Newsletter | #126 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for the week running from Tuesday June 2 - Monday June 8, 2009.

This week.. there's a lot to see and do, and all of it timely as we head into the long weekend (something to do with the Queen, I hear..) There's festivals a'plenty with a multicultural flair as the National Ukrainian Festival celebrates with a grand concert at Melbourne Town Hall, while in Portarlington you'll find the National Celtic Festival.

There's also A Taste of Portugal held at Queen Victoria Market, and for those who'd rather celebrate a more Australian passtime there's the Rutherglen Winery Walkabout and the Mornington Peninsula Winter Wine Weekend. Aptly named so you can blame that red nose on the chilly weather we've had of late.

And with just a taste further down, check here to view more of the following..

Major Events Guide

The National Ukrainian Festival showcases the rich culture of Ukraine with special performances, art and more, offering a chance to learn more about the culture. Highlights of the festival include a Family Sports Day at Strathmore Secondary College and the Concert Extravaganza held at Melbourne Town Hall.

The National Celtic Festival, Australia's largest and most diverse celebration of Celtic culture, is held in Portarlington with performances and Celtic music of the highest quality in large concert venues and wine bars. The festival also features a range of workshops on offer for adults and kids.

The Woodend Winter Arts Festival, held in Woodend of all places, is one of Australia's premier chamber music, literary and visual arts festivals. Held every year on the Queen's Birthday weekend, the festival offers a delight for the senses with concerts, special events and much more.

The Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show, one of the biggest events on the culinary calendar, returns this year with new features and highlights to tempt your tastebuds, including special guest, Gordon Ramsay, who'll be appearing as part of LG's Celebrity Theatre along with other renowned chefs.

A Taste of Portugal, held at Queen Victoria Market, is a cultural festival for young and old that encompasses delicious gourmet foods, wine, music and dance. Capturing the high-spirited community with the essence of Portuguese customs at heart, the festival celebrates all aspects of their culture.

The Royal Doof Music Festival, held in the Pyrenees Ranges, is one of Victoria's best outdoor festivals with a weekend that features over 50 fine talented International, interstate and some of our best local artists, all stimulating your senses. The festival includes food stalls and craft markets.

Ignite, a free event held along the Waterfront City Promenade of Docklands, is a celebration that draws together musicians, performance artists and lighting experts to create a blazing wonderland with highlights including the spectacular Pyrophone Juggernaut, a giant fire fuelled organ.

The Melbourne Italian Festival, now in its 5th year, is an event that embraces all aspects of performance to highlight the vibrant Italian culture throughout Melbourne. Held at various venues, the festival program includes everything from music and films to poetry, arts, and even Spaghetti Western screenings.

New to OnlyMelbourne

OnlyMelbourne Marketplace & Classifieds - OnlyMelbourne has just introduced our very own Classifieds Pages where you can buy and sell a wide range of goods, services and more including your very own sweet self with a Friends & Relationship section. Registration and advertising in the OnlyMelbourne Market is free providing you are a resident of Victoria.

Upcoming Events

The Winter Solstice Feast and Dance, presented by Harvest to Hearth, is a special event held at Hickinbotham of Dromana where you can usher in the winter solstice and the turning of the season with a traditional Celtic Ceilidh dance and a hearty feast of seasonal local fare matched to Hickinbotham's wines.

West Side Shorts, presented by Angry Productions, is a monthly film night held at the Junction Hotel in Newport. Held every second Tuesday of the month, the film nights are a chance to see fantastic short films made by local talent and also to network with local filmmakers and actors.

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 music for children performed live by a variety of local classical musicians, performances are held monthly at Malvern Town Hall.

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

Evolution, an exhibition by Karl Persson, explores the relationship between humans, animals, evolution and morality with paintings that fundamental elements that link us all in these themes. Revealing deeply personal fears, anxieties and fetishes, his works will be showing at Unpretentiously Underground.

Facets, an exhibition presented at Forty-Five Downstairs in Flinders Lane, is a collection of work by emerging artists who are all residents of Warrnambool. Featuring work that includes paintings, drawings and sculptures, the exhibition reflects each artist's different inspirations and life experience.

A Survey Of Innovation, held at RMIT Gallery, is an exhibition of jewellery by Johannes Kuhnen, a pioneer of the anodising and colouring process of aluminium and its application in a studio based practice. His works display his dynamic use of colour and form and his attention to detail.

KK Exports, showing at Melbourne's Guildford Lane Gallery, is a free exhibition of 12 Years of posters and other displays produced by KesselsKramer, a communications agency based in Amsterdam and London, who are known for their cutting edge approach to contemporary marketing and advertising.

Totem City, showing at Steps Gallery in Carlton, is an exhibition of drypoints, etchings, drawings, paintings and sculptures by Marco Luccio, inspired by construction sites and monumental structures of Melbourne. The impressive exhibition also includes a special series of talks, workshops and presentations.

A Butterfly's Journey, held at Gasworks Arts Park, is a beautiful photographic exhibition that offers a rare and stunning glimpse into Southern Vietnam's scenery and portraits of Northern Vietnam's hill tribes. All proceeds from the sale of these works will be donated to an orphanage in Sapa, where photos were taken.

Creepy Cripple, showing at Brunswick's Gallery 696, is an exhibition of surreal paintings by Beau White, an artist whose paintings capture grotesque and potentially disturbing imagery, while offering a very tongue in cheek humour that will nonetheless make your flesh crawl.

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.

Stories To Tell, an exhibition held at the Angela Robarts-Bird Gallery in Gasworks Arts Park, is a showcase of works by three Melbourne based illustrators who each offer a different view of stories you know, and some you don't, drawing inspiration from classic folklore, Shakespeare, myths and more.

Top Designs, an exhibition held at Melbourne Museum, showcases work by Victoria's final year secondary school students. With artworks that span many styles such as furniture, clothing, short films and photography, the exhibition offers a glimpse of some of tomorrow's brightest talents.

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.

Launches, Tours & Expos

Jenny McCracken, the renowned 3D chalk artist (pictured) will be producing an impressive optical illusion on the streets of Melbourne to launch the release of Red Faction: Guerrilla. She'll be creating the illusion that the streets of Melbourne have been destroyed by the games symbol, a giant sledgehammer.

The Mind Body Spirit Festival, held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, is Australia's longest running new age events, bringing together everything you need for health and well-being with more than 200 stalls, performances and more where you can try and buy hundreds of products and services.

Model Expo, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, showcases everything that encompasses scale plastic modelling. With displays that are perfect for the young and young at heart, the event held at Sandown Entertainment Centre includes displays by model kit retailers and a Sunday Swap & Sell Day.

The Waverly Model Railway Club Exhibition, held at Brandon Park Community Centre in Glen Waverley, offers more than thirty trade stands where you'll find all manner of products and model accessories. This year's exhibition is even bigger with impressive displays of model railway making.

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.

Pet Shows

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Championship Show, an indoor event held at Skye's KCC Park, is the largest display of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in the Southern Hemisphere. This major speciality show is run, held on the Queens Birthday weekend every year, features categories for pups to veterans.

Performances & Theatre

Short Sweet + Dance, held at Prahran's Chapel Off Chapel this year as it finally hits Melbourne after three years in Sydney, is a festival that offers an opportunity for established and emerging choreographers and dancers to combine their creative talents to present spectacular 10 minute dance works.

Bodybag, presented by ITCH Productions at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, is a play about drugs, delirium and dead celebrities as one man's attempt to escape the reality of his life results in a car crash that has a devastating effect on the veneer that holds his disjointed world together.

Fred, performed by Shift Theatre, is a play by the award winning Australian Playwright and Screenwriter, Beatrix Christian, which tells of the events that unfold after a dead body is discovered under Pam's hills hoist, setting forth a series of manic and hilarious events. It plays at Footscray's Dog Theatre.

Petrouchka's Nightmare, held at BMW Edge at Federation Square, is a ground-breaking performance that fuses elements of circus theatre and contemporary dance. Inspired by classic Russian fairytales, the story follows a Russian puppet, who comes to Australia after being purchased at a Parisian market.

Melburnalia No.2, the follow-up to 2007's acclaimed production, is a series of five specially commissioned short plays that form a single theatrical journey that examines Melbourne through the decades. With a 6 person ensemble performing 25 roles, it's held at Flinder's Lane's Forty Five Downstairs.

Three Sisters, presented by PMD Productions, is Anton Chekhov's classic and beautiful story of the search for meaning in a time of hardship and social change. Regarded as one of the Russian Master's best works, the tragic and humorously touching play will be performed at Chapel Off Chapel.

Avenue Q is a new breed of musical, performed by a weird and wonderful mix of humans and puppets. Winner of three Broadway Tony Awards, the tasteless yet hilarious production is a cross between Sesame Street, the Muppet Show and any adult comedy you could shake a puppet at. Note: This is NOT a Kid's Show.

Dralion is the latest show by Cirque du Soleil. With performances held under their trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau in Docklands, the show is a fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil which has made them the world's most renowned circus performers.

Entertainment & Nightlife

The Heart of St Kilda Concert returns for its second year with a night of entertainment held at the Palais. The concert sees some of Australia's finest performers join together to help support the Sacred Heart Mission, with appearances by Icehouse, Tex Perkins, Dan Sultan, Tim Rogers and many more guests.

Renee Geyer, Australia's greatest soul singer, will be performing at Melbourne's Bennetts Lane Jazz Club. Recently inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, Rene Geyer and her band will be holding three performances that showcase her talents along with those of accompanying musicians, Bruce Haymes and Jeff Burstin.

The Bucket Room, held at Grumpy's Green in Fitzroy, is a night of entertainment held weekly with live original showcase that features original bands, solo artists, songwriters and duos. Free to attend, gold donations are welcome for your favourite band on the night when the buckets are passed around.

Mark McOnie & The Tall Trees will be appearing at the Edinburgh Castle in Brunswick where the experienced quartet will performing their music that's earned them a reputation for having live shows that capture influences that range from alternative country groups like Wilco to early Radiohead.

King Tide will be performing at the Northcote Social Club, celebrating the release of their new album, Roots Pop Reggae. Renowned on the live scene for their high-energy performance, King Tide offers an atmospheric blend of scratchy chop guitar, freedom lyrics and sexy pop rhythms.

The Melbourne Folk Club meet each weekend to enjoy live acoustic music, offering a great afternoon with CDs available by local performers. Performances are held at the Grandview Hotel in West Brunswick with the next guest performers being the folk duo, Ken and Fiona White, and Mick Flanagan.

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.

Cristal Burlesque, held each week at the Chapel Street bar, Cristal, showcases some of Australia's finest Burlesque performers with circus and vaudeville acts, regular international guests and DJs playing sultry blues at one of Melbourne's most luxurious venues and decadent events.

Comedy

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

Little Big Shots, Australia's major annual and travelling children's film festival, will be appearing at ACMI Cinema with screenings along with special events held there and also at ArtPlay along Birrarung Marr. Perfect for families and kids, the festival's films are inspiring, meaningful and fun-filled for all.

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.

Wonderland Park, located in Docklands, offers a special night of fun where kids aged 12 and over can enjoy ice skating and join the experts from the Victorian Curling Association for a curling demonstration and lesson as they have a try at the unique sport. Entry includes Parma and a Pot for the grownups.

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.

Kid Disco is at the Chelsea Heights Hotel where kids can enjoy all the fun of a primary school disco kicked up a notch! With two sessions held every Saturday afternoon, Kid Disco features professional DJ's, a disco light show and dance instructors who perform and offer dancing tips. Entry includes a meal on the day.

Circus Shows

Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be appearing in Altona with performances at Doug Grant Reserve. 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.

Puzzles & Competitions

Spot The Difference

There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the Gog & Magog at Melbourne's Royal Arcade... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter

More on Royal Arcade | Learn More about Melbourne!

Competitions

FreeCompetitions.com.au brings the best competitions on offer right to you lucky Australians! By searching the web for the greatest competitions in Australia, they can let you know what's on offer and send them to you via e-mail. The service is completely free of charge with no catch but the chance to WIN!

Community

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.

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..

MS Readathon, held to raise funds for multiple sclerosis, celebrates its official 30th Anniversary this year. By registering for the Readathon, you can get family and friends to sponsor you for either a flat donation or sponsorship for the number of books, and amount of time, that you read in the month of June.

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

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!

NEW MELBOURNE MARKET

Next week, we'll be exclusively announcing details about Melbourne's hottest new market. Stay tuned.

Dining & Drink

The Kyneton Olive Oil Harvest Launch, held in Barfold, is a great opportunity to visit a olive plantation and savour the freshly processed extra virgin olive oils, table olives and tapanades. The event includes cooking demonstrations by Jake Ward, former Executive Chef Le Meridien at Rialto.

Wining

The Rutherglen Winery Walkabout, held each year since 1974, is Victoria's original wine festival when Winemakers' of North East Victoria joined forces to promote their quality wines. With entertainment and activities, the Walkabout includes live music, produce markets and unique dining events.

The Mornington Peninsula Winter Wine Weekend is a chance to visit the local Vignerons and taste new release wines, visit old favourites and to experience the seasonal offerings of the region. Held across the long weekend, it features special events that celebrate wine, food and song.

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

Menulog Dining Specials - Save Money Today!

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Visit Here For The Latest Deals With Menulog!!

Gharana in Albert Park serve timeless Indian and Pakistani cuisine with mild and spicy curries to nourish your tastebuds.
SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog for Half Price Monday Night to have a great night out at Gharana.
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 Cuisine

Chinese 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:

Tamil Tax - Highly qualified tax services...

Super Web Order - Domain Name Hosting & More...

Metro Music Academy - Music lessons for all ages...

Recycled Textbooks - Buy & sell 2nd hand school textbooks...

View More of the Latest Listings at OnlyMelbourne!

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

AFL Premiership

AFL Premiership - Round 11 - June 5th to June 8th

Melbourne Tours

Smartvisit Card is the best way to see the sights of Melbourne, whether you're visiting Melbourne for business, a vacation, or even if you're a local wanting to find Melbourne's hidden treasures!

The Smartvisit Card includes entry to attractions such as Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Aquarium, Old Melbourne Gaol, Telstra Dome, Cook's Cottage, Melbourne River Cruises, and many more of Melbourne's TOP venues!

See Melbourne & Beyond - Smartvisit Card

See Melbourne & Beyond - Smartvisit Card

Learn more about Smartvisit Card

Last Week's Puzzle Answers

Spot The Difference
Here are the 5 Differences in last week's picture of Sunbury's Emu Bottom Homestead...

Newsletter | #125 | What's On this Week [Last Week]

Melbourne Trivia

A Light Espresso, Please..

The Victoria Hotel in Little Collins Street was the first in Melbourne to have electric lights in its rooms - a press notice at the time said, 'with the object of having bedrooms cool in the summer, the electric light is fitted in each room with taps to turn on and off the light as in gas jets'.

The Victoria Hotel was also originally known as the Victoria Coffee Palace, founded by a Temperance League as an alternative to the rowdy, bawdy pub accommodation on offer during the late 19th century.

More About Melbourne's Oldest Hotels | Read Melbourne Trivia...

WHAT'S ON CALENDAR

Speaking of what's on, our new calendar allows you to select any day of the year to view everything (everything!!!) on that day in an easy to read, printable display.
-:- View What's On Calendar
-:- View Markets Only Calendar

Melbourne On The Phone

OnlyMelbourne is now mobile phone compatible. Yes, our pages are formatted to be viewed on the small screen. To view our mobile phone website, go directly to our home page with your web compatible mobile phone and you will automatically be redirected to the mobile compatible version of OnlyMelbourne.

WHAT'S ON FEEDS

For those with newsfeeds, we now have a daily What's On Melbourne Today feed.

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

Get your copy of What's On this Week!