Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for September 22 - September 28, 2008.
Its a huge week in Melbourne whether you love your footy, festivals or fun.
AFL Grand Final Week kicks off with the Brownlow Medal and culminates on Saturday with the Grand Final between Geelong and Hawthorn at the M.C.G.
The Melbourne Fringe Festival begins offering an enormous program of independent art and theatre, Northcote sees the Melbourne Magic Festival with some deft sleight of hand, while in Darebin there's a day of fun for the whole family with the Mayor's Event.
The Royal Melbourne Show also continues this week, along with 30 Days of Fashion and the Asian Food Festival offering special events for Melbourne's fashionable foodies. There are also two big music festivals with the Mildura Country Music Festival and the ongoing Sovereign Hill Music Festival.
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
WHAT'S ON CALENDAR
Speaking of what's on, our new calendar allows you to select any day of the year to view everything (everything!!!) on that day in an easy to read, printable display.
-:- View What's On Calendar
-:- View Markets Only Calendar
*UPDATE* We now use AWebber to manage our newsletters. If you have not already subscribed, then Subscribe Here. If you were already subscribed, you will have to re-confirm your email address by resending the confirmation email. Re-Subscribe Here
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Spring School Holiday Guide
School Holidays continue this week with plenty to see and do, and now's the perfect time with the Spring weather finally here!
Highlighting the best events and exhibitions on offer for the young and young at heart, our exclusive guide will help you find perfect ways to enjoy the holidays with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The Grimstones is a gothic fairy tale told with beautiful old world marionettes and Australian sign language. A magical, gothic fairytale about a girl who can read dreams and a baby boy with three legs, performances run between September 22 and 30 during holidays.
The Mermaid's Daughter is an inspiring shadow puppet play for all ages, by Company Gongoma. With traditional African music and folklore, performances held from September 24 to 26 at Northcote Town Hall include special workshops following the shows.
Equipment, a solo circus show performed by Andrew Dyson, will be running from September 18th to 27th at the Arts House, located at the Meat Market in North Melbourne. The performance features his Guinness World Records freestanding ladder & juggling trick.
Melbourne Fringe Festival begins this Wednesday, running until October 12. Celebrating its 26th year with a large range of events, exhibitions and public performances taking place throughout Melbourne, this years festival is bigger than ever. Presented by The Age, this year's festival features 10 major projects and almost 300 events in 19 days across the city and beyond, showcasing the talents of independent artists.
The Melbourne Magic Festival, held from September 22 to October 4 at Northcote Town Hall is the biggest gathering of magical talent in Australia this century! Some of Australia's top magicians are appearing (and disappearing!) at the special festival with 50 performances of ten different shows. There'll be something for everyone with clown magic for kids and cardsharping scams for adults, comedy and illusions.
Darebin Mayor's Event - Games, fun in the pool and health advice will be the drawcards of this year's Mayor's Event. With the theme 'A Healthier Community', this free event will be held at Reservoir Leisure Centre on Sunday, offering families lots of fun activities for children, older adults and everyone in between, such as water activities, Indigenous games and advice from Reservoir Leisure Centre staff.
The Melbourne International Festival of Brass, beginning this Sunday and running until next Saturday, features recitals and concert performances from some of Australia's finest musicians and brass ensembles. Celebrating the contribution of brass playing in the Australian community, the festival program includes musicians' forums, concerts, workshops, jam sessions and more at several venues throughout Melbourne.
The Royal Melbourne Show is the highlight of School Holidays, an annual event not to be missed! Running until Sunday, the Melbourne Show provides entertainment for all ages, offering something for everyone, from extreme rides and hundreds of showbags to choose from to food, rides and more. The Show also offers the chance to view animal judging competitions, woodchop contests and attractions.
30 Days of Fashion and Beauty is a month-long event in September, celebrating the style industry's finest and brightest through in-store events, parties and much more. The month-long program will feature cocktail parties, runway shows and in store appearances with top make-up artists, celebrities such as Nikki Phillips, Jennifer Hawkins and Lara Bingle and leading editors from magazines like Harper's Bazaar.
Grand Final Week Celebrations
AFL Grand Final Week | Parade & Ticket Offers
Catch footy fever during Toyota AFL Grand Final Week at Federation Square. During Grand Final Week there will be free daily kids' activities including guest players, footy panels, and even a performance by members from the cast of Wicked during the Grand Final Parade. To celebrate Melbourne's favourite sport you can even use your Finals tickets to get great dining specials.
Upcoming Events
Milo in2Cricket is a fun sports event that let's you get up close with the Milo in2Cricket ambassadors and test out your cricket skills. A fun, free school holiday event for the whole family, Cricket Australia and Milo are working together to give junior cricket in Australia a whole new look. A great way to learn lots of new cricket skills, the free family event takes place on October 2nd, running from 11am to 2pm at Fed Square.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
To find out about future events in Melbourne, have a look at our new calendar, with details about many more events that lie ahead, including Exhibitions, Gigs, Markets, Expos and much more..
Punk a Photographic Journey is an exhibition of work that will feature in an up and coming book that chronicles Melbourne's Punk scene, by Melbourne based photographer, Melynda. Part of Melbourne Fringe, it begins Tuesday at Gasworks Art Park.
Alex London Dies in Public is a cinematic installation that asks, what is the ultimate sacrifice in the name of art? Performance artist Alex London decided to take her own life as a work of art and left behind this work. It will run at Fitzroy's Bar Open as part of Fringe.
Between Here And There, an exhibition held at Northcote's newest gallery, Immersion Therapy, features work by photographer Ying Ang. Opening on Friday, the exhibition showcases work by the self taught artist who has hewn a highly successful career.
Ubiquitous Slopes is an exhibition that uses the gallery space of Collingwood gallery, Utopian Slumps to explore ideas of inversion, location and deviation. Reconstructed from the memory of a New Zealand holiday cabin, it runs from Thursdays to Saturdays.
The Naked and the Nude, now showing at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, is an exhibition that celebrates the naked body in art and showcases the human form in art throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries with work that includes Norman Lindsay's Benediction.
40 Years of Video Art is an exhibition that offers an overview of both historical and current trends in video art. With 59 individual art works produced in Germany between 1963 and 2004, it is held at the Faculty Gallery of Monash University Art & Design.
Heat: Art and Climate Change is a major international art exhibition held in conjunction with the conference, Cultures of Sustainability, which offers artists and writers the chance to explore issues of climate change. The exhibition is running at the RMIT Gallery.
The Ableart Exhibition, on show all September at Australia on Collins, is a an exhibition of art produced by people living with multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness. The free exhibition celebrates personal expression, communication and creativity.
The Sculptors Association of Victoria are currently holding their Annual Awards Exhibition in the Barn Gallery of Eltham's Montsalvat. The highly collectable work produced for the annual exhibition emanates from a mix of amateur and professional members.
Sport and War is an exhibition that highlights the controversies faced by many Australian sportspersons during wartime in decades past. With original artworks, documents, photos and film, the wartime relics include a 'Brownlow' medal presented in a Changi POW camp.
Performances & Theatre
Pandora's Dolls, presented by the House of Burlesque, is a vaudeville burlesque interpretation of the legend of Pandora with wind up human toys as each sin she releases. Held at Northcote Town Hall part of the Melbourne Fringe, it opens this Monday.
Zoetrope, at a cost of $5 and running for 10 minutes, is a whirlwind live performance that revolves to the rhythms of honky-tonk jazz. Part mechanism, part human entertainment, Zoetrope appears at the North Melbourne Town Hall during Fringe.
Tabula Rasa! is a performance that blends brute physicality with language to humourously explore the bridge between childhood and adulthood. Held as part of Melbourne Fringe, it will be begin at North Fitzroy's Glitch Bar on Wednesday and run until Sunday.
Shattered Reflection is a play that examines the corporate battlefield and the differences between women and men in senior management positions and the lives and support they come home to. It begins Wednesday at Melbourne University's Guild Theatre.
Playspotting, presented by MelBorn08, the Melbourne Writers' Theatre's Annual 10 minute play festival, is a hot mix of 11 short plays, brought to life by Melbourne's finest actors, writers and directors. It begins Wednesday at the Carlton Courthouse.
Curly Girls Burlesque is a show of witty, kinky dances by five talented-sexy girls with interestingly artistic costumes. Full of parodies that you would love and laugh till you drop, shows are held Saturdays at North Melbourne's Australian Centre of Performing Arts.
The Rocky Horror Show has finally hit Melbourne, bringing Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with ARIA-nominated singer iOta as the outrageous Dr Frank N Furter. The iconic play and long time cult favourite is on at the Comedy Theatre.
The Real Thring, presented by Hoy Polloy Theatre and written by Barry Dickins, celebrates the career and life of the Australian icon, Frank Thring. As outrageous in death as he was in life, the theatrical tribute is playing at Triple R's Performance Space in Brunswick.
John and Jen, now playing at Chapel Off Chapel, is an original musical that takes a look at the complexities of relationships between brothers, sisters, parents and children. Performed by two actors, the chamber musical is set across four decades.
Ninety, featuring Melinda Butel and Kim Gyngell, is a play written by Joanna Murray-Smith that sees William, soon to re-marry, approached by his former wife, Sally who wants ninety minutes to make her case to regain what was lost. It's currently playing at the Arts Centre.
Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is the hit musical that tells the untold story of the legendary witches from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the show reveals the surprising past of the supposedly Wicked Witch.
Classical & Choral Performances
David Kram and Emily Wang, an internationally respected conductor and accompanist and soprano, will join together this Friday for a special performance of some of the most beloved arias. The concert will be held at All Saints Anglican Church in Greensborough.
The Camberwell Chorale, together with the Camerata Orchestra and 24 soloists, will perform Vaughan Williams' Pilgrim's Progress. Established in 1944 and formed by local people, the community choir will be performing at Camberwell Civic Centre on Sunday.
Entertainment & Nightlife
The Mildura Country Music Festival, beginning this Friday, is Australia's biggest showcase of Independent country music entertainers. This year more than 100 artists and bands will perform during the 10-day festival, with a program that features many award winners including Golden Guitar finalists and Star Maker winners. Held at 24 venues across Mildura, the festival runs until October 5 with daily entertainment.
Sovereign Hill Music Festival, continuing until Sunday October 5th, features plenty of entertainment for young and old Deborah Conway, Willy Zygier and many more performers. There'll also be entertainment for kids with Cocos Lunch, Magic Sally Faerie Rock Band and musical workshops including drumming with Afrobeat, all performing at various locations against the historical backdrop of Sovereign Hill.
The Whitlams will be performing with the 60-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for three nights only, beginning Wednesday at the Arts Centre. Playing sings such as their widely known hit, No Aphrodisiac, they'll be joined by acclaimed conductor Benjamin Northey.
Shannon Noll will be performing this Friday and Saturday as part of his No Turning Back Tour. Performing songs from his recent album, Turn It Up, which debuted at #3 on the ARIA albums chart, the concerts will be held at The Palms at Crown.
Cinema
St Kilda's Tuesday Flicks, held on Tuesday evenings, is a special film program that will raise funds for the organisation, unChain St Kilda. This Tuesday at the George Palace Cinemas they'll be screening the film, Pure, starring Max Gillies.
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival continues this week, offering a program of some of Italy's finest films. Now in its 9th year, the festival includes new features and a special retrospective of classic films. It runs until October 5 at various Palace cinemas.
Comedy
Benn Bennet and Friends - Coming straight off the back of a successful season of 'Songs and Stories' at the Butterfly Club, the talented Benn Bennett has brings his unique musical wit to Cabaret Voltaire at the Australian Centre of Performing Arts this Thursday.
Just Can't Get Enough is a comical choral show by The Polyester Blenders, a brand new contemporary Cappella Community Choir. With choreographed Cappella arrangements of cool pop songs, it begins Friday at North Melbourne's Lithuanian Club Ballroom.
Spontaneous Broadway is a chaotic show where songs are created inspired by titles supplied by the audience. Solos, dance numbers and plot lines are improvised in this truly Off-Off-Broadway show. It starts Friday at Fringe's Festival Hub, the Lithuanian Club.
The Wonderful World of Mr Men & Little Miss
Children and grown-up's will love singing and dancing along with these much-loved characters from The Mr. Men Show. Are you neat or greedy? Are you feeling happy? Shows run from Monday to Thursday.
Eureka Sky Deck is celebrating Sky High Finals Fever during AFL Finals Week and the Spring School Holidays, offering lots of fun for footy fans of all ages. Running from September 22 to 26, there will be appearances by Footy Mascots and free footy fun for the kids!
Luna Freeze - Luna Park will be making the most of the winter months with Melbourne's newest ice skating venue, held in the middle of Luna Park's Winter Wonderland. With ice-skating set to cool tunes and all under dazzling lights, Luna Freeze runs until October.
We've rearranged the letters of three of the attractions featured in this week's newsletter. See if you can figure them out! Sign up for Next Week's Newsletter to avoid missing the answers..
Serve A Band Minty Ore
Stir Theme Song
Tier Tethered Falcons
Last week's answers are further down with Melbourne Trivia
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the Chinese Museum... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter
Last week's answers are further down with Melbourne Trivia
Melbourne City Romp returns on October 19 this year, but you can have fun before then and even win great prizes with their online 'Virtual Romp' competition each week where you can have a try at guessing the weekly riddle about an iconic Melbourne venue. Prizes include the Melbourne icons package, a $100 myer voucher, a pair of $220 keen shoes or Go For Your Life backpack jampacked with $79 worth of healthy goodies.
Community
Melbourne Conversations is a series of regular, free discussions exploring issues and topics that make Melbourne. This Monday's discussion, held free at 6pm at BMW Edge in Fed Square, raises questions of Democracy and whether or not we truly have it.
SAGE, Successful Aging, Growth and Enhancement, is a seminar held this Thursday at St Michael's Centre in the city. Conducted by renowned Psychotherapist Dr Francis Macnab, the aim of SAGE is to help people over 45 to learn how to age effectively and enjoyably.
Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, can help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes are held every Thursday in Collingwood and Friday in Albert Park with a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.
HOPE Workshop - A series of workshops are being held in September for families and friends of people experiencing an eating disorder. Presented by The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria, the final workshop is held on Tuesday in Cranbourne.
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 or to benefit others. This week we ask you to consider the following..
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Home Lottery offers thousands of fantastic prizes and also helps the hospital in providing the best care for possible for those in need of their many services. This year, for the first time ever, the much-anticipated grand prize is a fully furnished $2.1 million Englehart Grand Prize Showhome that comes complete with a brand new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C200 Classic in the driveway...
Markets, Fetes and Fairs
The Australasian Native Orchid Society is holding their Annual Spring Show on the weekend of September 27 and 28 in Mount Waverley. With many rare plants on show, the event includes native orchid displays, plant sales, a photo exhibition and more.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs 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!
Each week we highlight five of the latest additions to OnlyMelbourne's ever growing guide to services, businesses and information sites for your community.
To find out how you can join Melbourne's largest online community Visit Here!
Round 6 of the Hyundai A League brings a match to Melbourne's own backyard this weekend...
Friday 29 August 2008
Melbourne Victory FC vs Queensland Roar FC
5pm at Telstra Dome
AFL - Grand Final 2008
The big day's finally here with the Grand Final this Saturday! And be sure to catch the Footy Fever with a week of special events at Fed Square leading up to the big match!
The Asian Food Festival, now in its 22nd year, is held throughout September and celebrates both Spring and the diverse range of Asian cuisine available in Melbourne. Each year the very popular festival delivers a major culinary celebration, as Melbourne dining comes alive with hot and spicy, sweet and sour and all the Asian flavours in between showcased at Melbourne's best Asian restaurants.
Wining
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.
Dining Specials - Save Up To 20% on Your Bill Menulog is the easiest way to book a restaurant online with over 4000 restaurant listings! By booking online through Menulog you can enjoy fine food and save money with special deals offering discounts on total food bills, complimentary wine and drinks, discount group bookings and much, much more! Visit Here For The Latest Deals With Menulog!!
BelleZain in Port Melbourne offers Mediterranean dining with fabulous bay views! Their Australian and European wines make for a perfect combination...
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.
Melbourne Tours
Smartvisit Card is the best way to see the sights of Melbourne, whether you're visiting Melbourne for business, a vacation, or even if you're a local wanting to find Melbourne's hidden treasures!
The Smartvisit Card includes entry to attractions such as Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium, Old Melbourne Gaol, Telstra Dome, Cook's Cottage, Melbourne River Cruises, and many more of Melbourne's TOP venues!
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Whatever time of year you visit - rain or shine!
One of Victoria's more obscure sports is Trugo, invented in the railway repair workshops of Newport in the Western suburbs of Melbourne by railway workers in the 1920s and still played to this day.
Played outdoors on a green similar to that used for Lawn bowls (90 feet / 27.4 meters in length for men, 70 feet / 21.3 meters for women), the objective of the game is to score goals or points by striking a rubber ring (wheel) with a mallet though a pair of goal posts.
Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for September 22 - September 28, 2008.
Its a huge week in Melbourne whether you love your footy, festivals or fun.
AFL Grand Final Week kicks off with the Brownlow Medal and culminates on Saturday with the Grand Final between Geelong and Hawthorn at the M.C.G.
The Melbourne Fringe Festival begins offering an enormous program of independent art and theatre, Northcote sees the Melbourne Magic Festival with some deft sleight of hand, while in Darebin there's a day of fun for the whole family with the Mayor's Event.
The Royal Melbourne Show also continues this week, along with 30 Days of Fashion and the Asian Food Festival offering special events for Melbourne's fashionable foodies. There are also two big music festivals with the Mildura Country Music Festival and the ongoing Sovereign Hill Music Festival.
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
WHAT'S ON CALENDAR
Speaking of what's on, our new calendar allows you to select any day of the year to view everything (everything!!!) on that day in an easy to read, printable display.
-:- View What's On Calendar
-:- View Markets Only Calendar
*UPDATE* We now use AWebber to manage our newsletters. If you have not already subscribed, then Subscribe Here. If you were already subscribed, you will have to re-confirm your email address by resending the confirmation email. Re-Subscribe Here
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Spring School Holiday Guide
School Holidays continue this week with plenty to see and do, and now's the perfect time with the Spring weather finally here!
Highlighting the best events and exhibitions on offer for the young and young at heart, our exclusive guide will help you find perfect ways to enjoy the holidays with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The Grimstones is a gothic fairy tale told with beautiful old world marionettes and Australian sign language. A magical, gothic fairytale about a girl who can read dreams and a baby boy with three legs, performances run between September 22 and 30 during holidays.
The Mermaid's Daughter is an inspiring shadow puppet play for all ages, by Company Gongoma. With traditional African music and folklore, performances held from September 24 to 26 at Northcote Town Hall include special workshops following the shows.
Equipment, a solo circus show performed by Andrew Dyson, will be running from September 18th to 27th at the Arts House, located at the Meat Market in North Melbourne. The performance features his Guinness World Records freestanding ladder & juggling trick.
Melbourne Fringe Festival begins this Wednesday, running until October 12. Celebrating its 26th year with a large range of events, exhibitions and public performances taking place throughout Melbourne, this years festival is bigger than ever. Presented by The Age, this year's festival features 10 major projects and almost 300 events in 19 days across the city and beyond, showcasing the talents of independent artists.
The Melbourne Magic Festival, held from September 22 to October 4 at Northcote Town Hall is the biggest gathering of magical talent in Australia this century! Some of Australia's top magicians are appearing (and disappearing!) at the special festival with 50 performances of ten different shows. There'll be something for everyone with clown magic for kids and cardsharping scams for adults, comedy and illusions.
Darebin Mayor's Event - Games, fun in the pool and health advice will be the drawcards of this year's Mayor's Event. With the theme 'A Healthier Community', this free event will be held at Reservoir Leisure Centre on Sunday, offering families lots of fun activities for children, older adults and everyone in between, such as water activities, Indigenous games and advice from Reservoir Leisure Centre staff.
The Melbourne International Festival of Brass, beginning this Sunday and running until next Saturday, features recitals and concert performances from some of Australia's finest musicians and brass ensembles. Celebrating the contribution of brass playing in the Australian community, the festival program includes musicians' forums, concerts, workshops, jam sessions and more at several venues throughout Melbourne.
The Royal Melbourne Show is the highlight of School Holidays, an annual event not to be missed! Running until Sunday, the Melbourne Show provides entertainment for all ages, offering something for everyone, from extreme rides and hundreds of showbags to choose from to food, rides and more. The Show also offers the chance to view animal judging competitions, woodchop contests and attractions.
30 Days of Fashion and Beauty is a month-long event in September, celebrating the style industry's finest and brightest through in-store events, parties and much more. The month-long program will feature cocktail parties, runway shows and in store appearances with top make-up artists, celebrities such as Nikki Phillips, Jennifer Hawkins and Lara Bingle and leading editors from magazines like Harper's Bazaar.
Grand Final Week Celebrations
AFL Grand Final Week | Parade & Ticket Offers
Catch footy fever during Toyota AFL Grand Final Week at Federation Square. During Grand Final Week there will be free daily kids' activities including guest players, footy panels, and even a performance by members from the cast of Wicked during the Grand Final Parade. To celebrate Melbourne's favourite sport you can even use your Finals tickets to get great dining specials.
Upcoming Events
Milo in2Cricket is a fun sports event that let's you get up close with the Milo in2Cricket ambassadors and test out your cricket skills. A fun, free school holiday event for the whole family, Cricket Australia and Milo are working together to give junior cricket in Australia a whole new look. A great way to learn lots of new cricket skills, the free family event takes place on October 2nd, running from 11am to 2pm at Fed Square.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
To find out about future events in Melbourne, have a look at our new calendar, with details about many more events that lie ahead, including Exhibitions, Gigs, Markets, Expos and much more..
Punk a Photographic Journey is an exhibition of work that will feature in an up and coming book that chronicles Melbourne's Punk scene, by Melbourne based photographer, Melynda. Part of Melbourne Fringe, it begins Tuesday at Gasworks Art Park.
Alex London Dies in Public is a cinematic installation that asks, what is the ultimate sacrifice in the name of art? Performance artist Alex London decided to take her own life as a work of art and left behind this work. It will run at Fitzroy's Bar Open as part of Fringe.
Between Here And There, an exhibition held at Northcote's newest gallery, Immersion Therapy, features work by photographer Ying Ang. Opening on Friday, the exhibition showcases work by the self taught artist who has hewn a highly successful career.
Ubiquitous Slopes is an exhibition that uses the gallery space of Collingwood gallery, Utopian Slumps to explore ideas of inversion, location and deviation. Reconstructed from the memory of a New Zealand holiday cabin, it runs from Thursdays to Saturdays.
The Naked and the Nude, now showing at the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, is an exhibition that celebrates the naked body in art and showcases the human form in art throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st Centuries with work that includes Norman Lindsay's Benediction.
40 Years of Video Art is an exhibition that offers an overview of both historical and current trends in video art. With 59 individual art works produced in Germany between 1963 and 2004, it is held at the Faculty Gallery of Monash University Art & Design.
Heat: Art and Climate Change is a major international art exhibition held in conjunction with the conference, Cultures of Sustainability, which offers artists and writers the chance to explore issues of climate change. The exhibition is running at the RMIT Gallery.
The Ableart Exhibition, on show all September at Australia on Collins, is a an exhibition of art produced by people living with multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness. The free exhibition celebrates personal expression, communication and creativity.
The Sculptors Association of Victoria are currently holding their Annual Awards Exhibition in the Barn Gallery of Eltham's Montsalvat. The highly collectable work produced for the annual exhibition emanates from a mix of amateur and professional members.
Sport and War is an exhibition that highlights the controversies faced by many Australian sportspersons during wartime in decades past. With original artworks, documents, photos and film, the wartime relics include a 'Brownlow' medal presented in a Changi POW camp.
Performances & Theatre
Pandora's Dolls, presented by the House of Burlesque, is a vaudeville burlesque interpretation of the legend of Pandora with wind up human toys as each sin she releases. Held at Northcote Town Hall part of the Melbourne Fringe, it opens this Monday.
Zoetrope, at a cost of $5 and running for 10 minutes, is a whirlwind live performance that revolves to the rhythms of honky-tonk jazz. Part mechanism, part human entertainment, Zoetrope appears at the North Melbourne Town Hall during Fringe.
Tabula Rasa! is a performance that blends brute physicality with language to humourously explore the bridge between childhood and adulthood. Held as part of Melbourne Fringe, it will be begin at North Fitzroy's Glitch Bar on Wednesday and run until Sunday.
Shattered Reflection is a play that examines the corporate battlefield and the differences between women and men in senior management positions and the lives and support they come home to. It begins Wednesday at Melbourne University's Guild Theatre.
Playspotting, presented by MelBorn08, the Melbourne Writers' Theatre's Annual 10 minute play festival, is a hot mix of 11 short plays, brought to life by Melbourne's finest actors, writers and directors. It begins Wednesday at the Carlton Courthouse.
Curly Girls Burlesque is a show of witty, kinky dances by five talented-sexy girls with interestingly artistic costumes. Full of parodies that you would love and laugh till you drop, shows are held Saturdays at North Melbourne's Australian Centre of Performing Arts.
The Rocky Horror Show has finally hit Melbourne, bringing Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with ARIA-nominated singer iOta as the outrageous Dr Frank N Furter. The iconic play and long time cult favourite is on at the Comedy Theatre.
The Real Thring, presented by Hoy Polloy Theatre and written by Barry Dickins, celebrates the career and life of the Australian icon, Frank Thring. As outrageous in death as he was in life, the theatrical tribute is playing at Triple R's Performance Space in Brunswick.
John and Jen, now playing at Chapel Off Chapel, is an original musical that takes a look at the complexities of relationships between brothers, sisters, parents and children. Performed by two actors, the chamber musical is set across four decades.
Ninety, featuring Melinda Butel and Kim Gyngell, is a play written by Joanna Murray-Smith that sees William, soon to re-marry, approached by his former wife, Sally who wants ninety minutes to make her case to regain what was lost. It's currently playing at the Arts Centre.
Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is the hit musical that tells the untold story of the legendary witches from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the show reveals the surprising past of the supposedly Wicked Witch.
Classical & Choral Performances
David Kram and Emily Wang, an internationally respected conductor and accompanist and soprano, will join together this Friday for a special performance of some of the most beloved arias. The concert will be held at All Saints Anglican Church in Greensborough.
The Camberwell Chorale, together with the Camerata Orchestra and 24 soloists, will perform Vaughan Williams' Pilgrim's Progress. Established in 1944 and formed by local people, the community choir will be performing at Camberwell Civic Centre on Sunday.
Entertainment & Nightlife
The Mildura Country Music Festival, beginning this Friday, is Australia's biggest showcase of Independent country music entertainers. This year more than 100 artists and bands will perform during the 10-day festival, with a program that features many award winners including Golden Guitar finalists and Star Maker winners. Held at 24 venues across Mildura, the festival runs until October 5 with daily entertainment.
Sovereign Hill Music Festival, continuing until Sunday October 5th, features plenty of entertainment for young and old Deborah Conway, Willy Zygier and many more performers. There'll also be entertainment for kids with Cocos Lunch, Magic Sally Faerie Rock Band and musical workshops including drumming with Afrobeat, all performing at various locations against the historical backdrop of Sovereign Hill.
The Whitlams will be performing with the 60-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for three nights only, beginning Wednesday at the Arts Centre. Playing sings such as their widely known hit, No Aphrodisiac, they'll be joined by acclaimed conductor Benjamin Northey.
Shannon Noll will be performing this Friday and Saturday as part of his No Turning Back Tour. Performing songs from his recent album, Turn It Up, which debuted at #3 on the ARIA albums chart, the concerts will be held at The Palms at Crown.
Cinema
St Kilda's Tuesday Flicks, held on Tuesday evenings, is a special film program that will raise funds for the organisation, unChain St Kilda. This Tuesday at the George Palace Cinemas they'll be screening the film, Pure, starring Max Gillies.
The Lavazza Italian Film Festival continues this week, offering a program of some of Italy's finest films. Now in its 9th year, the festival includes new features and a special retrospective of classic films. It runs until October 5 at various Palace cinemas.
Comedy
Benn Bennet and Friends - Coming straight off the back of a successful season of 'Songs and Stories' at the Butterfly Club, the talented Benn Bennett has brings his unique musical wit to Cabaret Voltaire at the Australian Centre of Performing Arts this Thursday.
Just Can't Get Enough is a comical choral show by The Polyester Blenders, a brand new contemporary Cappella Community Choir. With choreographed Cappella arrangements of cool pop songs, it begins Friday at North Melbourne's Lithuanian Club Ballroom.
Spontaneous Broadway is a chaotic show where songs are created inspired by titles supplied by the audience. Solos, dance numbers and plot lines are improvised in this truly Off-Off-Broadway show. It starts Friday at Fringe's Festival Hub, the Lithuanian Club.
The Wonderful World of Mr Men & Little Miss
Children and grown-up's will love singing and dancing along with these much-loved characters from The Mr. Men Show. Are you neat or greedy? Are you feeling happy? Shows run from Monday to Thursday.
Eureka Sky Deck is celebrating Sky High Finals Fever during AFL Finals Week and the Spring School Holidays, offering lots of fun for footy fans of all ages. Running from September 22 to 26, there will be appearances by Footy Mascots and free footy fun for the kids!
Luna Freeze - Luna Park will be making the most of the winter months with Melbourne's newest ice skating venue, held in the middle of Luna Park's Winter Wonderland. With ice-skating set to cool tunes and all under dazzling lights, Luna Freeze runs until October.
We've rearranged the letters of three of the attractions featured in this week's newsletter. See if you can figure them out! Sign up for Next Week's Newsletter to avoid missing the answers..
Serve A Band Minty Ore
Stir Theme Song
Tier Tethered Falcons
Last week's answers are further down with Melbourne Trivia
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the Chinese Museum... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter
Last week's answers are further down with Melbourne Trivia
Melbourne City Romp returns on October 19 this year, but you can have fun before then and even win great prizes with their online 'Virtual Romp' competition each week where you can have a try at guessing the weekly riddle about an iconic Melbourne venue. Prizes include the Melbourne icons package, a $100 myer voucher, a pair of $220 keen shoes or Go For Your Life backpack jampacked with $79 worth of healthy goodies.
Community
Melbourne Conversations is a series of regular, free discussions exploring issues and topics that make Melbourne. This Monday's discussion, held free at 6pm at BMW Edge in Fed Square, raises questions of Democracy and whether or not we truly have it.
SAGE, Successful Aging, Growth and Enhancement, is a seminar held this Thursday at St Michael's Centre in the city. Conducted by renowned Psychotherapist Dr Francis Macnab, the aim of SAGE is to help people over 45 to learn how to age effectively and enjoyably.
Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, can help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes are held every Thursday in Collingwood and Friday in Albert Park with a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.
HOPE Workshop - A series of workshops are being held in September for families and friends of people experiencing an eating disorder. Presented by The Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria, the final workshop is held on Tuesday in Cranbourne.
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 or to benefit others. This week we ask you to consider the following..
The Royal Melbourne Hospital Home Lottery offers thousands of fantastic prizes and also helps the hospital in providing the best care for possible for those in need of their many services. This year, for the first time ever, the much-anticipated grand prize is a fully furnished $2.1 million Englehart Grand Prize Showhome that comes complete with a brand new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C200 Classic in the driveway...
Markets, Fetes and Fairs
The Australasian Native Orchid Society is holding their Annual Spring Show on the weekend of September 27 and 28 in Mount Waverley. With many rare plants on show, the event includes native orchid displays, plant sales, a photo exhibition and more.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs 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!
Each week we highlight five of the latest additions to OnlyMelbourne's ever growing guide to services, businesses and information sites for your community.
To find out how you can join Melbourne's largest online community Visit Here!
Round 6 of the Hyundai A League brings a match to Melbourne's own backyard this weekend...
Friday 29 August 2008
Melbourne Victory FC vs Queensland Roar FC
5pm at Telstra Dome
AFL - Grand Final 2008
The big day's finally here with the Grand Final this Saturday! And be sure to catch the Footy Fever with a week of special events at Fed Square leading up to the big match!
The Asian Food Festival, now in its 22nd year, is held throughout September and celebrates both Spring and the diverse range of Asian cuisine available in Melbourne. Each year the very popular festival delivers a major culinary celebration, as Melbourne dining comes alive with hot and spicy, sweet and sour and all the Asian flavours in between showcased at Melbourne's best Asian restaurants.
Wining
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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.
Dining Specials - Save Up To 20% on Your Bill Menulog is the easiest way to book a restaurant online with over 4000 restaurant listings! By booking online through Menulog you can enjoy fine food and save money with special deals offering discounts on total food bills, complimentary wine and drinks, discount group bookings and much, much more! Visit Here For The Latest Deals With Menulog!!
BelleZain in Port Melbourne offers Mediterranean dining with fabulous bay views! Their Australian and European wines make for a perfect combination...
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.
Melbourne Tours
Smartvisit Card is the best way to see the sights of Melbourne, whether you're visiting Melbourne for business, a vacation, or even if you're a local wanting to find Melbourne's hidden treasures!
The Smartvisit Card includes entry to attractions such as Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium, Old Melbourne Gaol, Telstra Dome, Cook's Cottage, Melbourne River Cruises, and many more of Melbourne's TOP venues!
Free entry to over 60 top attractions..
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All year-round Attractions..
Whatever time of year you visit - rain or shine!
One of Victoria's more obscure sports is Trugo, invented in the railway repair workshops of Newport in the Western suburbs of Melbourne by railway workers in the 1920s and still played to this day.
Played outdoors on a green similar to that used for Lawn bowls (90 feet / 27.4 meters in length for men, 70 feet / 21.3 meters for women), the objective of the game is to score goals or points by striking a rubber ring (wheel) with a mallet though a pair of goal posts.
School Holidays continue this week with plenty to see and do, and now's the perfect time with the Spring weather finally here!
The Grimstones is a gothic fairy tale told with beautiful old world marionettes and Australian sign language. A magical, gothic fairytale about a girl who can read dreams and a baby boy with three legs, performances run between September 22 and 30 during holidays.
Melbourne Fringe Festival begins this Wednesday, running until October 12. Celebrating its 26th year with a large range of events, exhibitions and public performances taking place throughout Melbourne, this years festival is bigger than ever. Presented by The Age, this year's festival features 10 major projects and almost 300 events in 19 days across the city and beyond, showcasing the talents of independent artists.
The Melbourne Magic Festival, held from September 22 to October 4 at Northcote Town Hall is the biggest gathering of magical talent in Australia this century! Some of Australia's top magicians are appearing (and disappearing!) at the special festival with 50 performances of ten different shows. There'll be something for everyone with clown magic for kids and cardsharping scams for adults, comedy and illusions.
The Melbourne International Festival of Brass, beginning this Sunday and running until next Saturday, features recitals and concert performances from some of Australia's finest musicians and brass ensembles. Celebrating the contribution of brass playing in the Australian community, the festival program includes musicians' forums, concerts, workshops, jam sessions and more at several venues throughout Melbourne.
AFL Grand Final Week | Parade & Ticket Offers 
40 Years of Video Art is an exhibition that offers an overview of both historical and current trends in video art. With 59 individual art works produced in Germany between 1963 and 2004, it is held at the Faculty Gallery of Monash University Art & Design.
Eureka Sky Deck is celebrating Sky High Finals Fever during AFL Finals Week and the Spring School Holidays, offering lots of fun for footy fans of all ages. Running from September 22 to 26, there will be appearances by Footy Mascots and free footy fun for the kids!
Melbourne Conversations is a series of regular, free discussions exploring issues and topics that make Melbourne. This Monday's discussion, held free at 6pm at BMW Edge in Fed Square, raises questions of Democracy and whether or not we truly have it.
SAGE, Successful Aging, Growth and Enhancement, is a seminar held this Thursday at St Michael's Centre in the city. Conducted by renowned Psychotherapist Dr Francis Macnab, the aim of SAGE is to help people over 45 to learn how to age effectively and enjoyably.
View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs for a bargain! 
The Asian Food Festival, now in its 22nd year, is held throughout September and celebrates both Spring and the diverse range of Asian cuisine available in Melbourne. Each year the very popular festival delivers a major culinary celebration, as Melbourne dining comes alive with hot and spicy, sweet and sour and all the Asian flavours in between showcased at Melbourne's best Asian restaurants.
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.
Dining in Melbourne offers a splendid range of food styles to enjoy. Here are just a few classic food styles to choose from..
