Newsletter | #093 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #093 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for October 13 - October 19, 2008.

This week, there's a great day of fun for the family with the Brimbank Festival in St Albans, while Federation Square plays host to Diwali, the Festival of Lights, a celebration of Indian tradition that embraces hope. Further a field, there's also the Awakenings Festival in Horsham, which shows that being disabled doesn't mean you're not able to be one of Australia's many talented performers, while the Foodbowl Music Festival in Numurkah offers three big days of entertainment from many genres.

The Melbourne International Arts Festival continues this week with an enormous program of music, culture and theatre. And for Melbourne's many cyclists, there's a huge week of events with the Jayco Herald Sun Tour and the Melbourne Cycling Festival, held in Alexandra Gardens.

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

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Major Events Guide
The Brimbank Festival, held this Sunday at Errington Reserve in St Albans, will transform the reserve into a village of community market stalls, amusements, rides, heaps of kids activities, Council under Canvas, a community stage plus the main stage showcasing a fabulous line-up of local performers and leading Australian artists. The festival also features young singers battling it out in 2008's Brimbank Idol.


Diwali, also known as the Festival of lights, will be celebrated this Saturday at Federation Square. Beginning at 1pm, the celebration is free to attend and features live dance performances on the main stage. A traditional Indian festival that celebrates hope and goodness, Diwali propmotes unity and diversity, regardless of religion or other differences, held to remind us of the beauty the world can offer.


The Awakenings Festival, beginning Friday in Horsham, is Australia's only regional disability arts festival, offering 10 days of fun, theatre, workshops and much more. With performers from all across Australia, the festival has something for everyone with puppetry, music, stalls, open gardens and kids' activities in a huge program of events, celebrating some of Australia's most talented performers.


ATOM Awards Screenings - There will be a free screening on the Big TV at Fed Square this Thursday evening of films featured in this year's EnhanceTV ATOM Awards. With the winners being announced next week, you can have a taste of the talent featured this year with finalist films from categories that include Best Middle School Video Production, Best Tertiary Short Fiction, Best Tertiary Animation and more.


The Foodbowl Music Festival, running from Friday to Sunday in the country town of Numurkah, is set amidst the heart of Victoria's Foodbowl, which will be holding a festival that will have something for all music lovers. With a vibrant musical scene, the community includes decades-old choral societies and brass bands that thrive alongside pub rock bands, bush bands, acoustic groups, and more, all showcased during the festival.


The Melbourne International Arts Festival continues this week, offering events that have earned the festival a reputation as one of the finest in the world.

Held over 17 days each October, the festival showcases both local talents in arts and theatre, along with attracting some of the best acts and performance companies from all over the world.


The Melbourne Cycling Festival, running from Friday to Sunday, features the GO Bike Expo held at Alexandra Gardens, showcasing the latest in cycling products, accessories, events and destinations. Highlighting Melbourne's passion for cycling, the festival incorporates three of the most prominent riding events with National Ride to Work Day, Around the Bay in a Day, and the final stage of the Herald Sun Tour.

More about The Herald Sun Tour - Further Below in SPORTS


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 much more..

View Future Events on any day of the week
(Scary Winter gas bills notwithstanding!)



Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
The Journey Continues is a Studio Exhibition and Open Garden event, held by Keith Wright, whose talents in the Realist tradition have seen his work included in private collections in over 20 countries. The special exhibition is held this weekend in Monbulk.


irfanspace, an exhibition held at Toorak's Kinross House, explores the pathways and spaces between people, cultures, past, present and eternity. Using sound, images and poetry from islamic cultures and traditions around the world, it will run until October 26.


Experiencing India is a photography exhibition at Collingwood's Travellers Bookstore Gallery. Detailing the travels of Michelle Dunn and Alison Shirley around India for earlier this year. The exhibition will be opened this Wednesday by the Friends of Kolkata.


Mont Albert Primary School Art Exhibition & Sale
Over 60 Victorian artists have contributed to this exhibition and sale, which will help raise funds for the school. With contemporary artwork in oils, screen-printing, jewellery and more, it opens Friday night.


Yvonne Audette Exhibition - Mossgreen Gallery presents a selling retrospective from the acclaimed painter, Yvonne Audette. Covering 50 years of abstract expressionism, the show displays work from the 1950s to her most recent work. It opens Thursday.


The AIPP Travelling Exhibition, presented by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography, showcases winning images from the Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards. The exhibition will be shown at Rialto Plaza until October 24.


Elements, presented by Engineers Without Borders, is a nationally touring indigenous art exhibition that will be appearing in Melbourne at The Atrium of 161 Collins Street. Celebrating the amazing diversity of Indigenous Australia, the exhibition runs until Sunday.


The Wildlife Art Exhibition, currently on show at the Montsalvat Art Gallery, is an exciting exhibition by the top Wildlife and Botanical artists from Wildlife Art Society of Australasia. With work in a wide range of styles and mediums, it runs until November 4.


Delightful, an exhibition by Soula Mantalvanos, is a series of evocative and quirky portraits of an eccentric Melbourne-based author, Lynn Savery. Set in the cafes of Melbourne, the show includes the artist's journals and runs at Gasworks until Sunday.


Get Trucked is a special exhibition at Brunswick's 696 Gallery that features 100 customised Trucker Caps, each designed by an artist especially for the exhibition. Running until October 22, all caps on show are for sale with proceeds going to the Cancer Foundation.


Adrift, now on show at the 775 Art + Craft gallery in Red Hill, features the new body of work from Trent Edward, showcasing the grandeur of Australia's coastal lines. Capturing the raw energy of atmospheric seascapes, it runs until October 26.


The Drawn Blank Series, currently showing at Artiq Galleries in South Yarra, is a series of watercolour and gouache paintings created by Bob Dylan, based on drawings and sketches made on the road from 1989 to 1992. The exhibition runs until October 24th.


Punk a Photographic Journey is an exhibition of work that will feature in an up and coming book. Chronicling Melbourne's Punk scene over the last 4 years, the exhibition by Melbourne based photographer, Melynda, runs at Gasworks Art Park.


Heat: Art and Climate Change is a major international art exhibition held in conjunction with the conference, Cultures of Sustainability, which offers artists and writers the chance to explore issues of climate change. The exhibition is at RMIT Gallery until Saturday.


Sport and War is an exhibition that highlights the controversies faced by many Australian sportspersons during wartime in decades past. With original artworks, documents, photos and film, the wartime relics include a 'Brownlow' medal presented in a Changi POW camp.


Expos, Lectures & Open Days
The Royal Botanic Gardens will present their Spring Open Day this Sunday when you'll discover what goes on behind the scenes of one of Melbourne's oldest landmarks with free Garden Discovery tours, the Growing Friends Plant Sale and more.


The Yarram Open Day Weekend is a chance to experience the lifestyle and opportunities available in this Victorian country town, with householders, businesses, vacant land and more open for inspection. The special weekend includes concerts and tours.


Save Water Save Energy Expo, held Friday to Sunday at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, is the largest showcase of products and services for homes, offices, businesses, schools and gardens, all of which save water, energy, reduce waste and increase recycling.


The Paperific Expo, held at Melbourne Showgrounds, draws exhibitors and visitors from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, offering products, classes and demonstrations in a range of paper crafts, scrapbooking and more. It runs from Friday to Sunday.


Citroën Concours is a special display day, presented by the Citroën Car Club of Victoria, which will be held this Sunday at South Yarra's Como Park. Citroën Owners are invited to join in with an entry fee of $5 per car. Spectators can attend for free.


Performances & Theatre
Hold the Pickle, the latest show by Rachel Berger, will be running from Thursday to Sunday at Chapel Off Chapel. With stories of her parents' delicatessen, she explores heartbreak, loss, longing, fear, belonging... and schnitzels, told through a variety of characters.


Sweet Charity, held at the University of Melbourne's Union Theatre from Wednesday to Sunday, is a super sixties sensation that features a large cast, a witty script and glittering chorus numbers with classic numbers like 'Hey, Big Spender' and 'Rhythm of Life.'


Happy Haven is a new play by David Sheriff, which is directed by John Gauci, producer of the award-winning I Can Jump Puddles. Set in a nursing home, the whimsical play about the bridge between the young and old, runs at Chapel Off Chapel until October 25.


The Joy Before Thinking, running until Saturday at St Kilda's Theatreworks, is a story that surrounds the mysterious disappearances of children, leaving the parents to wonder just what's going on and whether they're missing out on something special.


The Picture of Dorian Gray returns after a sold-out first season, beginning Tuesday at the Student Theatre of Monash University in Clayton. The adaptation of Oscar Wilde's much-loved tale of debauchery and moral corruption runs until this Sunday.


Hot Mikado, playing Thursday to Saturday at Altona Theatre, sees Gilbert & Sullivan's classic transformed with a swinging score that captures the 1940's spirit with jazz, swing, hot gospel and blues against the backdrop of an Americanised post war Japan.


Hot Shoe Shuffle is an original musical comedy about The Tap Brothers, a madcap dance act who learn of an inheritance and the sister they never knew they had. With jazz classics by Gershwin, it's playing at the Alexander Theatre at Clayton's Monash University.


Kitten, now playing at the Malthouse Theatre in Southbank, is a three-act tale about Kitten, whose lover is lost at sea. Surrounding herself with the relics of what she has left, the play is a moving account of how yearning itself can be all too consuming.


Curly Girls Burlesque is a show of witty, kinky dances by five talented-sexy girls with interestingly artistic costumes. Full of parodies that you would love and laugh till you drop, shows are held Saturdays at North Melbourne's Australian Centre of Performing Arts.


The Rocky Horror Show has finally hit Melbourne, bringing Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with ARIA-nominated singer iOta as the outrageous Dr Frank N Furter. The iconic play and long time cult favourite is on at the Comedy Theatre.


Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is the hit musical that tells the untold story of the legendary witches from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the show reveals the surprising past of the supposedly Wicked Witch.


Classical & Choral Performances
Xani Kolac, Melbourne's electric violinist Xani Kolac will be joined by drummer and percussionist, Tom Gannon, performing the music of The Twoks live this Monday evening. The special performance will be held at The Spiegeltent, located outside the Arts Centre.


The Big Sing - Songs of Freedom, is a gathering of community choirs representing cultures from across the world, held Friday at Richmond Uniting Church. Presented by Yarra Community Music, the evening includes a multi-cultural supper and art exhibition.


Cry Baby Classical Concerts, organised by 3MBS 103.5FM Classically Melbourne and the City of Yarra, offer parents and children the chance to enjoy classical music. With a performance this Thursday at Richmond Uniting Church, entry is by Gold Coin donation.


Entertainment & Nightlife
Afro Mandinko, headed by King Marong, one of the most talented performers of African based music, will be performing a concert this Sunday at Healesville Memorial Hall. Fusing the traditions of West Africa with the contemporary sounds of Western styles, this energetic ensemble create a vibrant blend of irresistible dance music that stems from the deep roots of traditional melodies of King's Mandinkan heritage.


Stevie Wonder, the iconic singer and winner of a more than impressive 25 Grammy Awards, will be performing this Sunday and next Monday at the Rod Laver Arena. The concerts, which are sure to be a sell out, are the star 's first return to Melbourne since the 80's.


A Hurricane Relief Benefit Gig will be held this Saturday at the Spanish Club in Fitzroy. Featuring Kenny Lopez and Havana Connection performing live, all proceeds from the night go towards medical supplies for hurricane affected Cuban communities.


Johnny Uppercut, who recently returned to Melbourne after their successful tour in Canada, will be launching their debut EP at Fitzroy's Birmhingham Hotel on Saturday. They'll be joined by Sydney band, Debbie, and Melbourne band, My Trainwreck Of A Life.


Sound Bytes is a night of tunes and beats inspired by video games, held this Friday at Melbourne's Bunker Lounge. Featuring some of the best up and coming chip tune artists in Australia, DJ's include Little Scale from Adelaide and Melbourne's own Derris-Kharlan.


The Substitutes, Melbourne's most authentic '60s band, will be performing at Mentone's Nighthawk Blues on Saturday. Set amidst the buzz of plenty of dancing and a special singles night, The Substitutes will deliver a classic '60s feel with real spirit!


Cinema
St Kilda's Tuesday Flicks, held on Tuesday evenings, is a special film program that will raise funds for the organisation, unChain St Kilda. This Tuesday at the George Palace Cinemas they'll screen Lizzette Atkins' documentary about legendary boxer, Lionel Rose.


Comedy
Theatresports returns this year with a cast of mighty thespians battling onstage every Sunday at St Kilda's Theatreworks. Pitting teams against each other in ever-increasing degrees of improvised difficulty, each night brings hilarious feats of do-or-die wit!


Friend Magnet is a new game presented by Ebay Australia and Windows Live Messenger that lets you have fun and win prizes, not only for you, but also friends that you have on MSN Live Messenger! With over $100K in prizes to be won, there are special new prizes made available on different days, so be sure to look in and see what's up for grabs each day and grab a friend online to join the fun...

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