Newsletter | #106 | What's On this Week Newsletter | #106 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for January 12 - January 18, 2009.

This week.. Melbourne, the busy bee that it is, is truly back to business with a great range of festivals this week including the Midsumma Festival showcasing a huge program of gay and lesbian theatre, arts, music and more. There's also the Frankston Waterfront Festival for those who fancy a dip, while in Abbotsford there's a free day of fun with the Victoria Street Lunar Festival and even more celebrations of Chinese culture with the Tianjin Dancing Kite Festival in Royal Park.

Le Carnaval Spirituel also returns this year with two days of free performances in Fitzroy, while further afield you can experience the best that Port Fairy has to offer with their ongoing Moyneyana Festival, which runs until January 28. And with many galleries still closed over January, several have already lost the slippers and had their coffees with new exhibitions opening this week, along with the special exhibitions offered each weekend with the Herring Island Arts Festival.

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
Midsumma Festival returns with the popular Carnival, kicking the festival off this Sunday at the Alexandra Gardens. Celebrating 21 years, the carnival opens the festival with queer centric and queer friendly performances and entertainment, picnicking with family and friends, and a taste of festival acts and performances to come in the festival, which runs until February 18.


The Frankston Waterfront Festival, held this weekend, lets you experience the Frankston Waterfront like never before when this major summer event offers a weekend filled with spectacular sporting competitions. There'll also be music, free entertainment, activities, demonstrations and also carnival rides, food and even fireworks on opening night.


The Victoria Street Lunar Festival takes place this Sunday, celebrating the Year of the Ox at this wonderfully vibrant Lunar New Year festival in Abbotsford. The festival is a great day for the whole family with the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of Vietnamese culture and entertainment on two stages that includes Chinese Opera, fashion parades, Lion dances and more.


The Tianjin Dancing Kite Festival is a Celebration of Melbourne's sister city relationship with Tianjin, China. An annual event presented by the City of Melbourne and organized by the Chinese Museum it's held this Sunday at Royal Park's Native Garden and the day includes lion dancing, Kung Fu, Fortune Telling, ribbon dancing, traditional kite making and much more.


Le Carnaval Spirituel is a free show that will take place this Friday and Saturday at Fitzroy Town Hall. Formed in 1979, the French performance troupe are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year with a festive show filled with music, dance, yoga, martial arts and theatre, showcasing the cultural heritage and talents of India's ancient Vedic culture.


The Port Fairy Moyneyana Festival, Victoria's longest running festival, is a community event that offers fun for the whole family while assisting community groups raise significant funds. Running until January 28, the festival features daily entertainment that includes historic tours, concerts and film screenings, camel rides, workshops and much more with many attractions free.


The Herring Island Summer Arts Festival continues with special events taking place every Saturday and Sunday until April 13th. Held at the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park in Toorak, which is accessible by boat with a punt service, this weekend you can see an exhibition by the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia along with special artists demonstrations.


Australia Day
Australia Day is coming up, held on Monday January 26. With a wide range of special events held to celebrate the day, our guide can help you find something to do 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.
Adopt a Duck Today!


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
(Broken resolutions notwithstanding!)



School Holiday Guide
School Holiday Guide for all the latest on what to do with the kids during the Summer School Holidays continuing through December and running until January 27 in 2009. The guide is Updated Weekly to highlight the best things to do over the holiday period for the young and young at heart, with events, tours and holiday care programs.. all in marvellous Melbourne!

Lucy Benson is currently holding an Open Studio exhibition of her work as a video artist and multimedia designer. Using her residency at Melbourne's Guildford Lane Gallery to develop new video work which will then be installed in the studio upon completion, she will be testing out work in progress in the space, as well as displaying a rotation of previous pieces.


The Water Hole is an exhibition by Swiss artists Gerda Steiner and J�rg Lenzlinger, who have created a stunning ecological fantasy-world in the main gallery of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Bringing together made and found objects to create extravagant, magical installations that are full of allegory and beauty, the exhibition will run until March 1st, 2009.


Hocus Pocus - Science and physics become mere playthings as the world of magic, with all its baroque, buoyant charm, comes to City Museum. Proving that magic is in Melbourne's blood, the exhibition shows how our city has radiated with wonder and possibility since its streets were first paved with gold, featuring souvenirs, tools, artworks and more dating back to the 1850s.


Greenhouse by Joost is an Australian first in self-sustaining planning with this temporary event venue, currently open at Federation Square. Made entirely from recycled materials, Joost's Greenhouse will run until January and will be open daily as a gallery, cafe and social hub, while at night the unique venue will transform to become a vibrant hub to entertain the public.


Expos & Open Days
The Telstra Dome Bridal & Honeymoon Expo, held this Sunday, brings together over 220 suppliers with displays and stalls held across two levels at this unique expo. The only event to win the Bridal Industry Award, the expo will also feature Melbourne's biggest wedding car display along with DIY invitation classes, hair and makeup trials and much more.


Living Legends, a Historic Homestead for retired race horses in Greenvale, will be open every day through January with tea and coffee available daily and kids' activities each weekday including miniature model horse painting. The homestead will also be holding a special family picnic day on Australia Day with crafts, competitions, a treasure hunt and local produce stalls.


Performances & Theatre
In Camera (Huis Clos) is the psychological thriller by Jean-Paul Sartre, one of France's most prolific philosophers. Presented by Play Right Theatre Productions and translated by Stuart Gilbert, the play tells of three strangers who find themselves locked in a small room and must try to figure out why they have been brought together. It begins Thursday at Chapel Off Chapel.


The Dream Children tells the story of a couple who've been trying to adopt a baby through legitimate means, but meet with no success until a chance post on the internet leads them to a pregnant street girl who is more than able to help them, or so they think. Held as part of 2009's Midsumma Festival, it begins this Saturday at Carlton Courthouse Theatre.


This Is Our Youth, beginning this Thursday with a preview performance at Fortyfivedownstairs, is a play by Inside Job Productions that tells the story of three kids approaching adulthood who find themselves in a world where they have no moral centre. Set in America during 1982 and the beginning of Reagan's era, it features Nicole da Silva of All Saints.


Shakespeare in the Vines, presented by Essential Theatre, is a theatre series that sees Shakespeare's classic plays brought to the outdoors with performances held at various wineries and estates across Victoria. Their theatrical tour in 2009 will present the romantic comedy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, with a performance this Saturday at Summerfield Wines in Moonambel.


James and the Giant Peach, presented by RMIT Union Arts, is an energetic production of Roald Dahl's classic tale, adapted for the stage by David Wood. Bringing to life the crazy characters of the much-loved story, the play involves the audience in every step of the adventure. Loud, hilarious and inspiring, it runs Monday to Friday at RMIT's Kaleide Theatre.


Grace, a collaboration between philosopher AC Grayling and theatre director Mick Gordon. Combining a powerful debate about faith with heartrending drama, the play sees scientist Grace Friedman become the country's most vocal advocate for atheism, while her own son becomes an Anglican priest. Performances are held at the Arts Centre.


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, with shows running from Tuesday to Sunday.


Billy Elliot the Musical is now playing at Her Majesty's Theatre. Based on the cult film, the stage production features music by Elton John and follows the journey of a young boy in a small mining town who stumbles across a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson, and realises that his future lies not in the boxing ring, as his father hoped, but on stage as a dancer.


Shane Warne the Musical is a leg-spun yarn about what it means to fall arse-backwards into the Australian Dream and emerge a champion. With a sizzling live band and an exceptional cast, including Eddie Perfect as the man himself, the show brings to life a brilliant score fusing soul, gospel, rock, and even a touch of Bollywood. It's currently playing at the Athenaeum Theatre.


The Rocky Horror Show brings Richard O'Brien's classic musical to the stage with the outrageous role of Dr Frank N Furter played by ARIA-nominated singer iota, who last gave a remarkable performance in Melbourne in the rock musical of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, the long time cult hit is now playing at the Comedy Theatre.


Wicked, based on Gregory Maguire's novel, is the hit musical that tells the untold story of the legendary witches from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. When Dorothy famously triumphed in Oz, we only ever heard one side of the story. Now playing at the Regent Theatre, the creative team that brings the story to life includes many of Broadway's most celebrated talent.


Classical Performances
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 held this Monday at Malvern Town Hall, entry is by Gold Coin donation. Music for children will be performed live on the day by a variety of local classical musicians.


Entertainment & Nightlife
Showqueen, Sydney's most successful long running cabaret, will be coming to Chapel Off Chapel this week with performances from Friday to Sunday. Presented by Trevor Ashley, who appeared in Priscilla, The Musical, Showqueen features an impressive cast, showcasing the incredible talents of many of Australia's best up and coming cabaret music performers.


Melbourne Zoo Twilights is a chance to enjoy music performed live at Melbourne Zoo. With performances held each Saturday and Sunday evening, the program runs until March 15, with this year's season boasting one of their best musical line-ups ever. Held on the zoo's concert lawn areas, each evening also includes selected species on display until 7.30pm.


Circus Sunrise Holiday Spectacular is an action-packed show for all the family, currently showing at Water Front City, located under the Southern Star Ferris Wheel. With special holiday shows held throughout the School Holidays, the circus will be presenting their Holiday Spectacular until January 26. Circus Sunrise is a true family circus with lineage going back to 1648!


Puzzles & Competitions
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of Funfields, a family amusement park in Whittlesea... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter


Last week's answers are further down with Melbourne Trivia
More on Funfields | Learn More about Melbourne!


Competitions
Artz Blitz, held by Kingston Arts Centre is a 24-hour competition where entrants get the opportunity to create an artwork to a specific theme, exhibit in a dynamic exhibition and go into the running for over $3000 worth of prizes. With 180 places available for artists to pre-register, registrations close February 6 with the theme announced on 3RRR on later in February.


The Aussie Millions Poker Championship will be hitting Crown Casino next year in January, beginning 23 days of competition as poker players from the world over and across Australia try their hand (pun intended) at winning one of the world's biggest poker prizes. To play in an Aussie Millions event you must be a Crown Club member, so register soon if you plan to buy in.


Community
Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, can help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes take place every week on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings, held at Brunswick Street Gallery. Classes cost $18, with no need to book, and each class includes a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.


You Can Help
There are many social causes that are relevant to people from all walks of life, many of which rely on public support to better the community or assist those who are less fortunate or to benefit others. This week we ask you to consider the following..

The Great Australian Sunny Sizzle, presented by Interchange and held at Federation Square on 27th March, is a celebration to raise awareness of the needs of young people with a disability and their families. You can also hold a Sunny Sizzle BBQ at your workplace, school, sports club, or anywhere else, and help Interchange raise awareness of volunteering opportunities. 
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