Newsletter | #135 | What's On this Week |
Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for the week running from Tuesday August 4 - Monday August 10, 2009.
This week.. There's sugary goodness with the Chocolate Rush Festival celebrating all things dark and sweet with a bigger range of events than ever before. The Australian National Academy of Music presents a festival of recitals, workshops and more with Piano! (I'm not yelling at you, it really does have an exclamation mark! Okay, now I'm yelling at you..)
Melbourne University presents it's best and brightest with Mudfest11, a feastival of performances, exhibitions and all things arty, while Craft Victoria pulls out a few nifty tricks of their own with their all new Craft Cubed Festival, featuring exhibitions, seminars and more. Further afield you'll also find the Words in Winter festival held in the Shire of Hepburn with book lunches, poetry readings and many other events that celebrate the written word. The Melbourne International Film Festival also continues this week, as does the Hume Winter Music Festival.
And with just a taste further down, check here to view more of the following..
Major Events Guide
The Chocolate Rush Festival returns with a bigger, better and tastier program of events, held at its new venue of Melbourne Showgrounds this year. With everything from workshops to chefs sharing their favourite recipes and industry competitions, the festival also includes live entertainment and wine tastings.
Piano! is the Australian National Academy of Music's festival offering a celebration of the piano and of great piano playing with recitals, master classes, discussions and more. Held at the Academy, located in South Melbourne Town Hall, the program features some of the finest performers from here and overseas.
MUDfest11, once a drama festival and now the largest student arts and culture festival in Australia, takes place at the University of Melbourne where it plays host to a vibrant program that features Hidden Spaces with installations and artworks, and also Muddy Shorts with a one night extravaganza of theatre.
Craft Cubed, presented by Craft Victoria, is a new festival of experimental, skilled and ideas-based craft and design. With its very first theme of CITY|COUNTRY, looking at local geographical boundaries, the festival features a wide range of events including Open Studio days, seminars, exhibitions and markets.
The Melbourne International Film Festival, one of Melbourne's signature events, offers an impressive program of cinematic features from over 50 countries with special screenings and events that include guest speakers, Q&A screenings, and the return this year of Next Gen with films for young audiences.
Words in Winter is an annual festival held in the Shire of Hepburn with events also held in Clunes, Creswick and Trentham. With a huge program that includes book launches, workshops, and poetry readings, the festival also features special guests in Author Talks, theatre, oral history discussions and much more.
The Hume Winter Music Festival returns this year with an explosion of brilliant artists from the world of music, showcasing a multitude of musical genres and cultures. Celebrating the musical and cultural diversity of Hume City, the festival features a wide variety of performances featuring music, dance and more.Special Ticket Giveaway
Holiday, performed at the Guild Theatre of Melbourne University, is an original contemporary dance piece by award-winning siblings, Leah and Ben Landau. Exploring the notion that everybody, at some point, has wanted to kill someone, the performance follows a family whose lives spiral out of control.Win a Double-Pass!!!
- OnlyMelbourne has a Double Pass to give away for the Opening Night performance of Holiday, with another Double Pass for the Opening Night also up for grabs next week.
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 Intentional Mark, an exhibition held at Brunswick Arts Space, is a collection of works by Emma Nunan, Lilly Dusting and Zoe Minnis, three of Melbourne's most exciting emerging printmakers. Their works display an exploration of various themes that respond to the natural environment.
August Occasion, held at Seymour's Old Post Office Gallery, is a is a bi-annual solo exhibition of recent bird paintings, produved by internationally acclaimed Australian Artist, Paul Margocsy. The exhibition also features works by other award winning artists including sculpture, woodwork, artglass and more.
From East to West by Liu Xiao Xian, a contemporary Chinese Australian artist, is an exhibition at Melbourne's RMIT Gallery that explores the nuances between East and West. Using playfulness and wit, his photographs and sculptures explore his experiences since leaving China following the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
The Wesley Fire & Clay Art Exhibition, held at Lilydale Industrial Estate Factory, is a chance to see how this real pottery and glass design factory works. Run by Wesley Mission, all the products that are made are one off hand crafted by people with disabilities, with proceeds going towards those employed there.
Clandestine Wishes Photography - a photographic collection of works from local artist, Shauna Phoon of Clandestine Wishes Photography is being exhibited at Visage 'n' Vice, a Boutique alternative clothing store in Brunswick East. Shauna's work is a whimsical and unique exploration of emotion.
The Bald Archy Prize Exhibition, Australia's most popular comic portrait competition and an alternative to the prestigious Archibald, celebrates its 16th year at Chapel Off Chapel. Judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo named Maude, this year's subjects include Bill Henson, Nicole Kidman and Bart Cummings.
Break a Leg, held at City Museum, is a special exhibition that highlights Melbourne's rich theatre history. Charting the lives of some of the stars who gave birth to the rich legacy of Melbourne theatre, establishing it as a city for the arts, the exhibition features original material icons like from Dame Nellie Melba.
SUB12 is a Hobsons Bay arts event that features over 40 artists and 34 exhibitions held across 12 weeks in one great space, The Substation, which is located in Newport. Presented in four distinct exhibition blocks, each with its own opening night, the shows feature a diverse mix of emerging and established artists.
Daisy and Lizzie (my only friend) is an exhibition by Rebecca Pierce, held at Richmond's Blacksphere Fine Art. Based on her impressions of Daisy Bates and her companion Lizzie the bicycle lizard, her colourful imagery presents a storybook feel that also holds a starkly surreal agenda beneath the surface.Fox in a Box is a photographic installation by Rebecca McIntosh that tells the tale of the facetious character Flying Fox Woman, an urban legend and home-made superhero suffering from domestication. The installation can be seen at The Dolls House, a unique miniature gallery held in a shop window in Preston.
In The Black, held at Lauraine Diggins Fine Art Gallery in Caulfield North, is an exhibition of black and white imagery that showcases drawing, photography and prints from a variety of genres. The exhibition featuring work by many diverse artists, ranging from colonial to contemporary and aboriginal art.The Independent Type, held at the State Library of Victoria, is an exhibition that celebrates the history of Victoria's literary culture with displays and exhibits that mark the progression of writing by exploring traditional Indigenous storytelling through to colonial classics and today's vibrant writing scene.Open Days, Expos & Seminars
Deakin University will be holding their Open Days when you can get all the information you need for becoming a Deakin student. Offering the chance to learn more about Deakin's range of courses, scholarships, accommodation and more, attendees even have a chance to win an iPhone.
The William Angliss Institute of TAFE in La Trobe Street will be holding their Open Day, an annual event that offers a mouth-watering range of activities that highlight their hospitality courses on offer with information sessions and fun interactive events that include cocktail making and cupcake decorating.The Existentialist Society host free public lectures that cover diverse and often conflicting schools of thought followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Held monthly at East Melbourne's Unitarian Church Hall, the next lecture with Prof. Roland Boer asks, Was the Enlightenment a Secular Project?
An Evening Memory Seminar, held in support of National Missing Persons week, will be presented by Alzheimer's Australia Victoria. Taking place at Hawthorn's University of Melbourne Cinema, the free seminar is about older people with dementia who are often of going missing, and measures to avoid this.
The Melbourne Bridal and Honeymoon Expo, held at Marvel Stadium, is the only major Bridal Exhibition in Melbourne to offer a 2500 Seat Fashion Parade. Showcasing everything you need for your special day, the expo features over 220 suppliers with flowers, venues, gowns and much more.
The Home & Giving Fair, held across two locations at Melbourne Exhibition Centre and Melbourne Showgrounds, is Australia's most experienced trade exhibition, showcasing the best range of products for home and gift businesses both big and small with the widest array of gifts and homeware.
The Health & Wellbeing Expo, held at Bimbadeen Heights Primary School, is a fundraising event for the school that will se a wide range of alternative therapies and treatments showcased in one location. With Aura Photography, Massage, Herbal Teas and more, the first 200 people there receive a FREE Show Bag.
The New Age Holistic Festival of Life Expo is a chance to meet with up to 50 Exhibitors who will be offering Tarot, Angel Cards, Crystal Ball and Palm Readings. Held at Box Hill Town Hall, the day will also feature Mediums, Psychics and opportunities to be pampered with Reiki, Bowen, Shiatsu and more.Performances & Theatre
Melbourne Boys, performed at Northcote Town Hall, is a truly original suburban story that's told through a series of vignettes, offering a fresh look at the trials, tribulations and interactions that face a group of students at an all-boys school as they pass through their final year at secondary school.
The Merchant of Venice, presented by PMD Productions and directed by Paul Knox, is a performance of one of William Shakespeare's challenging play that sees the classic play set in modern-day Italy. Held at Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran, the play confronts its deeply anti-Semitic themes head on.
Rockabye, performed by Melbourne Theatre Company at their Sumner Theatre in Southbank, is a play that examines our self-involved, celebrity-obsessed culture. Written by Joanna Murray-Smith, the play follows Sidney, a pop star who struggles to find success with her career and life after turning forty.
The Club, David Williamson's celebrated play, will be performed by Fab Nobs Theatre. Inspired by the backroom dealings of the VFL during the 1970's, the play follows the transition of an Australian sport becoming Australian business. Performances will be held at The New Fab Factory in Bayswater.
Life's A Circus is a play about love and betrayal as Vivien and David, two Australian circus performers working overseas, meet the youthful Alex and realise they may have found someone worth risking everything for. Featuring renowned theatre and circus performers, it's held at St Kilda's Theatre Works.Savage River, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company, is a play that tells the warm, affectionate and moving story of a father and son who live by the edge of Savage River - now little more than a dam amidst a Tasmanian ghost town - whose lives are changed by the arrival of a beguiling woman.
Jersey Boys, performed at the Princess Theatre, is the Broadway hit that charts the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as the play takes a nostalgic look at how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history while showcasing the great songs they became famous for.
Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story returns to Melbourne with a brand new production held at the Palms at Crown. The live music extravaganza, which has become one of the biggest hits on the stage, presents the story of the iconic singer with two hours of his greatest hits that inspired many other performers.Classical, Choral & Recitals
Opera Down Under, Australia's newest opera company, will perform their inaugural concert at the University of Melbourne's Melba Hall. The concert will be a presentation of The Impresario by Mozart, performed in English along with selected concert arias sung by Herald Sun Aria finalist, Catriona Bell and others.
The Magic Flute, a performance by the Opera School Melbourne at St Kilda's National Theatre, offers a unique production of Mozart's classic comic fantasy. Performed in English with an outstanding cast of young artists, the performance has been tailored as an opera that would appeal to the whole family.
The Mary MacKillop Mass, a composition by Nicholas Buc that celebrates the centenary of Sister Mary MacKillop's death, will be premiered with the first public performance at the Civic Hall in Portland, performed by the Australian Catholic University Choir, Box Hill Chorale and the Music Glenelg Festival Singers.
A Songathon, held at Monash University in Clayton, is a fundraiser concert for the Creative Connections programme at Bethlehem Hospital. Presented by the students of Classical Voice with settings of Shakespeare's text by varied composers, people are invited to show support by attending or sponsoring a song.Entertainment & Nightlife
Live Concerts & Gigs
Jesters Lane, a six piece original band from Melbourne, will be performing at Brunswick's Noise Bar in. Fronted by lead singer, Kimba, the band plays a unique fusion of funk, pop, jazz, blues, reggae and rock. They'll be supported by the bands RPG Radio, Jakk's Asimuth and The Young Have Secrets.
And All That Jazz, presented by Faye Dumont Singers, is a performance by the Melbourne Women's Choir that features some of the most popular Jazz favourites guaranteed to have you tapping your feet. Performed at Kew's Methodist Ladies' College, songs include classics like Embraceable You and I Got Rhythm.
Melbourne Jazz Jammers is a weekly Jazz Jam held at the Glasshouse Hotel in Collingwood that offers a great opportunity for musicians of any background to drop in, join in, listen in, meet other musicians and relax over a drink as the evening unfolds with anything from bebop to swing, blues, Latin and more.
Noel Gardner will be appearing at Wax Lyrical, an event that provides a performance opportunity for songwriters, held Hepburn Springs' Old Hepburn Hotel. Accompanied by Alex Bridge, Noel's heart-felt original songs tell stories about our land, our environment, our lives and our hearts.Spoken Word & Poetry
Willow Tales, held at Northcote's Willow Bar each month, offers a night of pure storytelling with performers taking to the stage to share stories, tales and fables from some of Melbourne's top comedians, writers and yarn spinners with performances that offer far more than the usual stand-up shtick.Networking Nights
The Dining and Activity Network, a Melbourne Social Club with over 600 members, hold a weekly drinks and dinner night at the Malvern East restaurant, La Fiamma. Free to attend, the evenings are a great chance to make new acquaintances and enjoy reasonably priced food while learning more about the group.Burlesque & Cabaret
Curly Girl Burlesque, held at Fitzroy's Burlesque Bar each week, is a fun, cheeky and risque show, which began as an Hours Level research project by Claire Haywood, and has since gone on to become a hit that celebrates the burlesque of yesteryear with a contemporary touch that challenges perceptions of women.Cinema
Escapade Events will be holding a special screening of Cabaret, the classic musical starring stars Liza Minnelli at her best. The women's social events group will be holding pre-film drinks with canapes in a private area of the luxurious Palace Cinema Como lounge where guests can socialise before the film.Comedy
The Impro Cave returns for another great run of entertainment to help beat the winter chills with a toasty warm venue at The Penny Black in Brunswick and the hottest improvised entertainment. This year's series of improvised shows are ones of exploration and adventure with a new show each time.
Comedy@Spleen is a comedy night at Spleen Bar in Bourke Street, where you can step out to enjoy a great night out with an eclectic mix of Melbourne's comedy scene featuring established personalities and comedy legends from radio and television with guests such as Glenn Robbins, Corinne Grant and others.Melbourne For Kids
Caterpillars, Clotheslines & Cubby-house Rainbows is a performance for children, held as part of the La Mama for Kids theatre program. The play follows Jack and Molly as they take preschool children on a backyard musical discovery that features craft making, puppets, singing, dancing and more.
Dora & Diego at Hoyts - Dora and Diego will be appearing on the big screen as you've never seen them before with special sessions at Hoyts Cinemas during August held at Chadstone, Melbourne Central and Eastland. Sessions are held every Saturday and Sunday with all tickets costing just $7.
The Goal Kick Program, held by East Bentleigh Soccer Club, is a great development program to introduce young boys and girls aged 5 to 7 to the game of soccer in a non-competitive and fun environment. With weekly sessions of skill drills and game play, kids can learn the sport while having fun and making new friends.
Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination is a special exhibit at Scienceworks where you can discover the science behind the Star Wars films. The exhibition features authentic costumes and props from the entire Star Wars saga, including the iconic Darth Vader's menacing attire.Circus Shows
Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be holding performances at Sandown Park Hotel in Noble Park. Established in 1976, Silvers Grand Magic Circus offers a great show for the whole family, with everything from jugglers and clowns to acrobats, international performers and more.Puzzles & Competitions
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of The Edge, the unique observation lookout at Melbourne Skydeck... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter
More on Melbourne Skydeck | Learn More about Melbourne!
Competitions & Special Offers
Millionaire | Hot Seat Tickets *FREE* - Millionaire: Hot Seat needs people to take part in Australia's newest game show and see who is in the HOT SEAT and you can register to be part of their studio audience at Richmond's GTV9 Studios with free tickets and the chance to win CASH prizes on the night.WIN $1,000 Shopping Spree at Sydney Airport - Don't miss the chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree at Sydney Airport with a Visa Pre-Paid Gift Card, offering the chance to spend big at one of the 120 stores that include Virgin, Syd Duty Free, Ralph Lauren and more. With a winner each month, entering is easy!Only Mobile Phones, Australia's one-stop shop for mobile phones, provides 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 while comparing prices for a Cheaper Deal!Community
Melbourne Sustainability Drinks, held the first Wednesday of every month at Melbourne Central's 100 Mile Cafe, provides a forum for professionals and anyone interested in sustainability to exchange ideas and meet other passionate people who are interested in making a positive difference.
African Drumming Classes - Ray Pereira, one of Australia's best performers and teachers in African Drumming, offers classes that teach great hand technique and how to hear and play inspiring West African rhythms on a variety of drums and percussion instruments that include djembe, bells and shakers.Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes are held weekly in Fitzroy and Brunswick. Classes cost $18, with no need to book, and each class includes a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.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 Smith Family Winter Appeal is a chance to help change the story for disadvantaged Aussie kids by helping The Smith Family raise money for their Winter Appeal. By making a donation you can support The Smith Family in offering disadvantaged kids educational support to break the poverty cycle.Markets, Fetes and Fairs
Magnolia Square is a boutique fair that showcases women's and children's attire, homewares, jewellery and more. They'll be holding their popular fair at Malvern Town Hall where you'll find the work of some of Melbourne's best and most talented designers with a wide variety of quality crafts.
The Patchwork Quilt and Craft Show, held at the Pioneer Presbyterian Church in Cheltenham, is a presentation the church's Craft and Friendship Group. With many quilts and crafts on display, there'll also be demonstrations and craft goods on sale with all proceeds going to charity.Diamond Valley Toy Library will be holding a Babies and Kids, Goods and Toys Sale at Norris Bank Community Hall in Bundoora. With all proceeds going towards the toy library, the sale offers great bargains with pre-loved toys, nursery items, books, games and more, with a sausage sizzle on the day.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
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.Special Dining Offers
O-Cha Thai Cuisine Week, presented at The Rialto's Alluvial Restaurant, is a special chance to sample authentic Thai food as the restaurant plays host to one of Thailand's most well know chefs, Chumpol Jangprai and his contemporaries from Kasetsart University in Thailand, offering special lunch and dinner menus.
Put Victoria on Your Table, a campaign by the Victorian Government, celebrates our state's greatest food and wine with a series of events that includes The Age Good Food Guide Winter Restaurant Express which showcases over 80 of its featured restaurants, each offering two courses of Victorian fare.
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!
Mezza Lebanese Grill in East Brunswick offer fresh Lebanese cuisine & traditional entertainment with belly dancers and music.SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog and receive 20% off your total bill for 2 people or more when you dine at Mezza - Monday to Thursday.
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..
Modern Australian CuisineChinese Restaurants
Italian Restaurants
Seafood Restaurants
French Restaurants
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.
This week we suggest the following:
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
Soccer | Hyundai A-League
Hyundai A League | Round 1Melbourne Victory Home Game
Thursday August 6 - 8pm
Marvel Stadium, Docklands
NRL Premiership
NRL Telstra Premiership | Round 22Melbourne Storm Home Game
August 7 - 7:35pm
Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne
AFL Premiership
AFL Premiership - Round 19 - August 7th to August 9th❊ Web Links ❊
➼ Newsletter | #135 | What's On this Week
Disclaimer: Check with the venue (web links) before making plans, travelling or buying tickets.
Accessibility: Contact the venue for accessibility information.
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