Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for December 8 - December 14, 2008.
This week.. there's Yule-time cheer a'plenty with the best and brightest of all Christmas attractions, The Boulevard Lights in Ivanhoe holding their launch with a night of carols and entertainment. There's also a night of carols at Docklands with very special guests including Tripod, and Melbourne Skydeck will be holding a Family Day with plenty of activities for the kids.
Meanwhile, if you're already Christmased out and feeling a little Grinchy, pack a hamper and take a break from all the tinsel with the Moonlight Cinema, opening this week. There's also the South Melbourne Youth Festival, offering a day of music and fun as part of the launch of Kool Skools new CD. It's that one lonely, little special event down there that has nothing to do with Christmas...
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
NEWSLETTER
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Christmas Events
Christmas Events in Melbourne - Christmas is on its way, but why wait when there's plenty of fun to be had all through December? With a wide range of events and activities held in Melbourne and Victoria, get in early and treat the kids to some of the fabulous events on offer. There are many events that are free and you'll find them in jolly old Melbourne. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Boulevard Christmas Lights | Carols by Candlelight - Since the early 1950s, residents of The Boulevard in Ivanhoe have shown Melbourne what Christmas is all about. Beginning Friday, the lights will be on display and there will be an official launch with Carols by Candlelight held this Saturday evening with music, a Christmas Art Market, a community BBQ and much more.
Melbourne Skydeck Christmas Family Day - This Sunday, head along (and up) to Melbourne Skydeck for an Aussie Christmas, featuring face painting, a magician, clown, Christmas band and heaps of entertainment for the whole family. There'll also be very special appearances and giveaways by Santa from 11am to 4pm. Children will be admitted free on the day. Carols at Victoria Harbour, held this Saturday at Victoria Green in Docklands, is a chance to get into the Christmas spirit and sing with the Docklands Community Choir as they perform a popular and traditional carols. An exciting night for people of all ages with prizes and more, special guests include musical comedy act Tripod and Billy Elliot cast members.
Advent Calendar @ Fed Square - Celebrate the spirit of Christmas as the East Shard at Federation Square is transformed into a magical Advent Calendar - 24 days, 25 windows, 25 performances! Talented aerialists will perform before a magical animation, unveiling each day's window on the side of a three-storey building with a free performance at 9pm every night.
Christmas Lights | Melbourne's BEST - With Christmas all but here, find the best Christmas light displays are in Melbourne. Our list continues on from last year, with a handy little asterisk marking confirmed displays for 2008. To confirm your Christmas Light display (yes, its free) you can also tell us through the Contact Us button on the Christmas Lights Guide.
Monkami Christmas Trees - Monkami Centre will be selling their homegrown Christmas trees until December 22nd, available daily from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and on weekends. All proceeds will help the organisation to support adults with an intellectual disability. The Monkami Shop, located in Croydon, also sells homemade preserves and craft goods.
School Holiday Guide
Check out our School Holiday Guide for a head start on what to do with the kids during the Summer School Holidays beginning on December 20, and running until January 27 in 2009. The guide is Updated Weekly to highlight the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The South Melbourne Youth Festival, taking place this Friday at the Sol Green Recreation Centre is a Youth Celebration that will also be held to launch the 2008 CD of Kool Skools, an exciting Recording and Multimedia Project for secondary level students. The event begins at 8pm and is free to attend with live music food, rides and activities.
Upcoming Events
Grogger, a variation of the Arcade classic, Frogger, is a free online game that highlights the need for responsible drinking by challenging players must get themselves and their friends home safely. Play the game now online, or better yet, come along to Fed Square next Friday at 5pm to see gamers battle it out on the big screen! With music, giveaways and more the event is free. 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 more.. View Future Events on any day of the week
(An avalanche of Chrissy Carollers notwithstanding!)
Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Hocus Pocus - Science and physics become mere playthings as the world of magic, with all its baroque, buoyant charm, comes to City Museum. Proving that magic is in Melbourne's blood, the exhibition shows how our city has radiated with wonder and possibility since its streets were first paved with gold, featuring souvenirs, tools, artworks and more dating back to the 1850s.
The New Collectables Auction, presented by RMIT, is a chance for one exciting night for buyers to purchase unique artworks by RMIT students at remarkable prices. An auction of quality contemporary artwork from Melbourne's most promising new artists, works are available for viewing from Tuesday, with the auction held this Thursday at Gallery One, Two, Three. Greyscales is an exhibition that culminates 10 months extensive work, blunting over 400 blades through the hand cutting of each stencilled piece by the artist, Kirpy. The black and white artworks possess a distinct Melburnian undertone, carrying a strong graffiti influence with depictions of crowds, streets, lanes and other settings. It opens Friday at Gallery 696 in Brunswick. Manipulate: Construct is an exhibition that features the work of artists who specialise in woven tapestry as well as other mediums. The exhibition showcases contemporary tapestry with many artists moving away from its decorative nature to use it as a tool to highlight innovative and provocative ideas. It runs from Wednesdays to Saturdays at Hawthorn Town Hall.
Difference - Source for Growth is a mixed-media exhibition by artists with and without disability that explores the theme of Difference by learning to look at ourselves and our world in new ways. Running until next Sunday at the Foyer Gallery of Gasworks Arts Park, the exhibition features varied styles and mediums, including painting, print-making, photography, collage and more.
The Siemens RMIT Fine Art exhibition is currently showing at RMIT Gallery in Swanston Street, running until this Saturday. Now in its eighth year, the prestigious Siemens - RMIT Fine Art Scholarship enables students to further their careers in the field of Fine Arts by assisting with research and production costs, offering valuable scholarships to eight students. Views from a Speeding Train features new paintings by Amanda van Gils including paintings recently selected for the Fluerieu Art Prize, The Tattersall's Club Landscape Art Prize, The John Leslie Art Prize and The Mosman Art Prize. Running until next Sunday, the exhibition of work can be seen at the Jenny Port Gallery, located in Richmond. Neuropsychosis, on show until this Wednesday, is an exhibition by Karl Persson, a renowned artist whose flawless work and talent is both envied and admired by artists and collectors alike. Held at the Gallery 696 in Brunswick, the exhibition features the newest range of Persson's paintings that display an eerie and dreamlike quality woven with his own personal symbolism. Neil Osborne, a photographer Based in Yarra's Edge of Docklands, is now holding an exhibition of his work including fantastic landscapes, lifestyle and architecture photography. Held at Dukes Gallery in Docklands, it features large prints on art paper that display beautiful images from Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, and grand old Melbourne. The exhibition ends this week.
Greenhouse by Joost is an Australian first in self-sustaining planning with this temporary event venue, currently open at Federation Square. Made entirely from recycled materials, Joost's Greenhouse will run until January and will be open daily as a gallery, cafe and social hub, while at night the unique venue will transform to become a vibrant hub to entertain the public.
Expos, Launches & Open Days
Plushies Go Wild - Melbourne Flash mob is a local group that holds flash-mobbing events where the public gathers to stage a fun impromptu scene. This Sunday they're inviting people to treat their toys to a day out by bringing along dolls, figurines, plushies and stuffed toys to follow Pooh Bear in a parade. By signing up with the Facebook Group you'll be sent the time and location.
Performances & Theatre
The Santaland Diaries, starring Melbourne's own improv, comedy legend Russell Fletcher, is a stage adaptation of David Sedaris' hilarious and bizarre account of the year he took a temp job as an elf at Macy's in New York. Already an 'anti-holiday' cult-classic overseas, it begins Wednesday at the Auspicious Arts Incubator in Southbank, running until December 21. Billy Elliot the Musical opens this Saturday at Her Majesty's Theatre. Based on the cult film, the stage production features music by Elton John and follows the journey of a young boy in a small mining town who stumbles across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, and realises that his future lies not in the boxing ring, as his father hoped, but on stage as a dancer.
Daniel Kahans will be performing three new works at La Mama Theatre, beginning this Wednesday. A performance for woman's spoken voice and cello, the complex chamber-music-like work received a glowing review when first performed at the Adelaide Festival. More than just spoken word, the acting develops a deep relationship between the voice and the cello.
Emerge is Melbourne Ballet's fourth major season and is set to be as alluring and tantalising as its predecessors. At Chapel Off Chapel the, the dancers are close to the audience, and the audience get to see, experience and indulge in both the beauty of the artists and the physical demand on their bodies. Performances begin this Wednesday at Chapel Off Chapel.
Exploration, by Fly on the Wall Theatre, is set in Australia in 1860. Two women talk of their lost cousin, an explorer. Already other men are setting out to find him, but he (already dead, perhaps) has cunningly returned. He found only a desert, and the desert, in the end, is all that matters. It runs from Thursday to Saturday at Williamstown Little Theatre.
Careless, now playing at the Carlton Courthouse Theatre, is a play by Russell Rigby that sees Paul, a man who has everything he could wish for, faced with difficulty when too much of a good thing proves troublesome. With a beautiful wife, successful friends and a rich new client, his life takes a turn when they all get into the same room unexpectedly.
Shane Warne the Musical is a leg-spun yarn about what it means to fall arse-backwards into the Australian Dream and emerge a champion. With a sizzling live band and an exceptional cast, including Eddie Perfect as the man himself, the show brings to life a brilliant score fusing soul, gospel, rock, and even a touch of Bollywood. It's currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the classic absurdist comedy by Tom Stoppard, is currently playing at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran. Casting a bizarre spin on Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', the play sees the two dubious heroes thrown headlong into the conflict surrounding the tortured prince, raising questions of their own fate and its inevitability. Known for its remarkable wordplay, it will run until Saturday.
Madama Butterfly, presented by Opera Australia, is Puccini's moving tale of love and loss in the city of Nagasaki. Performed in Italian with subtitles, the production features Nicole Youl as Cio-Cio-San with performances on Tuesday and Saturday at The Arts Centre. Designed by Peter England and Russell Cohen, captures the grace and delicacy of Puccini's exquisite creation. The Hypocrite, performed by Melbourne Theatre Company, is a variation of Moliere's classic play, Tartuffe. Written by Justin Fleming and featuring Sara Gleeson and Kim Gyngell, it's playing at The Arts Centre until this Saturday. Molière's 1664 play is still rife with contemporary relevance, because the religious hucksterism and bigotry it satirises is always with us. The Rocky Horror Show brings Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with the outrageous role of Dr Frank N Furter played by ARIA-nominated singer iota, who last gave a remarkable performance in Melbourne in the rock musical of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, the long time cult hit is now playing at the Comedy Theatre. 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. When Dorothy famously triumphed in Oz, we only ever heard one side of the story. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the creative team that brings the story to life includes many of Broadway's most celebrated talent.
Classical & Choral Performances
Joy to the World is a Christmas Concert presented by the Frankston Music Society, offering a feast of beautiful music with the Mornington Peninsula Chorale including music from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, carols old and new, Bach Double Violin Concerto and much more. The concert will be held this Thursday at the Peninsula Community Theatre in Mornington.
Christmas to Candlemas, performed by Ensemble Gombert, features a selection of vespers music from Claudio Monteverdi's large 1640 compilation. Ensemble Gombert is Melbourne's outstanding chamber choir, noted for its pure intonation and historic approach to choral sound and style. The special concert will be held Saturday at Kew's Xavier College Chapel.
Entertainment & Nightlife
A Miracle In a Month | Benefit Spectacular - Be part of the challenge to raise $220,000 by Christmas to support the Hamlin Fistula Hospital. 25Women will be hosting the special event this Tuesday evening at the Precinct Hotel in Richmond. The night includes world music beats, comedians and international dance performances with Elegua, Melbourne's Samba sensations! Fast Impressions will be holding their annual Christmas Party this Friday where you can join Australia's hottest singles - the nice and the naughty - as you enjoy music from a live DJ and can even get your photo taken with Santa! The event is held for single Girls and Guys aged between 21 and 39 and will take place at White Charlie, located on Chapel Street in Prahran.
Melbourne Social Group will be holding a free Christmas Party this Friday, hosted by hosted by the best and liveliest social club in Melbourne, the group's the Fun, Food and Friendship team. Held at Melbourne's Marrakech Bar, the Middle Eastern themed night includes two drink cards, entertainment by Marrakech Belly Dancers and a range of delicious free canapes up to 8pm.
Singles Night @ Barzooka is a chance for singles to improve their chances of meeting someone and have some fun with "Celebrity Backs", a game where you have to find out which celebrity you are by breaking the ice with other guests. Held in Brunswick, this Thursday's event will be their last Singles Party for the year with some great prizes to be won!
Brian Hooper and Band will be appearing this Saturday at Yah Yah's in Collingwood, performing material from his recent album, which was recorded with Mick Harvey, Spencer P Jones and Charlie Owen. Also playing on the night will be LightningDead, formed this year and featuring MJ Halloran, Tim O'Shannassy, Katie Dixon and Osker Bickford. Entry is free and it starts at 9pm. South Side Funk features the funkiest DJ's from both Melbourne and interstate playing true old-school funk like you'll never find at any other venue. Held every Friday night at Big Mouth, located in St Kilda, South Side Funk is the hottest place in Melbourne for all you money-maker shakers. If you like to get down with groovy basslines then South Side Funk on Fridays is for you.
Cinema
Moonlight Cinema begins this Thursday, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens. With screenings running until March 15th, the open air cinema features a program that includes latest releases, contemporary films and cult classic movies. A great way to spend a night out with friends and family, you can bring your own picnic or purchase dinner and drinks at the cinema.
St Kilda's Tuesday Flicks, held on Tuesday evenings, is a special film program held by unChain St Kilda. Funds raised from the cinema screenings will help unChain St Kilda to pay for the legal and campaign costs in fighting the proposed development of the St Kilda Triangle Crown land. This Tuesday at George Palace Cinemas, they'll screen a Sand Mandala by Di Cousens.
Comedy
The Chaser Annual Q and A - Every year on Christmas morning, kiddies around Australia excitedly open their presents only to be disappointed by receiving The Chaser Annual. The Chaser team will be appearing this Wednesday at BMW Edge in federation Square, where they'll promote they're book and generally swan around being even more smug than real authors.
Stocking Stuffer, Turkey Plucker, held at the The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne, is the Christmas cabaret show of Aunty Mavis, who has made a list of what was hot and not so hot and is ready to take Rudolf by the antlers and fly through the year that was. With dancing elves, camp humour, songs and tap numbers, shows run from Thursday to Sunday.
The Christmas Standup Spectacular, presented by The Last Laugh at The Comedy Club, is a night of Yule-time laughs that features comedians Chris Franklin, Lawrence Mooney and Fox Klein, with exclusive special guests. Sit back with dinner and drinks and laugh all the way to Xmas. Shows are held Thursday to Saturday at their new venue of the Athenaeum Theatre.
The Myer Christmas Windows, which have delighted families and kids for more than 50 years now, are displayed outside the Bourke Street store where you can now find this year's offering, inspired by Alan Snow's children's book, How Santa Really Works. A tradition that began in 1956, the marvellous Myer Christmas Windows display will be running until January 4.
Circus Shows
Rhapsody is the latest production by NICA, the National Institute of Circus Arts. Redefining everything you thought you knew about the circus, their bold new show strips back all tradition from the art form and starts again in a contemporary take on the myth of Narcissus. Performance will be held at NICA's National Circus Centre in Prahran, running until Saturday. Circus Sunrise Spectacular is an action-packed show for all the family, currently showing at Water Front City, located under the Southern Star Ferris Wheel. With shows running until Sunday, the circus will follow on with the stunning show by presenting a special Holiday Spectacular that will run until January. Circus Sunrise is a true family circus with lineage going back to 1648!
Puzzles & Competitions
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the City Museum at Old Treasury... 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
Menulog, one of the easiest ways to book a restaurant online or order home delivery, is offering the chance for you to win a trip for 2 to Hayman Island where you can have a romantic getaway in a beautiful setting.
For a chance to win this fantastic prize all you need to do is simply visit Menulog before December 15th and do any of the following...
Order food online
Book a restaurant
Review a restaurant
The more orders, bookings and reviews you make, the greater your chance of winning. By booking through Menulog you can get great discounts for food bills and more, so you're already a winner!
Community
The Sea of Faith Network in Australia will be holding a public lecture this Thursday with the topic asking, Can Religions Be Progressive? With guest speaker Cordelia Hull from the Progressive Christian Network, the lecture will be followed by questions and discussion. Held at the Meeting Room of Carlton Library, entry is free, however gold coin donation is appreciated.
The Atheist Society is an organisation for those who accept that there is no credible scientific or factually reliable evidence for the existence of a god, gods or the supernatural. The Atheist Society will be holding a free public lecture this Tuesday at East Melbourne's Unitarian Hall. Followed by questions and discussion, the event is free and will begin at 8pm.
The Vision Van, a 24-foot mobile optical unit, will be making appearances at Mornington on Monday and Sorrento on Tuesday and Wednesday. With state-of-the-art optical equipment, residents aged 50+ can receive FREE screenings for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Australian Seniors.
Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, can help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes take place every week on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, held at Brunswick Street Gallery. Classes cost $18, with no need to book, and each class includes a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.
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 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia's largest Christmas gift appeal. The Wishing Tree supports some of Australia's largest welfare organisations and Trees can be found nationally in Kmart stores, with gifts collected up until Christmas Eve. The Kmart Wishing Tree has given more than 4.14 million gifts over the past 20 years and supports some of the nations largest charities.
Markets, Fetes and Fairs
Bacchus Marsh Swap Meet - This Sunday there will be a Swap Meet held in Bacchus Marsh where you'll find great Christmas gifts and bargains for yourself with a wide range of goods including crafts, auto parts and accessories and even farm gear (for that special farmer in your life). Running from 8am to 2pm, the Swap Meet will raise funds for a local community group.
The Suzuki Night Market has returned to Queen Victoria Market, held weekly and running Wednesday nights through to February. Now a summer tradition, the Suzuki Night Market offers a great mix of unusual products, great food and atmosphere. The Suzuki Night Market offers a stunning mix of world food, eclectic wares, bars and even two stages showcasing the best live music!
A Mini Christmas Fair Exhibition continues this week, presented by the Handweavers & Spinners Guild of Victoria. Running until Saturday, the Guild rooms in Carlton North are open from 10am to 3pm from Tuesday to Saturday. With many great gift ideas in one location, the exhibition features a wide range of items including Christmas ornaments, cards, stockings and toys.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days (it's a coin toss lately, isn't it!) and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs for a bargain!
A growing number of food, produce and even wine markets 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!
This week we suggest the following:
GreekCentral - Online guide to Greek entertainment...
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!
Sporting Events
Dancesports
The Tattersall's Australian Dancesport Championship will begin this Wednesday at Hisense Arena, playing host to host to dance lovers from all over the globe with the Dancesport Championship and also the World Latin Championship. A colourful and vibrant event, it will run until Sunday with both Day and Evening events held on the weekend.
National Basketball League
Melbourne Tigers Home Game - Melbourne's own two teams go head to head this week, competing in the NBL Championships.
Melbourne Tigers vs South Dragons
Saturday 13 December
Game starts at 7:30pm
State Netball & Hockey Centre, Parkville
Dining & Drink
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!!The Groove Train is the perfect mix of up-tempo trendy and relaxed retro, offering daily specials on bustling Clarendon Street. SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog and receive 25% off your Total Bill when you dine at Groove Train! (Max Value $25) Visit here for BOOKING DETAILS @ Menulog
Offer ends December 31 so be sure to Book Early!
Dining in 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
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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All year-round Attractions..
Whatever time of year you visit - rain or shine!
Melbourne's love affair with its laneways is displayed no better than in the naming of two well known laneways, ACDC Lane - renamed in memory of one of Australia's most successful musical exports, and Dame Edna Place which was crowded with interested lunchtime "possums"for the launch on March 08, 2007.
Among the many other names of Melbourne's laneways are the colourfully titled, Exploration Lane, and for the romantic at heart Melbourne also plays host to Romeo Alley and Juliet Alley.
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
Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for December 8 - December 14, 2008.
This week.. there's Yule-time cheer a'plenty with the best and brightest of all Christmas attractions, The Boulevard Lights in Ivanhoe holding their launch with a night of carols and entertainment. There's also a night of carols at Docklands with very special guests including Tripod, and Melbourne Skydeck will be holding a Family Day with plenty of activities for the kids.
Meanwhile, if you're already Christmased out and feeling a little Grinchy, pack a hamper and take a break from all the tinsel with the Moonlight Cinema, opening this week. There's also the South Melbourne Youth Festival, offering a day of music and fun as part of the launch of Kool Skools new CD. It's that one lonely, little special event down there that has nothing to do with Christmas...
There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!
NEWSLETTER
Not receiving our newsletter? Get your copy of What's On this Week!
Christmas Events
Christmas Events in Melbourne - Christmas is on its way, but why wait when there's plenty of fun to be had all through December? With a wide range of events and activities held in Melbourne and Victoria, get in early and treat the kids to some of the fabulous events on offer. There are many events that are free and you'll find them in jolly old Melbourne. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Boulevard Christmas Lights | Carols by Candlelight - Since the early 1950s, residents of The Boulevard in Ivanhoe have shown Melbourne what Christmas is all about. Beginning Friday, the lights will be on display and there will be an official launch with Carols by Candlelight held this Saturday evening with music, a Christmas Art Market, a community BBQ and much more.
Melbourne Skydeck Christmas Family Day - This Sunday, head along (and up) to Melbourne Skydeck for an Aussie Christmas, featuring face painting, a magician, clown, Christmas band and heaps of entertainment for the whole family. There'll also be very special appearances and giveaways by Santa from 11am to 4pm. Children will be admitted free on the day. Carols at Victoria Harbour, held this Saturday at Victoria Green in Docklands, is a chance to get into the Christmas spirit and sing with the Docklands Community Choir as they perform a popular and traditional carols. An exciting night for people of all ages with prizes and more, special guests include musical comedy act Tripod and Billy Elliot cast members.
Advent Calendar @ Fed Square - Celebrate the spirit of Christmas as the East Shard at Federation Square is transformed into a magical Advent Calendar - 24 days, 25 windows, 25 performances! Talented aerialists will perform before a magical animation, unveiling each day's window on the side of a three-storey building with a free performance at 9pm every night.
Christmas Lights | Melbourne's BEST - With Christmas all but here, find the best Christmas light displays are in Melbourne. Our list continues on from last year, with a handy little asterisk marking confirmed displays for 2008. To confirm your Christmas Light display (yes, its free) you can also tell us through the Contact Us button on the Christmas Lights Guide.
Monkami Christmas Trees - Monkami Centre will be selling their homegrown Christmas trees until December 22nd, available daily from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and on weekends. All proceeds will help the organisation to support adults with an intellectual disability. The Monkami Shop, located in Croydon, also sells homemade preserves and craft goods.
School Holiday Guide
Check out our School Holiday Guide for a head start on what to do with the kids during the Summer School Holidays beginning on December 20, and running until January 27 in 2009. The guide is Updated Weekly to highlight the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!
The South Melbourne Youth Festival, taking place this Friday at the Sol Green Recreation Centre is a Youth Celebration that will also be held to launch the 2008 CD of Kool Skools, an exciting Recording and Multimedia Project for secondary level students. The event begins at 8pm and is free to attend with live music food, rides and activities.
Upcoming Events
Grogger, a variation of the Arcade classic, Frogger, is a free online game that highlights the need for responsible drinking by challenging players must get themselves and their friends home safely. Play the game now online, or better yet, come along to Fed Square next Friday at 5pm to see gamers battle it out on the big screen! With music, giveaways and more the event is free. 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 more.. View Future Events on any day of the week
(An avalanche of Chrissy Carollers notwithstanding!)
Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Hocus Pocus - Science and physics become mere playthings as the world of magic, with all its baroque, buoyant charm, comes to City Museum. Proving that magic is in Melbourne's blood, the exhibition shows how our city has radiated with wonder and possibility since its streets were first paved with gold, featuring souvenirs, tools, artworks and more dating back to the 1850s.
The New Collectables Auction, presented by RMIT, is a chance for one exciting night for buyers to purchase unique artworks by RMIT students at remarkable prices. An auction of quality contemporary artwork from Melbourne's most promising new artists, works are available for viewing from Tuesday, with the auction held this Thursday at Gallery One, Two, Three. Greyscales is an exhibition that culminates 10 months extensive work, blunting over 400 blades through the hand cutting of each stencilled piece by the artist, Kirpy. The black and white artworks possess a distinct Melburnian undertone, carrying a strong graffiti influence with depictions of crowds, streets, lanes and other settings. It opens Friday at Gallery 696 in Brunswick. Manipulate: Construct is an exhibition that features the work of artists who specialise in woven tapestry as well as other mediums. The exhibition showcases contemporary tapestry with many artists moving away from its decorative nature to use it as a tool to highlight innovative and provocative ideas. It runs from Wednesdays to Saturdays at Hawthorn Town Hall.
Difference - Source for Growth is a mixed-media exhibition by artists with and without disability that explores the theme of Difference by learning to look at ourselves and our world in new ways. Running until next Sunday at the Foyer Gallery of Gasworks Arts Park, the exhibition features varied styles and mediums, including painting, print-making, photography, collage and more.
The Siemens RMIT Fine Art exhibition is currently showing at RMIT Gallery in Swanston Street, running until this Saturday. Now in its eighth year, the prestigious Siemens - RMIT Fine Art Scholarship enables students to further their careers in the field of Fine Arts by assisting with research and production costs, offering valuable scholarships to eight students. Views from a Speeding Train features new paintings by Amanda van Gils including paintings recently selected for the Fluerieu Art Prize, The Tattersall's Club Landscape Art Prize, The John Leslie Art Prize and The Mosman Art Prize. Running until next Sunday, the exhibition of work can be seen at the Jenny Port Gallery, located in Richmond. Neuropsychosis, on show until this Wednesday, is an exhibition by Karl Persson, a renowned artist whose flawless work and talent is both envied and admired by artists and collectors alike. Held at the Gallery 696 in Brunswick, the exhibition features the newest range of Persson's paintings that display an eerie and dreamlike quality woven with his own personal symbolism. Neil Osborne, a photographer Based in Yarra's Edge of Docklands, is now holding an exhibition of his work including fantastic landscapes, lifestyle and architecture photography. Held at Dukes Gallery in Docklands, it features large prints on art paper that display beautiful images from Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, and grand old Melbourne. The exhibition ends this week.
Greenhouse by Joost is an Australian first in self-sustaining planning with this temporary event venue, currently open at Federation Square. Made entirely from recycled materials, Joost's Greenhouse will run until January and will be open daily as a gallery, cafe and social hub, while at night the unique venue will transform to become a vibrant hub to entertain the public.
Expos, Launches & Open Days
Plushies Go Wild - Melbourne Flash mob is a local group that holds flash-mobbing events where the public gathers to stage a fun impromptu scene. This Sunday they're inviting people to treat their toys to a day out by bringing along dolls, figurines, plushies and stuffed toys to follow Pooh Bear in a parade. By signing up with the Facebook Group you'll be sent the time and location.
Performances & Theatre
The Santaland Diaries, starring Melbourne's own improv, comedy legend Russell Fletcher, is a stage adaptation of David Sedaris' hilarious and bizarre account of the year he took a temp job as an elf at Macy's in New York. Already an 'anti-holiday' cult-classic overseas, it begins Wednesday at the Auspicious Arts Incubator in Southbank, running until December 21. Billy Elliot the Musical opens this Saturday at Her Majesty's Theatre. Based on the cult film, the stage production features music by Elton John and follows the journey of a young boy in a small mining town who stumbles across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, and realises that his future lies not in the boxing ring, as his father hoped, but on stage as a dancer.
Daniel Kahans will be performing three new works at La Mama Theatre, beginning this Wednesday. A performance for woman's spoken voice and cello, the complex chamber-music-like work received a glowing review when first performed at the Adelaide Festival. More than just spoken word, the acting develops a deep relationship between the voice and the cello.
Emerge is Melbourne Ballet's fourth major season and is set to be as alluring and tantalising as its predecessors. At Chapel Off Chapel the, the dancers are close to the audience, and the audience get to see, experience and indulge in both the beauty of the artists and the physical demand on their bodies. Performances begin this Wednesday at Chapel Off Chapel.
Exploration, by Fly on the Wall Theatre, is set in Australia in 1860. Two women talk of their lost cousin, an explorer. Already other men are setting out to find him, but he (already dead, perhaps) has cunningly returned. He found only a desert, and the desert, in the end, is all that matters. It runs from Thursday to Saturday at Williamstown Little Theatre.
Careless, now playing at the Carlton Courthouse Theatre, is a play by Russell Rigby that sees Paul, a man who has everything he could wish for, faced with difficulty when too much of a good thing proves troublesome. With a beautiful wife, successful friends and a rich new client, his life takes a turn when they all get into the same room unexpectedly.
Shane Warne the Musical is a leg-spun yarn about what it means to fall arse-backwards into the Australian Dream and emerge a champion. With a sizzling live band and an exceptional cast, including Eddie Perfect as the man himself, the show brings to life a brilliant score fusing soul, gospel, rock, and even a touch of Bollywood. It's currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, the classic absurdist comedy by Tom Stoppard, is currently playing at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran. Casting a bizarre spin on Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', the play sees the two dubious heroes thrown headlong into the conflict surrounding the tortured prince, raising questions of their own fate and its inevitability. Known for its remarkable wordplay, it will run until Saturday.
Madama Butterfly, presented by Opera Australia, is Puccini's moving tale of love and loss in the city of Nagasaki. Performed in Italian with subtitles, the production features Nicole Youl as Cio-Cio-San with performances on Tuesday and Saturday at The Arts Centre. Designed by Peter England and Russell Cohen, captures the grace and delicacy of Puccini's exquisite creation. The Hypocrite, performed by Melbourne Theatre Company, is a variation of Moliere's classic play, Tartuffe. Written by Justin Fleming and featuring Sara Gleeson and Kim Gyngell, it's playing at The Arts Centre until this Saturday. Molière's 1664 play is still rife with contemporary relevance, because the religious hucksterism and bigotry it satirises is always with us. The Rocky Horror Show brings Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with the outrageous role of Dr Frank N Furter played by ARIA-nominated singer iota, who last gave a remarkable performance in Melbourne in the rock musical of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, the long time cult hit is now playing at the Comedy Theatre. 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. When Dorothy famously triumphed in Oz, we only ever heard one side of the story. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the creative team that brings the story to life includes many of Broadway's most celebrated talent.
Classical & Choral Performances
Joy to the World is a Christmas Concert presented by the Frankston Music Society, offering a feast of beautiful music with the Mornington Peninsula Chorale including music from Bach's Christmas Oratorio, carols old and new, Bach Double Violin Concerto and much more. The concert will be held this Thursday at the Peninsula Community Theatre in Mornington.
Christmas to Candlemas, performed by Ensemble Gombert, features a selection of vespers music from Claudio Monteverdi's large 1640 compilation. Ensemble Gombert is Melbourne's outstanding chamber choir, noted for its pure intonation and historic approach to choral sound and style. The special concert will be held Saturday at Kew's Xavier College Chapel.
Entertainment & Nightlife
A Miracle In a Month | Benefit Spectacular - Be part of the challenge to raise $220,000 by Christmas to support the Hamlin Fistula Hospital. 25Women will be hosting the special event this Tuesday evening at the Precinct Hotel in Richmond. The night includes world music beats, comedians and international dance performances with Elegua, Melbourne's Samba sensations! Fast Impressions will be holding their annual Christmas Party this Friday where you can join Australia's hottest singles - the nice and the naughty - as you enjoy music from a live DJ and can even get your photo taken with Santa! The event is held for single Girls and Guys aged between 21 and 39 and will take place at White Charlie, located on Chapel Street in Prahran.
Melbourne Social Group will be holding a free Christmas Party this Friday, hosted by hosted by the best and liveliest social club in Melbourne, the group's the Fun, Food and Friendship team. Held at Melbourne's Marrakech Bar, the Middle Eastern themed night includes two drink cards, entertainment by Marrakech Belly Dancers and a range of delicious free canapes up to 8pm.
Singles Night @ Barzooka is a chance for singles to improve their chances of meeting someone and have some fun with "Celebrity Backs", a game where you have to find out which celebrity you are by breaking the ice with other guests. Held in Brunswick, this Thursday's event will be their last Singles Party for the year with some great prizes to be won!
Brian Hooper and Band will be appearing this Saturday at Yah Yah's in Collingwood, performing material from his recent album, which was recorded with Mick Harvey, Spencer P Jones and Charlie Owen. Also playing on the night will be LightningDead, formed this year and featuring MJ Halloran, Tim O'Shannassy, Katie Dixon and Osker Bickford. Entry is free and it starts at 9pm. South Side Funk features the funkiest DJ's from both Melbourne and interstate playing true old-school funk like you'll never find at any other venue. Held every Friday night at Big Mouth, located in St Kilda, South Side Funk is the hottest place in Melbourne for all you money-maker shakers. If you like to get down with groovy basslines then South Side Funk on Fridays is for you.
Cinema
Moonlight Cinema begins this Thursday, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens. With screenings running until March 15th, the open air cinema features a program that includes latest releases, contemporary films and cult classic movies. A great way to spend a night out with friends and family, you can bring your own picnic or purchase dinner and drinks at the cinema.
St Kilda's Tuesday Flicks, held on Tuesday evenings, is a special film program held by unChain St Kilda. Funds raised from the cinema screenings will help unChain St Kilda to pay for the legal and campaign costs in fighting the proposed development of the St Kilda Triangle Crown land. This Tuesday at George Palace Cinemas, they'll screen a Sand Mandala by Di Cousens.
Comedy
The Chaser Annual Q and A - Every year on Christmas morning, kiddies around Australia excitedly open their presents only to be disappointed by receiving The Chaser Annual. The Chaser team will be appearing this Wednesday at BMW Edge in federation Square, where they'll promote they're book and generally swan around being even more smug than real authors.
Stocking Stuffer, Turkey Plucker, held at the The Butterfly Club in South Melbourne, is the Christmas cabaret show of Aunty Mavis, who has made a list of what was hot and not so hot and is ready to take Rudolf by the antlers and fly through the year that was. With dancing elves, camp humour, songs and tap numbers, shows run from Thursday to Sunday.
The Christmas Standup Spectacular, presented by The Last Laugh at The Comedy Club, is a night of Yule-time laughs that features comedians Chris Franklin, Lawrence Mooney and Fox Klein, with exclusive special guests. Sit back with dinner and drinks and laugh all the way to Xmas. Shows are held Thursday to Saturday at their new venue of the Athenaeum Theatre.
The Myer Christmas Windows, which have delighted families and kids for more than 50 years now, are displayed outside the Bourke Street store where you can now find this year's offering, inspired by Alan Snow's children's book, How Santa Really Works. A tradition that began in 1956, the marvellous Myer Christmas Windows display will be running until January 4.
Circus Shows
Rhapsody is the latest production by NICA, the National Institute of Circus Arts. Redefining everything you thought you knew about the circus, their bold new show strips back all tradition from the art form and starts again in a contemporary take on the myth of Narcissus. Performance will be held at NICA's National Circus Centre in Prahran, running until Saturday. Circus Sunrise Spectacular is an action-packed show for all the family, currently showing at Water Front City, located under the Southern Star Ferris Wheel. With shows running until Sunday, the circus will follow on with the stunning show by presenting a special Holiday Spectacular that will run until January. Circus Sunrise is a true family circus with lineage going back to 1648!
Puzzles & Competitions
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the City Museum at Old Treasury... 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
Menulog, one of the easiest ways to book a restaurant online or order home delivery, is offering the chance for you to win a trip for 2 to Hayman Island where you can have a romantic getaway in a beautiful setting.
For a chance to win this fantastic prize all you need to do is simply visit Menulog before December 15th and do any of the following...
Order food online
Book a restaurant
Review a restaurant
The more orders, bookings and reviews you make, the greater your chance of winning. By booking through Menulog you can get great discounts for food bills and more, so you're already a winner!
Community
The Sea of Faith Network in Australia will be holding a public lecture this Thursday with the topic asking, Can Religions Be Progressive? With guest speaker Cordelia Hull from the Progressive Christian Network, the lecture will be followed by questions and discussion. Held at the Meeting Room of Carlton Library, entry is free, however gold coin donation is appreciated.
The Atheist Society is an organisation for those who accept that there is no credible scientific or factually reliable evidence for the existence of a god, gods or the supernatural. The Atheist Society will be holding a free public lecture this Tuesday at East Melbourne's Unitarian Hall. Followed by questions and discussion, the event is free and will begin at 8pm.
The Vision Van, a 24-foot mobile optical unit, will be making appearances at Mornington on Monday and Sorrento on Tuesday and Wednesday. With state-of-the-art optical equipment, residents aged 50+ can receive FREE screenings for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Australian Seniors.
Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, can help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes take place every week on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, held at Brunswick Street Gallery. Classes cost $18, with no need to book, and each class includes a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.
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 Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australia's largest Christmas gift appeal. The Wishing Tree supports some of Australia's largest welfare organisations and Trees can be found nationally in Kmart stores, with gifts collected up until Christmas Eve. The Kmart Wishing Tree has given more than 4.14 million gifts over the past 20 years and supports some of the nations largest charities.
Markets, Fetes and Fairs
Bacchus Marsh Swap Meet - This Sunday there will be a Swap Meet held in Bacchus Marsh where you'll find great Christmas gifts and bargains for yourself with a wide range of goods including crafts, auto parts and accessories and even farm gear (for that special farmer in your life). Running from 8am to 2pm, the Swap Meet will raise funds for a local community group.
The Suzuki Night Market has returned to Queen Victoria Market, held weekly and running Wednesday nights through to February. Now a summer tradition, the Suzuki Night Market offers a great mix of unusual products, great food and atmosphere. The Suzuki Night Market offers a stunning mix of world food, eclectic wares, bars and even two stages showcasing the best live music!
A Mini Christmas Fair Exhibition continues this week, presented by the Handweavers & Spinners Guild of Victoria. Running until Saturday, the Guild rooms in Carlton North are open from 10am to 3pm from Tuesday to Saturday. With many great gift ideas in one location, the exhibition features a wide range of items including Christmas ornaments, cards, stockings and toys.
NEW LIVE CALENDAR
View MARKETS on any day of the week to make the most of the rare sunny days (it's a coin toss lately, isn't it!) and head to one of Melbourne's many excellent markets, fetes and fairs for a bargain!
A growing number of food, produce and even wine markets 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!
This week we suggest the following:
GreekCentral - Online guide to Greek entertainment...
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!
Sporting Events
Dancesports
The Tattersall's Australian Dancesport Championship will begin this Wednesday at Hisense Arena, playing host to host to dance lovers from all over the globe with the Dancesport Championship and also the World Latin Championship. A colourful and vibrant event, it will run until Sunday with both Day and Evening events held on the weekend.
National Basketball League
Melbourne Tigers Home Game - Melbourne's own two teams go head to head this week, competing in the NBL Championships.
Melbourne Tigers vs South Dragons
Saturday 13 December
Game starts at 7:30pm
State Netball & Hockey Centre, Parkville
Dining & Drink
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!!The Groove Train is the perfect mix of up-tempo trendy and relaxed retro, offering daily specials on bustling Clarendon Street. SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog and receive 25% off your Total Bill when you dine at Groove Train! (Max Value $25) Visit here for BOOKING DETAILS @ Menulog
Offer ends December 31 so be sure to Book Early!
Dining in 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
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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Over $800 of entry fees for ONE low price..
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Visit just 2 Attractions a day & you'll save!
FREE 128 page guidebook..
Tailored to local knowledge on what to see & do!
Cash free entry..
Show your card & you're in, no need for cash!
All year-round Attractions..
Whatever time of year you visit - rain or shine!
Melbourne's love affair with its laneways is displayed no better than in the naming of two well known laneways, ACDC Lane - renamed in memory of one of Australia's most successful musical exports, and Dame Edna Place which was crowded with interested lunchtime "possums"for the launch on March 08, 2007.
Among the many other names of Melbourne's laneways are the colourfully titled, Exploration Lane, and for the romantic at heart Melbourne also plays host to Romeo Alley and Juliet Alley.
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
