Newsletter | #210 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #210 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday to Monday, January 11 to 17.

This week... there's plenty of colour on the festival front - a whole rainbow's worth, in fact - with the Midsumma Festival celebrating gay and lesbian culture with an enormous program of events across Melbourne. Sexual persuasions aside, the name of the festival's quite fitting with Summer not quite in full gear just yet, but try telling that to Frankston, where you'll find the Waterfront Festival taking place on the weekend.

For myself, being of the 'ranga' persuasion, summer's not so much about frolicking in the sun. Nor is it about the abundance of sports events that rear their collective sun-block-nosed heads. Summer for me, means bugs. For some reason they seem to adore me... or more to the point, my ears. My partner says that it's because my ears are cute, which is all very well coming from her. But it's a show of admiration that I could do without when it comes to bugs.

Years ago, during a stint of house-sharing with my brother - before we learned that co-habiting siblings and weekly poker games just didn't mix - I ventured into the pantry for a box of Barbeque Shapes when a small moth invaded my ear. I don't just mean it tried to get into my ear, I mean that it fluttered against my eardrum with a noise that made my head pound like a Monaro charging up Chapel Street on a Saturday night.

Louder still was the wretched shriek I gave as my brother ran to the kitchen to find me on an angle, snack box in hand, spinning madly within a halo of delicious (yet now wasted) Shapes. We debated what to do as I howled with panic when suddenly the moth fluttered out from my ear in what my brother claimed was a spectacle worthy of David Copperfield, leaving him in hysterics on the floor.

He laughs about it to this day, while I shudder every time an insect so much as comes near my red-haired noggin. So far, even though summer's more or less been a token gesture, I've had 6 flies and 3 moths do their damedest to enter the precious sanctum of my 'supposedly cute' noise holes - and yes, I do actually count these things.

In all seriousness now, however, it would be truly remiss of me to even mention matters of weather without raising condolences to all those who've recently been affected by floods in Queensland. Therefore, you'll find special mention in our Newsletter of several ways in which you can offer assistance.

We live in a remarkable country, full of so many environmental complexities, with snow, rainforests, deserts and beaches. But when you truly think about it, we're a great many people who huddle on the outskirts of this land. I recently learned that Australia has one of the lowest population densities in the world, with an average of three people per square kilometer, and it made me realise that we're not as big as we'd think, but then we needn't be so small.

The floods may not affect us in Victoria, but in times such as these, there's no such thing as distance, as was shown when so many from across Australia showed good will during the fires we had.

We sincerely ask that you show the same consideration and do what you can to help.

Queensland Flood Relief

Queensland Flood Relief Appeal - The Queensland Government has launched an appeal to help Queenslanders affected by the recent floods, which have left many communities devastated. You can help make a difference by donating to the Premier's Flood Relief Appeal today.
Learn More About How You Can Help


The Salvation Army has now launched a Flood Appeal to help direct financial aid to flood-effected Queensland communities. Donate online or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). You can also find the most recent Media Releases or read the latest update on what we are doing in the area.
Find Out More


Flick Will Fix It, the generous brainchild of Flick, which has seen her featured on Today Tonight, is currently promoting a charitable auction on Facebook where goods and services can be bought, with proceeds going towards the efforts to assist those affected by the floods in Queensland.
Join Flick Will Fix It on Facebook

View Auction 1 on Facebook
View Auction 2 on Facebook

Major Events

Midsumma Festival celebrates Melbourne's premier Gay and Lesbian culture at various venues with queer-centric and queer friendly performances and entertainment including special performances, cabaret, art exhibitions, community events and much more in its extensive program.
When: January 16 to February 6
Midsumma Carnival: Sunday January 16
Pride March: Sunday February 6


Frankston Waterfront Festival lets you experience the Frankston Waterfront like never before with a weekend of spectacular sporting competitions. There'll also be music, free entertainment, activities, demonstrations and more along with carnival rides, food and stunning fireworks.
When: Saturday & Sunday, January 15 & 16


Port Fairy Moyneyana Festival, Victoria's longest running festival, is a community event that offers fun for the whole family with daily entertainment that includes historic tours, concerts and film screenings, camel rides, workshops and much more with many attractions and special events free.
When: December 22 to January 27


Tooradin Tractor Pull & Truck Show, an annual event since 1998, is a fabulous family day that showcases a great range of colourful trucks and rigs along while offering entertainment for children with amusements, helicopter rides and more. It's held at Tooradin's Rutter Reserve.
When: Saturday January 15 - 10am to 10pm

Music & Arts Festivals

Herring Island Summer Arts Festival offers special exhibitions every weekend at the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park in Toorak. Accessible by boat with a punt service, the arts festival includes special artists demonstrations, talks, workshops, activities and more.
When: January 15 to April 26 - Weekends
Australia Day Activities: January 23 & 26

Upcoming Events

Australia Day Guide
Australia Day is celebrated with a wide range of special events held to honour the day with plenty of free events and activities that you'll find in Melbourne and throughout the suburbs with many local councils offering events such as BBQ days, Ceremonies and more.
Australia Day: Wednesday January 26


Ladies Prefer Brunettes, held at Gasworks Arts Park located in Albert Park, is a presentation by The Women's Circus that is quirky, delicious and simply irresistible. The show cleverly subverts, inverts and champions the feminine with poignant, savvy, gorgeous and hilarious fun.
When: January 19 to 22


Raw for Africa, held at Mornington Racecourse, is a family fundraising music festival in aid of the International Anti Poaching Foundation. Featuring plenty of activities and interactive education for the kids and music for the adults, all proceeds raised will go towards assisting the IAPF.
When: Saturday January 29

School Holiday Guide

Check out our School Holiday Guide for all the latest on what to do with the kids during the Summer Holidays running until Sunday February 6. The holiday guide offers some of 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 marvelous Melbourne!
View School Holiday Guide


MusicPlay, held at Southbank's Melbourne Recital Centre, is an exciting new festival for children and families that aims to entertain and educate young music lovers with a variety of activities and performances that include Carnival of the Animals, narrated by Justine Clarke of Playschool.
When: Wednesday to Friday, January 19 to 21

Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show

Port Jackson Press Australia will exhibit entrants of their Graduate Printmaking Award at Collingwood's James Makin Gallery. Judged by Peter Lancaster, Jenny Port, and Karen Quinlan, Director of Bendigo of Bendigo Art Gallery, works are by last year's graduates of tertiary level printmaking.
When: January 11 to 29


Family Guy and Futurama are the focus of the latest exhibition of prints showing at Silver K Gallery in Armadale. The largest exhibition of its type in Australia, it features over 140 pieces displaying images from the shows, including unique artist interpretations of Family Guy characters.
When: Until January 16


Joseph Kosuth will be exhibiting at Southbank's Australian Centre for Contemporary Art with installations inspired by Samuel Beckett's writings. Fabricated in blacked out warm white neon against a matte black space, the installations will feature alongside three other historic installations by Kosuth.
When: Until February 27 - Closed Mondays


The Crooked Staffe: Cricket in Print, presented by the Melbourne Cricket Club library, offers a rare insight into the way cricket has been portrayed in print over the last four centuries with novel items that include the first printed rules of cricket, written on a handkerchief from 1744.
When: Until February 4


Look! The Art of Australian Picture Books Today, held at the State Library of Victoria, is a free exhibition that will delight people of all ages. Celebrating the worlds and stories in picture books, it features original artwork, sketches and drawings by more than 40 Australian illustrators.
When: Until May 29


Summer Salon Show, held at Armadale's Firestation Print Studio, showcasing the work of the art studio's members. Fostering creativity and innovation through printmaking, the Summer Salon exhibition features a diverse range of prints on display with works available to purchase.
When: December 8 to January 14


Dreams Come True, held at ACMI in Federation Square, showcases over 70 years of Disney animation with an exhibition that features over 600 original artworks, maquettes and animation cells from films such as Cinderella and the upcoming film Tangled, based on Rapunzel.
When: November 18 to April 26


Crime Scene, showing at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne, is a special exhibition presented by Victoria Police Historical Services. A collection of photographs taken at Victorian crime scenes during the 1920s to 1950s, it features criminal prosecution documents of Squizzy Taylor.
When: Until January 30 - Weekdays


View More Exhibitions

Expos, Launches & Open Days

The Ultimate Bridal Event, presented by the Australian Bridal Service, showcases all areas of the bridal industry with displays from over 200 of Australia's leading wedding specialists. Held at the Melbourne Exhibition Building in Carlton, it includes regular fashion parades held daily.
When: Saturday & Sunday, January 15 & 16


Black Rock House Open Days are held each week to allow the public a chance to explore a seaside residence which was built in 1856. With guided tours run by volunteers in period costume, Black Rock House is also home to a rare tramcar, possibly from the Sandringham tramway, circa 1880s.
When: Sundays - 2pm to 4pm


Restoration of the B-24 Liberator Bomber, Australia's last B-24 Liberator long range heavy bomber and one of only eight remaining in the world, is available for public viewing with people invited to watch the restoration taking place in a World War II hangars on the old Werribee airfield.
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays

Animal Shows

Dogs Victoria present Championship and Breed Shows, offering a great way to look at various dog breeds up close and speak to breeders and fanciers about the pros and con of owning a particular breed of dog. Most events include special agility competitions and entertaining parades.
When: Friday to Sunday, January 14 to 16


View More Expos & Launches | View More Open Days

Performances & Theatre

Mr Braithwaite has a new Boy, performed at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre in Brunswick, is the latest production by Out Cast Theatre. With the sharp wit that writer, Steven Dawson is becoming renowned for, it follows the greedy scheming of those after an inheritance.
When: January 12 to February 12


Welcome to Fred World, held at the Butterfly Club in South Melbourne, is a performance that examines the billion dollar popular culture that has become engrained in day-to-day life as Fred Rowan - impersonator, singer and actor - invites the audience to join him in making sense of it all.
When: Thursday to Sunday, January 13 to 16


The Idea Of America, performed at Prahran's Chapel Off Chapel as part of Midsumma Playreadings, tells the story of Jude, a failed actress battling dementia, whose children join her as lies are exposed and old wounds reopened amidst the fantastical world of a stage diva gone mad.
When: Saturday January 15 - 2pm


The Wharf Revue, presented by Melbourne Theatre Company in Southbank, brings the annual Sydney institution to Melbourne with satirical tales that rake the coals of 2010, offering humorous stories that include that of Little Red Julia battling her way through the woods to grandma's Lodge.
When: January 5 to 29


Don Parties On, held at the Playhouse of the Arts Centre, revisits the election night of August 21st last year as David Williamson celebrates four decades since unleashing his classic play, Don's Party. The impressive cast includes Frankie J Holden, Tracy Mann and Garry McDonald.
When: January 8 to February 12


The Comedy of Errors, performed at Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens, sees the Australian Shakespeare Company lift Shakespeare's hilarious text to new heights with the classic tale of two sets of identical twins, separated at birth, offering plenty of farce when they end up in the same town.
When: January to March


Le Grand Cirque, appearing at Melbourne's Regent Theatre, is an extraordinary and thrilling performance of group acrobatics and white-knuckle stunts with an international company of over 40 exceptional performers hand-picked from Brazil, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and China.
When: December 30 to January 23


Hairspray, the ultimate feel good musical based on the cult movie by John Waters, will hit the stage in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre. Set in the USA town of 1960s Baltimore, the production follows the life of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger passion to dance.
When: Until January 30 | Book Now


Mary Poppins The Musical, held at Melbourne's Her Majesty's Theatre, brings the classic books and beloved Disney film to the stage with a spectacular production that includes all of the best loved songs from the film including Chim Chim Cheer-ee and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
When: Until February 13 | Book Now

Classical, Choral & Recitals

Stanley Yates, the British-born classical guitarist whose performances have earned international praise, will be holding a performance for one night only at Montsalvat Artist's Retreat in Eltham. The summer evening recital includes 19th century music by Diabelli, Mertz and others.
When: Wednesday January 12 - 8pm

Burlesque, Cabaret & Dance

Birdmannia, featuring The Birdmann, the only artist to receive a standing ovation at the New York Burlesque Festival, marks a return to the old days of vaudeville comedy with performances that offer a unique and obscure slant. It's held at South Melbourne's Butterfly Club.
When: Thursday to Saturday, January 13 to 15


The Spectacular Cabaret Showboat, a performance held upon the Melbourne Showboat, MV Lady Cutler, offers a great night of entertainment with the extravagant cabaret show including glamorous and gorgeous showgirls, an International Singer, a magician and fantastic food.
When: Friday January 14


View More Performances & Concerts

Entertainment & Nightlife

Kimbra and Alpine will be performing on the main stage of Federation Square as part of Fed Square Live, a series of free performances. With her powerful and alluring vocals, Kimbra's whimsical soul pop invokes both past and modern soul luminaries including Nina Simone and Jamie Lidell.
When: Thursday January 13 - 6pm to 7:30pm


Wet Wings, a New Zealand duo who've received critical acclaim with their limited-edition cassette, Skin to Soil on US label, Infinity Tapes, will perform at Fitzroy's Bar Open with Otouto and The Ancients. With shows full of vocal looping, Wet Wings form a choral backdrop of folk storytelling.
When: Thursday January 13 - 9pm - FREE


FourPlay, presented each week at the Moroccan-inspired Pause Bar in Balaclava, offers a night where you can enjoy the music of four different local bands, with up-and-coming independent artists given the chance to perform their music, playing a set each of their original material.
When: Every Thursday


Owen Pallett, the Canadian composer of orchestral pop, will be appearing at Thornbury Theatre as part of his Australian Tour. Showcasing tracks from his highly acclaimed orchestral pop masterpiece Heartland, Owen Pallett will be joined by Thomas Gill in an intensely compelling live show.
When: Saturday January 15


Melbourne Zoo Twilights is a chance to enjoy music performed live at Melbourne Zoo with a fantastic program that boasts a great range of performers. Held on the zoo's concert lawn areas, each concert evening also includes special displays of selected species open until 7.30pm.
When: Saturdays & Sundays - January 15 to March 13


Jazz in the Gardens, presented by the City of Stonnington, offers a series of free performances held in some of Stonnington's beautiful gardens where some of Melbourne's finest players and guest performers will be led by Bob Sedergreen, one of Australia's greatest jazz pianists.
Princes Gardens, Malvern: Sunday January 16, 6pm


View More Live Gigs

Comedy & Spoken Word

Willow Tales, held at Northcote's Willow Bar, 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.
When: Thursday January 13


Billy Connolly, one of the world's best-loved comedians with live shows that have been enthralling audiences for over 30 years, will be appearing in Melbourne with performances held at the Arts Centre. After six years since last appearing in Melbourne, his return kicks off his latest tour, The Man.
When: January 17 to 19 & 21, 22, & 24 | Book Now

Cinema

Rooftop Cinema flickers into action with film screenings of everything from cult favourites to new releases and documentaries, literally offering the height of entertainment with screenings held on the rooftop of Swanston Street's Curtin House along with the rooftop bar.
When: Until March - Tuesdays to Sundays


St Kilda Openair Cinema offers an eclectic mix of live music and entertainment provided by local and national artists. Held on the rooftop of St Kilda Sea Baths, the cinema features a diverse program that includes retro classics, family films, documentaries and shorts from selected film festivals.
When: Until February 26


Moonlight Cinema, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, is Melbourne's picturesque open-air cinema with a program including latest releases, contemporary films and cult classic. A great way to spend a night out with friends and family, you can bring your own picnic or buy food there.
When: Until March 20


View More Cinema Events

Melbourne For Kids

The Balinese Princess and the Funky Monkey, held at the Melbourne City Conference Centre, is a delightful children's musical for the whole family to enjoy. The musical tale about Princess Ayu and Kren, the cheekiest monkey on the island they live on, is a magical theatre experience.
When: January 11 to 15 - 3 Shows Daily


We Built This City, the renowned smash hit by Polyglot, will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary with a limited homecoming season at The Arts Centre where children can take part in a public construction extravaganza and help create a city using thousands of big cardboard boxes.
When: January 12 to 16 - 10.30am & 2pm


What Was That Noise? is a performance show by Charlie Williams, The Noiseguy, a vocal sound impressionist and kids' comedian from America. Touring Victoria, his noisy show full of creepy stories, spooky sounds and laugh out loud noises will be held at various Libraries during holidays.
When: January 13 to 28 - Various Dates & Venues


The Mighty Beanz Van Tour brings family entertainment and heaps of giveaways to various venues throughout Melbourne. With free live action game play taking place across Melbourne, the tour will include mini tournaments and other fun games with the chance to win exclusive Beanz.
When: January 13 to 30 - Various Dates & Venues


The Very Bad Book Show, presented by RMIT Union Arts, brings to life Andy Griffith's much anticipated sequel to The Bad Book. With a very bad mummy and daddy, very rude animals and the killer koalas from outer space, the comical show is held at Swanston Street's RMIT Kaleide Theatre.
When: January 4 to 21 - Mondays to Fridays


Polly Woodside, the main exhibit of Melbourne's Maritime Museum, re-opens to the public to bring back the nautical charm that has long captivated children. Celebrating the re-opening of the historic ship, during school holidays there'll be special performances, theme days and more.
When: January 3 to 28 - Various Dates

Circus

Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be holding performances in Mornington. Established in 1976, Silvers Grand Magic Circus offers a great show for people of all ages with performers including everything from jugglers and clowns to acrobats, international performers and more.
When: Until January 16 - Mornington


View More Children's Events

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

Chinatown Market Day, held once a month, transforms Melbourne's Heffernan Lane into an enchanting strip where you'll find hawker-style stalls offering delicious fare that includes noodles, dumplings and more along with souvenir stalls set amidst the ambience of Mirabella Lighting.
When: Saturday January 15 - Midday to 10pm


Secondhand Book & Vinyl Records Fair, presented by St Mark's Anglican Church in Balnarring, is a chance to grab a wide range of items at great prices with stall holders offering books and records covering many genres, making it the perfect market for collectors and enthusiasts.
When: January 15, 18, 19, 21 & 22

Melbourne Market Guide

View MARKETS calendar to make the most of the rare sunny days (it's a coin toss, 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!
Fetes Fairs & Shows
Art & Craft Markets
Food & Produce Markets
Swap Meets
Garage Sales This Weekend

Sporting Events

Cricket

Ashes Series - Australia vs England

Twenty20 International
Friday January 14 - MCG
One-Day Internationals
Sunday January 16 - MCG

Tennis

AAMI Classic, the tennis season's most anticipated prelude to the Australian Open, returns to Victoria's famous Kooyong stadium. With last year seeing Roger Federer claim title as the current AAMI Classic champion, the 'round robin' based event features some of the world's best tennis players.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, January 12 to 15


The Australian Open, held at Melbourne Park, plays host to the hottest event on the Tennis calendar. Running across two weeks, the Australian Open will see the world's finest tennis pros hitting the courts with matches held at Rod Laver Arena, Hisense Arena and the Margaret Court Arena.
When: January 17 to 30

Golf

Golf Australia, the national sporting organisation overseeing golf in Australia, presents many events through the year, ranging from grassroots to elite levels.

Australian Master of the Amateurs
Tuesday to Friday, January 11 to 14 - Royal Melbourne

Softball

Nox Bailey Under 19 Men's Softball Championship, hosted by Softball Victoria, will be held at Melbourne Ballpark in Altona Meadows where the best young players from around Australia, including members of the successful Aussie Colts team, will represent their respective states.
When: January 16 to 22

The Trots

Country Racing Victoria represents racing clubs in outer metropolitan areas and small clubs in rural areas with race programs that include special days with kids' entertainment.
Highlights
Jan 15 - Sungold Milk Camperdown Cup
Race Dates: January 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17

Motor Sports

Off-Street Drag Racing at Calder Park offers a safe way for competitive drivers to show their skills on the quater mile with Street Cars and Comp Cars allowed on the track.
Next Street Drag Event
Friday January 14
Gates Open 3pm - Registration Required

Community Sports

Try Bowls Day, held at Burwood Bowls Club, is a free day of fun with the club inviting people to learn the sport of Lawn Bowls. With all bowling equipment provided, the day offers free tuition along with a sausage sizzle, tea and coffee and cheap drinks with families welcome to attend.
When: Sunday January 16 - 1pm to 4pm


XOSIZE Tri Series is one of Victoria's premier triathlon series with five exciting sporting events for all ages and abilities held in stunning bay side locations.

Race 3 - Held in Elwood
Sunday January 16

Shaggy Dog

Shaggy Dog by Deej - Click Here to find what happens!

Let Melbourne Know...

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Add Your Event for FREE Today!!

OnlyMelbourne Welcomes..

Each week we highlight some of the new business listings in the OnlyMelbourne Business and Services directory.


This week we also suggest the following:

Mamalogue - Classifieds for Maternity Wear & more...
Tours on Trike - Motorcycle adventures around Melbourne...
Arbonne Skincare - Swiss Botanical Skincare...
Ramsay Builders - Creating quality homes...

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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..

No Tan Jan, an initiative of The Warwick Foundation, Australia's first and only organisation focused on supporting 18 to 40 year olds with cancer, is all about ditching the solarium and sunbaking to embrace a fake tan in January, while also raising funds for all young adults with cancer.
When: During January | Register Today!

Trivia

Have A Squizzy At This..

Fitzroy was Melbourne's first suburb, created when the area between Melbourne and Alexandra Parade (originally named Newtown) was subdivided into vacant lots and offered for sale.

Newtown was later renamed Collingwood, and the area now called Fitzroy (west of Smith Street) was made a ward of the Melbourne City Council. On 10 September 1858, Fitzroy became a municipality in its own right, separate from the City of Melbourne.

Fitzroy is also infamous for being home to the 1920's gangster figure, Squizzy Taylor, who frequented the area around the junction of Napier Street and Gertrude Street.

Read more about Melbourne's Suburbs | Read Melbourne Trivia...

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NEWSLETTER

What's On this Week is an email overview and reminder of the (too many to mention) events happening this week in Melbourne.

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