Newsletter | #114 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for March 9 - March 15, 2009.

This week.. You'll want to hope you put your feet up over the Labour Day long weekend, because there's plenty more in store with this week seeing the opening of Brunswick Music Festival with a great program of international music. There's also plenty of fun for kids with the Casey Kids Carnival, a free Water Festival, the Pascoe Vale Festival and also Mordialloc by the Bay with activities for young and old.

The Melbourne Fashion Festival also begins this week, along with Art of Difference, a festive program of arts, music and theatre that showcases the talents of those with disabilities. The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival continues this week, and there's also the Mossvale Music Festival offering a great day out with some fine and dandy performers.

What's On this Week is an overview of the (too many to mention) events happening this week in Melbourne. To see everything that is happening on any given day this week, view our What's On MELBOURNE Calendar

There are sport details, special dining offers and info on upcoming events and highlights in beautiful Melbourne, so read on and enjoy!

Get your copy of What's On this Week!

Major Events Guide

The Brunswick Music Festival returns with a program that offers two weeks of music and entertainment featuring some of the finest performers from here and around the world. One of Victoria's most celebrated multicultural events, the festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the City of Moreland.

Art of Difference is a festival that offers an exciting program of debate, performances and exhibitions that showcase the talents of deaf and disabled artists throughout the world and Australia. Performances, dances and more will be held at venues such as Gasworks, Bundoora Homestead and Federation Square.

The Casey Kids Carnival is a free event celebrating children and young people, held at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick. With fun for people of all ages the festival includes free carnival rides, roving entertainers, animals from the Myuna Farm's Mobile Arc and even a Toddler section with stalls and activities.

Mordialloc by the Bay, the popular Fine Food, Wine and Music Festival, returns this year with a great weekend of events held at Mordialloc's Peter Scullin Reserve. With four music stages and Master Chef demonstrations, the festival includes children's rides, dance lessons, market stalls, beach games and more.

The Pascoe Vale Festival features a full program of community and professional music and dance, carnival rides and a variety of stalls. Held at Pascoe Vale's Hallam Reserve, the festival also includes rides, community displays, stalls and the Rotary Star Search, a singing competition for young people aged 5 to 21.

The Water Festival, held by the Australian Water Association at Queensbridge Square in Southbank, is a fun packed event for the whole family. The festival will feature free water conservation giveaways, Mission H2O - an interactive computer game, celebrity guests, presentations on waterwise gardening and more.

The L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival, Australia's largest and most successful fashion event for consumers, showcases the latest designs and brings to the public the upcoming collections for autumn and winter with special events that explore the latest ideas, movements and trends in the fashion industry.

The Australian International Airshow celebrates the 61st anniversary of the breaking of the sound barrier with six days of events that pay tribute to the breaking of other barriers, including the growing role of women in aviation. With spectacular Flying Displays held each day of the event at Avalon Airport.

Labour Day Events

Moomba Waterfest, Melbourne's biggest free festival for the community, continues with its program of festivities on Labour Day with activities, music and performances held along the Yarra. With children's entertainment, rides and more, Labour Day features the popular and iconic Moomba Parade.

Hoodwinked, held at the Alexandra Gardens as part of Moomba, is the popular comedy show that features Glenn Robbins, Akmal, Greg Fleet and other comedians. A hilarious game-show that pits comedians against one another. A free event, it will be followed by Moomba's fireworks and live music with The Black Sorrows.

The Melbourne International Motor Show, continuing at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is a flagship event for Australia's automotive industry and auto enthusiasts. With the latest in displays of futuristic prototypes and concept vehicles, the event includes family attractions and more.

Upcoming Events

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

Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show

The Entrepreneur Motivator Series, a collection of 20 artworks by RMIT Fine Arts students, will be openly displayed to the public for two days only. Featuring work based on the inspirational words of notable characters like Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, they're displayed at the Smith Street Lofts in Fitzroy.

Sketch City is a monthly event held in Northcote that features music, art and live painting. Promoting a greater tolerance for street art and a sense of artistic community, Sketch City features a guest band performing live, a featured exhibition and the chance to get busy with your own talents making art on the day.

Harmony in Nature is a community exhibition held as part of this year's Upper Yarra Harmony Festival. On show at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton, the exhibition features work by visual artists who have expressed their own ideas of harmony with the environment and what harmony means to them.

Trepidation - I Report a Concern, a group exhibition at North Fitzroy's J-Studios, examines the external factors of influence that pervade our lives. With themes of concerns such as money, political and social apocalypse, sex, death and more, burdens both real and imagined are given voice in the work of each artist.

Artz Blitz is an arts competition where entrants get 24 hours to create an artwork set to a specific theme, with over $3000 worth of prizes up for grabs. The resulting work of Artz Blitz is currently featured in a dynamic exhibition at Kingston Arts Centre, showcasing the diversity of the entries.

Lost Lines, now showing at Unpretentiously Underground in Fitzroy's Brunswick St, is an exhibition by Ears, whose work playfully combines abstract expressionism with character based street art. Living up to his moniker, the exhibition is inspired by snippets of conversations heard on trains and buses.

John Lennon: Imagine! is an exhibition of never-before-seen and rare photos of the late musician on display at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, the only gallery in Australia to host the exhibition. The exhibition features rare black and white images by world-class photographers such as Dixie Dean and Tom Hanley.

Step Right Up! The Circus in Australian Art is a free exhibition at Gallery I of the Arts Centre. Drawing together commissioned works by contemporary Australian artists, the exhibition also includes selected paintings and sculptures that show varied interpretations of all the colour and humour of the circus.

Max Dupain on Assignment is an exhibition that features many never seen before works by the late and legendary Australian photographer, Max Dupain, whose government work from the National Archives and Noel Butlin Archives Centre collections are being showcased at North Melbourne's Victorian Archives Centre.

The Cunningham Dax Collection is currently showcasing two exhibitions, Beyond the Three Trees and Healing Childhood Trauma. With over 12,000 works by people who've experienced mental illness or psychological trauma, the Collection in Parkville uses art to raise awareness of public mental health education.

Speaking for the Ordinary Man, now showing at St Kilda's Jewish Museum of Australia, is an exhibition of sculptures by Charles Aisen, a tinsmith whose sculptures trace not only his own life journey but that of many Jews who settled in Australia with his touching works evoking the immigrant experience in Carlton.

Expos & Open Days

Boroondara Cemetery, one of Victoria's most historical one of the most historical cemeteries in Kew, will celebrate its 150th Anniversary by holding an Open Day that features an afternoon of activities including a display of stonemasonry techniques, live music, and even a horse-drawn hearse from the 1900s.

The Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda will be holding a Sail-a-Bration when they unfurl their sails for the public with a free day of sailing and a relaxed barbeque as visitors enjoy the views of Port Phillip Bay. With boats sailing every hour from 10am to 3pm, boat trips are free but bookings are required.

Penthouse Mouse AW09, held at The Capitol in South Yarra, is a 16-day program offering everything in the latest of fashion, artworks, accessories and more. The event sees designers and artists unite under the one roof with runway shows, launches, films, champagne shopping nights and infamous parties.

Performances & Theatre

Instructions to a Double is a unique theatre experience with performances held for this week only at the Famous When Dead Gallery, located near Vic Market. Set at a dining table where audience members are seated, they're joined by the Viscountess Kasmira Auchinleck in a feast that holds some surprises.

PULSE, a program of site-specific performances held throughout the year, will present a unique, interactive (and messy!) event this week. Held on Bourke Street's City Village Rooftop, the first performance is John Paul Hussey's Do U Like 2 Wrestle, which invites the audience to get down and dirty in the mud.

Two Sisters and a Piano, performed by Shift Theatre, is a play about hope and the human spirit. Held at the Dog Theatre in Footscray, the play tells the story of two sisters in Cuba, kept prisoner in their family home by a vigilant lieutenant, who find some escape when reality blends with dreaming.

Copenhagen, performed at Chapel Off Chapel, is the award winning controversial play by Michael Frayn that explores the relationship between Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, two of the 20th Century's most important scientists who meet in 1941, during the Nazi occupation of the city the play is named after.

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare's famed political drama about Roman ambition and betrayal, will be performed this week by the Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group, an amateur community theatre company. The first of four plays in this year's season, performances will be held at Strathmore Community Hall.

Moonlight and Magnolias, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, is Ron Huchinson's hilarious play that captures the truelife madness behind the scenes of Gone with the Wind, offering a humorous look at the off-set dramas that unfolded in the writing of the greatest movie in Hollywood history.

Poor Boy, playing at the Sumner Theatre in Southbank, features songs by Matt Cameron and Tim Finn. With an impressive cast that includes Guy Pearce, the thoughtful play tells the story of Jeremy Glass, a boy who on his 7th birthday announces that he is really a deceased man called Danny.

The Taming of the Shrew is a fun night of Shakespeare Under The Stars with Glenn Elston's wildly entertaining production of the Bard's classic play. A story of a relationship that starts with fire and brimstone but leads to deep love and admiration, performances are being held at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Dance

Dance Massive is a brand new contemporary dance event that begins this Tuesday and will span 12 days across three venues, the Arts House, Malthouse Theatre and Dancehouse. Celebrating the breadth and richness of Australia's dance culture, the event presents a diverse and visually spectacular program.

Classical Performances

Selby & Friends will present a concert this week, held as part of this year's season, which focuses on the work of many famed composers inspired by the genre of the piano trio. Performance by the accomplished women of the ensemble, Trioz, the concert will be held at the University of Melbourne's Melba Hall.

Inner Voices, performed by the Australian Chamber Orchestra, is a concert of works by Bach and also Sibelius, a famed Finnish composer whose work will be joined by Finnish folk music at The Arts Centre. Proudly displaying his country's musical heritage, the ACO will be joined by young Finnish violinist, Pekka Kuusisto.

Entertainment & Nightlife

The Mossvale Music Festival, held in South Gippsland at an idyllic and secreted park, is an annual event that draws people of all ages for performances held from noon to dusk. With local food and craft stalls on offer, this year's festival features performances by Paul Kelly & Band, Ash Grunwald and other great musicians.

Fabulous Diva, performed by Ruth Rogers-Wright, is a tribute to one of jazz music's greats, Dr Nina Simone. Held at Dizzys Jazz Bar in Richmond, the tribute show features the music, great prose, anecdotes and biographical details of Nina Simone's life, capturing the style and spirit that has made her an icon.

Donna & The Aspinauts - Donna Williams will perform with Victoria's first autism-spectrum band The Aspinauts this week at Bar 303 in Northcote. With Donna's vocal delivery reminiscent of Laurie Anderson, the band has a unique performance with video backdrops and gestural signing.

Melbourne Zoo Twilights is a chance to enjoy music performed live at Melbourne Zoo with this year's season boasting one of their best musical line-ups ever. Held on the zoo's concert lawn areas, each concerts evening also includes special displays of selected species that are open until 7.30pm.

Cinema

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, now in its 20th year screens in Melbourne at selected Palace Cinemas with a program that presents 34 new features that encompass the best of French Cinema with documentaries, dramas, action, romance as only the French can do it, and even kids' films.

The Rooftop Cinema flickers into action with film screenings of everything from cult favourites and documentaries to new releases. Held on the rooftop of Curtin House, located in Swanston Street, it's the height of entertainment offering night lights, classic cinema and the rooftop bar.

Moonlight Cinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens is Melbourne's favourite open-air cinema with 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 food and drinks there.

Magic Shows

Illusination, a magic act performed by psychology student Simon Taylor, is a show that explores the boundaries between sleight of hand and sleight of mind. Using magic to entertain along with some intriguing psychological principles, performances are held at University of Melbourne's Guild Theatre.

Melbourne For Kids

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, presented by Altona City Theatre, is a pantomime performance of the classic tale that's loved by children around the world. Along with Snow White, the dwarves and the evil queen, the panto also features Fairy Cakes, King Put-upon and other characters added in true panto style.

Dancing The Food Cycle is a performance and workshop for kids held at ArtPlay in Birrarung Marr where Ilan Abrahams from Sense of Place Projects will teach children food gardening skills and play movement games that respond to experiences in the garden, with this week's session held for kids aged 5 to 8.

Street Science Aerosol Workshop - Street Science is a free monthly workshop where kids and teens can learn the art of legal aerosol art with the Street Science team, some of the most talented and friendliest of the Australian hip-hop community. The aerosol art session are held monthly at The Venue in Noble Park.

DinoStory | Sand Sculpting Exhibition - Sand Sculpting Australia will again present a special display at the Frankston Waterfront with their newest theme, DinoStory. Featuring the work of sculptors from Australia and overseas, the sand carvings take the form of dinosaurs in stunning detail.

Circus Shows

Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be appearing in Greensborough with performances held at Belmont Common. Established in 1976, Silvers Grand Magic Circus offers a great show for the kids and the whole family, with everything from jugglers and clowns to acrobats and more.

Puzzles & Competitions

Spot The Difference

There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of Ballarat's Kryal Castle... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter

More on Kryal Castle | Learn More about Melbourne!

Competitions

The Melbourne Amazing Race returns to Melbourne for the 10th time and all Melburnians are invited to register now to enter and compete in the charity event inspired by the hit TV show of the same name. Raising funds for the Royal Children's Hospital, there are fantastic prizes up for grabs.

The Great Transport Race, presented by Metlink, is a series of races held during second term for students in years 7 to 10. Free to enter, there will be four races held at different locations across Melbourne, leading to a major CBD race held on May 27 when student teams battle it out for the GTR champion's trophy.

Community

Vicdeaf, in association with the Menzies Foundation, will be holding a free seminar on effective treatments decreased sound tolerance and tinnitus. Held at the Laby Theatre of the University of Melbourne, guest speakers are Pawel and Margaret Jastreboff, pioneers in researching treatments of tinnitus.

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 at East Melbourne's Unitarian Hall. Followed by questions and discussion, the event is free.

The Princes Hill Women's Discussion Group is an informal discussion group where women can gain knowledge, swap interesting ideas on topical issues and also meet in a relaxed environment. Held monthly at the Princes Hill Community Centre, the meetings aim to offer fun and friendship for over 50's.

Welcome to Melbourne, presented by the Newcomers Network, is a free informal social event held at Flinders Street's Rendezvous Hotel. All are welcome to attend with the event encouraging people who've moved to Melbourne from intrastate, interstate or overseas to join, making new friends.

The Summerhill Dance Group hold a social event for people of all ages and backgrounds each week at the Oakhill Community Centre in Reservoir. Supported by Darebin Council, the dance evenings feature music from a professional D.J. playing strict tempo music for people of all dance level skills.

Yoga at the Park is an initiative of The Health and Yoga Council of Australia, presenting Yoga classes in some of Victoria's most beautiful parks and gardens. Set in a relaxed environment, the classes suit many age groups and levels of experience with lessons held in various public parks around Melbourne.

Speakers Forum | Soapbox Oratory - Soapbox orators (that means you if you've something to say) can take turns speaking on various topics and viewpoints on the State Library Lawns. Questions, comments, heckling and interjections are welcome from all, simply turn up on the day to participate or listen.

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 World's Greatest Shave takes place this week, raising much-needed funds for the Leukaemia Foundation's efforts to help the many Australians living with leukaemia and related blood disorders. Jump in alone or get together with friends to take part in public shave events held across Australia.

Bangers and Cash is an annual campaign that's a deliciously fun way to raise money and awareness about Cystic Fibrosis. Register with CFV and you'll receive a kit that has all the information you need to get a barbeque sizzling at home, work or at your school to collect a donation for each sausage sold.

Knitting Wool Appeal - The Inner Wheel Club of Bundoora is currently appealing for donations of wool to help them supply nursing homes, hospitals and the needy in the Diamond Valley with knitted patchwork knee rugs. After a particularly bitter winter, their supply of rugs has completely gone, as has their wool to produce more. To find how you can help Visit Here

Fundraiser Events

Melbourne's Longest Cake, a tasty slice of fundraising at least 100 metres long, will be appearing at the Yarra Promenade on Sunday. Raising money for Cerebral Palsy Support Network and Royal Children's Hospital, you can enjoy free entertainment and celebrity appearances on the day and purchase a slice to help.

We Can Walk it Out, held along the Tan in Kings Domain, is a fun walk for all ages held by the Women's Cancer Foundation to raise funds that will go towards researching newer ways to treat ovarian cancer. With great prizes and a free sausage sizzle on the day, entrants also receive a T-shirt and water bottle.

Relay for Life, held at various venues this week, is an event where teams of 10 to 15 people take turns walking or running around a local oval to raise funds for cancer research. Far from a race, participants can walk as many or few laps as they like, and with a festive atmosphere at each event, everyone's a winner!

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

Fetes

Woodville Primary School, located in Hoppers Crossing, will be holding their bi-annual fete with special attractions for all.

Ashburton Primary School Grand Fair - Fun for the family with rides, animals, Go Karts, Trash n Treasure, food and much more.

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!

Dining & Drink

The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival returns with yet another delicious program of over 200 events held across the state over 16 delicious days. Showcasing the best that Victoria has to offer in food, culinary skills, winemaking and much more, the festival program this year is bigger and better than ever.

Falling in Love with Food is a Charity Ball held by Nutrition Australia, raising funds to provide nutrition education programs to more than one million people. Held at Melbourne Town Hall, the evening will celebrate the pleasures of good food and good health with a 3-course meal catered by Epicure and live entertainment.

Wining

The Bledisloe of Wine, a popular event on Melbourne's Food and Wine festival calendar, returns to The Point Restaurant in Albert Park when our own Australian wines and their makers will be pitted against their New Zealand counterparts in debate and judgement as diners keep score throughout a four course meal.

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.

Special Dining Offers

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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!!

Red Pepper Ristorante and Pizzeria in Bentleigh offers authentic and modern Italian dining, and the finest selection of wines...
SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
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Visit here for BOOKING DETAILS @ Menulog

Dining in Melbourne offers a splendid range of food styles to enjoy. Here are just a few classic food styles to choose from..

More Restaurants at onlyMelbourne's Dining Directory

Dining In

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.

OnlyMelbourne Welcomes..

Each week we highlight some 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!

Only Mobile Phones is Australia's one-stop shop for mobile phones, provide all you could want for your mobile phone needs, whether it be a new mobile phone, a used mobile phone, mobile phone accessories and charge cards, you'll find everything you need to keep your mobile phones up to date with ringtones, carkits, batteries and much, much more.

This week we suggest the following:

Get It Rite Driving School - Patient lessons in Melbourne's Western Suburbs...

Richmond Oysters - Leading seafood wholesaler & retailer...

Atomicon Promotional - Wide range of promotional products & gifts...

Love Furniture - Handcrafted recycled timber furniture...

View More of the Latest Listings at OnlyMelbourne!

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

National Basketball League | Grand Final

Underbally - A Tale of One City | Melbourne vs Melbourne
The local Melbourne rivalry between our own National Basketball teams will soar to new heights as the Melbourne Tigers take on the South Dragons in the best-of-five game Grand Final Series. Get in quick to secure your seats in what is set to be a Grand Final series like no other, right here in Melbourne!!

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