Newsletter | #150 | What's On this Week
Welcome to this week's Melbourne events, exhibitions, sports and community guide for Tuesday November 17 to Monday November 23, 2009.
This week.. Roll over Ted Bullpit, 'cause there's a whole lotta multiculture goin' on! The Western suburbs have their time in the spotlight with their very popular Big West Festival celebrating arts, theatre and more, while in Federation Square there's the White Tower Sister-City Festival marking the anniversary of our union with the Greek city of Thessaloniki. There's also the Johnston Street Hispanic Fiesta and the The Anatolian Alevi Festival, celebrating Turkish culture.
We're also giving one lucky reader a hamper full of goodies to celebrate reaching our 150th Newsletter and What's On Guide.. so count yourselves lucky that we didn't fall back on the traditional anniversary gift. Apparently there's a back-up list for when folk do reach an obscenely ripe old age, and the big 150 is celebrated with Tapioca. And not even in pudding form, at that! See, Sally? We like you! We really like you!
With just a taste further down, check here to view more of the following..
Happy 150th Newsletter!
This Week's Newsletter hits the BIG 150 and to celebrate we're giving one lucky reader a Christmas Hamper of goodies that include OnlyMelbourne merchandise, books, and other goodies they won't know about until it arrives come Christmas.. So no peeking through the cupboards!Win an OnlyChristmas Melbourne Hamper!!
For your chance to win a Yule Time swag, simply email your name, address and contact details with 'OnlyMelbourne 150th Giveaway' as part of the message.
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Major Events Guide
The Big West Festival is Melbourne's premier community-based contemporary arts festival with 10 days of events, music, art, song, film and live performances. A biennial event, Big West stages high quality, cutting edge and unique artistic works in the various venues of the western suburbs.
The Phillip Island Jazz Festival, held at the new location of the Eco Resort in Phillip Island, offers a great line up of performances. Running across three days, performers at the festival include Maurie's Jolly Rollers, Shirazz Fresh Dixieland Jazz Band and an appearance by Solo Pianist, Bruce Gourlay.
A Thousand Words Festival, held at Abbotsford Convent, celebrates the unique place that children's stories hold in our society. Offering a vibrant showcase of books for young readers, the festival features storytelling for young children, fantasy discussions for teenagers, competitions and more.
Johnston Street Hispanic Fiesta, Fitzroy's iconic festival, is a weekend of fun, music, food and more kick than a tequila sunrise. The award-winning Latin festival showcases the culture, heritage and traditions of Spanish speaking nations with markets, arts, sports, costume and more.
The White Tower is the anniversary celebration of the Sister-City relations between Melbourne and Thessaloniki. Held at Federation Square, the free festival features a wide variety of entertainment that embraces the Greek culture of our Sister-City with performances, food and craft stalls.
The Anatolian Alevi Festival celebrates Turkish culture this year with the festival dedicated to Abdal Musa, one of the founders of ancient philosophical ideologies that embrace unity and peace. With poetry, dance, art, children games and food, the event is held at Coburg Lake Reserve.
The Mornington Peninsula Interfaith Festival brings together many of the world's faith traditions to celebrate unity and understanding with a day of music, food, workshops and attractions for people of all ages. It takes place at Mornington's Peninsula Community Theatre.Upcoming Events
One Night in Paris - Longroom in Melbourne presents New Years Eve like never before with a chic soiree of dancing, music and entertainment! Entry includes a Belvedere Cocktail on arrival, delicious Tapas and Sushi and entertainment throughout the night until the countdown to 2010.
Roaring Twenties Burlesque NYE - House of Burlesque and Bourke Street's Royal Melbourne Hotel come together again to present Melbourne's Most Marvellously Magnifico Merry Making and Teasiest New Years Eve Celebration with 14 exciting shows, nibble canapes and more!
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 Christmas A'Fair Exhibition, held at the Alcove Art Shop in Box Hill, is the annual exhibition and sale by the Boxhill Clayworkers. With a showcase of unique handcrafted goods made by local and interstate artisans, items include jewellery, textiles, pottery, sculptures and other art works.
Memory Surfacing, held at Gasworks Art Park in Albert Park, is an exhibition by Tracey Johnson that features new works that include a hanging sculptural centrepiece of suspended glass fragments. Drawn from leaf and branch patterns, the exhibition explores themes of memory.
Displaced Paintings is an exhibition of recent works by Eleanor Hart with an accompanying essay by Ashley Crawford. Showing at MARS Gallery in Port Melbourne, the show was inspired by Eleanor's discovery of letters written in Gothic German, triggering a fascination for a lost past.
Nocturama, an exhibition at The Owl and the Pussycat gallery in Richmond, brings together emerging artists from Australia, New Zealand and Britain with all the artists offering work that explores their concept of Nocturama in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and multimedia.
Hear Me, a Community Art Project organised by Nillumbik Schools, is an installation of quotes by the local Primary School children expressing how they want to be treated by adults, displayed in shop windows and over fences, flowing down the main street of Hurstbridge.
We don't suffer fools gladly, held at Fitzroy North's red gallery, features works by Rebecca Power that explore the dark side of fairtyales with imagery used to address issues of power and sexuality. It coincides with exhibitions by Penny Parkinson, Romany Glover and Adam Douglass.
Girt by Sea is an exhibition by Kevan Way that captures the beauty of Australia's coastline with a series of photographic prints and canvas murals. On display at Mario's Cafe in Fitzroy, the images reflect the journey in Kevan Way's life following his move from Melbourne to Torquay.
Record and Analysis, held at Melbourne Town Hall, is a free exhibition of engineering photographs taken by Melbourne City Council. Offering an offbeat look at Melbourne through the eyes of it's archive of practical photography, the photos reveal the small details of Melbourne life.
Natural History, on display at Cyclone in South Melbourne, is a series of works by Jason Moad that present images of contradiction by featuring museum subjects in abnormal settings. Inspired by his first childhood sighting of Phar Lap, the works capture the stillness and illusion of museums.
Tangent Man Turns ... Left is an exhibition of graphic works by Julian Chapple, showing at Hand Held Gallery in Bourke Street. With pictographic travel journals from Chapple's recent travels, the works are cartoons and black and white line art showcasing his haphazard imagination.
AC/DC Family Jewels, held at the Melbourne Art Centre, collects memorabilia from Australia's most iconic band and their record company. Free to the public, it covers the 35-year career of AC/DC, one of the greatest rock bands, with original material revealed publicly for the first time.
Super Human: Revolution of the Species is an exhibition of collaborations between artists and scientists, investigating what it means to be human both now and in the future. Held at the RMIT Gallery on Swanston Street, the exhibition exposes our aspirations and fears about our bodies.
China Daily, held at fortyfivedownstairs in Flinders lane, features artwork by Deng Ying, Cui Qiang and Chen Yu that offers a mixed view of China with work by Deng and Cui celebrating the country's everyday life, while Chen's artwork presents a very jaded view of China's incessant queues.
The Arts with Flair Exhibition, held at the galleries of Mont De Lancey in Wandin North, is a collection of works by gifted artists from the Yarra Valley surrounds. Presented by the Two09 Group, the exhibition features diverse subjects from the abstract to the realistic and other styles.
Anatomy to Robots, showing at Southbank's Queensbridge Square, is a remarkable exhibition that brings the designs of Leonardo da Vinci to life. One of the world's greatest and inventive minds, the exhibition shows his passion for nature, science and art with life size recreations of his works.Open Days, Expos & Launches
Inscribe Writers' Symposium, held at Northcote Town Hall, is a weekend of events held to celebrate the launch of the first issue of Inscribe, a new literary street-press newspaper. The program includes musical entertainment, a forum for young writers, guest speakers and a poetry slam.
The Whitehorse Volunteer Expo at Box Hill Town Hall is a chance to find out about the many fun and rewarding opportunities in Volunteering. Showcasing the wide range of volunteering opportunities available, roles covered include emergency services, disabilities assistance, arts and more.
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 almost 200 stalls, performances and more where you can try and buy products and services.
The Casey Events Expo is an event held in Cranbourne East to help both event organisers and local businesses to source and promote products and services available locally. Free to attend, the Expo also includes special guest speaker Jen Harwood, who is a motivational speaker and author.
The Sustainability Homes Expo, taking place at the Whittlesea Council Offices, showcases the newest, most innovative and practical sustainability products and services. With a variety of exciting new products in solar energy, lighting, insulation and more, the expo is free to attend.Performances & Theatre
Life is a Dream, held at the Store Room in Fitzroy North, is Daniel Schlusser's production of a classic and existentialist fairytale about a king who, in fear of a dire astrological prediction, has long imprisoned his son in a mountain cave and then tries to convince him it was no more than a dream.
Melbourne Boys : New Beginnings, playing at Northcote Town Hall, is JC La Fontaine's follow-up to his modern coming-of-age story. More than just a sequel, the play is a stand-alone production that continues it's musical story of sexual awakening and life lessons for Melbourne youth.
The Wild Party, a performance based on a racy poem penned in 1928 by Joseph Moncure March, transforms the Bella Union on Carlton into the New York club from the 1920s tale of a booze soaked party thrown by a pair of small-time vaudeville performers whose love affair is sputtering out.
Burning Daylight, a performance held at the Arts House in North Melbourne, presents Karaoke night, Broome style, where country meets hip hop meets Japanese love song until closing time when they take it outside where a lone cowboy blows into town, stirring ghosts for a long night.
Katerina, presented by STAG Theatre at the Community Hall in Strathmore, is the world premiere of a new Melbourne play by PJ Armstrong. The play follows the life Kat, a single woman and published novelist who struggles to overcome writer's block while trying to write her second book.
HerStory, presented by the Women's Circus as part of the BigWest Festival, is a special performance held to celebrate 18 years of the theatrical group with a tale of what it means to be lost and find yourself, to be earth-bound and learn to fly, to be shy and step out from behind the mask.
Once upon a Time is a play by Moving Theatre that is a tale of love, pain, family, and courage. Performed in Deer Park, the play is a study of memory and rekindled friendship as two childhood friends, Annie and Steve, try to find out who or what it was that separated them so long ago.
Sir Jasper's Revenge, performed at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, is a return to classic theatre where audiences can boo and hiss at the villain, cheer at the hero, and whistle at the heroine as they find out whether right can triumph over wrong amidst the comic melodrama.
Assassins - A Musical, performed at Williamstown Mechanics Institute, is Stephen Sondheim's boldly original play by that bends history and time with political assassins such as Lee Harvey Oswald meeting likeminded villains who inspire each other to darker acts than they're known for.
RENT The Musical, presented by Fab Nobs Theatre in Bayswater, brings to the stage the hit rock musical that tells the story of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City.
Lost in Yonkers, Neil Simon's popular coming of age tale, will be performed by Epping's Chester Street Theatre. Part of Simon's trilogy which includes Brighton Beach Memoirs and Biloxi Blues, the inspiring play focuses on two brothers left in the care of their Grandma in Yonkers, New York in 1942.
Saturday Afternoon Soap Opera, presented by SNAFU Theatre, is a serialized performance with an ongoing plot developing each week. Held at Mirrors Lounge Bar in Fitzroy, audiences are invited to experience the comic dizzying highs and despicable lows of Soap Opera like never before.
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.Classical, Choral & Recitals
Jerusalem Quartet will be appearing at the Melbourne Recital Centre in Southbank for what will be their final performance for this year. Arguably one of the most dynamic and thrilling quartets of our time, they'll be joined by the renowned cellist, Zvi Plesser, for their exhilarating concert.Entertainment & Nightlife
Live Concerts & Gigs
The Radiators and The Sweet will be performing at various venues in Victoria, bringing the Aussie rock legends together with one of the most iconic bands of the 70's Glam Rock era with classic hits like The Ballroom Blitz, Fox On The Run and more. So... Are you ready, Steve? Andy?
Afro Dizzi Act are bringing an Afro-roots-funk party to listeners all along the East Coast as they tour Victoria. Renowned as a premier festival band for the past decade, Afro Dizzi Act have an eclectic new sound with the ripe influence of Senegalese-born vocalist Jali Buba Kuyateh.
The Black Ryder will be appearing at The Tote in Collingwood where they'll launch their debut album Buy The Ticket Take The Ride. The psychedelic band will be joined by Sydney Psyfolk Raptor Killed 2 Birds, as well as local bands Slight Of Build and Dreaming Of Ghosts.
Miami Horror will be performing at The Corner Hotel in Richmond to launch their debut album. The brainchild of Benjamin Vanguarde, one of the most exciting and inventive DJs in Melbourne, they'll perform new tracks from the album as well as reinterpretations of classic remixes.
The November Diva's Series, presented by Melbourne's Paris Cat Jazz Club, features an outstanding list of female artists who'll be performing each week with the hottest jazz venue in town playing host to some of the smoothest female vocalists and groups performing classics and originals.
A Dead Forest Index, comprised of brothers Sam and Adam Sherry, will be appearing at The Workers Club in Fitzroy. With a sound described as haunting and subterranean, they'll be performing throughout November, supported each week by an array of unique and interesting artists.Burlesque & Cabaret
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.Comedy & Magic
Nunsense, performed by Phoenix Theatre Company in Doncaster, is the award-winning comedy that combines audience participation, dance and music in a hilarious story of the fundraising efforts and performances of 5 absurd nuns, after the accidental poisoning of 52 of their sisters.
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
Muckheap, as part of La Mama for Kids in Carlton, 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.
Northcote Library will be holding a FREE Family Fun Day where you can come along for a day of fun and free entertainment! With plenty of great activities for the kids there'll also be a special guest appearance by Maisy, the much loved mouse from Lucy Cousins' books, face painting and more.
Crown's Christmas Spectacular transforms the grand Atrium into a magical Christmas carnival. Presented each year to entertain children, a cavalcade of Christmas characters perform and dance under the enormous brand new Christmas Carousel each time the giant clock chimes.Circus Shows
Circus Sunrise, an action-packed show for all the family, will be appearing in Cambellfield, with performances held at Pipeworks Markets. A true family circus with lineage going back to 1648, the performances od Circus Sunrise feature juggling, acrobatics and whip-cracking excitement!
Stardust Circus, Australia's largest circus with animals, will be performing at Deer Park's Brimbank Shopping Centre. The performance features African lions, monkeys, Liberty horses and trick ponies, acrobats, Aerialists, the sensational flying trapeze, clowns and more for the whole family.
Silvers Grand Magic Circus will be holding performances in Bayswater North. 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
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Competitions & Special Offers
Always on Sale offers leading brand products to customers. You are assured that you have selected a product from our range of reputable brands with great savings. You will receive exactly what you ordered in a secure environment, conveniently delivered to your door.Community
The Darebin Mayor's Event, with the theme of 'Unmask a Cure for MS', is the Mayoral Fundraising Ball held to help research into finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Hosted by Darebin Mayor, Cr Diana Asmar, an MS sufferer herself, it's held at Presto'n Stars International Reception Centre.
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.
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..
Movember returns for another year to bring back the soup-strainer and raise money for men's health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and beyondblue. By simply growing a moustache in November and finding sponsors, Gala Parties are held at month's end to thank all involved.Learn More About Movember Today!
Markets, Fetes and Fairs
A Fair to Remember, held in Malvern, is a great chance to pick up a bargain in the latest fashions, while also helping to support the charity, Very Special Kids, who support families with children suffering life-threatening illnesses. Children's attractions on the day include an animal petting zoo.
A Trash N Treasure Afternoon will be held at Greenbrook Primary School in Epping where the whole family can grab some great items and have fun with jumping castles, show bags and face painting. With food stalls available on the day, there'll also be Harley rides and much more.
The Way We Wear Fair, held at Williamstown Town Hall, is a highlight for collectors of vintage clothing and accessories with second hand fashion dealers from all over Australia offering antique, retro and designer label fashions, along with a travelling exhibition of regal gowns and accessories.
The Mini Christmas Fair Exhibition, presented by the Handweavers & Spinners Guild of Victoria at their guild rooms in Carlton North, offers many great gift ideas in one location. The exhibition features a wide range of items including Christmas ornaments, cards, stockings and toys.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
The Eltham Amateur Wine Show, held at the Eltham Community Centre and presented by the Eltham and District Amateur Winemakers Guild, the show will feature over 700 country and grape wine entries. Along with free workshops, gourmet food will also be on sale through the day.
Top Wines Australia offer Award Winning wines at great prices with wines sourced from 4-5 star vineyards. With wines for sale at half the price of similarly rated wine you can even buy 6 wines get and get 6 FREE for Only $85 while also going into the draw to win a $3000 Wine Giveaway!Special Dining Offers
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!
Curry Leaf Cafe in Elwood offers authentic Tandoori Barbecue Platters with an exotic ambience and friendly attentive service.SPECIAL DINING OFFER!!
Book Through Menulog and enjoy the Spring Finger Food Special with a tasty platter & a Glass of Wine for just $17!
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 CuisineChinese 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:
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Sporting Events
Fisticuffs!!!
Hulkamania - Let The Battle Begin! brings the legendary wrestler and cultural icon to Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Having set live attendance records all over the world including a live gate of more that 96,000 fans, Hulk Hogan has set his sites on Australia as his next frontier.
War of the Worlds, presented by Powerplay Promotions, brings the richest International fight card in Melbourne's kickboxing history to the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville with Mike Zambidis going up against Dzhabar Askerov and Ali Gunyar versus Virgil Kalakoda.Fun Runs
The Olympic Dream will hold a fun run at Birrarung Marr to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Held alongside the Yarra River, participants can walk or run 5 or 10 kilometres with scenic cityscape views of marvellous Melbourne. A 3km Schools Challenge is included as part of the celebration.Cycling
The UCI Track World Cup, held at Hisense Arena, will see the world's best cyclists returning to Melbourne for two big days and nights of action. With day and night sessions held each day with track cycling at its best.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.NBL Championship
NBL Championship | Round 9Melbourne Tigers Home Game
Saturday November 21 - 7:30pm
State Netball and Hockey Centre, Parkville
Community Sports
Soccer Melbourne's S ❊ Address & Contact ❊
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