles to enjoy. Here are just a few classic food styles to choose from..
Menulog Home Delivery is a great chance to eat fine cuisine at home! With over 300 of the best restaurants on offer, you're sure to find something to suit any taste or occasion. To find fast and easy delivery in your area, Visit Here.
Sporting Events
Cricket
The 29th Australian Blind Cricket Championships brings together the cream of Australia's blind and vision-impaired cricketers. The Blind Cricket Championships will see teams from across Australia play each other twice in a round-robin format, culminating in a Grand final on Friday January 11th. The Championships will be held at the rear of Vision Australia building, Glenferrie Road in Kooyong.
The Ocean Grove Tranquility Fair will be held on Saturday at Ocean Grove Park from 10am to 5pm. The Fair is a festival of music and food with over 100 stalls including alternative lifestyles, crafts, natural therapies, massage, readers and jewellery stalls!
Melbourne Market Guide - 1st Week of this Month
Make the most of the sunny days and hop along to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs this weekend for a bargain! An increasing number of food and produce markets including wine are always popping up around the suburbs. And don't forget garage sales!
The Suzuki Night Market has returned for summer at Queen Victoria Market, running Wednesday nights weekly through to February. Now a summer tradition, the Suzuki Night Market offers a great mix of unusual products, great food and atmosphere!
On The Spot
Charming, roving, vocal, virtuoso entertainers! This duo play early jazz, tango, bossas plus French, Italian, Russian, Klezmer, German and Gypsy melodies. These guys know how to have fun in a way that is truly infectious. Old fashioned entertainment with a splash of colour!
This Sunday - 10am to 12 noon
The Moonee Valley Drifters
This quartet mesh honky tonk, with swing, Cajun and even Latin rhythms...No one does hard-hitting, steel stringed, hardcore country and roots better!
This Sunday - 12 noon to 2pm
Melbourne For Kids
Lost Island: Curse of the Mask is Melbourne Aquarium's spectacular new exhibit, full of adventure and fun for people of all ages. These school holidays Melbourne Aquarium will take visitors on an amazing adventure into the heart of the Lost Island, a wild jungle with extraordinary aquatic animals, beautiful waterfalls and spooky caves. The special event runs from December 26, 2007 to January 26, 2008.
Masks of China at the Immigration Museum features handmade masks from China, some which are over 200 years old. With free entry for children the exhibition includes fun kids activity trail with the chance to sketch and colour-in their own mask!
The Independent Games Festival Exhibition is an interactive showcase of selected winners and nominees of the Independent Games Festival. The exhibition features a stunning selection of work such as Samarost 2 (pictured).
Circus Royale is a totally professional traditional circus staged in a luxury tent featuring International circus stars, high wire walkers, swing trapeze, clowns, acrobats, drummers, jugglers and more!
Performances will run from January 4th to January 28th in Geelong at Barwon Activity Centre Grounds - located at Belmont Common.
Family Tours
Puffing Billy Tour - take a tour the whole family can enjoy with a ride on Puffing Billy, Australia's best-loved steam train! Winding its way through lush ferns and towering timbers, this fantastic tour offers may treats, including wine tasting for the adults and also a trip to Healesville Sanctuary that kids will love!
Come & Try Rowing Day - The Y Rowing Centre, located in beautiful Albert Park Lake, invites you to try your hand at rowing. Held on the first Sunday of each month, these sessions are open to participants of all ages. Just turn up and have fun!
Cost: $10 - Booking not required.
Yoga at the Park is an initiative of The Health and Yoga Council of Australia, presenting Yoga classes in some of Victoria's most beautiful parks and gardens. Set in a relaxed environment, classes are designed to suit many age groups and levels of experience.
You Can Help
There are many social causes that are relevant to people from all walks of life, many of which rely on public support to better the community or assist those who are less fortunate. This week we ask you to consider the following..
Kids Help Line is Australia's only free, confidential and anonymous, 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25. Dealing with issues ranging from bullying to sexual abuse, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and drug and alcohol usage. Counsellors respond to more than 10,000 calls each week. However, due to lack of funding, thousands more continue to go unanswered..
To learn how you can help support Kids Help Line - Visit Here
OnlyMelbourne Welcomes..
Advertising your Business or Event at OnlyMelbourne is not only easy, but best of all it's FREE!! - Get Listed.. - don't forget to tell your friends!
Each week we highlight five of the latest additions to OnlyMelbourne's ever growing guide to services, businesses and information sites for your community.
This week we suggest the following:
Imbibe Bar - A great bar specialising in fresh juice cocktails!
A ghost walks Melbourne's splendid Princess Theatre. Singer, Federici, died as he descended from the stage through the trap in March 1888 after playing Mephistopheles in the opera Faust
The night after, the cast claimed that two Mephistopheles stepped forward to take their bows. Federici's replacement, Ernest St Clair swore that every time he stepped forward to take his bow invisible hands pushed him backwards.
Since then there have been many sightings and it is regarded as good luck to have seen the ghost. It's said that the Princess leaves a seat for Federici in the balcony on opening nights.