Newsletter | #144 | What's On this Week

Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday October 6 to Monday October 12, 2009.

This week.. It's that time of year again when the Melbourne International Arts Festival kicks off just as the Fringe Festival winds down and the two form a glorious eclipse of artistic wonder, a canoodling cuddle of theatrical bliss and a cubist, weeping woman of mished-mashed entertainment in all its forms. Point being that it's all very arty right now, offering a great chance to be festive indoors without fearing the fickle weather.

Speaking of a very dubious Spring, there's also a great range of events that have stuck to their guns and boldly popped up to celebrate the season with the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival, the Swiss Italian Festa and Stonnington's Spring into Gardening offering a day of entertainment in Prahran.

Outside of Melbourne there's plenty of food and wine events with Beechworth getting its own taste of Oktoberfest across two days, the return of Bendigo Heritage Uncorked and the Shedfest open winery weekend. Designated drivers are recommended, as the taxi fares back to Melbourne would be a tad high. Designated drivers that are high are not recommended however.

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

Major Events Guide

Melbourne International Arts Festival, Australia's premier celebration of performing arts, offers an enormous program that draws on the talents of some of the finest artists and performers from across the world. With dance, theatre, music, visual arts, and more, it's held at various venues.

The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival brings of Victoria's most picturesque coastal villages alive with three days of performances. Combining the talents of established artists and new and emerging young performers and composers, more than twenty concerts are held during the festival.

The Swiss Italian Festa, held in Hepburn Springs and Daylesford, celebrates the heritage of Swiss and Italian settlers who arrived more than 150 years ago. With over sixty events held in the two townships, the festival features sports tournaments, open studio tours, exhibitions and more.

Open Mind Fiesta, held every year to celebrate Mental Health Week, is a free community festival held along Fairfield's Station Street. Promoting greater tolerance of mental illness, the festival features community and activity stages, stalls, rides, a pamper tent and a children's area.

Spring Into Gardening is the City of Stonnington's annual celebration, bringing together community groups and offering inspiration for all gardeners. Focusing on sustainable gardening, the event includes food stalls, kids activities and more. It's held at Victoria Gardens in Prahran.

The October Art Food Wine Festival on the Mornington Peninsula showcases the work of local artists, winemakers and chefs. With artwork shown in gardens and galleries, the program includes a Studio Trail with some of the region's great artists, literary lunches, artisan tours, gourmet trails and more.

The Spring Early Music Festival, held at the University of Melbourne and other venues, brings together current early music students and graduates with local and visiting professionals. Now in its fifth year, the festival blends artistic maturity and youthful excitement for unique performances.

Victorian Seniors Festival Week features over 1,000 free and low-cost events held across Victoria. Celebrating the golden years and how to make the most of them, the festival includes concerts, exhibitions, performances of dance, jazz, poetry and theatre, along with special screenings held at ACMI.

Melbourne Fringe Festival is a celebration of Melbourne's vibrant and quirky arts culture with an extensive program of music, theatre, exhibitions and much more. Showcasing independent artists and performers at various venues, the festival hub is at North Melbourne's Lithuanian Club.

Malaysia Week, a series of events showcasing Malaysian art and culture, features a festival day with Fiesta Malaysia, held at Southbank's Queensbridge Square. The program captures the spirit of Malaysia with song and dance performances, traditional costumes, games, food, sports and martial arts.

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival, held in Silvan an hour away from Melbourne, is a vibrant festival that celebrates Spring with fields that feature more than half a million beautiful flowers. With specially themed weekends held throughout the festival, attractions include concerts, kids' days and more.

Film Festivals

Indonesian Silver Screen, held as part of the upcoming Festival Indonesia, is a special presentation of the best Indonesian movies. With films offering an insight into Indonesian cinema, such as A Courtesan and Love for Share, screenings are held at the Hoyts Cinema of Melbourne Central.

The Seniors' Film Festival, held at ACMI Cinema in Federation Square, is a series of local and international musicals, comedies and dramas. With 1930s musicals and hit film The Boat that Rocked as part of Victorian Seniors Week, the program features an entire day devoted to French comedies.

Upcoming Events

Elvis Costello will be appearing at St Kilda's Palais Theatre as part of his solo tour that offers a very special performance, sharing not only his music with audiences but also his personal stories. With special guest Shelley Harland, a second show has been announced with tickets selling fast.

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 so you can jot them down on the to-do list , including Exhibitions, Live Gigs, Theatre, Markets, Expos and more..
View Future Events on any day of the week

Exhibitions - Art | Festival | Show

The Wildlife of Gondwana Exhibition, held at Monash University in Clayton, is a collection of fauna, flora and dinosaurs that showcases the research of some of the worlds leading palaeontologists with fossil records that span changes from 3.8 billion years ago to the present.

The Australian Blacksmith Convention, held at Wandin's Mont De Lancey Museum, is a chance to meet blacksmiths and farriers from around the country. Demonstrations of ornamental smithing, knife making and even armour manufacture with Medieval re-enactments will be on display.

All About Wildlife, an exhibition by the Wildlife Art Society, showcases the wide range of artwork created by members with artwork capturing wildlife and flora from Australia and overseas. Held at the Barn Gallery of Montsalvat in Eltham with drawings, paintings and sculptures, all work is for sale.

A Compendium of Undersea Curiosities... and Friends is an exhibition of work by Kaitlin Beckett, held at Gallery 696 in Brunswick. Kaitlin's unique style brings to life a collection of curious beasts from the deep and landlubber friends in a quirky explosion of fins, masks, rockets and hearing trumpets.

Strike a Pose with Lee Lin Chin is a photographic exhibition held at the Victorian Archives Centre in North Melbourne. Showcasing the Australian fashion scene of the 1960's and 70's, the show co-curated by Lee Lin Chin, host of Fashionista, explores the influences that shaped Australian fashion.

Shelter: On Kindness is an exhibition of work by artists, architects, writers and thinkers invited to reflect on what qualities of environment and circumstance afford us shelter in a physical and metaphorical sense. Inspired by the book, On Kindness, by Adam Phillips, it's at Melbourne's RMIT Gallery.

The Lure of Echo, held at Donkey Wheel House, one of the oldest heritage listed buildings in Melbourne, is a immersive sound sculptural installation by Sarah Duyshart. Beautifully ethereal, the dark arches and corridors hold sieves that gently sift flour through spotlight to the floor in response to sound.

The Leica/CCP Documentary Photography Award showcases the work of Australia's contemporary documentary photographers. Appearing at Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, award finalists in the show capture diverse views ranging from war photography to quiet observations.

Open Days, Expos & Launches

Stephen K Amos, the popular comedian and frequent guest on Spicks and Specks, will be appearing at JB HIFI in Bourke St to meet Melbourne fans and sign copies of his latest DVD, Find the Funny, a recording of his sell-out performance in Sydney at The Enmore Theatre.

Melbourne City School, located on the corner of King and Little Collins Streets, will be holding a series of Open Days to showcase the school's educational vision with Drop-in Sessions during which the public can explore the campus, meet staff and learn about their approach to education.

Mosque Open Day - The Albanian Australian Islamic Society will have an open day in Carlton North to commemorate forty years since its establishment. Open to all ages and faiths, the day includes multicultural foods, tours, an Islamic Information session and kids' activities with a jumping castle and more.

CraftExpo, held at the Royal Exhibition Building, is a huge craft event that has plenty to inspire your inner artist with exclusive attractions and interactive features that allow attendees to leave their own mark, craft suppliers of all kinds and special workshops offering a new craft to try every hour.

The Meccano Model Exhibition, held by the Melbourne Meccano Club in Gardenvale, showcases the novel works of its members with displays of mechanisms and models with surprising contraptions that can even draw patterns and also displays of rare and obsolete Meccano sets and parts.

The Medieval Mind, Body & Soul Expo, supporting the Starlight Foundation and the Victorian Wildlife Organization, features over 60 stalls offering giftware, crystals, spirit artists, alternative therapies and more. With workshops and demonstrations, it's held at Moorabbin Town Hall in Carrum.

The Gardivalia Festival of Gardens features a program of events that brings together Gippsland Gourmet Country Tourism and local artists, offering an extravaganza of food and wine, arts, culture and entertainment. Held at various venues of West Gippsland, it includes gardens tours and workshops.

Performances & Theatre

The Music of Persia is a free concert by Monash University in Clayton that showcases Persian Music with a performance of works by the two most famous Persian composers, Saba and Payvar. It includes an informative presentation of Persian music history by the performers.

Cirque de Gymnastique, a carnivale of acrobats and gymnasts, features a massive cast of over 100 performers. Held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park, the performance is a vibrant parade of talent with human pyramids, trampolines, German wheels and more.

Six Thirty for Seven, performed at Stag Theatre in Strathmore, is the new play by the accomplished poet and playwright Alwyn Lewis. The light-hearted play follows the family dynamics and rivalries that come boldly to light as a family celebrates the eldest sibling's retirement.

When the Rain Stops Falling, performed by Melbourne Theatre Company at their Southbank theatre, is Andrew Bovell's award-winning play about the relationship between a father and son, and how a rain of fish from the sky could signal the end of a rift that began eighty years earlier.

Bitter, Sweet & Twisted, held at Chapel Off Chapel, is a performance by the acclaimed Noel Coward vocalist, John Michael Swinbank. Featuring some of the greatest songs by the witty Noel Coward, the performance includes songs from other greats like Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and others.

Retail, held at the No-Vacancy Gallery of Melbourne's QV Building, is a performance that explores the world of two retail stores, one bridal couture and the other selling men's suits, and the suspense that unfolds as the staff of each uncover unexpected ties to the seedy underworld of organized crime.

The World Goes Round, presented by Altona City Theatre, is a celebration of life with its glories, indignities, hopes and quiet dreams. With a stellar cast, the revue show features the beloved and classic songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the writers of such well known musicals as Chicago and Cabaret.

Genius, performed at the Collins Street Baptist Church, is a musical tribute to the legendary blues artist, Ray Charles. With Chris Kirby as the Very Reverend Frederick Douglas Jackson, the pulpit performance offers a light-hearted look at the blues with musical accompaniment by Jeff Duff and Wylie J Miller.

Attract/Repel, presented by The Melbourne Town Players, is an uncompromising and raw look into racism in Australian culture. Created by Ming-Zhu Hii, the performance takes the form of interrogation to look beneath the surface of society. It's held at The Store Room at Fitzroy's Parkview Hotel.

Dance

In Essence, held at the Renaissance Theatre in Kew, is the latest performance by Flare Dance Company. With a share of proceeds donated to Alzheimers Australia, the show will feature short works by amateur choreographers and dancers with dance pieces from a broad range of styles.

Entertainment & Nightlife

Live Concerts & Gigs

Afro Mandinko, the most vibrant band performing African music, will be appearing at Northcote Social Club throughout October. Having returned from international touring, their performances offer a unique audio-visual journey with African cultural footage, giveaways and special guests.

Cuba Is Japan will be performing at the Evelyn Hotel in Fitzroy, along with Genevieve & Jezabel and Mike Barnes. This concert is to create awareness and raise funds for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, the largest provider of aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers.

The Godskitchen Boombox Tour hits Melbourne bringing a architecturally unique multimedia music event to Hisense Arena. The extraordinary production features a colossal structure that will house state-of-the-art DJ equipment and also act as a giant screen of lighting and visuals.

The Light Quartet will perform at Spencers Live with their original and ambient compositions. Comprised of Mike Johnson on harp, David Jones on percussion, Ben Robertson on Double Bass and Evripides Evripidou on Guitar, the group's music is inspired by medieval, jazz and Spanish traditions.

Burlesque & Cabaret

Snuff Clubb, held at the Fringe Hub of North Melbourne's Lithuanian Club, is a cabaret club of manic giant puppets, live music and special guest. A theatre of the macabre and risque, Snuff Clubb is a daring cavalcade of bizarre characters who grow more absurd as the show unfolds, much like themselves.

Friday Night Burlesque, held at Fitzroy's Burlesque Bar, is a scintillating night of live performance, capturing the long and varied history of Burlesque entertainment in all its cheeky, saucy glory featuring established acts as well as some of the hottest up and coming performers in the Burlesque scene.

Cinema

The EnhanceTV ATOM Awards, which recognises the best work in over thirty categories of media including animation, television and film, will showcase the work of finalists from Australian and New Zealand with free screenings of packaged programs held on the Big Screen at Federation Square.

Comedy & Spoken Word

Willow Tales, held at Northcote's Willow Bar each month, 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.

Let's Get Mystical, held at Yah Yahs in Fitzroy, is a performance by ex-aerobics instructor turned mystic yogi, healer and cult victim rescuer, Karmin Suitrout (otherwise known as Noni Dunstone), whose show teaches how to be a multi-career women and still be at one with the universe.

Who's your Daddy? held at Melbourne's Bull & Bear Tavern, combines the talents of Terry North, JJ McLean, Mr. Alabama and Peter Melrose. The four comedians explore fatherhood, drawing on personal experiences from altogether having 13 children and 11 grandchildren... and possibly more.

Welcome to the Freak Show, held at Cabaret Voltaire in North Melbourne, is Darren Freak's musical journey into Australian middle class culture. With satirical wit, sharpened by a career as a satirical writer, he draws on everything from his childhood and family to AFL, celebrity, online dating and more.

Theatresports, Melbourne's longest running improvisation comedy show, returns with performances held at St Kilda's Theatre Works. Featuring a cast of mighty thespians, teams go head to head in ever-increasing degrees of improvised difficulty, bringing new feats of wit to the stage each week.

Melbourne For Kids

Disney's High School Musical, performed by Whitehorse Musical Theatre, brings the smash hit movie to the stage. Held at the Besen Centre in Burwood, the performance follows the social upheaval that ensues when members of different cliques break rank by performing together.

Muckheap, performed at South Yarra's Cromwell Road Theatre, is a funny, fast and fantastically messy show about two people trying to clean out their shed for hard rubbish day. With a pile of junk too interesting to throw away, their efforts become a storytelling frenzy using what they find.

Circus Shows

Stardust Circus, Australia's largest circus with animals, will be performing at Gateway Island, a unique arts venue located on the Murray River of Albury. The performance features African lions, monkeys, Liberty horses and trick ponies, acrobats, Aerialists, the sensational flying trapeze, clowns and more.

Circus Olympia, direct from Europe, is a bright and vibrant entertainment event that will thrill, awe and humour audiences of all ages. Performing at Westfield Fountain Gate, the circus features humane animal acts together with circus artists from nations that include Switzerland, Portugal and Russia.

Circus Sunrise, an action-packed show for all the family, will be appearing in Caroline Springs, with performances held at Caroline Springs Boulevarde. A true family circus with lineage going back to 1648, the performances od Circus Sunrise feature juggling, acrobatics and whip-cracking excitement!

Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be holding performances at Burnley Oval in Richmond on Swan Street. 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 more.

Puzzles & Competitions

Spot The Difference

There are 5 Differences between these two pictures of the planes found at the Moorabbin Air Museum... See if you can spot them! Sign up for answers revealed in Next Week's Newsletter

More on Moorabbin Air Museum | Learn More about Melbourne!

Competitions & Special Offers

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

Melbourne Sustainability Drinks, held the first Wednesday of every month at Melbourne Central's 100 Mile Cafe, provides a forum for professionals and anyone interested in sustainability to exchange ideas and meet other passionate people who are interested in making a positive difference.

The Gospel Singing Workshop, led by gospel guru, Phil Heuzenroeder, offers a fantastic evening of singing gospel music from the sublime beauty of spirituals to rocking a capella, foot stompin' church songs of the gospel quartets. It's held at East Melbourne's St Patricks Cathedral.

African Drumming Classes - Ray Pereira, one of Australia's best performers and teachers in African Drumming, offers classes that teach great hand technique and how to hear and play inspiring West African rhythms on a variety of drums and instruments that include djembe, bells and shakers.

Dynamic Drawing Classes, held by Ron Curran, help you discover your creative identity and find your power through drawing. Classes are held weekly in Fitzroy and Brunswick. Classes cost $18, with no need to book, and each class includes a model, music and facilitation provided on the day.

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 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..

Ocsober is an invitation for people to put away the bevvies and go dry to raise money for Life Education Australia's drug and health education programs. You can participate as an individual or team, with family, friends and colleagues sponsoring you for 31 days from when you begin on October

Markets, Fetes and Fairs

The Brisbane Ranges Wildflower Show, held at Anakie Staughton Vale Hall, is a presentation by the Friends of Brisbane Ranges that will include wildflower displays and plant sales, information stands, workshops on macro photography, plant identification and even guided bus tours.

A Car Boot Sale will be held by Marlborough Primary School in Heathmont To raise funds for the school. The special market day offers the chance to pick up great bargains with second hand toys, books and children's clothing and there'll also be chook lotto, a Sausage Sizzle, cake stalls and more.

The Monster Spring Garage Sale, held bythe Greenhills Playgroup, is an indoor market event with over 25 stalls selling homewares, baby goods, plants, toys and much more. Held at the Greenhills Scout Hall in Greensborough, a Sausage Sizzle and hot drinks will be available on the day.

The Melbourne Car Fair, held every week at Docklands, revolutionises the car market by allowing buyers to trade directly with private sellers. Free to attend for those buying, the fair features sellers of cars, motorbikes, scooters, vans and more with all sales cutting out the middle man costs.

View MARKETS on any day of the week 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!

Dining & Drink

Wining Und More Biering

The Beechworth Oktoberfest, held at Bridge Road Brewers, celebrates the festival with a weekend of great music with a traditional ohm pah band, fantastic food and great food that compliments the brewery's beers. Festivities include a special family day with children's activities.

Shedfest is a very special Open Winery Weekend that will see eleven wineries along the Warburton Highway opening their doors to the public for two days with live music entertainment, wine tastings, local produce and much more, all set amidst the Seville area's stunning views.

Bendigo Heritage Uncorked is a moveable feast event that showcases the best on offer from the regions winemakers along with sumptuous food and entertainment by local musicians. With gourmet food from local chefs, the foodie tour visits heritage venues normally closed to the public.

Pinot Week, presented by the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association, brings together restaurants, wineries and other venues in Victoria's picturesque region with a program that celebrates the art of wine making with special events that include gourmet dinners, wine tastings and more.

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 wine lovers, their impressive range was recommended on Channel 7's Today Tonight and Channel 9's A Current Affair.

Special Dining Offers

Menulog Dining Specials - Save Money Today!

Dining Specials - Save Up To 20% on Your Bill
Menulog is the easiest way to book a restaurant online with over 4000 restaurant listings! By booking online through Menulog you can enjoy fine food and save money with special deals offering discounts on total food bills, complimentary wine and drinks, discount group bookings and much, much more!

Truffles Chocolaterie in Richmond offers fine hand crafted couveture chocolates, sweets, French style crepes and more.
SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog and receive 10% OFF your bill when you dine at Truffles Chocolaterie!
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 Gift Vouchers

Menulog Gift Vouchers are the perfect way to treat someone special to a great dinner with vouchers available for a wide range of participating restaurants in Melbourne and across Australia. There's even the option to buy a voucher and let the lucky recipient decide which restaurant they'd like to dine at!
Learn More about Menulog Gift Vouchers

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:

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

The Trots

Victoria's Spring Racing Carnival showcases 50 days of premier world-class thoroughbred racing with 85 race meetings across the Victoria, including 20 Country Cups at venues such as Ararat. More than just a racing festival, the event highlights the finest fashion, luxury dinners and more.

Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival

Caulfield Guineas Day
Saturday October 10
1600 Metres
Caulfield Racecourse

NBL Championship

NBL Championship | Round 3

Melbourne Tigers Home Game

Saturday October 10 - 7:30pm
State Netball and Hockey Centre, Parkville