Newsletter | #121 | What's On this Week |

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for the week running from Tuesday April 28 - Monday May 4, 2009.
This week.. raise your hands in the air and wave your Shillelagh like you just don't care at the Koroit Irish Festival offering a day of fun, music and food. You can also make your way to Clunes this weekend for the popular Back to Booktown fair, a must for all bookworms. There's a great day of music performance with Choral@Montsalvat where you can also take in exhibitions at the scenic artists colony.
Foodies can also get out for some festivities this week with the Chestnut Festival in Mount Dandenong offering some toasty roasted fun and food. There's also the Grampians Grape Escape and the Autumn Harvest festival held at Lavandula Farm. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival also continues this week along with the Mount Beauty Festival and Shakespeare on the River.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day Restaurant Offers - Mother's Day is one of the busiest times for restaurants, so be sure to book ahead to treat Mum to a great, big tasty thankyou for all she's done! Many restaurants in Melbourne offer special menus, complementary drinks and much more to make Mother's Day an occasion.
Visit Here for Great Mother's Day Dining Offers
Mother's Day Gift Guide | May 10th - Mother's Day is only one week away, so be sure to get a great gift for Mum! If you haven't bought a gift or planned something special for your mother yet then why not try some of our ideas to make it a perfect Mother's Day this year and show her you care.
Sunday May 10 | Visit Here For Mother's Day Gift Ideas
Petals Network can help you make Mother's Day special with flowers that can be sent to anywhere in the world, offering quality flowers and gifts in over 70 countries, delivered fresh by a Local Florist. And with over 1000 florists Australia wide, you can be sure to put a smile on Mum's face no matter where she is!
Send Mum Flowers Today!
Major Events Guide
The Koroit Irish Festival celebrates Irish heritage through music, poetry, dancing, singing and more. Held in historic Koroit, between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, the festival features a wide range of activities for people of all ages with six music stages on the village green, a market and street stalls.
When: Saturday & Sunday May 1 & 2 | FREE Event
Choral@Montsalvat is a music-in-the-round choral festival that features fourteen choirs performing in one big day. Held at the Montsalvat artist's colony in Eltham, which was established in 1934, the festival has choirs perform simultaneously in three art galleries, offering thirteen events to choose from.
When: Sunday May 3 - Noon to 5pm
The Chestnut Festival, held annually for over 30 years now at Mount Dandenong's Kalorama Reserve, offers fun for the whole family with fairground rides, buskers, market stalls and plenty of roast chestnuts. With raffles, face painting, showbags and more the festival includes musical performances.
When: Sunday May 3 - Noon to 4pm
Back to Booktown is a huge two-day book fair held in the town of Clunes, the site of Victoria's first gold strike, located an hour and a half's drive from Melbourne. During the weekend fair, buildings all across Clunes become temporary bookstores with more than 50 booksellers from all over Australia.
When: Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3 - 9am to 4pm
Shakespeare on the River Festival in Stratford celebrates William Shakespeare's 445th Birthday this year with a program of events that includes theatre, music, story telling, puppet making workshops and more, along with the major highlights, the Avon Village Fair Day, held at Stratford's Village Green.
When: Now Until May 7 | Village Fair Day held May 3
The Bright Autumn Festival, held in the last week of April and the first week of May, celebrates two weeks of Autumn's vibrant colours and produce in the valleys of the Victorian High Country with festival highlights that include a Gala Weekend with a street market and parade, winery tours, an art show and more.
When: Now Until May 6 | Gala Day held May 2
The Melbourne International Jazz Festival returns with an impressive program offering more than 55 events that celebrate the riches of jazz. Performances include international and Australian jazz masters, free concerts at Federation Square, Jazz for Kids, cinema screenings at ACMI and plenty of jam sessions.
When: Now Until May 2
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
Special Ticket Giveaway
Children of Winter, Warren Miller's largest action sports film ever, showcases incredible scenery and cinematography with fast-paced skiing, snowboarding and more in beautiful locations such as Japan and Iceland. Presented in high-definition at Rivoli Cinema, the film is narrated by skiing icon Jonny Moseley.
When: Limited Run - May 20 to 24
Win a Double-Pass!!!OnlyMelbourne has one Double Pass to give away for the Melbourne screening of Children of Winter.
To go into the draw to win a chance to see the impressive film, email your name, address and contact details with 'Warren Miller Giveaway' as the subject line.
COMPETITION NOW CLOSED
Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show
Stocked , showing at Northcote's Immersion Therapy, is an exhibition of photography from four artists who set out to recapture the true essence of the camera as a means of defining moments in life and setting them apart from all other moments in time, as opposed to the daily plaything cameras have become.
When: Fridays to Sundays | Ends: May 10
The Camberwell Rotary Art Show, now in its fifth year and held at its traditional venue the Camberwell Centre, is ranked among the largest traditional competitions, displays and sales of paintings in the Southern Hemisphere, raising funds for community needs serviced by the Rotary Club of Camberwell.
When: Open Daily | Ends: May 12
Pretty as a Picture, held at Fad Gallery in Melbourne's Corrs Lane, is an exhibition of stencil art by Tal Brott. The exhibition comprises spray enamel works using a unique stencilling technique with subject matter as diverse as Arnold Shwartzeneggar in bathers to Darth Vader in fetish gear.
When: Tuesdays to Saturdays | Ends: May 12
50 Years of Hope & Courage, a photo exhibition held in the foyer of Albert Park's Gasworks, marks 50 years since the Dalai Lama fled into exile and Tibetans rose up against Chinese rule in Tibet. Presented by the Australia Tibet Council, the unique photos highlight the determination of Tibetans to preserve their heritage.
When: Open Daily - 9am to 5pm | Ends: May 2
Central Periphery, showing at the RMIT Gallery in Swanston Street, brings together the work of six Northern European artists. Curated by Scottish artist Alan Johnston, whose drawings are featured, the exhibition explores ideas of landscape and spaces through minimal abstraction, alternative drawing and installation.
When: Mondays to Saturdays | Ends: May 23
Expos, Tours & Open Days
The Victorian Rabbit Association will hold their 3* Rabbit Show at Dandenong Showgrounds. With a judging competition, the show is a come along and learn more about your pet rabbit, learn more about owning one, or simply meet other owners. Entry is free, however, there's a fee of $1.50 for those showing rabbits.
When: Sunday May 3 - 11.30am to 3pm
designEX, held across three days at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, features over 300 top design companies in Australia's most comprehensive interior architecture and design event. The expo has an impressive showcase of cutting edge products, exciting features, prestigious awards and informative seminars.
When: Thursday April 30 to Saturday May 2
A Sustainable World is an expo held at Mansfield Showgrounds, which can help you learn innovative ways to build your new home or maintain an existing one using eco-friendly solutions. The expo offers advice on many areas including gardening, energy efficiency, waste reduction and even organic skin care.
When: Saturday May 2 - 10am to 4pm
Shaping Elegance, held at Como Historic House and Garden in South Yarra, is a fashion exhibition that showcases the work and designs of Robert Fritzlaff, a master craftsman who stood out and established his reputation in the late 1960s. The designer himself will be part of special tours on selected dates.
When: Open Daily - 10am to 5pm | Ends: June 14
Next Tour - May 13 | Bookings Required
Performances & Theatre
Garden of Delights, performed at St Kilda's Theatre Works, is a surrealist play of dark sexuality by Ferando Arrabal, who penned the play in 1960's. The story of an actress who escapes reality by withdrawing into am imagined garden, the play was last performed 30 years ago at the Jam Factory.
When: Preview April 30 - Starts May 1 | Ends: May 16
Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be appearing in Melton with performances at Woodgrove Shopping Centre. 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 much more.
When: Held Various Days | Ends: May 17
Puzzles & Competitions
Spot The Difference
There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of Ballarat's Sovereign Hill Village... 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 Sovereign Hill | Learn More about Melbourne!
Competitions
My Picturetown is a special offer to OnlyMelbourne readers from NIKON, the worlds recognised leader in photography. Register as a member (FREE!) and enter the draw for a chance to win great prizes while also enjoying 20 GB of free storage for your prized and precious photographs!
When: Promotional Draw Ends April 30
Community
The Mums' Tennis Program, one of Tennis Victoria's most popular programs for mums, will be appearing at various local tennis clubs, offering an affordable series of lessons at just $15 for five weeks of qualified tennis coaching. Participating parents can also enrol the kids in the Tiny Tots Tennis Program.
When: Runs Until May 29 | Various Tennis Clubs
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.
When: Each Friday - 7:30pm to 11pm
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.
When: Each Sunday Afternoon - 3pm to 6pm
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..
❊ Web Links ❊
➼
www.onlymelbourne.com.au
➼ Events Calendar - Find out Whats On any day of the 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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